Burma’s Crisis of Legitimacy: Earthquake Response Exposes the Regime

Min Aung Hlaing has proven himself time after time as one of the world’s most brutal tyrants, with overwhelming evidence to support accusations against him of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide,” said Benedict Rogers, a longtime Myanmar expert and senior director at Fortify Rights.

In the wake of the devastating March 28 earthquake, the Burmese junta’s response has been widely condemned as both brutal and inadequate. Instead of mobilizing relief, the regime withheld aid from resistance-held areas, funneled assistance to military strongholds, and escalated airstrikes—bombing villages already ravaged by the disaster. Reports have emerged of the military blocking medical supplies, looting relief convoys, as well as using the crisis as a pretext for forced conscription and imposing crackdowns.

In light of these abuses, Burmese civilians and foreign experts were asked whether the junta’s handling of the crisis warrants recognition by the international community as the country’s legitimate government. Most Burmese respondents requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal against themselves or their families—but their response was clear: an overwhelming no.