A new report by the Burma Human Rights Network documents how discriminatory government restrictions on the construction, repair and renovation of mosques left Muslim communities unable to address serious structural risks before the huge earthquake in Myanmar in March 2025. It says the moves increased the damage and destruction those religious buildings experienced. The report says the same discriminatory system continues to obstruct demolition, repair and reconstruction after the disaster. BHRN documented 180 mosques and other Islamic buildings affected by the quake in 29 townships. At least 670 Muslims died when these mosques and other religious buildings collapsed.
Blocked from Rebuilding: Myanmar Junta Restrictions on Mosque Repair and Reconstruction documents years of delayed or denied repair applications, unclear and inconsistent approval procedures, demands for land documents that some historic mosques did not possess, and reliance on personal connections and unofficial payments to make much needed repairs. After the quake, Muslim communities also faced delays in clearing debris, demolishing unsafe structures, repairing damaged buildings, and rebuilding destroyed mosques. By September 2026, some communities had secured permission to undertake repairs or reconstruction, but many applications remain unresolved and some worshippers are still using temporary prayer spaces.
The report says these restrictions violated the rights of Muslim communities to freedom of religion and belief, undermined the principle of equal treatment, and prevented or delayed work needed to address known safety risks. The press conference and report launch will examine the consequences of these restrictions, the barriers Muslim communities face more than a year after the quake, and the steps international actors should take to support safe reconstruction, equal access to recovery assistance, and the protection of Muslim religious sites in Myanmar.
Join us for the report launch and discussion with:
Kyaw Win, executive director, Burma Human Rights Network, which conducts research and advocacy on human rights in Myanmar;
May Thiri Khin, MA candidate, Mahidol University.
Moderator: Phil Robertson, director, Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, and FCCT board member.
