Blog Elements – Page 2

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Rights-Based Reform: ASEAN Five Years on from 5-Point Consensus

April 24, 2026/in Briefing Papers, ND-Burma's Reports

[Open Letter] SEANF must remove membership of junta-controlled Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

April 21, 2026/in Member statements

To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF) Honorable Chairperson Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin YunusHuman Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Honorable Chairperson Ms. Anis HidayahNational Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Indonesia Honorable Provedor Mr. Virgilio da Silva GuterresProvedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ) , Timor-Leste Honorable Chairperson […]

Rights-Based Reform: ASEAN Five Years on from 5-Point Consensus

April 24, 2026/in Briefing Papers, ND-Burma's Reports

[Open Letter] SEANF must remove membership of junta-controlled Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

April 21, 2026/in Member statements

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Rights-Based Reform: ASEAN Five Years on from 5-Point Consensus

April 24, 2026/in Briefing Papers, ND-Burma's Reports

Since the failed coup in February 2021, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing’s military has pushed Burma into a full-scale civil war. The extent of abuse is well documented. Thousands have been killed, and over 3.7 million people have been displaced.^[1] Airstrikes, artillery, night raids, and arbitrary arrests have become daily realities for civilians who only seek safety and peace in their communities. The current instability of the situation has exposed vulnerabilities and a lack of resources, resulting in nearly one in three citizens estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2026.^[2]

The violence since the attempted coup in February 2021 has been increasing. Just a few months after the junta stole democracy from the people, in April 2021, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) introduced a peace plan called the Five Point Consensus (5PC) in response to the worsening human rights situation in Burma. The plan is based on five key pillars: a halt to the violence, inclusive dialogue, mediation through a special envoy, and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid. The military has long rejected the 5PC and has shown no interest in fulfilling any of its requirements or in changing its conduct in war.

Five years later, civil society organizations continue to call for a response from ASEAN that acknowledges the people’s aspirations, including by ensuring that the military junta is denied any position of power, authority, or legitimacy. The junta’s relentless violence and deliberate attacks on democratic forces undermine protections for vulnerable groups. It is also indicative of their refusal to adhere to calls to end the ongoing air and ground strikes. One significant obstacle in achieving the necessary results to tackle Burma’s multiple crises is the apparent lack of political will and commitment within ASEAN to work with pro-democracy allies and networks. Although the junta is losing its pursuit of legitimacy, international engagement with it has grown. Since 2021, ASEAN’s current and former leaders have prioritized initiating political dialogue with the junta to end the conflict, rather than engaging with representatives genuinely dedicated to a federal and democratic future for Burma. With the Philippines currently serving as the Chair of the Bloc, there are opportunities to meaningfully engage with the pro-democracy movement and lessons to be learned from the unsuccessful efforts of previous ASEAN Chairs.

rights-base reform-eng_web Download

[Open Letter] SEANF must remove membership of junta-controlled Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

April 21, 2026/in Member statements

To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF)

Honorable Chairperson Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Honorable Chairperson Ms. Anis Hidayah
National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Indonesia

Honorable Provedor Mr. Virgilio da Silva Guterres
Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ) , Timor-Leste

Honorable Chairperson Atty. Richard Paat Palpal-latoc
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP)

Honorable Chairperson Ms. Pornprapai Ganjanarintr
National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT)

21 April 2026

[Open Letter] SEANF must remove membership of junta-controlled Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

We, the CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar) (Working Group), the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) respectfully urge the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF) to take decisive steps toward the formal removal of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) from its membership.

As SEANF convenes its first Technical Working Group Meeting under the leadership of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) from 20–22 April 2026, we encourage meaningful progress, including necessary amendments to the Rules of Procedure, to enable the removal of the junta-controlled MNHRC.

This action is essential to uphold SEANF’s integrity, credibility, and commitment to accountability.

MNHRC’s alignment with the military junta

Since the attempted coup in 2021, the Myanmar military junta has perpetrated widespread and systematic human rights violations against civilians. In this context, the MNHRC has failed to act independently and has instead reinforced the junta’s narratives, thereby undermining its mandate and legitimacy.

For over five years, the MNHRC has remained silent in the face of grave violations. It also openly defended the junta against criticisms.

The MNHRC’s 15 January 2026 statement criticizing SUHAKAM—following SUHAKAM’s concerns over the junta-led sham election held between 28 December 2025 and 25 January 2026—further illustrates its unwillingness to engage constructively and its continued failure to maintain independence as required under the Paris Principles, the minimum international standards expected of national human rights institutions.

Such conduct reflects a fundamental lack of independence, credibility, and meaningful engagement with regional human rights mechanisms.

Recent escalations further underscore the severity of the crisis. Reports of continued airstrikes targeting civilian areas, including attacks in Sagaing Region and Karen and Kachin States, have resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship. These incidents reflect a pattern of increasing atrocity crimes by the Myanmar military and reinforce the urgent need for accountability, contradicting the junta’s narratives portraying a transition to civilian governance.

