On the political situation in Myanmar including the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya

B100513/2025

European Parliament resolution on the political situation in Myanmar including the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya

(2025/2986(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions condemning the military coup in Myanmar,

– having regard to the Five-Point Consensus of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),

– having regard to the reports and statements by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, independent UN experts and humanitarian agencies,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas in November 2020 the National League for Democracy won an overwhelming victory in democratic elections, but the military junta refused to accept the result and seized power, detaining the legitimate President Win Myint, special advisor Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected officials;

B. whereas the situation in Myanmar has dramatically worsened since the military coup of 1 February 2021, with a surge in airstrikes, artillery shelling and ground operations by the junta against civilian populations;

C. whereas the junta continues to impose forced conscription, including of young people, while conducting arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and sexual violence;

D. whereas credible sources estimate that over 6 000 civilians have been killed since the coup, including more than 1 800 in 2024 alone, among them hundreds of women and children; whereas landmine use is escalating and UNICEF reported over 1 000 civilian casualties from mines and explosive ordnance in 2023;

E. whereas as of April 2025, 3.55 million people were reportedly internally displaced in Myanmar;

F. whereas among the forcibly displaced are large numbers of Rohingya, a stateless minority who continue to suffer systemic discrimination, limited access to citizenship and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, access to humanitarian aid, education and livelihoods;

G. whereas the economic crisis in Myanmar is deepening, with massive GDP losses, hyperinflation, currency collapse, food insecurity and poverty affecting a large share of the population, particularly in conflict-affected zones, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian tragedy;

H. whereas the military junta has announced plans to hold elections at the end of December 2025; whereas military controlled elections will be neither free nor fair, as large areas of the country remain active conflict zones, many parties are banned from or are boycotting the elections, and dissent has been criminalised; whereas since the coup, the junta has banned dozens of political parties and jailed an estimated 30 000 political prisoners; whereas on 29 July 2025, the junta enacted the Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic General Elections from Obstruction, Disruption, and Destruction, criminalising criticism of the electoral process and imposing penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment or even death;

I. whereas media freedom and freedom of expression are being severely curtailed and violated in Myanmar;

J. whereas genuine national reconciliation, peace and democracy can only be achieved if the military junta relinquishes its grip on power and civilian governance is restored, along with the protection of minority rights and the participation of civil society, and accountability for past abuses is guaranteed;

K. whereas the EU supports the ASEAN’s diplomatic role and its efforts to end the violence in Myanmar and return power to a democratically elected civilian government; whereas ASEAN countries have officially emphasised that the cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue must precede elections;

1. Strongly condemns the Myanmar military junta for its persistent and escalating use of force against civilians, including indiscriminate airstrikes, artillery bombardments and ground operations, which have caused very high numbers of civilian casualties and widespread destruction;

2. Expresses profound alarm at the brutal repression methods employed by the junta, including forced conscription, torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, sexual violence and systemic impunity;

3. Deplores the devastating humanitarian crisis affecting the civilian population, with millions of internally displaced people lacking safe shelter, water, sanitation, education and medical care;

4. Condemns the disproportionate suffering of the Rohingya minority, who remain stateless, face mounting discrimination and lack meaningful access to humanitarian aid, while being trapped between warring parties;

5. Calls for urgent, safe and unhindered humanitarian access across Myanmar, including to the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas, with a particular focus on Rohingya communities;

6. Urges neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh, to uphold their international obligations by granting protection to refugees, ensuring non-refoulement and refraining from discriminatory practices or forced returns;

7. Welcomes the ASEAN’s diplomatic role and appeals to it to intensify its engagement, supporting coordinated cross-border humanitarian corridors and pressing the military junta to end the violence and allow a political transition;

8. Condemns the planned elections in the strongest terms, as, under current conditions of conflict, repression and exclusion, they cannot be considered free, fair or inclusive; insists that any vote conducted under military direction lacks legitimacy; affirms that a credible pathway towards peace and democracy requires the military junta to end the violence and relinquish power, allow a civilian transitional authority, restore democratic institutions and reinstate legitimate civilian leaders;

9. Calls for the release of legitimate President Win Myint, special advisor Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, journalists and human rights activists currently under arrest or being detained, and for all charges against them to be dropped;

10. Stresses the need for justice and accountability, and for the establishment of independent investigations to document and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights abuses;

11. Demands that the EU increase diplomatic pressure, focusing on imposing targeted, smart sanctions on military leaders and economic actors that enable the junta, with a view to discouraging further abuses and incentivising a political solution;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the institutions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the National Unity Government of Myanmar and all relevant humanitarian and regional stakeholders.