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 council’s violence in Myanmar. The statement notes that while the international community remains focused on the Ukraine crisis, ASEAN has an opportunity to take the lead in addressing Myanmar’s worsening crisis. This presents a crucial moment for ASEAN to demonstrate its commitment to regional stability and human rights protection.
Under the leadership of Malaysia as the rotating ASEAN Chair, the organization needs to maintain its commitments to human rights and regional security, according to the NUG. The statement emphasizes that this is a critical time to implement concrete measures that can restore justice and peace for each Myanmar citizen. The NUG strongly encourages ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus and establish a more effective framework that aligns with the Myanmar people’s aspirations for lasting peace and democracy.
The statement highlights recent incidents of violence, including the military council’s airstrikes on a monastery in Naung Cho, northern Shan State, and continued targeted killings of civilians. The NUG reports that the military council has been conducting systematic attacks against civilian populations, demonstrating an escalation in their violent campaign against the Myanmar people. The military’s actions have shown a pattern of deliberately targeting religious sites and civilian areas, resulting in increasing civilian casualties.
The statement details the rising civilian death toll due to military council airstrikes targeting religious buildings and civilian populations in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway regions, as well as Shan State. The NUG emphasizes the urgent need for ASEAN to take immediate action against these brutal acts and calls for stronger coordinated international efforts to halt the military’s violence and ensure accountability. The statement underscores the importance of implementing effective measures to protect civilians and restore democratic governance in Myanmar, urging ASEAN to take a more proactive role in addressing the ongoing crisis.
