The military junta is tightening its grip on the citizens of Myanmar. Arrests and prosecutions are on the rise. Their intimidation strategy is simple: prevent the public from opposing the election. Human rights violations against the general population are increasing as the election approaches, according to the Human Rights Foundation of MonLand (HURFOM).
Acts of arbitrary arrest, beatings, forced conscriptions, and unprovoked punishments are being carried out against the public more frequently than before.
Data from HURFOM indicates a significant increase in abuses in the Southern Myanmar regions of Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi during the past October. There were nearly 250 arrests, almost 100 people wounded, and close to 50 people killed.
The Independent Mon News Agency interviewed Nai Aue Mon, Director of HURFOM, regarding the current wave of severe human rights violations being carried out by the military junta in Southern Myanmar during the lead up to the election.
Question: What is the current situation regarding human rights violations against the public as the military junta prepares for the election?
Answer: We are seeing an increase in their (the military junta’s) oppressive practices. Their oppressive policies already exist, but judging from what we see now, they are adding more of their military policy. In the run-up to the election, they will ensure no one dares to oppose them by making the public afraid. They will hold the election no matter what, and everyone already knows the result of their election. In the meantime, they will continue to frighten the public, forcing them to sit in the sun, beating them, looting their possessions, and arresting them. These actions are all meant to ensure no one dares to oppose them. It’s not just the youth; older people are also forced to do labor. In October alone, our records show that 246 people were arrested –135 were young men, and 85 were women. Women are being released only after paying a ransom, but the young men have vanished without a trace. They may have been sent into military service.
Question: What are people facing in the areas where polling stations are being set up and the areas designated as constituencies?
Answer: It’s not just arrests. The use of weapons is also increasing significantly in areas like southern Ye, eastern Ye, and Tanintharyi. They will try to increase the number of places where they can set up polling stations; everything is in their hands. They want the international community to participate. Since they want them to participate, they will try to retake the areas they have lost. If they can secure areas like Launglon, Yebyu, Dawei, Ye, and Kyaikmaraw in Tanintharyi, they want to show the international community that they have secured many constituencies. They want to demonstrate that they can set up polling stations in those constituencies. Their strategies are completely systematic. I foresee that the fighting will become very intense in October and November 2025.
Question: When you say it will become very intense going forward, how severe do you think the situation will become? Can you share your thoughts?
Answer: The severity means they will no longer play a political game like before. The human rights violations will be more apparent, and the public will suffer. It will be harder to work. Rubber plantations will not be able to import gasoline. If too many goods are imported, they will have to pay taxes. They are making it difficult for people to even eat and live. Travel will no longer be as free as before. They will continue these actions throughout the run-up to the election. It’s not just the ethnic groups; they are also oppressing their own Burman people significantly. It will not proceed as ‘peacefully’ as it has been. They will continue to reject and violate laws. That’s why I say it will become more intense. Many lives will be lost. About 40 people were killed in the Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi regions in October. Many more have been arrested and disappeared, with no news of them. We won’t know the extent of the full impact until December, when the election is scheduled, but we are monitoring it daily.
Question: Can the suppression that the public is facing extend beyond the election period? Who do you think should step in to help address these violations?
Answer: The situation in Myanmar can no longer be viewed only as the pre-election period. They will seize power through this fake election. Once they have power, they will form their government and then rule. We have to look at the post-election consequences. The revolution is also facing many difficulties. Support from the public, international support, and support from donors has significantly decreased. This is severely hurting the Spring Revolution. Their new, fake government will also increasingly rule with discrimination. Those who support them will be favored, and those who don’t will be oppressed. Human rights violations will become more frequent, and military conflict will become more intense. China and Russia are on their side. After the election and the formation of the new government, the public will suffer greatly. Why? Because most of their international partner organizations will recognize them as the legitimate government. That is why I believe CSOs, the NUG, and ethnic armed organizations will have to work much harder. I foresee that the efforts for human rights protection, public protection, liberation, and military conflicts will be protracted.
Question: In previous interviews, you mentioned that 2025 could be the worst year for human rights violations. We are seeing a similar situation now. Why is the military junta doing this to the public?
Answer: This is their only political way out. That’s why they are increasing the oppression. They believe that this political solution will lead to recognition by the international community and countries with established legal frameworks. They seized power from the people’s government because they were unhappy with the election result, and they believe the crisis must end with an election. If they don’t end it with this election, they cannot continue to exist. That is why they must hold the election, no matter what. That is why they are oppressing the public. They regard anyone who opposes their plan as an enemy. They have even enacted laws to suppress opponents to the point of killing them. Even people who use a laughing emoji online have been imprisoned. They have gone that far. They will hold the election no matter what, form a new government, and announce their success. The entire election process, from start to finish, is a sham. Parties like the MUP and PPP are merely there to boost their strength. Some use their ethnic identity as a reason to contest, and others use the public as a reason, but these are just nice words. Their goal is only to surround the military junta, take what they are given, and secure a seat. Now, generals and brigadier generals will change into civilian clothes and contest the election. Those same people will be part of forming the new government. We will see this happen around February or March. After that, Myanmar will turn back into a dark prison. That’s why I want to say that the opposition and the revolution will continue for a long time. We must be prepared for that stage.
Question: My final question is: Is this sham election highly relevant to the public? Please share your thoughts and conclude.
Answer: It is highly relevant. To maintain legitimacy, they need to demonstrate a huge show of force; otherwise, it would be illogical. It is certain that they will secure a 90 to 100 percent victory. They want to show that people are coming to the polling stations they’ve established and casting votes. To demonstrate this, they must retake the areas they’ve lost. That is why they are deploying a large amount of military force. The use of aircraft and drones has increased two- to- threefold in some areas. Broadly speaking, the whole country is being destroyed, and amidst this, they are holding an election. Their goal is to put on a show for the international community and ASEAN countries, based on public participation. They will also manipulate the situation to make it seem like the public is participating. It’s not that the international community and ASEAN don’t know what is happening; they do. But laws cannot be destroyed outside of negotiations. Things must be done within the framework of the law. The NUG cannot face them alone. The ethnic armed groups cannot face them alone. They are also under pressure from China in the middle. What I want to say is that the international community cannot provide further help. If you want something, you have to strive for it yourself.
