September 7, 2026

The Khmer Movement for Democracy (KMD) strongly condemns the Myanmar military junta for its continuing campaign of violence, repression, and systematic human rights violations against the people of Myanmar.

The military regime has no democratic mandate. Its so-called elections, conducted under military control, intimidation, repression, and the imprisonment of political opponents, cannot be considered free, fair, or legitimate.

“A military regime cannot bomb its own people, imprison those who demand democracy, conduct elections under coercion, and then expect the international community to call itself legitimate. Elections without freedom are not democracy—they are a mechanism for legitimizing military rule. ASEAN must stand with the people of Myanmar, not with the generals who have stolen their democracy.”

— Mu Sochua, President, Khmer Movement for Democracy (KMD)

An election held while political leaders, activists, journalists, and citizens are imprisoned is not a democratic election—it is an instrument of military rule.

KMD stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and with all those who continue to struggle peacefully for democracy, human rights, justice, and genuine national reconciliation.

ASEAN must stop legitimizing the junta

KMD calls on ASEAN and all ASEAN member states to reject any attempt to normalize or legitimize the Myanmar military regime through diplomatic engagement, official recognition, participation in junta-sponsored processes, or acceptance of sham elections as a pathway to legitimacy.

ASEAN must uphold its own commitments to peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

In particular, KMD calls on ASEAN to:

* Reject the military junta’s forced elections as neither free nor legitimate;

* Recognize and engage with legitimate democratic representatives of the people of Myanmar, including the National Unity Government (NUG);

* Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and detainees;

* Call for an immediate end to military violence against civilians;

* Support an inclusive, democratic national dialogue involving all legitimate stakeholders; and

* Ensure that ASEAN engagement does not become a mechanism for the junta to obtain international legitimacy.

Stop providing diplomatic legitimacy to the junta leader

KMD further condemns any government that provides a platform, official recognition, or diplomatic hospitality to the leader of the Myanmar military junta while political prisoners remain behind bars and atrocities against civilians continue.

No government should provide the junta with the appearance of international legitimacy while the people of Myanmar are denied their fundamental democratic rights.

Hosting a military junta leader is not neutral diplomacy when that leader represents a regime responsible for grave violations against its own people.

ASEAN member states and the international community must understand that normalization has consequences. Every official reception, state visit, photograph, or diplomatic platform provided to the junta risks sending a message to victims that their suffering can be ignored and that military repression can ultimately be rewarded with international recognition.

A message to ASEAN

The people of Myanmar do not need another election designed by the military to perpetuate military power. They need freedom, justice, democracy, and the release of those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights.

KMD therefore calls upon ASEAN leaders to demonstrate principled leadership and to stand with the people of Myanmar—not with the generals who have seized power from them.

There can be no credible democratic transition while political prisoners remain imprisoned.

There can be no legitimate election under military coercion.

And there can be no genuine peace through the normalization of military dictatorship.

KMD urges ASEAN and the international community to reject the junta’s attempt to transform repression into political legitimacy and to support the people of Myanmar in their struggle to restore democracy and fundamental human rights.

The people of Myanmar deserve democracy—not a military-managed democracy.