Human Rights Watch stated today that international leaders assembling in the Philippines from November 15 to 17, 2026, ought to take a firmer stance on the humanitarian and human rights emergency in Myanmar.
The East Asia Summit and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partner summits include leaders of ASEAN nations, the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, and India.
In a November 5 letter to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who serves as the summit host and ASEAN chair, Human Rights Watch called upon the organization to reject any validation or recognition of the fraudulent elections held earlier in 2026 that led to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing taking the presidency of Myanmar.
Several regional governments have recently hosted Min Aung Hlaing, despite the junta rejecting ASEAN calls to address humanitarian issues. On November 11, the Philippine government confirmed that Min Aung Hlaing would not attend the summit.
Pressure on Junta Officials
ASEAN partners should urge the bloc to continue blocking junta officials from representing Myanmar at regional meetings, Human Rights Watch said.
“ASEAN could play an important role in bringing a stop to Myanmar military abuses,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement to Human Rights Watch.
“Governments should be increasing pressure on the junta to end its attacks on civilians, lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, and begin credible dialogues about transitioning to civilian rule,” Sifton added.
Min Aung Hlaing Leads Abusive Military Operations and Arrests
Serving as the chief of Myanmar’s armed forces prior to and following the military takeover in 2021, Min Aung Hlaing has directed numerous violent campaigns that frequently involved crimes against humanity and war crimes. Military regime authorities have taken more than 32,000 individuals into custody for resisting the junta, with reports indicating that a minimum of 2,300 have perished while detained.
Detainees face torture and ill-treatment. Over 6,600 of those arrested have been women, and Human Rights Watch recently documented that many experienced sexual violence alongside dangerous denials of prenatal and obstetric medical care.
Days after the ASEAN meetings, on November 19, the International Court of Justice in The Hague will deliver its judgment in the landmark case brought by Gambia against Myanmar for alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The 2017 campaign of widespread arson, sexual violence, and mass killings targeting the ethnic Rohingya population in upper Rakhine State was directed by Min Aung Hlaing.
The International Criminal Court is investigating Min Aung Hlaing for alleged atrocity crimes. Seeking an arrest warrant for him, the ICC prosecutor’s office requested judges in November 2024 to hold him accountable for alleged crimes against humanity involving deportation and persecution during the 2017 operations against the Rohingya. Judges have yet to issue a public decision on that request.
Questions About the Myanmar Crisis
Who is barred from attending the ASEAN summit?
The Philippine government confirmed on November 11 that Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing would not attend the summit in the Philippines.
What court case involving Myanmar is scheduled for November 2026?
The International Court of Justice is set to announce its ruling on November 19 regarding the lawsuit initiated by Gambia against Myanmar concerning suspected breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
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