12 May 2026 By Ko Myo
CEBU, Philippines — A prominent advocacy group has issued a stark reminder to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), urging the regional bloc to stop acting as a “stepping stone” for dictators and to finally stand with the people of Myanmar.
In a recent statement, Defend Myanmar Democracy argued that successive generations of Myanmar’s military rulers have successfully exploited ASEAN to gain international legitimacy while hiding their atrocities. The group warned that current junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is following the same “old playbook” used by his predecessors to cement his grip on power.
The advocacy group noted that while ASEAN has historically served the interests of the generals, it has consistently turned a blind eye to the citizens suffering under their oppression. “It is time for ASEAN to learn from the grim lessons of Myanmar’s history,” the group stated, calling for a decisive shift in policy.
The statement follows the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, Philippines, on 8 May. While Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was once again barred from attending the high-level meeting, activists argue that the bloc remains dangerously divided.
“ASEAN has become a double-edged sword,” a political columnist told MPA. “We are seeing a growing power struggle within the bloc between nations that refuse to legitimize the junta and those that are increasingly tempted to bring them back into the fold. This internal rift is being expertly manipulated by the military.”
Defend Myanmar Democracy urged ASEAN leaders to exercise extreme caution and to extend formal recognition only to the true representatives of the Myanmar people—those fighting to establish a genuine federal democracy.
The military junta is currently desperate for any form of regional endorsement as it seeks to validate its recent controversial election processes. However, as long as the regime continues its campaign of violence against civilians, rights monitors insist that any move by ASEAN to normalize relations would be a betrayal of the democratic aspirations of millions.
As the summit concluded in Cebu, the message from Myanmar’s civil society remains clear: ASEAN’s credibility is on the line. The bloc must decide whether it will remain a diplomatic shield for a “criminal” regime or finally become a proactive partner for the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of peace and justice.
