Burma Campaign UK

Urgent Call to Reject Myanmar’s Sham 2025 Election and Stand for Regional Stability

,

Open letter to:

H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN

H.E. Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Chair of ASEAN 2025

H.E. Tan Sri Othman Hashim, the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar

H.E. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam

H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

H.E. Sugiono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia

H.E. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR

H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines

H.E. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore

H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

H.E. Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Subject: Urgent Call to Reject Myanmar’s Sham 2025 Election and Stand for Regional Stability

Your Excellencies,

As ASEAN prepares for discussions on Myanmar ahead of the September 19 engagement, we, undersigned 315 organisations, write with utmost urgency. The Myanmar military junta’s planned “General Election” in December 2025 is not a step toward peace or democracy. It is a trap designed to entrench military rule and distract the region from four years of escalating atrocities since the February 2021 coup.

The time has come for ASEAN to act with clarity and courage.

The Reality on the Ground

The junta now controls only about 21% of the country. The rest are governed or defended by legitimate resistance forces; National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), and local administrations. Since February 2021, the junta has carried out more than 7,000 airstrikes, bombing schools, hospitals, monasteries, and even disaster- hit communities after the March 2025 earthquake. In July 2025 alone, at least 838 atrocities were recorded, including massacres in monasteries, schools, and hospitals, alongside mass forced conscription. Junta is mainly responsible for more than 3.5 million war victims who are displaced, with hundreds of thousands fleeing across ASEAN borders.

A Sham Election without legitimacy and rejected by its own people

This election is neither free, fair, nor credible. Political opponents remain in prison, independent media has been silenced, and pro-democracy parties are banned. Military- drafted laws guarantee that only junta proxies can compete.

The people of Myanmar overwhelmingly reject this ploy, not out of uncertainty but from hard-earned experience. In 2010, elections staged under the guise of “reform” misled parts of the international community into engagement. In practice, they entrenched military dominance, delayed genuine democratic change, and paved the way for the 2021 coup d’état which overturned a decade of fragile progress and has since plunged the country into even deeper violence and conflict.

Why ASEAN Must Act

ASEAN has rightly recognised that elections in Myanmar are “not a priority” and risk worsening the crisis. This clear-sighted position shows ASEAN’s understanding that military- led polls cannot deliver peace, stability, or democratic legitimacy. Such sham elections also directly violate the spirit of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, which calls for dialogue, de- escalation, and inclusive political solutions.

Such leadership is vital, as Myanmar’s crisis directly threatens the region: mass displacement, illicit trade, arms and drug trafficking, refugee flows, and economic instability all undermine collective security. Any engagement with the junta would further erode ASEAN’s unity and credibility. Collectively, these positions underscore a growing regional consensus: military-run elections will only entrench dictatorship and extend instability.

Our Call

We respectfully urge ASEAN to:

  1. Publicly and proactively declare the 2025 sham election illegitimate, before silence is misused as tacit approval.
  2. Refrain from providing any technical, logistical, or financial support for this political theatre, and do not send observers.
  3. Apply targeted measures to block military leaders, their relatives, and associated businesses, including those connected to weapons and aviation fuel.
  4. Recognise and engage with legitimate representatives: the NUG, NUCC, CRPH, EROs, federal units, strike committees, and grassroots civil society who are building a federal democratic future.
  5. Deliver humanitarian and political support exclusively through non-junta channels, ensuring aid reaches people, not the perpetrators of war crimes.

Conclusions

The people of Myanmar have resisted military tyranny for more than four years, at immense personal cost. ASEAN’s integrity now rests on whether it stands with them or enables those who destroyed their lives. History will remember ASEAN’s choice at this critical moment.

Rejecting the sham election and engaging with Myanmar’s legitimate representatives will strengthen ASEAN’s credibility and lay the foundation for peace and prosperity across Southeast Asia.

We urge ASEAN to take a principled stand.

Most respectfully,

On behalf of the people in Burma/Myanmar, the Myanmar diasporas communities around the world, and International and Local Civil Society Organizations

This letter is endorsed by 315 civil society organisations, of which 26 have chosen to remain undisclosed for security reasons.

