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Australia cannot ignore Myanmar’s refugee crisis any longer
Australia cannot claim to be a champion of human rights while leaving Myanmar’s displaced people without options or protection, writes Ko Ko Aung.
Ko Ko Aung
For over four years, Myanmar has been in crisis. The military junta’s scorched-earth tactics, forced conscription, and systematic human rights abuses have displaced millions, while ethnic minorities – particularly the Rohingya – face renewed persecution. Yet, as the situation deteriorates, Australia continues to respond with little more than words.
Joint statements, such as the latest from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), reaffirm Australia’s “concern” about the crisis. But statements do not save lives. Words without action are meaningless to the thousands of displaced Myanmar nationals waiting for visas, the Rohingya trapped in detention camps, and the civilians being forcibly recruited into the junta’s military. If Australia truly upholds human rights, it must move beyond symbolic diplomacy and take decisive action to provide real protection for those fleeing persecution.
A humanitarian catastrophe ignored
Myanmar’s crisis has reached unprecedented levels. More than 3.2 million people have been internally displaced, and tens of thousands have fled to neighbouring countries. Yet, Australia’s offshore refugee intake remains minimal. The backlog for humanitarian visa applications is staggering; over 10,000 applications remain pending, with processing times stretching up to three years. These figures exclude dependents, meaning the actual number of people affected is even higher. With the junta’s February 2024 conscription law forcing thousands into military service, these numbers will only continue to rise.
Meanwhile, the Rohingya face their gravest threat since the 2017 genocide. Over 630,000 remain trapped in Rakhine State, subjected to apartheid-like conditions, severe movement restrictions, and systematic persecution. The conflict between the military and the Arakan Army has displaced more than 380,000 people since November 2023. Thousands attempt treacherous sea journeys, and hundreds have died or gone missing. Yet, Australia has not prioritised Rohingya resettlement in its humanitarian program.
Forced conscription: A death sentence for Myanmar’s youth
The junta’s 2024 conscription law has pushed thousands to flee Myanmar. Men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are now subject to military service for up to five years, with older men forced into newly created “security and counterterrorism teams”. The military’s history of abusive recruitment tactics is well-documented – conscripts have been used as human shields, forced labourers, and frontline porters. The UN confirmed that in 2023 alone, over 1,100 children were forcibly recruited into military service.
Abductions, arrests, and detentions of family members are now used to force compliance. People are fleeing, but Australia has not provided targeted visa pathways for those escaping forced conscription. Meanwhile, thousands of Myanmar nationals in Australia remain stuck on bridging visas with no work rights and no access to government support, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation and destitution.
What Australia must do now
If Australia is serious about its humanitarian obligations, it must act. Myanmar’s displaced people need real protection, not just words.
- Expand humanitarian visa allocations – The scale of Myanmar’s crisis demands immediate action. Over 3.2 million people are displaced, and thousands are fleeing conscription, war crimes, and political persecution. Yet, Australia’s resettlement intake remains minimal. Processing times must be reduced, and visa allocations must be increased.
- Prioritise Rohingya resettlement – The Rohingya are one of the most persecuted groups in the world, trapped in dire conditions with no future. Australia must prioritise their resettlement to provide urgent protection.
- Introduce a dedicated visa pathway for those fleeing forced conscription – Many at risk of conscription are not politically active but face grave dangers if forced to return. Australia should introduce a specific visa category, as it did for Hong Kong nationals, ensuring safety for those escaping military service.
- Strengthen sanctions and cut off the junta’s financial networks – While Australia has imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military, delayed and incomplete measures undermine their impact. Stronger, coordinated action with allies like the US, UK, and EU is essential to holding the junta accountable.
- Work with ASEAN to combat human trafficking and protect asylum seekers – Thousands fleeing Myanmar fall prey to human traffickers. Australia must actively work with ASEAN to strengthen protections for refugees and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
Enough words – it’s time for action
With USAID funding frozen, international humanitarian assistance for Myanmar is rapidly diminishing. The sudden withdrawal of US support has created an urgent void in refugee aid, human rights protections, and critical relief efforts. Without decisive action from other global allies, millions of displaced Myanmar nationals and persecuted ethnic minorities will be left without options.
Australia cannot claim to be a champion of human rights while leaving Myanmar’s displaced people without options or protection. The government must act now – expand resettlement, fast-track visas, and provide real safety to those fleeing a military regime guilty of war crimes and genocide. Statements won’t save lives – action will.
Ko Ko Aung is a special counsel at Albert Arthur Lawyers. At the 30 Under 30 Awards 2025, he won the Migration and Pro Bono/Community Lawyer categories.
