APHR Stresses Inclusive, Rights-based Engagement After PH ASEAN Special Envoy High-Level Meeting with Myanmar Junta

JAKARTA, 15 January 2026— ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) expresses concern regarding the visit by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the ASEAN 2026 Chair on Myanmar, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, to Nay Pyi Taw on 06 January 2026, where she held introductory meetings with the senior leadership of Myanmar junta leadership.

While APHR acknowledges the importance of the Philippines’ stated intention as the 2026 ASEAN Chair in sustaining diplomatic efforts, this engagement puts potential risks that undermine the persistence of human rights violations perpetrated by the junta and their questionable push for legitimacy through the recent elections amid democratic challenges in the country.

At the same time, APHR recalls that ASEAN leaders have clearly reaffirmed that meaningful reduction of violence and inclusive political dialogue must precede any electoral process in Myanmar. These principles remain central to preserving ASEAN’s unity, credibility, and leverage, particularly amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian suffering.

In this regard, APHR encourages balanced and inclusive engagement with all relevant Myanmar stakeholders. This includes not only engagement with the military authorities, but also with democratic representatives such as the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic resistance organizations, and civil society actors. Such engagement has been an important feature of past ASEAN envoy efforts and remains essential to ensuring neutrality and trust.

APHR therefore looks forward to continued engagement and clarity on how and when the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy will engage with these pro-democracy and ethnic stakeholders, in line with ASEAN’s agreed approach and sequencing under the Five-Point Consensus.

As the Philippines undertakes its role as ASEAN Chair in 2026, APHR stands ready to continue constructive assistance with the Philippine government in realizing an engagement that is accountable to rights-holders and affected communities first and foremost in Myanmar and that advances a just and genuine peace and democracy.

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