Human rights violations worsen under junta-turned new administration

Despite a so-called civilian government transformed from the same coup regime and brought to power through a sham election, human rights abuses have worsened rather than declined under the new administration, civil society organizations said.

The junta-turned-administration is seeking international recognition as Myanmar’s legitimate authority, but on the ground, it is intensifying attacks, arbitrary arrests, and repression against civilians.

“Rice fields—the main source of income and food for many people—are being targeted. The junta is not only launching ground assaults but also carrying out airstrikes and drone strikes almost daily. In our state, these attacks appear to be deliberate and systematic,” said Ma May, director of Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG).

In particular, the Myanmar military is targeting villages, schools, and religious buildings from the air daily, not just areas where fighting is taking place.

“On the ground, things haven’t improved under the new administration—they’ve only gotten worse. The junta’s actions have grown more brutal,” said Nai Aue Mon, spokesperson for the Network for Human Rights Documentation–Burma (ND–Burma).

In addition, violations of women’s rights and violence against women are increasing across Myanmar. According to monitoring data from the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU), 44 women were killed in April alone due to the junta’s air and ground attacks.

“It can be concluded that women’s rights violations have worsened even after the sham election. According to data documented by BWU, the number of women killed has increased. On the ground, violence has also escalated,” said Ma Yin Myo Hlaing, joint secretary-general 2 of the BWU.

Furthermore, the basic human rights and right to survival of unjustly detained political prisoners are also seriously under threat, according to the Political Prisoners Network–Myanmar (PPNM).

In Pyay City, Bago Region, National League for Democracy (NLD) member and political prisoner Ko Htay Aung Naing died in prison on May 22, and another political prisoner, Ko Myint Naing (also known as Ko Myint Soe), died on May 23, due to a lack of adequate medical care, the PPNM reported.

Meanwhile, restrictions on the public’s right to know the truth, along with information blackouts and crackdowns on independent media, are also intensifying. On May 11, the junta’s Ministry of Information announced the revocation of the publishing licenses of three media organizations: Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency, and Asia Citizens.

“During the election period, the junta tracked down and arrested more than 200 social media users. It continues to use technology to block access to independent media. I think Myanmar is among the countries where digital freedoms are most severely restricted, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further,” said U Toe Zaw Latt, secretary of the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM).

Civil society organizations, including ND-Burma, have called on the international community, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to immediately cut all ties with the junta and provide assistance to war-displaced communities affected by human rights abuses and the regime’s blockade of food and medicine.

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