Author: Aisha Noor
February 3, 2025
![[Image credit: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_b20a8bf939a74462a8b0900e53b221f3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_720,h_480,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/e28a6b_b20a8bf939a74462a8b0900e53b221f3~mv2.png)
HRRC expresses concern and disapproval of Myanmar's military plans for national elections this year. The current military leadership continues to provide justification for their wrongful seizure of power in the 2021 coup, but the people of Myanmar should be allowed their democratic right to vote.
The military regime of Myanmar prepares for voting in 2025 while opposition groups pledge to interfere with the electoral process, which adds another chapter in the country's ongoing civil war. The military conducted its coup against the government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, resulting in violence that destabilized the entire country.
The National Unity Government (NUG) believes the upcoming elections serve as a military maneuver to sustain control in addition to establishing international approval. The upcoming political process will fail to bring stability to the nation.
Opposition forces also maintain that military control remains unlawful because elections won't dissolve the existing military rule, despite the junta's claims that they will restore democratic norms when re-elected. In addition, the planned voting process in Myanmar is receiving widespread criticism, as resistance intensifies in the country, casting doubt about whether the election outcome will actually worsen the civil war.
HRRC strongly opposes the military's use of violence as a means to subdue political opposition while also silencing dissenting voices. The Myanmar people face systematic violations of their fundamental rights and lack of protections as witnessed through targeted, official attacks on civilians and political opponents, as well as crimes against peaceful protesters (Article 5 and Article 20).
HRRC calls for the immediate cessation of military repression, the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, and the protection of the rights of all people in the country. Holding the military regime accountable for its active human rights violations is vital to ensuring free and genuine elections, along with restoring peace, stability, and other freedoms.
Glossary
Blatant: Very obvious, often in a way that is offensive or disregards others.
Civilians: People who are not members of the military or police force.
Coercion: The practice of forcing someone to act in a particular way, often by using threats or force.
Coup: A sudden decisive use of force in politics, and especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group.
Criticize: To find fault with : point out the faults of.
Democratic Trajectory: The direction or progress of a country's move toward a system where people have a role in governance through free and fair elections.
Destabilize: To cause (something, such as a government) to be incapable of functioning or surviving.
Dissent: Political opposition to a government or its policies.
Flawed: Something that has faults or imperfections, not perfect.
Fundamental: Basic, essential, or core principles or rights.
Intimidation: The act of frightening or making someone afraid in order to control them.
Junta: A council or committee for political or governmental purposes, especially a group of persons controlling a government especially after a revolutionary seizure of power.
Legitimize: To make something acceptable or valid, especially by official approval.
Maneuver: Evasive movement or shift of tactics.
Opposition: A group or party that resists or disagrees with the policies or actions of the ruling government or authority.
Peaceful Assembly: The right to gather and express views publicly, without violence or disruption.
Regime: A government in power.
Repression: The act of restraining or suppressing something, especially people's rights, freedoms, or emotions.
Sham: Something false or pretending to be something it is not, especially in a deceptive way.
Torture: The act of causing severe pain or suffering to someone as a punishment or to force them to do something.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): A foundational international document that outlines the basic human rights to which all people are entitled.
Vein: A manner or style of doing something, here it refers to something giving a false appearance.
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