Myanmar’s Move Against Timor-Leste Diplomat Undermines Justice, Southeast Asian MPs Warn

JAKARTA, 18 February 2026— ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) expresses deep concern over Myanmar’s order for the Timor-Leste chargé d’affaires to depart Yangon within seven days.

The move, announced after the diplomat was summoned in accordance with the Vienna Convention, risks setting a dangerous precedent of retaliating against lawful engagement with victims, civil society, and independent mechanisms that seek accountability for alleged atrocity-scale abuses.

APHR recalls that Timor-Leste has initiated legal proceedings under universal jurisdiction principles in relation to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity arising from the crisis in Myanmar.  Such actions represent a legitimate, rights-based effort to ensure justice for victims, not unlawful interference.

Diplomatic protections and the language of “non-interference” must not be manipulated to intimidate states, human rights defenders, or survivors seeking justice.

This expulsion appears to be a retaliatory measure against Timor-Leste’s lawful engagement with human rights groups and pursuit of accountability for alleged crimes under international law. Such actions undermine the ability of states and civil society to seek justice and protect victims of mass atrocities.

As a regional network that has repeatedly called for a clear, results-oriented, and rights-centered approach to the Myanmar crisis, APHR urges ASEAN to resist pressure to normalize reprisals against members or observers who act to uphold human rights. The regional bloc’s commitment to human dignity and the rule of law must not be subordinated to efforts that shield alleged perpetrators from scrutiny.

APHR stands firmly in support of Timor-Leste’s efforts to uphold the rule of law and the principle of accountability. Citizens and organizations addressing credible allegations of serious human rights violations must be able to act without fear of reprisal, and diplomatic personnel should never be targeted for supporting legitimate human rights initiatives.

We call on Myanmar to reverse the expulsion order, respect its international obligations, and refrain from threatening foreign diplomats. ASEAN members and the broader international community must continue to safeguard the rights of victims to seek accountability and ensure that human rights defenders and diplomats can operate without fear of politically motivated retaliation. ###

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