Four Years On: Myanmar Faces Escalating Crisis Under Military Rule
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the Myanmar military’s coup that overthrew the country’s democratically elected government, plunging Myanmar into one of the most significant crises in the Indo-Pacific region. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar have endured the harsh realities of military rule, leading to widespread deprivation of their fundamental rights, democratic aspirations, and, for many, their freedom and lives.
The military regime’s escalating violence against civilians has drawn strong global condemnation. Reports of human rights abuses, sexual and gender-based violence, and systematic oppression of ethnic and religious minorities have become alarmingly frequent. The military’s intensified airstrikes, which target civilians and essential infrastructure such as schools, markets, places of worship, and healthcare facilities, have increased nearly 25-fold since 2021, with an average of three airstrikes daily. Strikes in non-conflict zones have highlighted the regime’s growing brutality.
We call on the Myanmar military regime to halt its campaign of violence immediately and ensure unrestricted and safe humanitarian access across the country. All parties must prioritize civilian protection and adhere to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
The scale of humanitarian need in Myanmar has grown twenty-fold since the 2021 coup. As of 2025, over one-third of the population—approximately 19.9 million people—requires urgent aid to meet basic needs. Of these, an estimated 15.2 million are in need of food assistance, while cases of preventable diseases continue to rise.
The crisis has also forced mass displacement, with up to 3.5 million individuals displaced internally—a one-million increase in the past year alone. Many others have sought safety across Myanmar’s borders, further exacerbating regional instability. Additionally, rising transnational crime, including narcotics production, trafficking, scam operations, and human trafficking, endangers both Myanmar’s citizens and neighboring countries, threatening the broader region’s stability.
This trajectory is unsustainable for Myanmar and its neighbors. We strongly urge the Myanmar military regime to change course: cease all violence, stop targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, release political prisoners, and engage in sincere, inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. These actions are critical first steps toward achieving a peaceful and democratic transition that reflects the will of Myanmar’s people.
We reiterate our support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing the Myanmar crisis, including its refugee-related challenges. Collaborative efforts between ASEAN and United Nations Special Envoys are crucial. We urge the international community to back the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022). Accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar remains essential, and violations of human rights must be prevented and addressed.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar, supporting their aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future.
Issued by:
The Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States
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