Kuala Lumpur, 25 February 2025 – A Public Forum and Solidarity Ceremony was successfully held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) to mark four years since the Myanmar military coup. Organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), Amnesty International Malaysia, and KLSCAH Youth, the event drew over 150 participants, convening trade unions, civil society organisations, diplomatic missions, policymakers, activists, and members of the Myanmar diaspora to advocate for stronger international intervention against the military junta. Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, also attended the forum.

ASEAN’s role and responsibilities in the crisis

In his keynote address, Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, Chairman of SUHAKAM, acknowledged that ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus remains the main reference for addressing the Myanmar crisis. He emphasised that ASEAN states cannot afford to be bystanders, especially when crimes against humanity are taking place. He called for a more proactive role in its implementation and stressed the importance of Malaysia’s leadership in ASEAN in addressing the ongoing crisis. He also reiterated SUHAKAM’s commitment to working with the Malaysian government, civil society organisations, and international partners to advance human rights protections and refugee rights in the region.

His Excellency Edmund Bon Tai Soon, AICHR Chair and Malaysian Representative, spoke on ASEAN’s diplomatic efforts and challenges in navigating the Myanmar crisis. He highlighted the role of the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar and the complexities of gaining consensus among ASEAN member states. He underscored the importance of ASEAN’s engagement with all stakeholders and the need to prioritise peace and stability. He also drew attention to broader issues of international law, human rights, and sustainable development as essential frameworks for resolving the crisis.

U Kyaw Ni, Deputy Minister of Labour of the NUG, provided an overview of the worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar. He condemned the junta’s planned sham elections as a tactic to legitimise its rule and detailed the ongoing war crimes, forced conscription of civilians, and mass displacement that have devastated the country. He called on the international community to support the call for invocation of ILO Article 33 on Myanmar and uphold justice for the people of Myanmar.

Forum highlights the voices of Myanmar’s people

A panel of human rights leaders, refugee representatives, and labour rights advocates shared first-hand accounts of Myanmar’s deteriorating political and humanitarian situation. Ragunath Kesavan, Commissioner of SUHAKAM, urged ASEAN to take a stronger stance against the junta and ensure that the Rohingya people are recognised as part of Myanmar’s future political solution. Mahi Ramakrishnan, founder of Beyond Borders Malaysia, criticised Malaysia’s refugee policies, pointing out that deported refugees often face forced military conscription or extrajudicial killings. She called for Malaysia to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and adopt clear protections for asylum seekers. Mahi also urged ASEAN to set-up a regional protection mechanism for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence under its Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

James Bawi Thang Bik, Chairman of the Alliance of Chin Refugees, spoke about the ongoing persecution of the Chin community and the worsening conditions for displaced ethnic minorities. He called for greater international intervention and support for refugees. Htoi San Nhkum, a representative of the Kachin Refugee Community, highlighted the severe challenges faced by displaced women and children, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. She urged Malaysia and ASEAN to implement concrete refugee support policies. Rahmat Abdul Karim, President of the Rohingya Society Malaysia, condemned the ongoing genocide against the Rohingya people and criticised ASEAN’s reluctance to act. He called for ASEAN states to sever diplomatic ties with the junta and formally recognise the rights of the Rohingya.

Solidarity speeches call for urgent action

Kelvin Lee, Chief of KLSCAH Youth, denounced ASEAN’s failure to act decisively against the junta, calling for a unified effort to cut economic and diplomatic support to the military regime. He also advocated for direct humanitarian assistance to be delivered through trusted civil society networks instead of the junta-controlled system. Nicole Fong, Research and Advocacy Officer at Amnesty International Malaysia, called for greater accountability and legal action against Myanmar’s military leadership. She urged ASEAN nations and international bodies to halt arms and fuel supplies to the junta to prevent further atrocities against civilians.

Wong Yan Ke, BWI Asia Pacific Regional Campaign Officer, outlined steps that must be taken by the international labour movement. He called for the mass support towards the Resolution on Myanmar under Article 33 of ILO Constitution, to intensify pressure on Myanmar’s military through international labour mechanisms. He stressed the need to reject the junta’s sham elections and advocated for the suspension of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission from SEANF due to its failure to protect human rights. He also spoke about the importance of opposing junta-controlled fake unions, which undermine independent trade unionism in Myanmar. Lastly, he emphasised the necessity of sustaining International Solidarity Funds to support Myanmar workers and resistance movements.

Solidarity ceremony: Symbolic acts of resistance

The event concluded with a solidarity ceremony, featuring: (i) the Paper Plane Solidarity Action, where participants wrote messages to the international community calling for real sanctions and an end to fuel trade with the junta; (ii) a resistance dance performance by Kachin youth, symbolising hope and the resilience of Myanmar’s pro-democracy struggle, and; (iii)The beating of pots and pans, a traditional act of civilian resistance in Myanmar, symbolising the people’s demand to drive out the military dictatorship.

Stronger regional mobilisation needed

The forum concluded with a resounding call for ASEAN to take decisive action, urging the imposition of economic sanctions and the severance of diplomatic ties with the junta. Participants emphasised the need for greater ASEAN engagement with Myanmar’s civil society, expanded humanitarian aid, and enhanced protection for refugees in the region. The speakers also pushed for the prosecution of Myanmar’s military leaders through international courts. The event reinforced global solidarity in the fight against military rule and stressed the urgent need for ASEAN and the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take meaningful action. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to standing with the people of Myanmar until democracy is restored.