Myanmar Polls ‘Unfathomable’ Amid War and Repression – UN Rights Chief
- Myanmar's military junta is proceeding with planned elections on December 28, 2023, despite widespread condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups who deem the vote illegitimate and...
- On February 1, 2021, Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu kyi and her National League for democracy (NLD)...
- The coup triggered widespread protests, which were met with violent repression by the military.
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UN Condemns Myanmar’s Planned Elections as a Sham Amidst Ongoing Civil War
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Myanmar’s military junta is proceeding with planned elections on December 28, 2023, despite widespread condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups who deem the vote illegitimate and a tactic to perpetuate military rule. The elections are taking place following the military’s 2021 coup, which plunged the country into a brutal civil war.
The Coup and its Aftermath
On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu kyi and her National League for democracy (NLD) party. The junta falsely claimed widespread fraud in the November 2020 general election, which the NLD won in a landslide as reported by Reuters. Suu Kyi was afterward arrested and remains imprisoned.
The coup triggered widespread protests, which were met with violent repression by the military. This escalated into a full-blown civil war, with pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic-minority armed factions battling the junta for control of territory. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
UN Criticism and Concerns
Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, strongly criticized the planned elections in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday, November 6, 2023. He stated that holding elections under the current circumstances is “unfathomable.” France 24 reported on Turk’s statement.
Turk highlighted the military’s systematic suppression of civic space, including the detention of opposition figures, the killing of journalists, and the ongoing heavy bombardment of civilians, particularly in Rakhine State. He questioned the fairness and legitimacy of an election conducted while large parts of the country are outside the military’s control and with the military actively engaged in conflict.
Why the Election is Widely Seen as illegitimate
Rights groups echo the UN’s concerns, arguing that the election cannot be considered legitimate given the circumstances. The dissolution of the NLD, a party overwhelmingly popular with the electorate, and the imprisonment of Aung San suu Kyi, a pivotal figure in Myanmar’s democratic movement, fundamentally undermine the electoral process.
Rebel groups have vowed to disrupt the elections in areas under their control, further casting doubt on the vote’s credibility. The junta has made protesting the election a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison, effectively silencing dissent.
The Scale of the Conflict
The civil war in Myanmar is multi-faceted, involving the military junta, pro-democracy resistance groups, and various ethnic-minority armed organizations. The junta has lost control of important territory to these groups. Estimates of casualties vary widely, and there is no official death toll. The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of assistance.
The ongoing conflict and the planned elections raise serious concerns about the future of democracy and human rights in Myanmar. The international community continues to call for the release of political prisoners, a return to civilian rule, and accountability for human rights violations.