  1. 5/ of Zaya State Strike Committee
  2. 8888 Generation (New Zealand)
  3. 96 DoNation
  4. Action Against Myanmar Military Coup (Sydney)
  5. Action Committee for Democracy Development (ACDD)
  6. Against The Fear
  7. Ah Nah podcast – conversations with Myanmar
  8. Ah Nyar Myay
  9. All Arakan Youth Organizations Network (AAYON)
  10. All Young Burmese League (AYBL)
  11. All Burma Democratic Force in New Zealand
  12. Alliance for Democracy in Myanmar
  13. Anti-coup Forces Coordination Committee (ACFCC-Mandalay)
  14. Anti-Junta Alliance Yangon-AJAY
  15. Anyar Pyit Taing Htaung Lay Myar
  16. Arakan CSO Network
  17. Arakan National Democratic Party – Japan (ANDP Japan)
  18. Arakan Youth Peace Network (AYPN)
  19. Asoka Sukha (Gumi)
  20. Association of Spring Rainbow (ASR)
  21. Association of United Nationality in Japan (AUN)
  22. Association Suisse-Birmanie
  23. Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
  24. Aung San Suu Kyi Park Norway
  25. Australian Coalition for Democractic Burma
  26. Australian Karen Organisation Inc
  27. A-Yar-Taw People Strike Steering Committee
  28. Ayeyarwaddy West Development Organisation (AWDO)
  29. Blood Money Campaign (BMC)
  30. Bothanchaung Supporting Group
  31. Brothers of Comrade-in-arms (Busan)
  32. Budalin Strike Force
  33. Burma Action Ireland
  34. Burma Campaign UK
  35. Burma Canadian Network
  36. Burma Human Rights Network
  37. Burma Refugee Saving Association (B.R.S.A)
  38. Burmese Community Support Group (BCSG)
  39. Burmese Friendship Association
  40. Burmese Medical Association Australia (BMAA)
  41. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK)
  42. Burmese Community Group (Manawatu, NZ)
  43. CAN-Myanmar
  44. CDM Medical Network
  45. CDM Medical Network (CDMMN)
  46. Chaung Oo Township Youth Strike Committee
  47. Chin Community in Norway
  48. Chin Community of Japan (CCJ)
  49. Chin Youth Organization of Japan（CYO-Japan)
  50. Chin Youth Organization-South Korea
  51. Citizen of Burma Award – New Zealand
  • Civil Information Network (CIN)
  • Colorful Spring
  • Connect
  • CRPH & NUG supporters Ireland
  • CRPH Funding Ireland
  • CRPH, NUG Support Team Germany-Deutschland
  • Dagon University Student’s Union (DUSU)
  • Dawei Youths in Japan (DYJ)
  • Defend Myanmar Democracy (DMD)
  • Democratic Party for a New Society, Norway
  • DFW Myanmar Ethnic Community (DFWMEC)
  • Doh Atu – Ensemble pour le Myanmar
  • Dragon Dawn
  • Dunedin Myanmar Community-New Zealand
  • Equality Myanmar (EQMM)
  • Ethnic Youth General Strike Committee (Mandalay)
  • Federal Corner Organization
  • Federal Health Workforce
  • Federal Myanmar – Japan
  • Fédération des Pays Asiatiques pour les droits humains
  • Federation of Workers’ Union of Burmese Citizens in Japan (FWUBC)
  • Fight For Democracy Kyushu Japan
  • Free Burma Action Committe – Sacremento
  • Free Burma Action Committe – San Francisco
  • Free Burma Action Committe- Central Valley
  • Free Burma Action Committe- Northern California
  • Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC)
  • From Singapore to Myanmar (FS2M)
  • General Strike Collaboration Committee (GSCC)
  • General Strike Committee of Basic and Higher Education (GSCBHE)
  • Generation Wave
  • Generation XYZ (Busan)
  • Generations’ Solidarity Coalition Nationalities (GSCN)
  • Gentech international
  • GenY For Revolution Japan
  • Geoje Myanmar Community
  • German Solidarity Myanmar e.V.
  • Gimhae Spring Revolution Group
  • Gimpo Myanmar Friends Korea
  • Global Myanmar Spring Revolution (GMSR)
  • Global Myanmar Spring Revolution – Japan
  • Global Myanmar Spring Revolution – Korea
  • Golden Brethren’s From Korea (G.B.K)
  • Golden Ray of Light (Myanmar Community)
  • Gwangju Myanmar Association (Korea)
  • Gyeongnam Youth Association
