APHR urges ASEAN 2026 to reject Myanmar junta's elections during key meeting with Philippine envoy

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has urged the incoming ASEAN 2026 Chair, the Philippines, to take a principled stance against Myanmar’s military junta and its upcoming elections, calling them a sham intended to entrench authoritarian rule.

On 5 December 2025, APHR held a courtesy meeting in Manila with Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary and ASEAN Special Envoy on the Myanmar Situation for 2026.

The meeting was led by APHR Chairperson Mercy Chriesty Barends (Indonesia), Co-Chairperson Charles Santiago (Malaysia), former Philippine Representative Arlene Brosas, and former Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

According to an APHR statement issued on 8 December 2025, the discussion reaffirmed the urgent need for unified ASEAN action to confront Myanmar’s worsening political and humanitarian crisis.

Secretary Lazaro reportedly assured the delegation that Myanmar would remain a priority during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship and committed to raising the issue at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat scheduled for 29 January 2026.

APHR highlighted that the junta's escalating violence, failure to comply with the Five-Point Consensus, and plans for elections in December 2025 pose severe threats to regional stability. They called on ASEAN to categorically reject the military-led electoral process as illegitimate and counterproductive.

The parliamentarian network warned that holding elections under the junta would only deepen the crisis and risk legitimising an unrepresentative regime.

During the meeting, APHR proposed the creation of an Inclusive Humanitarian Forum, a mechanism aimed at delivering aid to communities outside junta control. The initiative is seen as essential due to shrinking international aid flows and growing displacement across Myanmar.

Secretary Lazaro expressed openness to the idea, a stance APHR described as a positive step. Delegates emphasised the need for ASEAN's humanitarian strategies to include marginalised communities, especially the Rohingya and other internally displaced populations whose access to aid is rapidly deteriorating.

The lawmakers also offered technical and political support from the parliamentary network to assist ASEAN in developing local governance mechanisms in ethnic-controlled areas, enhancing aid delivery, and supporting democratic actors.

APHR underlined that their continued engagement would include cooperation with the ASEAN Special Envoy, the Philippine 2026 Chairship, partner parliaments, and civil society groups.

“ASEAN’s credibility is on the line,” the APHR delegation warned, framing the Myanmar situation not just as a diplomatic concern but a fundamental test of the bloc’s values and commitment to justice.

They argued that only a united, principled, and justice-oriented response can help end the suffering of the Myanmar people and restore their democratic aspirations.

The meeting marks a renewed push by regional parliamentarians to keep Myanmar high on ASEAN’s agenda after years of stalled consensus and criticism over perceived inaction.

APHR’s stance reflects growing frustration with the military’s disregard for ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, first adopted in April 2021, which called for an end to violence, dialogue among all parties, and humanitarian access.

The military junta has failed to implement the agreement, while continuing attacks on ethnic areas and cracking down on political opposition.