"The Statement of CRPH regarding the approval of unrepresentative military junta person to be an observer at 42nd General Assembly. The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) condemned the exclusion of Myanmar’s Parliamentary Delegation from the 42nd Session of the ASEAN INTER PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (AIPA). The condemnation is resoundingly echoed by all Members of CRPH and Members of Parliament across Myanmar. AIPA is the peak parliamentary body for the ASEAN parliaments and is about to convene its 42nd Assembly in Brunei from 5 PM-22nd-25th August. The nominated Myanmar delegation is U Aung Kyi Nyunt (Chair of the CRPH), and members of the International Relations Committee of the CRPH; Daw Myat Thida Htun and U Sithu Maung. The AIPA President H.E. Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, the Speaker of the Brunei Legislative Council, has yet to accord parliamentary courtesy and reply to our letter to him nominating Myanmar’s legitimate delegation. The only conclusion we can draw is that the AIPA President has steered the ASEAN Parliamentary family to an undemocratic and unrepresentative course. To add insult to injury, we are advised that the AIPA President has approved an unelected unrepresentative military junta person to be an observer; if so choosing dictatorship over democracy; political cowardice over political principle. The exclusion of Myanmar’s delegation will grievously impugn AlPA’s parliamentary independence and its standing among the global family of parliaments. This 42nd Assembly will be marked as one of shame, if AIPA choses to flaunt its own Statutes that include the provision to promote the principles of human rights, democracy, peace, security and prosperity in ASEAN, and Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognises the will of the people to freely choose their own representatives. If it is a misunderstanding, it should be cleared up and we stand ready to heed the call and join via AV means. We also urge all MP Parliamentary delegates attending to call for inclusion of the Myanmar delegation..."