  • HANGUKYWA – Burmese Information Network in Korea
  • Hiroshima Myanmar Community (HMC)
  • Hpakant Hmawlae Strike Force
  • HRDF volunteer
  • India for Myanmar
  • Industrial Training Centre (ITC) Family Sydney
  • Info Birmanie
  • Interim University Council of University of Medicine 2
  • Interim University Council of University of Nursing, Mandalay
  1. International Association, Myanmar-Switzerland (IAMS)
  2. International Society of Myanmar Scholars and Professionals (ISMSP-MM)
  3. Italia-Birmania Insieme
  4. Japan Myanmar Future Creative Association (JMFCA)
  5. Jeju Myanmar Community
  6. Junta Denouncing Committee (Korea)
  7. Justice 4 Myanmar – Hope & Development
  8. Justice and Equality Focus (JEF)
  9. Justice Movement for Community-Innlay
  10. Kachin Affairs Organization -Japan (KAO (Japan)
  11. Kachin Association Australia
  12. Kachin Association Norway
  13. Kalay Township People’s Strike Steering Committee -KPSSC
  14. Kalay-Kabaw Brothers Group
  15. Kanbalu Strike Force
  16. Kani Strike Force
  17. Kansai Group Japan
  18. Karen National League Japan-KNL
  19. Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN)
  20. Karenni National Society (KNS) Japan
  21. K’cho Ethnic Association( Europe)
  22. Khayan Supporting Community – Korea
  23. Korea Myanmar Solidarity
  24. KTJ Supporting Group
  25. Kyauktada Strike Committee (KSC)
  26. La Communauté Birmane de France
  27. Latpadaung Anti-coup Strike Force
  28. Latpadaung Region Strike Committee
  29. Lattpantaung Taung Pinma
  30. League For Democracy in Burma (L.D.B Japan)
  31. Let’s Help Each Other (LHEO)
  32. LGBT Alliance Myanmar
  33. Magway People’s Revolution Committee
  34. Magway Region Human Rights Network (MHRN)
  35. Mandalay Medical Family (MFM)
  36. Mandalay Strike Force (MSF)
  37. MASBO-Myanmar Active Students & Businesspeople Organisation
  38. MayMyo Strike Force
  39. Mindat Chin Community NSW
  40. Minority Affairs Institute
  41. Moe Yu Spring Revolution Market
  42. Mon Youth for Federal Democracy (MYFD)
  43. Monywa People’s Strike Steering Committee
  44. Monywa-Amyint Road Strike Leading Committee
  45. Myanmar action group Denmark
  46. Myanmar Campaign Network (Australia)
  47. Myanmar Catholic Community In Norway
  48. Myanmar Community
  49. Myanmar Community Coffs Harbour (MCC)
  50. Myanmar Community in Norway
  51. Myanmar Democrati Force ( Denmark )
  52. Myanmar Development Support Group (MDSG)
  53. Myanmar Engineering Association of Australia (MEAA)
  54. Myanmar Federal Democratic Mission Coalition – Korea (MFDMC)
  55. Myanmar Global Support Foundation (MGSF)
  1. Myanmar Hindu Union
  2. Myanmar Labour Alliance (MLA)
  3. Myanmar Nationalities’ Support Organization – JP (MNSO)
  4. Myanmar Refugee Policy Group
  5. Myanmar Revolution Supporters (MRS)
  6. Myanmar Spring Helping Hands
  7. Myanmar Spring Revolution Japan (MSRJ)
  8. Myanmar Spring Revolution Supporters South Korea
  9. Myanmar Worker Welfare Center (Korea)
  10. Myanmar Youth and Student Association, Japan (MYSA)
  11. Myanmar Community Christchurch-New Zealand
  12. Myanmar Student’s Union in New Zealand
  13. Myanmar’s Youth Association Hokkaido (MYAH)
  14. Myaung People Strike Steering Committee
  15. Myaung Youth Network
  16. MyaYar Knowledge Tree
  17. Myingyan Civillian Movement Committee
  18. Myingyan-GZ Group (Korea)
  19. Myinmu Supporting Organization
  20. National League for Democracy (Organizing Committee) Japan (NLD OC JP)
  21. National League for Democracy Organizing Committee (International/Korea)
  22. Nelson Burmese Community New Zealand
  23. New Myanmar Foundation
  24. New Zealand Doctors for NUG
  25. NLD Organization Committew (International) Norway
  26. Norway Matu Community
  27. Norway Rvwang Community
  28. NRFF – New Rehmonnya Federated Force
  29. NSW Karenni (Kayah) Communities
