Rights alliance urges international community to take action against junta abuses

By DMG 11 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
11 December 2021, Sittwe 

The National Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJA) has called on domestic and international rights groups, as well as the international community, to act to address human rights abuses by the military junta in Myanmar. 

“We urge all domestic and foreign organisations to work together as soon as possible to end the tradition of impunity,” the HRSJA said in a statement on the 73rd anniversary of the Human Rights Day, celebrated globally on December 10. 

“The report focuses on the international community taking action against the Myanmar military for its human rights abuses. [Abuses] have been committed by the Burmese army for many years. So far, there has been little punishment. We urge you to take further action to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said an HRSJA official. 

The HRSJA statement said the actions of the Myanmar military have historically been in violation of international humanitarian law and the rule of law, including the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

“The coup leader did not accept the November 2020 general election results and violently seized power by accusing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of rigging the election. Innocent people, politicians and political activists are being arrested, killed and tortured,” the statement reads, adding that the military has been cracking down on Disobedience Movement (CDM) participants using various criminal statutes. 

“It highlights the seriousness of the ongoing human rights abuses in Myanmar. We report to the international community for action,” said Ko Min Bar Chay, a human rights activist who is also a member of the HRSJA. “There is no representative government in Myanmar, so the international community needs to help. It is important for the international community to take action against the Myanmar military.” 

The HRSJA statement said the Myanmar military regime was denying basic human rights, such as freedom of movement and access to information, using the Covid-19 pandemic to justify its repression. 

The statement added that more and more innocent people have been displaced by conflict and humanitarian aid had been cut off, leaving many without access to medical care and other necessary assistance. 

The HRSJA was formed in 2020 by 15 civil society organisations in Shan, Kachin and Arakan states.