Myanmar’s illegitimate junta Chief, now self-appointed president, Min Aung Hlaing, also remains subject to international accountability efforts, including proceedings before courts in Argentina and the International Criminal Court, as well as universal jurisdiction cases initiated in Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

On 10 April 2026, Min Aung Hlaing re-appointed the Commissioners of the MNHRC shortly after assuming the self-appointed presidency. The lack of independence of the MNHRC is again evident, as the Commissioners are selected by the military, reflecting continued military control over the entity and falling short of the independence and pluralism required by the Paris Principles.

This sustained non-compliance has resulted in the MNHRC’s expulsion from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in March 2025 and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) in May 2025.

To preserve its standing as a credible regional human rights body, SEANF must follow suit without further delay.

Safeguarding SEANF’s credibility

Continued inclusion of a dis-accredited institution risks undermining the SEANF’s collective integrity. The removal of the MNHRC, alongside full disengagement from the junta-controlled body, is essential to promoting accountability.

We recognize the ongoing efforts of SEANF members—including its Chair, SUHAKAM—in demonstrating solidarity with the people of Myanmar. We also acknowledge current initiatives to amend the Rules of Procedure to clarify membership and procedural standards, with a view to strengthening accountability and safeguarding the integrity of SEANF.

ANNI and the Working Group extend our support to these efforts and to members actively advancing accountability, while respectfully encouraging timely and concrete progress.

GANHRI’s decision sends a clear message that non-compliance with the Paris Principles cannot be tolerated. We respectfully call on SEANF to act with similar resolve. Doing so would reinforce regional commitment to human rights standards and principled institutional leadership. The removal of the MNHRC also presents an opportunity for SEANF to strengthen its institutional coherence and renew its collective efforts to advance human rights, justice, and accountability across Southeast Asia.

We further encourage SEANF to publicly announce the removal of the MNHRC’s membership and to promptly update all relevant official platforms. In parallel, all forms of engagement with the MNHRC should cease without delay. Transparency in this process will be critical to maintaining public trust.

We look forward to confirmation of the MNHRC’s formal removal from SEANF and remain ready to engage constructively in support of independent and accountable national human rights institutions in the region.

Sincerely,

CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar)
Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

For more information, please contact:

The CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar); WG_NHRI@protonmail.com
ANNI Secretariat, FORUM-ASIA; anni@forum-asia.org

About the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI)

The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) was established in December 2006. It is a network of Asian non-governmental organisations and human rights defenders working on issues related to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). ANNI currently has 33 member organisations from 21 countries or territories. ANNI members work on strengthening the work and functioning of Asian NHRIs to better promote and protect human rights as well as to advocate for the improved compliance of Asian NHRIs with international standards, including the Paris Principles and General Observations of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI). The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has served as the Secretariat of ANNI since its establishment in 2006.

More information at: https://forum-asia.org/anni/

About the CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar)

The CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar) advocates for the establishment of a new NHRI—tentatively named the Union Human Rights Commission—to replace the illegitimate MNHRC which has aligned itself with the illegal military junta. The Working Group was previously known as the ‘CSO Working Group on MNHRC Reform.’ Currently, it consists of 21 Myanmar civil society organizations. From its founding in 2019 until the attempted coup in February 2021, the Working Group consistently advocated for an effective MNHRC that demonstrates a commitment to the international standards set forth in the Paris Principles.

More information at: https://www.facebook.com/WGonNHRIBurma

Spring Revolution

Civil Society Position Paper on ASEAN’s Goal of a Myanmar-Owned and -Led SolutionDecember 18, 2024 - 12:11 pm
Recommendations to ASEAN and Its Member States (1) Move beyond the 5PC to achieve a Myanmar people-led and people-centered solution to the crisis in Myanmar. ASEAN’s “Myanmar-owned and -led” approach must be backed by genuine political will that aligns with and supports the collective aspirations of the people of Myanmar. (2) Cease all pressure on […]
The Airstrikes after the journey to the China of the Junta Military LeaderDecember 10, 2024 - 1:28 pm
Operation 1027 was a coordinated military attack against the junta on October 27th, 2023. It was carried out by the Northern Brotherhood, which includes the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. Several months later, the Three Brotherhood Alliance held three meetings to negotiate with China on January 11 […]
Human Rights Situation weekly update (September 15 to 21, 2024)September 27, 2024 - 8:26 am
Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Sep 15 to 21, 2024 Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Shan State, Chin State, Rakhine State, and Kachin State from September 15th to 21st. The Military Junta committed arresting, occupying the properties, threatening by using power, and […]

Multimedia

GenocideSeptember 2, 2025 - 9:42 am
Crimes Against HumanityJune 16, 2025 - 7:55 am
International Humanitarian Law Cartoon AnimatonApril 29, 2025 - 8:37 am
အတိတ်မှ ဆိုးရွားသည့် အကြီးအကျယ် လူ့အခွင့်အရေးချိုးဖောက်မှုများ ထပ်မံမဖြစ်ပွားစေရေးအ တွက် အာမခံခြင်း (Guarantees of non-recurrence)February 10, 2025 - 9:58 am

ND Burma

ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

[Open Letter] SEANF must remove membership of junta-controlled Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

MNHRC’s alignment with the military junta

Safeguarding SEANF’s credibility

ND Burma

Recent Posts