  30. NYCBC (New York City Burmese Community)
  31. NZ Campaign for Myanmar
  32. OCTOPUS (Youth Organization)
  33. Okinawa Myanmar Association (OMA)
  34. Olive organization
  35. Our Force
  36. Overseas Karen Organization-Japan (OKOJ)
  37. Overseas Mon Association-New Zealand
  38. Pa.oh Political Corporation Committee in Japan (PPCC-Japan)
  39. Paju Myanmar Community
  40. Pakokku Youth Development Council
  41. Palaung National Society Japan, PNS-Japan
  42. Pale Township People’s Strike Steering Committee
  43. Palmerstan North Karen Community-New Zealand
  44. Peacock Brothers Support Team
  45. People’s Hope Spring Revolution (PHSR)
  46. Photographer’s Supporting – Korea (PSK)
  47. Pocheon Myanmar NUG Youth Organization
  48. Progressive Muslim Youth Association (PMYA)
  49. Punnyakari Mon National Society Japan,PMNS-Japan
  50. Purple Window Counselling
  51. Queers of Burma Alternative
  52. Revolution Tokyo Myanmar (RTM)
  53. Rise Again Myanmar (RAM)
  54. Rohingya Community in Norway
  55. Rvwang Community Association- New Zealand
  56. Saitama Pamphlet Campaign
  • Save Myanmar – USA
  • Save Myanmar (San Francisco Bay Area)
  • SEARCH Foundation
  • Shan Community in Japan (SCJ)
  • Shan Community – New Zealand
  • ShizuYouth For Myanmar
  • Shwe Bo Strike Force
  • Shwe Pyi Thar Strike Committee
  • Sitt Nyein Pann Foundation
  • SMDC
  • Sodegaura Myanmar Yuko Association
  • South Yangon District Supporting
  • Southern Initiatives
  • Southern Shan Nationalities Liberation Organization
  • Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Community _SRMMC
  • SRR Restaurant
  • Sujata Sisters Group- New Zealand
  • Support for Myanmar
  • Support Group for Democracy in Myanmar (The Netherlands) with Myanmar community
  • Suwon Migrants Center (Myanmar Community)
  • Sydney Friends for Myanmar Unity
  • Sydney Peace and Justice Coalition
  • Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
  • Tai Youths Network Japan (TYNJ)
  • Taunggyi University Students’ Union (TGUSU)
  • Thaung Yin News and Media Website
  • The Institution of Professional Engineers Myanmar (IPEM)
  • Try Together At Japan (TTAJ)
  • Uijeongbu Myanmar Community
  • Union of Karenni State Youth (UKSY)
  • United Hands for New Myanmar (UH4NM)
  • United Myanmar Alliance
  • University of Medicine Mandalay Student Union Revolutionary Front – UMMSURF
  • University Students’ Unions Alumni Force
  • Voice For Justice
  • Volunteers in Myanmar
  • We for All
  • We Love Mother Land – Korea
  • Wetlet Revolution Leading Committee
  • White Coat Society Yangon (WCSY)
  • White Raindrops Charity Foundation
  • Women Activists Myanmar (WAM)
  • Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar
  • Women Alliance Burma (WAB)
  • Women Lead Resource Center
  • Women’s Peace Network
  • Yadanabon University Students’ Union (YDNBUSU)
  • Yain Nweh Par (Rainbow Win The Storm -RIS) – ယိမ ်းနပွဲ့  ်း
  • Yangon Deaf Group
  • Yangon People’s Strike
  • Yaw Funding Japan
  • Yaw Funding Korea
  • Yaw People’s Revolution Committee (ယယောလူထုတိုက ပ ယကော မတီ)
  • Yesagyo Support Team (SYSO)
  • Yinmarpin and Salingyi All Villages Strike Committee
  • Yokohama Pamphlet Campaign – Myanmar
  • Youth Action For Myanmar
  • Youth Empowerment (YE)
  • Youth for Democratization of Myanmar (UDM)
  • Youth Heart Beams
  • Zomi Association Australia Inc.
  • Zomi Christian Fellowship of Norway
  • Zomi Community Norway
  • ယက ်းလက ယ မ
  •   ပည သူဝူ့န ထမ ်းမ  ော်းသမဂ္ဂ  (PSU)
  • မ ိ ်းဆက -Generations
  •  မန မောနိုင ငံလံု်းဆုိင ရော ဆရော/ဆရောမမ ော်းအဖ ွဲ့ခ ပ    
  • လက ပံယတောင ်းယတောင ပင မသပိတ  
  • လူမ ိ ်းယပ င ်းစံုဒီမိုကရက တစ လူငယ အဖ ွဲ့ခ  ပ  (ANYLD)
  • သမိုင ်းသယ ယဆောင သူမ ော်း
  • အညောလ င ပင ရပ ဝန ်း
  • ဧရောဝတီလူငယ  မ ော်းသမဂ္ဂ  (AYU)

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