08/10/2026
๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ซ
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Myanmar amid the continuing human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country. More than five years since the military coup in February 2021, continuing armed conflict, violence against civilians, displacement, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms underscore the urgent need to protect civilians, ensure accountability, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and work towards the restoration of democratic institutions and processes. [1] [2] [3]
The continuing casualties and widespread displacement highlight the urgent need for stronger protection and accountability mechanisms. Reports of restrictions on humanitarian assistance and attacks affecting civilians and humanitarian responders further aggravate the situation, particularly for communities already facing displacement and insecurity. The CHR stresses that humanitarian assistance must reach affected communities safely and without undue obstruction.
The CHR likewise remains concerned about violations of workersโ rights and fundamental freedoms in Myanmar. In June 2025, the International Labour Conference adopted a resolution under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Constitution concerning Myanmarโs compliance with the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29). The ILO has since continued to call for an end to violence, arbitrary arrest, detention, and torture, and for the protection of freedom of association and the elimination of forced labour. [4]
The particular impact of the crisis on women and other vulnerable groups also demands sustained attention. On 3 August 2026, the CHR, together with civil society partners, convened the forum, โStrengthening Regional Accountability through the Lens of Women, Peace and Security, and the Humanitarian Situation in Myanmar.โ The discussions examined regional responses to the crisis and the lived experiences of affected communities, including women vulnerable to gender-based and sexual violence. The forum underscored the importance of ensuring that the voices and experiences of affected communities inform regional responses to the situation.
As the Philippines serves as ASEAN Chair in 2026, the CHR underscores the importance of sustained regional action consistent with the principles and commitments embodied in the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. ASEAN and its Member States have an important role in advancing the protection of civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting accountability, and creating conditions conducive to a peaceful and rights-respecting resolution of the crisis.
The CHR also recognises the importance of ensuring the credibility and independence of national human rights institutions, in line with the Paris Principles, in responding to human rights challenges in the region. Questions concerning the independence, effectiveness, and institutional integrity of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) are currently being addressed through relevant regional mechanisms. The South East Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum is undertaking a formal review of MNHRCโs continued eligibility for membership against the standards of independence, effectiveness, and institutional integrity reflected in the Paris Principles. The CHR respects the integrity of this ongoing process and the opportunity afforded to MNHRC to respond before any determination is made. [5]
The CHR stresses that regional and international responses to the crisis in Myanmar must remain anchored in the protection of human rights, respect for international humanitarian law, accountability for serious violations, and the meaningful participation of affected communities.
Independent monitoring and documentation remain essential to establishing accountability and enabling victims and their families to pursue truth, justice, and effective remedies.
The international community must likewise sustain efforts to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar, many of whom remain in urgent need of life-saving support. Cooperation among the United Nations, ASEAN, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, and other relevant actors should strengthen, rather than diminish, the protection of civilians and the pursuit of accountability.
Ultimately, addressing the crisis in Myanmar requires concerted regional and international action that translates commitments to human rights and humanitarian principles into concrete protection for people on the ground. The CHR stands with the people of Myanmar in their aspiration for a future founded on human rights, peace, accountability, and democratic governance.
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[1] Myanmar Humanitarian Update No. 52 (2026, July 13). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Last accessed 24 August 2026, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/myanmar/myanmar-humanitarian-update-no-52-13-july-2026
[2] Myanmar (n.d.). Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. Last accessed 24 August 2026, https://acleddata.com/country/myanmar
[3] Executive Summary of the Documentation of the โForum on Strengthening Regional Accountability through the Lens of Women, Peace, and Security and the Humanitarian Situation in Myanmarโ (2026). Commission on Human Rights.
[4] โILO invokes Article 33 on Myanmar; ITUC-Asia Pacific hails decision and calls for global actionโ (2025, June 5). International Trade Union Confederation- Asia Pacific. Last accessed 5 October 2026, https://www.ituc-ap.org/news-and-updates/breaking-ilo-invokes-article-33-on-myanmar-ituc-asia-pacific-hails-decision-and-calls-for-global-action
[5] โSEANF Commences Formal Review of MNHRCโs Continued Eligibility for Membershipโ (2026, September 28). South East Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum. Last accessed 5 October 2026, https://chr.gov.ph/seanf-commences-formal-review-of-mnhrcs-continued-eligibility-for-membership/
