ASEAN Must Protect, Not Neglect Human Rights in Burma

Ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit to be held from 26-27 May 2025, members of the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) are concerned about the ongoing failure of regional leaders to hold the military junta accountable for its widespread and systematic crimes against civilians.

The upcoming gathering of ASEAN officials and dialogue partners presents an opportunity to heed the calls of civil society organizations, which have urged decisive and firm action to the worsening human rights, humanitarian, and political crisis in Burma following the February 2021 attempted military coup.

The failure of ASEAN thus far to adequately address the multiple challenges in Burma has undermined its credibility in promoting peace and democracy, with innocent civilians suffering the most as they are forced to bear the burden of war.

The situation in Burma has worsened, with over three million displaced and declining donor support placing additional strain on local people. Even after the earthquake at the end of March 2025, the junta has not adhered to its ceasefire and continues to attack communities from the air and ground.

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