A coalition of 240 Myanmar civil society organizations has issued an open letter urging ASEAN to go beyond its Five-Point Consensus and take firm action in support of Myanmar’s transition to a federal democracy.

Addressed to ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's Acting President Duwa Lashi La, the letter condemns the military junta's ongoing human rights abuses, citing recent airstrikes in Shan, Karen, and Karenni States and the Sagaing Region, which left multiple civilians dead and displaced millions since the February 2021 coup.

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The coalition criticizes ASEAN's silence on the crisis, calling it a “failure to address Myanmar's humanitarian and human rights crisis.” As the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits approach in Laos, the CSOs call on ASEAN to:

- Sever all ties with the junta and block its representatives from ASEAN forums.
- Work with local groups to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need, bypassing junta-controlled routes.
- Support international justice efforts against the junta for alleged war crimes and genocide.
- Recognize Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic resistance groups as legitimate representatives.

With 86% of Myanmar’s territory reportedly out of the junta's control, the coalition warns that ASEAN’s inaction risks further destabilizing the region, causing a refugee crisis and economic losses for neighboring states. The coalition invites ASEAN and global leaders to collaborate in implementing these urgent recommendations.
 

BOB Post