A year after general elections were held in Myanmar, we should be celebrating another important step in the transition to democracy. Instead, we are mourning the loss and arbitrary detention of thousands of people, including at least 90 elected union and state parliament members by a military council whose attempt to grab power is being firmly rejected by the people and broadly criticized by the international community.

As a result of the violent overthrow of the democratically-elected civilian government, Myanmar’s military has thrown the country into a catastrophe of growing proportions. It has responded with actions that may amount to crimes against humanity, that are threatening human security in Southeast Asia, health, economic and democratic progress, as well as ASEAN’s efforts to be seen as a rights respecting association.

In a region where there was only one lawmaker who had been detained in 2020, there are now at least 90 due to the military’s arrests in Myanmar. In fact, Myanmar is a country where APHR has previously rarely documented abuses against MPs, but it has now joined the ranks of some of the worst violators of lawmakers’ rights in Southeast Asia.

The State Administration Council has targeted elected MPs, who are elected representatives of the people, as one of the main challenges to their own legitimacy and authority. Despite the extreme risks of arrest and torture – not just to themselves but also to family members – 17 Myanmar MPs have bravely vowed to continue to carry out their mandates through the formation of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH). They deserve enormous praise for doing so, but also require protection and support from the international community in order to continue their opposition to the ongoing injustices and closure of democracy in the country.

Myanmar is a dramatic example of a wider trend of the closing democratic space within ASEAN, which is why it is critical that democratically elected representatives across the region stand with and in support of the CRPH and the National Unity Government.

APHR therefore calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our parliamentary colleagues in Myanmar, as well as all those arbitrarily detained since the February 1 military coup, and for the path towards advancing democracy and the rule of law in the country to be restored.

APHR also urges all international actors, including ASEAN, to refrain from lending legitimacy to the junta and instead engage directly with the CRPH as the genuinely elected representatives of the people of Myanmar.

In marking this first anniversary since elections were held, APHR stands in solidarity along with the scores of union and state parliament members who continue to sacrifice and struggle to win democracy for their people and country.