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Myanmar Junta's Sham Elections: Why Global Rejection Is Crucial

Human Rights Watch is urging foreign governments to reject Myanmar's planned elections. The rights group argues these polls cannot be free or fair given the military's systematic dismantling of democratic systems. Since the 2021 coup, the junta has banned political parties and jailed thousands of activists. Even the UN Secretary-General has expressed doubts about the elections being credible.

Key Points: HRW Urges Global Rejection of Myanmar Junta Elections

  • Elections scheduled for December 2025 through January 2026 amid military repression
  • Junta banned dozens of political parties since 2021 coup
  • Estimated 30,000 political prisoners jailed including election law detainees
  • Military lacks territorial control with widespread opposition fighting
  • UN and ASEAN express serious concerns about election credibility
  • China and Russia may provide support despite international criticism
2 min read

Rights body calls on global community to reject Myanmar junta's elections

Human Rights Watch calls on foreign governments to reject Myanmar's 2025-2026 elections, citing military repression, banned parties, and 30,000 political prisoners.

"The Myanmar junta's sham elections are a desperate bid for international legitimacy after nearly five years of brutal military repression. - Elaine Pearson, HRW Asia Director"

New York, Nov 17

Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based advocacy group, has urged the foreign governments to reject Myanmar junta's plans to hold elections from late December 2025 through January 2026, arguing that polls will not be free, fair, or inclusive.

The rights body alleged that since the February 2021 military coup, the junta has systematically dismantled the rule of law and the country's nascent democratic systems, while intensifying repression and violence ahead of the polls.

"The Myanmar junta's sham elections are a desperate bid for international legitimacy after nearly five years of brutal military repression. Governments lending any credibility to these polls would signal a complete lack of support for rights-respecting civilian democratic rule in Myanmar," said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at HRW.

The military junta announced that the first two phases of the multistage elections will take place on December 28 and January 11 in Myanmar.

According to the HRW, since the coup, the junta has banned dozens of political parties and jailed an estimated 30,000 political prisoners, including nearly 100 people detained under a draconian election law passed in July. Min Aung Hlaing, the junta's leader, has acknowledged that the elections will not be held in all townships, amid the widespread fighting with opposition armed groups characterised by the military's war crimes.

The rights body stated that the military lacks sufficient territorial control to hold credible elections, with much of the country contested or held by the opposition.

At the October summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a "credible path back to civilian rule" in Myanmar, stating, "I don't think anybody believes that those elections will be free and fair." Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described holding the elections in December as "unfathomable".

The HRW emphasised that while ASEAN highlighted that peace and political dialogue "must precede elections", the regional body lacks the tools to preclude individual member states from providing technical assistance or support bilaterally.

"Malaysia, Japan, and other Asian governments that have made clear these elections are harmful to Myanmar's people should urge their neighbours to do the same. Counterbalancing any support from China, Russia, and other countries backing the polls will require a clear, emphatic message that these illegitimate elections will only entrench Myanmar's descent into violence, repression, and autocratic rule," Pearson stressed.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
India should take a strong position on this issue given our shared border with Myanmar. We've seen how military rule affects ordinary people. Supporting fake elections would be against our democratic values. Hope our government speaks up clearly.
S
Sarah B
While I agree the elections won't be fair, I'm concerned about the humanitarian crisis. The focus should be on getting aid to the people suffering from the violence. Elections can wait until there's genuine peace and stability.
A
Arjun K
The situation is heartbreaking. 30,000 political prisoners? That's more than the population of many Indian towns! The world cannot turn a blind eye to this. ASEAN needs to show more backbone in dealing with the junta. 🙏
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think HRW is being too idealistic here. In complex geopolitical situations like Myanmar, sometimes engagement is better than complete isolation. Blanket rejection might push them further into China's arms. There should be conditional engagement.
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Nisha Z
This reminds me of the Emergency period in India. Military rulers holding fake elections to legitimize their power is nothing new. The international community learned from our experience - they should apply those lessons here. Democracy cannot be faked.

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