Myanmar: Junta officials ban political parties from speaking with international organizations or foreigners without prior permission as of Aug. 16

Event

The Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) regime has banned political parties from speaking with international organizations or foreigners without prior permission from the Union Election Commission (UEC) as of Aug. 16. In an announcement Aug. 11, the UEC said that political parties that violate the rule face sanctions, such as dissolution. It is unclear whether foreigners or international organizations that contact any political parties will face punishment. Policy enforcement will likely vary across the country.

Context

The junta authorities announced the policy amid ongoing unrest and armed clashes between pro-regime forces and anti-Tatmadaw groups in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup; the Tatmadaw ousted the democratically elected government led by then-State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party. The measure also came as various national governments and international organizations continue to express their support for the anti-Tatmadaw groups, including the National Unity Government (NUG), and ahead of a general election promised by the junta 2023. Political parties have criticized the policy as the regime's attempt to control parties.