Civil society organizations have issued strong statements condemning the Thai government’s invitation to Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing to attend the BIMSTEC summit. Thai media reported that Min Aung Hlaing has been invited to the BIMSTEC summit scheduled to be held in Bangkok on April 3 and 4. Human rights organizations have declared that this invitation represents a direct affront to the human rights and democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people. Justice For Myanmar, a prominent human rights advocacy group, stated that allowing the military leader to attend the summit demonstrates a blatant disregard for the ongoing struggle of Myanmar’s citizens.
BIMSTEC, which includes Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, has maintained engagement with Myanmar’s military junta in recent years. The organization notably invited Min Aung Hlaing to sign its charter in 2022, allowed military representation at the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Sri Lanka, and permitted Myanmar to host the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs Meeting in 2024. Defend Myanmar Democracy (DMD), another civil society organization, has strongly criticized Thailand’s decision to invite the military leader. Their spokesperson, Naw Aung, emphasized that Min Aung Hlaing should not be recognized as Myanmar’s representative, describing him as the leader of a criminal military group rather than a legitimate government head.
Human rights organizations have called for BIMSTEC and its member states to cease recognition of Myanmar’s military junta and exclude Min Aung Hlaing and his representatives from the summit. They have specifically referenced the Argentine court’s decision regarding his role in the Rohingya genocide, suggesting he should be arrested rather than welcomed at international forums. While ASEAN has excluded Myanmar’s military leadership from its high-level meetings, BIMSTEC continues to maintain formal relations with the illegal military regime. Civil society groups argue that this ongoing engagement legitimizes a regime responsible for widespread human rights violations and undermines the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people. They have urged for immediate action to prevent Min Aung Hlaing’s participation in the upcoming summit and called for adherence to international justice mechanisms regarding his alleged crimes.
