Efforts to abolish the death penalty in Southeast Asia welcomed

Distinguished international experts and representatives of several governments joined Bangkok seminar on departure from the death penalty in South-East Asia.
The seminar was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with the Thai Ministry of Justice.
In addition to experts and government representatives attended the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights, parliaments, national human rights institutions, the legal profession, academia and civil society.
During the two-day seminar in response to global trends, the participants discussed the situation in Southeast Asia as well as international standards governing the use of the death penalty.
"While challenges remain, the experience in Southeast Asia discussed in this seminar tend to confirm the global trend away from the death penalty," said Professor William Schabas, a leading international expert on the death penalty, and added that he was convinced that more and more countries in Southeast Asia will take significant steps towards abolition of the death penalty in the coming years.
Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn from Chulalongkorn University, who served as chairman of the entire training seminars to the conclusion that this first regional meeting was an important milestone for further discussion at the national and regional level in this critical area, including through the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
"This dialogue between experts in the field, it is necessary to end this unjust and inhumane practices, which often affects the most marginalized" Vitit said, adding that it was difficult to reconcile the death penalty with fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life.
Ibrahim Najjar, Lebanon's former justice minister and currently the Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty, said he attended a seminar "at a crucial time when the international movement for the abolition of the death penalty continues to grow in strength and influence."

China's relationship with Myanmar to stay on the right track : Li

China and Myanmar have pledged to increase their future cooperation , as Premier Li Keqiang met Myanmar President U Thein Sein outside the 16th China-ASEAN Summit in Brunei on Wednesday .
Li said Beijing hopes to set the right direction for the future of relations with the countries of Southeast Asia in the new situation , as the country is currently experiencing domestic policy reform and abroad.
" China wants to increase cooperation in various fields with Myanmar and add new fuel to the good cooperation between the hearts of the two countries , " Li said , adding that China supports political reform in the country.
Analysts said the statement showed a stable trend Li Beijing relationship Yangon, Myanmar , adding that the reforms did not target China .
"Words Li sent a positive signal of future Beijing - Yangon relationship . Political reform in Myanmar will not affect the country's relations with China , " said Lu Guangsheng , a professor of Southeast Asian studies at Yunnan University .
No matter what the direction of political reform Myanmar in the near future , the leaders of the present and future are expected to perform outside of China -friendly policies , as cooperation in the countries based on the geo-political and geo -economic development, said Li Chenyang Lu partners , a Myanmar specialist studies .
Rapid changes in domestic politics and foreign policy occurred after Myanmar held its first election since 1990 in the year 2010.
China and Myanmar have enjoyed good relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950 .
But as the ongoing reforms in Myanmar , some Chinese projects in Southeast Asian countries have faced challenges.
In 2011 , Burma suspended cooperation with China in the Myitsone hydropower project Irawaddy River , leading to significant losses for a Chinese company .
" After the calm analysis , China is now of the opinion that these cases do not show the confrontation by Myanmar to China. Bilateral cooperation will improve in the future , " said Lu .
Since I took office , U Thein Sein has significantly improved the country's relations with the United States and other Western nations . West has been greatly reduced restrictions two decades - long it imposed on Myanmar for previous military rule .
In 2012 , Myanmar enacted the Foreign Investment Law , and it is developing a "special economic zone " law .
Premier Li said China hopes to work with Yangon to maintain the stability of the China- Myanmar border .
Kachin State of northern Myanmar experiencing armed conflict in late December 2012 . The battle killed four bombs landing on China , leading China to make a serious complaint with Myanmar .
China then required the Myanmar government to take effective steps to stop the incident from happening again .
While continuing policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries , China can assist Myanmar by providing a channel for both sides of the conflict to return to the negotiating table , and to ensure cross-border trade and the normal life of Chinese people living in the vicinity that.
Li also spoke about bilateral relations and cooperation with the United States and Asia-Pacific countries , including Malaysia and Australia .