On the night of the 15th, the Myanmar military announced that it had ordered the acting ambassador of East Timor to leave the country. This action comes in response to allegations made by a western Chin State-based human rights organization, which accused the military of committing sexual violence and massacres against civilians. In February, East Timor's judicial authorities appointed a senior prosecutor to investigate these claims, marking the first time an ASEAN member state has initiated judicial proceedings against another member state concerning human rights violations.

The Myanmar military criticized East Timor's actions, stating that they blatantly violated the ASEAN Charter, which emphasizes non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. The military has repeatedly protested against East Timor’s actions since January, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement in the situation and consequently ordered the ambassador’s expulsion. The tensions highlight the increasing scrutiny of Myanmar's military regime particularly after its coup in 2021, which has prompted various international responses including allegations of human rights abuses.

This scenario underlines a significant shift within ASEAN regarding how member states handle issues of human rights violations among themselves. The expulsion of the ambassador not only emphasizes Myanmar's defiance in the face of international pressure and accusations but also reflects a potential rift within ASEAN as member states navigate their responses to the military's actions. The implications of this diplomatic conflict could affect regional stability and future interactions between ASEAN nations as they grapple with internal and external pressures concerning human rights and military governance.