Fortify Rights organization released a statement on May 14 criticizing ASEAN for turning a blind eye to the brutal crimes committed by the terrorist military council. Sai Akar, the human rights investigation officer at Fortify Rights, stated that while ASEAN appears eager to seek an ASEAN-led solution to the Myanmar crisis, they have consistently ignored the military council’s brutal atrocities. The organization emphasized that ASEAN’s failure to take effective action while the military council kills its own people cannot be justified under the pretext of ‘Asian customs.’
Sai Akar stressed that strongly worded statements will never stop the military council’s actions, and ASEAN needs to take immediate action. As ASEAN leaders prepare for their annual summit later this month, Fortify Rights has suggested that Malaysia, as the regional body’s rotating chair, should propose emergency measures to protect civilians in Myanmar. These emergency measures should include regional cooperation to prevent the Myanmar military council from receiving aviation fuel, weapons, and political recognition support. The organization has documented that between May 12 and 15, military council airstrikes in Sagaing Region and Rakhine State resulted in at least 43 civilian deaths and more than 130 injuries.
The organization has urged ASEAN to implement effective measures immediately to halt such violence. Fortify Rights emphasized that the situation in Myanmar requires concrete action beyond diplomatic statements, particularly given the escalating violence against civilians. The organization has called for a coordinated regional response that includes practical steps to cut off the military council’s access to resources and international legitimacy, while also providing protection and support for Myanmar’s civilian population. The recent airstrikes and their devastating impact on civilian communities demonstrate the urgent need for ASEAN to move beyond its current approach and take decisive action to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
