Myanmar's military government announced the expulsion of a senior Timor-Leste envoy after reports emerged that Timor-Leste's government filed charges against Myanmar's military for "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity."
Myanmar's military government declared it would expel a senior Timor-Leste envoy in retaliation after reports that Timor-Leste initiated legal proceedings against Myanmar's military, accusing it of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity." This move has increased diplomatic pressure within ASEAN and underscored global scrutiny of Myanmar's human rights record.
A statement from Myanmar's military government on Sunday, 15 Feb 2026 GMT+7, said it summoned Timor-Leste's deputy ambassador last Friday and ordered him to leave the country within a week. The order followed reports that Timor-Leste appointed a senior prosecutor to investigate criminal cases involving Myanmar's military, which Myanmar authorities described as deeply disappointing.
Earlier, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) revealed that Timor-Leste had begun legal action under the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing domestic courts to hear cases of serious international crimes even if they occurred outside their territory.
The rights group, representing the Chin ethnic minority in Myanmar, stated that the case presents undeniable evidence of mass rape, the massacre of 10 civilians, the killing of religious leaders, and aerial attacks on hospitals.
Since the military seized power from the civilian government in 2021, Myanmar has faced ongoing allegations of human rights violations, especially against ethnic minorities nationwide. Currently, Myanmar's military government is also defending itself at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against genocide accusations targeting the Rohingya Muslim minority.
This latest incident marks a diplomatic strain between two ASEAN member countries. Timor-Leste became the 11th full member of ASEAN in October 2025 GMT+7.
Myanmar's military government accused Timor-Leste of violating the ASEAN Charter, which emphasizes respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
This is not the first time relations between the two countries have faltered. In August 2023, Myanmar expelled a senior Timor-Leste diplomat after Dili's government met with a banned shadow administration formed following Myanmar's coup.
Source:channelnewsasia
Click to read news aboutMyanmar