by Hafizur Rahman
October 27, 2025 — Global and regional human rights organizations have called on ASEAN leaders to take decisive action on Myanmar’s worsening human rights crisis and to work toward a long-term solution for the Rohingya people.
The appeal came ahead of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, where regional heads of state, including US President Donald Trump and leaders from the 10 ASEAN member countries, gathered to discuss key geopolitical and humanitarian issues.
Rights groups warned that Myanmar’s military continues to commit widespread violence, displacing millions. More than one million Rohingya have already fled to Bangladesh since 2017 and remain trapped in deteriorating camp conditions, facing food shortages, insecurity, and uncertainty about their future.
According to the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), civilians in Myanmar are enduring relentless bombings, killings, and forced displacement. Around 22 million people now require humanitarian aid, and 3.5 million have lost their homes since the escalation of conflict.
“ASEAN can no longer ignore Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis,” said Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson. “These are urgent humanitarian and security challenges that demand strong and united leadership.”
Thai MP Rangsiman Rome added that ASEAN must reject Myanmar’s planned “fake election,” warning that it would only deepen the suffering of its people.
Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, said ASEAN is “at a crossroads.” He cautioned that legitimizing the junta’s upcoming election would effectively mean endorsing continued atrocities against civilians.
Human Rights Watch echoed similar concerns, stating that Myanmar’s military has committed war crimes and that no credible or fair election can occur under its rule.
Rights advocates urged ASEAN leaders to support democracy in Myanmar, involve ethnic communities and civil society in political dialogue, and push for an inclusive peace process. They also called for a coordinated regional plan to assist the 1.3 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who are facing worsening humanitarian conditions due to shrinking aid.
“ASEAN must act now,” said Charles Santiago, Co-Chair of APHR. “We need a people-centered and rights-based approach to resolve these crises together. The future of the region’s stability and moral credibility depends on it.”
