Despite sanctions imposed by the United States and other international governments to block the sale and transfer of aviation fuel to the junta, human rights monitoring groups have pointed out that the military continues to acquire aviation fuel from some ASEAN member countries and international markets.
On 14 May, Fortify Rights, a human rights watchdog group, urged Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, to impose sanctions on countries supplying aviation fuel to the military junta. It also called on the ASEAN to propose measures to protect Myanmar’s civilian populations and engage in regional cooperation to prevent the junta from receiving aviation fuel, weapons, and political recognition. 1
Justice For Myanmar (JFM) also issued a statement on 13 May, calling for ASEAN member states to block the flow of funds, technology, and military supplies, such as aviation fuel, to the junta. The statement criticized the ASEAN for ignoring the Myanmar people’s plight and failing to take action against the Myanmar junta despite the adoption of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. 2
On 12 May, at a conference on Sustainable Development Goals held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA, Myanmar’s Ambassador to the UN, U Kyaw Moe Tun, presented the Oe Htein Kwin incident in Tabayin Township and urged the international community to cease all material and moral support for the military junta. 3
Following the Oe Htein Kwin incident, the UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) announced it is prioritizing investigations into cases involving harm to children and requested information and evidence related to the aerial attack on the school from those with direct knowledge of the incident.
The IIMM, established by the UN Human Rights Council, collects evidence for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC), and courts in countries that apply universal jurisdiction, concerning crimes committed by the Myanmar military, including the genocide of the Rohingya people and crimes committed by the junta since the coup. 4
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed deep concern over the incident, as he has consistently done. 5
There have been numerous calls, criticisms, and expressions of concern regarding aerial bombing attacks in the country, including the Oe Htein Kwin incident in Tabayin Township. However, the people of Myanmar still need tangible action from the UN, ASEAN, and the international community to ensure these voices do not simply fade away into thin air.
1 Call for sanctions on countries supplying aviation fuel to junta, DVB, 15 May 2025.
2 JFM calls on block of flow of military aid to junta via ASEAN members, KIC, 13 May 2025.
3 Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun presents Tabayin airstrike at UN meeting; calls for an end to aid to junta, Mizzima, 13 May 2025
4 IIMM requests evidence for attacks on schools, including Oe Htein Kwin airstrike, People’s Spring, 15 May 2025.
5 UN Chief expresses deep concern over Oe Htein Kwin school airstrike, People’s Spring, 14 May 2025.