7 JUNE 2021 Washington DC| Over 25 organisations signed onto the joint-RLP Statement on Myanmar expressing deep concern at the shocking violence being committed against peaceful protesters by security forces in Myanmar, and condemning the illegal coup d’état on 1 February 2021 which overthrew a democratically elected government.
The statement especially spotlights how the military have been destroying houses of worship, from Catholic and Anglican churches to Buddhist monasteries, in their crackdown on alleged illegal activities. The statement also condemns military continues to arbitrarily detain and even execute members of religious communities or protestors. . The military have been particularly ruthless in their continued and increasing crackdown on religious and ethnic minorities, resulting in an increase of internally displaced persons.
Certain Buddhist monks have been jailed, churches have been raided, Muslims face discrimination, and the Rohingyas – a predominantly Muslim community – continue to suffer genocide. The Karen, Karenni, Kachin and Chin are significantly Christian communities in size and face ethnic and religious discrimination and persecution. All are suffering at the hands of a regime which is cracking down on any perceived threat to their power, including religious communities and religious leaders.
– Excerpt from the RLP Statement
The letter calls on security forces in Myanmar to:
- Immediately stop using brutal force against protesters and civilians throughout the country.
The letter also calls on the International Community to: - Lead efforts for a global arms embargo against the military in Myanmar
- Impose further targeted sanctions against the military and military-owned enterprises inMyanmar
- Urge the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council to escalate and intensify high-leveldiplomatic efforts to end the crisis and restore democracy in Myanmar.
- Work to ensure justice and accountability for crimes against humanity throughinternational mechanisms, as well as promoting reconciliation in the country.
Read the full statement here
Photo compilation of
Burma/Myanmar: Fighting in Kachin displaces hundreds in Northern Shan
Naung Latt, a mother of four small children, is one of hundreds of people who have fled their villages in the mountains fearing clashes between the Kachin Independence Army and government forces.
Photo Credit: Mathias Eick, EU/ECHO January 2013
Rohingyaer i en flyktningleir i Myanmar 2013 Av Steve Gumaer. Lisens: CC BY NC 2.0
Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash