The National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement on March 19 urging the ASEAN Chair, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, to effectively address the ongoing violence perpetrated by the military council in Myanmar. The statement noted that with international attention primarily focused on the Ukraine crisis, ASEAN has an opportunity to take a leading role in addressing the worsening crisis in Myanmar. The NUG emphasized that this presents a crucial moment for ASEAN to demonstrate its regional leadership and commitment to addressing the deteriorating situation in Myanmar.
The statement emphasized the necessity for ASEAN, under Malaysia’s leadership, to maintain its commitments to human rights and regional security. The NUG stressed that this is a critical time to implement decisive actions that can restore justice and peace for each Myanmar citizen. Furthermore, the organization urged ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus and develop a new framework that aligns with the wishes of the Myanmar people. The statement highlighted the importance of taking concrete steps that could lead to meaningful change in the country’s current situation.
The NUG also reported on recent incidents of violence, including the military council’s aerial attack on a monastery in Naung Cho town in northern Shan State, and noted the continuing pattern of deliberate attacks against civilians. The statement detailed how the military council has been conducting targeted airstrikes against religious buildings and civilian areas in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway regions, as well as in Shan State, leading to an increasing civilian death toll. These attacks demonstrate the military council’s ongoing campaign of violence against civilian populations, with particular concern expressed over the targeting of religious sites and civilian infrastructure. The NUG emphasized that these actions represent a significant escalation in the military council’s use of force against its own people, calling for immediate international attention and response to these humanitarian concerns.
