We must refuse to legitimise Myanmar's sham elections

Three days after Christmas, the military dictatorship in Myanmar (formerly Burma) held the first round of so-called elections. But let us be in no doubt - these are completely sham and illegitimate, designed not to establish democracy but to legitimise the junta's brutal and repressive rule.

- ANDREW MITCHELL

Myanmar’s military regime seized power in a coup on 1 February 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. She and many of her colleagues from her National League for Democracy (NLD) have been held in prison ever since, along with more than 22,000 other political prisoners. Concerns are mounting in respect of the deteriorating health of 80-year-old Suu Kyi and the lack of information about her wellbeing and whereabouts. Earlier this week, her son Kim Aris said that “she could be dead”.

Over 40 political parties, including the NLD, have been dissolved by the regime and banned from contesting the election. A new decree criminalises criticism of the election, and threatens those who violate this with up to 20 years in prison. At least 94 people have been arrested so far.

Civil society and independent media have been driven underground or into exile, unable to operate freely in the country. Access to the internet is restricted, freedom of expression is denied, and there is no right of assembly and no independent judiciary.

On top of this, Myanmar is in the midst of a human rights and humanitarian crisis, with the junta conducting airstrikes on civilians on a daily basis. Schools, hospitals and places of worship are deliberately targeted in this campaign of terror, with airstrikes often taking place at night when people are asleep in their homes. On 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the military bombed a hospital in Rakhine State, killing more than 30 people.