South Asian civil society networks for peace, health and human rights call for federal democracy in Myanmar
We the undersigned civil society individuals, groups and networks from South Asia and other parts of the world (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other nations) join in solidarity with the people of Burma to strongly denounce the military coup d’état on 1 February 2021.
We call on the Burma Army to
1. Immediately cease all forms of violence and human rights abuses against civilians throughout the country;
2. Immediately withdraw troops back to their barracks in all areas and reinstate the civilian government,
3. Immediately step down and enable the drafting of a new, federal constitution.
We condemn the military for their actions during this coup and longstanding blatant disregard for international human rights standards. They continue to suppress and persecute human rights defenders, activists, and ethnic and religious communities.
We support all pro-democracy, civil society and ethnic groups against the military dictatorship. Together with them we reject the 2008 constitution, created in a deeply flawed process and aimed to uphold military control.
We urge our own member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to condemn this coup d’état and, instead of choosing economically motivated non-interference, stand up for their commitment to uphold international human rights standards.
We join our sisters and brothers in Burma and Call on the UN Security Council to
1. Unequivocally hold the Burma military to account, by establishing a global arms embargo and sanctions on the military regime and their cronies
2. Refer the situation of Burma to the International Criminal Court (ICC), to address decades of impunity for human rights abuses, including genocide, crimes against humanity (including sexual and gender-based violence) and war crimes.
Call on the international community to
1. Demand the protection of civilians, human rights defenders, civil society, democracy activists and those working for vulnerable populations in ethnic regions;
2. Demonstrate their resolve through actions, protections, and standing together with the people of Burma and civil society groups to uphold democracy and human rights;
3. Use cross-border channels to provide aid directly to conflict-affected communities;
4. Demand that telecoms providers take a stand to provide safe, open channels of communications for the general public.
5. Demand sanctions against Myanmar military companies.
Copy:
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other UN agencies
Embassies in Rangoon (US, China, Russia, India, France, Australia, Canada, UK, EU and other places)
Governments of different nations
Media agencies
Others
Debbie Stothard, ALTSEAN-Burma
Kay Thi Win, Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)/ sex worker-rights activist from Myanmar
Lwin Lwin Thant, health rights activist from Mandalay, Myanmar
Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee and national Vice President, Socialist Party (India)
Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)/ Narmada Bachao Andolan activist
Herman Kumara, National Fisheries Solidarity Movement of Sri Lanka (NAFSO Sri Lanka)
Dakshitha Wickremarathne, Sri Lanka
Professor Abdul Hameed Nayyar, peace activist and noted researcher-physicist, Pakistan
Saeeda Diep, founder of Institute for Peace and Secular Studies, Lahore, Pakistan
Wali Haider, Roots for Equity/ Pakistan Kisan Mazdoor Tahreek/ Asian Peasant Coalition
Dayasagar Shrestha, National Campaign for Sustainable Development, Nepal
Kalpana Acharya, senior journalist and Chief Editor of Health TV Online, Nepal
Nurul Islam Hasib, senior journalist of Bangladesh
Ankit Goyal, engineer and convener of Eco-Socialist Front
Constanze Ruprecht
Shobha Shukla, founder CNS
Bobby Ramakant, CNS, Asha Parivar and Socialist Party (India)
Dr Sunilam, Kisan Sanghrash Samiti ,Samajwadi Samagam, India
Kyaw Minn Thant, UK
Zaw Zaw Han, EGG, Myanmar
Khin Cho Myint, Burma Study Center, Chiangmai, Thailand
Thu Ryain Shwe, Freelance Consultant and Civic Educator, Myanmar
Khaing Shwe Wah, AMA Myanmar, Myanmar
Soe Htet, Institute of Political and Civic Engagement, Myanmar
Jyotsna Mohan, Asia Development Alliance, India
Kyaw Kyaw Oo, Yangon Technological University, Myanmar
Tirtha Prasad Saikia, North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), India
Pervez Siddiqui, Films 4 Peace Foundation, Bangladesh
Mudit Shukla, India
Shanta Laxmi Shrestha, Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC), Nepal
Sai Aike Sam, iPACE, Myanmar
Bhupi Ghimire, Volunteers Initiative Nepal, Nepal
Rokeya Kabir, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS), Bangladesh
Mange Ram Adhana, Association For Promotion Sustainable Development, India
Dr. Ashok Rau, The Freedom Foundation Trust, India
Keshav Kumar Sunam, Nepal
Parvati Sunam, Nepal
Dr Soe Khaing Linn, Myanmar
William Nokrek, International Movement Of Catholic Students (IMCS) Pax Romana, Asia Pacific, Philippines
Dr Lubna Sarwath, Socialist Party (India), India
Andrew Samuel, Community Development Services (CDS), Sri Lanka
Hana Clara Borrowman, UK
William Baldwin, The Irrawaddy, United Kingdom
Ravi Nitesh, Member- South Asian Fraternity, Peace Activist, Freelance Writer, India
Akhtar Ehtisham, Surgeon, United States
Hussain Latheef, Huvadhoo Aid, Maldives
Mr. Anish Shrestha, Youth For Environment Education And Development Foundation (YFEED Foundation), Nepal
