Human Rights Watch Urges Japan to Maintain Aid Ban on Myanmar

Human Rights Watch has urged Japan to resist Myanmar’s calls to lift its ban on new development assistance, after the military-controlled parliament claimed “ordinary citizens” were suffering as a result of the suspension.

At a press conference in Naypyidaw on June 30, parliamentary spokeswoman Khaing Khaing Soe thanked Japan for its past support but called for more, warning that “ordinary citizens will suffer” if Tokyo kept new aid on hold.

“We have benefited enormously from infrastructure development, such as bridges and roads,” she said. “Even if new projects are not feasible immediately, resuming projects that have already been agreed upon would be a great help to the people.”

Tokyo halted new official development assistance for long-term government projects after the February 2021 coup, though it has continued to provide urgent humanitarian aid through international organisations and NGOs.