A UN Special Rapporteur on Friday released a report urging the UK government to condemn Myanmar’s upcoming military junta-orchestrated election that appears to be a “sham,” as well as to continue its support of human rights in the area.

Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, stated: “I urge the UK Government to proactively reach out to other Governments, especially those in Asia, to ensure they do the same. A strong, coordinated rejection of these sham elections is essential to deny the junta the means to fabricate credibility and legitimacy.”

Myanmar’s junta has called for a national election to take place on December 28 in an effort to promote political stability in the region and mitigate further violence stemming from the country’s ongoing civil war. However, Human Rights Watch has criticised the junta for its repeated use of arbitrary detentions, and an increasing use of sexual and gender-based violence against opponents. Recent weeks have produced reports of the junta arresting a man for “anti-election” messages on Facebook, and an anti-junta group reportedly detained a prospective election candidate in central Myanmar’s Magway Region.

The Special Rapporteur further pointed out: “While the military continues to escalate its attacks on civilian targets, there have been no new targeted UK sanctions issued against the junta since October 2024 and protection pathways for desperate Myanmar people appear to be narrowing under newly announced policies.”

Andrews also critiqued the UN Security Council’s response to Myanmar, saying that its effort “has fallen short.” “As Security Council penholder on Myanmar, I urge the UK Government to increase the visibility of the crisis while demanding junta accountability,” he continued

A statement published in November by Charles Kent, UK Senior Human Rights Officer and expert on the situation in Myanmar, expressed the government’s latest concerns on Myanmar, particularly the junta’s prevalent use of gender-based and sexual violence. Concerning the election, the Human Rights Officer explained the government’s stance:

Inclusive dialogue and mutual trust building will be critical in changing this. We call on the Myanmar military and other key actors to allow rapid, full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation, particularly in Rakhine.

The UK is clear that any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue among all parties concerned. We continue to support the aspirations of the people of Myanmar for a peaceful, democratic future.

There are no indications that the planned elections will deliver on those aspirations or be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking violence and putting genuine solutions out of reach.

Meanwhile, the civil war continues to rage on. A junta air strike on December 10 struck a 300-bed hospital in the west of the country and accounted for a reported 34 deaths at minimum, as well as dozens of injuries, demonstrating the war’s severity. According to international human rights law, medical facilities such as hospitals are protected from attacks in order to protect vulnerable citizens.

The junta currently receives strong technological and equipment supply from allies China and Russia, causing further tensions regarding efforts to end the ongoing conflict.