The National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement on March 19 urging the ASEAN Chair, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, to effectively address the military junta’s violence in Myanmar. The statement notes that while international attention remains focused on the Ukraine crisis, this presents an opportunity for ASEAN to take a leading role in addressing Myanmar’s worsening crisis. The NUG emphasized that under Malaysia’s rotating ASEAN chairmanship, the regional body needs to maintain its commitments to human rights and regional security.
The statement emphasizes that the current moment requires decisive action to restore justice and peace for each Myanmar citizen. The NUG also urged ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus and establish measures that align with the Myanmar people’s desires. This comes at a critical time when the military council continues to escalate its attacks against civilians across the country.
The statement details recent incidents of violence, including the military’s airstrike on a monastery in Naung Cho, northern Shan State, and highlights the military council’s continued targeting of civilians. The NUG reports an increasing civilian death toll due to the military’s airstrikes targeting religious sites and civilian areas across Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway regions, as well as Shan State. The statement underscores the urgent need for ASEAN intervention to address these escalating human rights violations and protect civilian lives in Myanmar.
