Statement on the Military Junta’s Increased Campaign of Terror Against Myanmar Civilian Population

1. As the world’s attention remains focused on Ukraine, ASEAN has a crucial opportunity to step forward and address the escalating crisis in Myanmar. With the mandate granted by the ASEAN Charter, the organization has the capacity to take meaningful action in support of lasting peace and stability.

2. The people of Myanmar continue to face immense hardship every day, and the need for decisive intervention is becoming increasingly urgent. Ongoing military junta offensives—such as the recent airstrike of a monastery in Nawnghkio, Northern Shan State, and the widespread destruction of villages across the country—have devastated civilian populations, forcing families from their homes and destroying vital institutions such as schools and hospitals. According to data documented by the Ministry of Human Rights, between 2023 and March 16, 2025, the military junta has conducted 2,190 airstrikes on civilian areas, resulting in the tragic deaths of 372 children. These indiscriminate assaults on public spaces and the consequent loss of children’s lives not only violate international humanitarian law but also breach the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees children’s rights to survival, development, participation, and protection.

3. The deliberate targeting of religious sites and civilian populations in the Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions, as well as in Shan State, underscores the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. As the military junta’s airstrikes continue to take a rising civilian toll and cause widespread destruction of vital infrastructure, a strong and unified international response is urgently needed to protect the people of Myanmar and uphold international humanitarian principles.

4. ASEAN now has an opportunity to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus and take decisive steps to support a Myanmar-owned, Myanmar-led process that aligns with the aspirations of its people. The restoration of legitimate federal democratic forces is essential for ensuring lasting peace and stability. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, we urge ASEAN to reaffirm its commitment to human rights and regional security by implementing bold and effective measures to address the crisis triggered by the illegal military coup and the ongoing acts of terror against Myanmar’s civilian population.

5. Now is the time for decisive action to restore justice, peace, and the dignity of every individual in Myanmar. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

National Unity Government