The move follows concerns over the commission’s compliance with international standards and its record on protecting human rights since the 2021 military coup…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) has welcomed the decision by the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) to terminate the membership of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), which it accuses of serving the interests of the military junta.
In a statement dated 20 October 2026, the NUG said it supported SEANF’s decision, announced on 19 October, following an assessment that the MNHRC no longer met the requirements for continued membership of the regional forum.
The NUG said the commission had failed to protect the people of Myanmar from human rights violations committed by the military following its 2021 coup. It accused the MNHRC of concealing abuses rather than fulfilling its mandate to promote and protect human rights.
The statement also cited earlier action against the commission at the international and regional levels. In December 2024, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Sub-Committee on Accreditation withdrew the MNHRC’s accreditation. In May 2025, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions expelled it from its membership.
The NUG attributed SEANF’s latest decision partly to sustained advocacy by regional human rights organisations, particularly the CSO Working Group on Independent NHRI Burma/Myanmar. It said the group had submitted evidence to international and regional bodies concerning alleged human rights violations by the military and misconduct by the commission.
The NUG also praised the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, known as SUHAKAM, which chairs SEANF in 2026, and the other members of the forum’s governing board. These include the national human rights institutions of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
The statement said the organisations had demonstrated their commitment to accountability and the principles governing independent national human rights institutions.
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Call for independent human rights body
The NUG said the termination of the MNHRC’s membership, alongside continued advocacy by civil society groups, could help accelerate the adoption of the Union Human Rights Commission Bill.
The proposed legislation aims to establish a new human rights institution for Myanmar. The NUG said it was working with revolutionary partner organisations towards creating an independent and credible national body and called for the bill to be adopted as soon as possible.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the CSO Working Group, ethnic resistance organisations, federal units, the National Unity Consultative Council and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to establish a Union Human Rights Commission capable of protecting the rights of the country’s people.
The NUG said it wanted future human rights mechanisms in a federal democratic Myanmar to comply with international standards.
The statement concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to accountability and the establishment of an independent human rights framework, while expressing gratitude to regional institutions and civil society organisations for their role in pressing for changes to the MNHRC’s status.
