APHR Commends Timor-Leste’s War Crime Proceedings Against the Myanmar Junta

JAKARTA, 6 February 2026— ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) commends Timor-Leste’s decision to initiate legal proceedings under the principle of universal jurisdiction against Myanmar’s military junta for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

APHR recognizes Timor Leste’s strong and important voice in championing democracy and human rights in the region. As one of the world’s youngest democracies,  its commitment to the rule of law sends a powerful message to the junta and the international community. Accountability for grave international crimes and mass atrocities must not remain an internal affair of a country devastated daily by militarism, impunity, and violence.

The fight for the liberation of the people of Myanmar isn’t very far from the Timorese struggle for independence from Indonesia’s violent 24-year occupation that ended in 2002. Timor Leste remains true to the values of their hard-won independence and democracy, now speaking out and taking action to support Myanmar’s democracy movements.

ASEAN must follow suit and initiate more robust actions to hold the junta accountable for their crimes and support the liberation of the Myanmar people from repressive dictatorship. APHR emphasizes that lasting peace in Myanmar will not be possible without accountability. And there can be no peace without justice.

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