The members and partners of the Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC) denounce the military regime in Myanmar led by Min Aung Hlaing, for seizing power form the legitimately elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi via coup d’état on 1 February 2021, detaining civilian leaders, constricting civil liberties, and using violence against protestors.
The present crisis in Myanmar risks the reversal of decades-worth of efforts to strengthen democracy and to break away from military dictatorship. Liberties have been stifled by the Burmese military through curfews, limits to gatherings, cutting off communication lines, and internet blackouts. Civilians suffer the most from the political instability. Indigenous peoples and the Rohingya who have experienced various forms of oppression fear the uncertainty of their fate under the military regime.
This has led to widespread civil disobedience movements and protests that have been met by security forces with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. According to Al Jazeera, as of 28 March 2021, the police- and military-sponsored violence amid the demonstrations has led to the death of over 420 activists and civilians since the coup erupted, some of whom minors. Many thousands have been injured and detained. On 27 March 2021, at least 114 protestors were killed in a single day. How can a government claim to be legitimate if it oppresses and kills its own people?
Considering the above, the ANGOC network calls for the following:
For the Burmese military regime to: a) cease all forms of violence against protestors and civilians, b) release all detained civilian leaders including National League for Democracy General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, c) step down from power.
For the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to condemn the reign of the violent Burmese military regime and call for the return of civilian rule and recognizing the legitimately elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, unilaterally and collectively.
For the international community to stand in solidary with the people of Myanmar against military rule, and to ensure that the Burmese military is made accountable for its atrocities against its own people. As such, foreign governments must come together to discuss strategies and peaceful interventions to protect protestors and civilians from violence and to provide security to refugees seeking asylum and foreigners seeking repatriation.
Civil society organizations and civilians alike must continue to spread awareness on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, express solidarity to networks and groups assisting non-violent and peaceful initiatives of civil disobedience movements, and discuss further on ways in which the global community may support the people of Myanmar.
In the long run, we call on political leaders in Myanmar to work with the people in building a new, democratic Constitution, which will place political power in the hands of civilians, will allow for all liberties granted under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and which will be inclusive of people of all religions and ethnic groups residing within Myanmar.
Signed
Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)
Abhiyan Nepal
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Association for Land Reform and Development ( ALRD) – Bangladesh
Community Self-Reliance Centre (CSRC) – Nepal
Community Development Association (CDA) – Bangladesh
Ekta Parishad – India
Jai Jagat 2020
JASIL Environment and Development Association (JASIL) – Mongolia
Jaringan Kerja Pemetaan Partisipatif (Network for Participatory Mapping; JKPP) – Indonesia
Maldhari Rural Action Group (MARAG) – India
Nagorik Uddyog (Citizens Initiative) – Bangladesh
NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN)
Rural Development Fund (RDF) – Kyrgyzstan
South Asia Rural Reconstruction Movement (SARRA) – India
Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) – Philippines
29 March 2021
For those willing to support and sign onto this statement, please inform ANGOC at angoc@angoc.org
