The military government in Myanmar has carried out the executions of Maung Kaung Htet and his spouse Chan Myae Thu, with reports indicating that five additional anti-coup activists are likely to face the same fate shortly. Rights organizations have condemned these actions, asserting that the couple was convicted without due process in connection with an alleged bombing attempt at Yangon’s Insein Prison back in October 2022.

Human rights advocates have raised alarms about the other activists, including Kaung Pyae Sone Oo, Zeyar Phyo, Hsann Min Aung, Kyaw Win Soe, and Myat Phyo Myint, who were sentenced to death following a trial that lacked transparency. This trial occurred in May 2023 after the activists had been detained since September 2021 for accusations linked to the lethal shooting of four police officers on a Yangon train.

The Women's Peace Network warned that continued executions could embolden the military junta to proceed with death sentences for over 120 other detainees facing similar accusations. The situation has deteriorated following the military's coup in February 2021, which has prompted armed resistance from various ethnic groups and pro-democracy factions.

Calls for a response have come from ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, who urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to denounce the military's execution policy. Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR’s chair, emphasized the need for ASEAN foreign ministers to break their silence on this issue. Reports indicate that the five activists awaiting execution have reportedly experienced torture and sexual assault without access to adequate legal counsel.

Arlene Brosas, a board member of APHR, expressed grave concerns that the death penalty is being weaponized against dissenters in Myanmar. Meanwhile, the military's state media has not covered the recent executions, and attempts to reach military officials for comments have not been successful.