Quakers call for Month of Action on Myanmar on the 5th anniversary of military Coup
On 1 February this year, it will be five years since the military junta in Myanmar staged a violent coup, overthrowing the democratically elected Government. During that time, the country’s people have endured an ongoing war, a major earthquake, the withdrawal of international aid, and many humanitarian concerns.
Quakers across Asia and the West Pacific are marking this anniversary by many Friends volunteering for and planning a Month of Action for Myanmar, with already over 100 Quakers from 19 countries pledging to participate.
The Month of Action will include raising awareness of the atrocities occurring in Myanmar since the coup and the need for multilateral and humanitarian action. Quakers (also known as the Religious Society of Friends) are also calling for stronger sanctions against the military junta and the companies that are supporting them. Apple, YouTube (owned by Google), and LinkedIn (owned by Microsoft) were reported by some NGOs to host Burmese military company Mytel’s Apps and channels, despite the company being sanctioned by the US government.
On Sunday, Quakers will begin in the manner of Friends with an online, mostly silent worship meeting. “Brutal military repression cannot be normalised,” said John Henderson, Clerk of the Yangon Quaker meeting. “The junta is seeking legitimacy with their sham elections, but instead, we need to be listening to the people’s true desires for the military to step aside.
Friends across Asia West Pacific also note comments made by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, who said this week, “Illegitimate elections yield illegitimate results.”
Within their own communities, Quakers are also learning more about the practical needs of Burmese people. The participants in the Month of Action intend to support local Burmese businesses, make themselves available to teach English classes, and learn and understand more about the dynamics that are keeping the corrupt regime operating.
“Peace is possible,” John Henderson concluded. “It starts with each of us, and can happen through genuine international cooperation.”
For more, see https://www.myanmarmatters.
Contacts:
Australian: Jessica Morrison, Quaker Peaceworker
Yangon Meeting: John Henderson
Asia West Pacific: Adrian Glamorgan
