Pathways to Democracy in Myanmar: A Call for Renewed International Action

     Below is a synopsis of the Myanmar Democratization Conference organized by APHR held at Parliament of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 31 October 2025. Today the COBEM (Coalition of Burmese Ethnic Malaysia) comming to join with the meeting.

   Conference The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights convened the Conference on Democratization in Myanmar at the Malaysian Parliament which focused regional parliamentarians, diplomats and civil society representatives to deliberate over both a crumbling democracy and worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. It was a damning indictment of the existing regional plans and a call for international action now.

Analyzing the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus

     All speakers, including former Malaysian Foreign Minister Hon. Saifuddin Abdullah, demanded a thorough overhaul and significant rewrite of the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus operating noting that it had abysmally failed in its primary aims to reduce conflict and democratise. Recommendations included the appointment of a full-time ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar and mechanisms to unlock viable engagement frameworks.

Engagement with the Opposition and Civil Society:

     Key findings included that ASEAN and its member states, including Malaysia, needed to deepen engagement beyond the military junta. It indicated that the parties emphasised direct ongoing discussions with National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council and Ethnic Armed Organisations. They stressed the crucial importance of including these local voices about how to best advance human rights and democratic principles.

Condemnation of the "Shame Election”:

     A globally condemned, illegitimate election by hated military junta. “The schism in the international community has shown with China, India, and Russia as well a few members of ASEAN like Cambodia, Laos and Thailand trying to prop up or legitimate the poll according to Hon Charles Santiago APHR Co-Chair. Meanwhile, European nations have declined to send observers. That, the memo argued, required a united front against recognition of the election. Economic Levers and Sanctions: It was also stressed by the Malaysian MP Hon. Wong Chen thatjunta's economic props must be targeted. New ways to restrict access to weapons, banking systems and banning jet fuel were some of the suggestions put forth in order to cripple the military.

     China’s economic position in Myanmar, including its investment in the jade and oil sectors — and influence over the generals, whom it has politically backed — were scrutinized. The outside world needed more engagement with China and Thailand, whose armies are believed to be close to the junta. Humanitarian aid and the Rohingya refugee crisis. H.E. Mosammat Shahanara Monica, Minister and Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, Bangladesh also depicted the despair of over 700,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as she called on greater international support from humanitarians. Report of MP Hon. Kannavee Suebsang (Thailande) – 15 December 2016 Hon. Suebsang reported from Thailand that there are still 81,000 refugees at the border between Thailand and Myanmar; she also spoke about changes on Thai law last year allowing for refugees to work legally in her land:return to top

     The Malaysian Ministry of Education also tabled the proposal for educational aid for refugee children in Malaysia which is a representation of what the country will do domestically to respond to the crisis. With frustration over Myanmar languishing in the region evident at the conference, its call was strong for a backdown of sorts on the part of all involved to bring about change in diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The message of the conference was clear: there needs to be a unified international action, political criticism of the junta and support for the people of Myanmar’s wishes to achieve democracy and human rights.

#StandWithMyanmar #APHR #Democratization #MyanmarCrisis #ASEAN

Gallery of the Conference