SENATOR DEAN SMITH
LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
13 February 2026
SENATE INQUIRY INTO DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR
The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee has held a public hearing in Canberra as part of its inquiry into democracy and human rights in Myanmar.
Senator Dean Smith secured Senate support to launch the inquiry in November 2025.
It is specifically focused on the phased elections held in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026, and the barriers preventing a return to an inclusive civilian democratic government in the country.
The elections are considered a sham by much of the international community, aimed at preserving the power of the military junta that has controlled Myanmar since a 2017 coup.
The inquiry received 34 submissions from Myanmar community groups, legal, religious and humanitarian organisations.
Among the witnesses appearing were representatives of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Myanmar Research Centre at the Australian National University.
Key themes raised during the public hearing included the use of intimidation and other tactics to influence the election outcome, suppression of efforts to promote the restoration of democracy and increased attacked on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Also highlighted was the urgent need to bring Australia’s sanctions regime in line with international partners in order to deliver a stronger response.
A second hearing is scheduled for early next month and the inquiry is due to report on its findings by 31 March.
Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith:
“This inquiry is an important, multi-partisan effort to inform the Federal Parliament about this critical issue.”
“The Australian Government has a responsibility to respond decisively and firmly to this humanitarian and political crisis, which also directly impacts on our regional security.”.
I am very grateful to the many submitters and witnesses – building upon the findings from my recent visit to Malaysia and Thailand, where I met with Australian diplomats and UNHCR representatives about the situation in Myanmar and on the Thailand-Myanmar border.”
