Amnesty International has called on ASEAN member states to prioritize human rights in regional decision-making as leaders gather for the bloc’s 47th Summit in Malaysia. The organization urged ASEAN to take decisive action to address the worsening crisis in Myanmar, nearly five years after the military seized power. According to Amnesty, the human rights situation in Myanmar has become a “nightmare,” with civilians suffering from ongoing armed conflict, internal displacement, and widespread repression, including unlawful airstrikes, forced recruitment, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
While the military is responsible for most of the violations, Amnesty noted that some armed groups, such as the Arakan Army, have also committed abuses, trapping ethnic minorities like the Rakhine and Rohingya in continuous cycles of violence. The group criticized ASEAN’s failure to prevent these atrocities or hold perpetrators accountable, warning that the humanitarian crisis has deepened, particularly following a devastating earthquake in March. Amnesty called on ASEAN to exert greater pressure on the Myanmar military and other armed groups to adhere to international humanitarian law and release arbitrarily detained prisoners.
As Myanmar’s junta prepares for elections, Amnesty highlighted the regime’s growing use of repressive tactics, including the arrest of critics, and urged ASEAN to take a stronger stance. The organization also called for the bloc to review its ineffective five-point consensus, which has failed to curb violence or improve conditions in the country.
Beyond Myanmar, Amnesty raised alarms about the ongoing scam compound crisis in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia, where thousands have fallen victim to human trafficking, forced labor, and torture. Despite being aware of the issue for years, Cambodian authorities have not taken sufficient action. Amnesty urged ASEAN governments to dismantle criminal networks, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.
The organization also condemned the excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests during protests in Indonesia and the Philippines, calling for thorough investigations. Amnesty stressed that ASEAN governments must stop using authoritarian measures to silence dissent and instead uphold freedom of expression, assembly, and adherence to international standards. The statement concluded with a warning that ignoring these human rights violations will erode regional stability and credibility, urging ASEAN to “put people before politics” and strengthen mechanisms for protecting human rights across the region.
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