The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a stark warning regarding the military junta’s planned elections in Myanmar, scheduled for December 28, 2023. According to OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence, these elections will exacerbate repression and instability rather than pave the way for a return to democracy. Laurence characterized the electoral process as one tightly controlled by the military in a climate filled with “threats and violence.”
The situation for civilians in Myanmar is highly precarious. James Rodehaver, who leads OHCHR’s Myanmar team, highlighted the coercive environment surrounding the elections. He noted that while the military pressures citizens to vote, armed opposition groups threaten violence against those who participate. This dual threat creates a dilemma for many citizens, who are caught between military intimidation and the risk of retaliation.
In a controversial move, the military junta claims to have pardoned approximately 4,000 individuals convicted of sedition, yet Rodehaver revealed that only around 550 have been confirmed as released, with many facing rearrest shortly after. The junta has also detained over 100 individuals under new “election protection rules,” including three youths sentenced to 49 years in prison for displaying posters featuring a bullet-pierced ballot box.
Concerns extend to the electoral process itself, particularly the reliance on an electronic-only voting system that utilizes artificial intelligence and biometric surveillance. This approach has raised alarms about further undermining trust in the electoral process. With large areas of the country beyond military control, credible elections appear increasingly unfeasible. Voting will not occur in 56 townships currently under martial law, and in 31 townships, the absence of candidates will prevent elections altogether.
UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has harshly criticized the elections, calling them a “charade” and urging the international community to “unequivocally reject” the process. He denounced the junta’s reforms as superficial, aimed solely at maintaining military authority. Since the military coup in February 2021, the junta has imprisoned over 30,000 political opponents, including prominent opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Additionally, authorities have dissolved at least 40 political parties, notably the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The electoral framework in Myanmar raises significant concerns regarding compliance with international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees every citizen the right “to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections” conducted by universal suffrage and ensuring the free expression of voters’ will.
In a recent statement, Human Rights Watch called on global leaders to denounce the military junta and its planned elections, labeling the process a “sham.” HRW further recommended that states increase diplomatic isolation of Myanmar’s military rulers and enhance humanitarian assistance for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Since the military takeover, Myanmar has faced a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread violence and repression. The UN and various international organizations continue to express grave concerns over the deteriorating situation in the country, condemning the military’s use of violence and repression against civilians.
