[URGENT Statement]

End Coup, Return Power to NLD-led Government

February 2, 2021

February 1, the Myanmar military seized power in a coup and declared a state of emergency. The military announced it would take control of the country for a year after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi, senior government leaders, and civil society leaders. TV channels, including the state broadcaster, went off air. Telephone and internet access was suspended in major cities. Tanks and armoured vehicles appeared on city streets. This coup has proven how fragile it has been with the military and civilian government co-existing in an unstable political system.

The coup took place amid the tension that the military warned to abolish the Constitution unless the voter lists irregularity was resolved that allegedly occurred in last November’s general election. This is nothing but a pretext. Although the military pledged to implement a roadmap to democracy, it goes against the Myanmar people’s desire for democracy that the military failed to settle issues with legal measures.

The people of Myanmar have chosen to move forward in democracy by supporting the civilian government in last November’s general election. The people’s will is not in line with the military control over the country. The Korean Civil Society strongly supports the Myanmar people’s desire for democracy and therefore demands as follows.

The Myanmar military should end the coup immediately.

The Myanmar military should immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, civilian leaders, and civil society leaders.

The Myanmar military should respect the result of last November’s general election and transfer power to the NLD-led government.

The Government of the Republic of Korea, United Nations, members of the international community should take immediate and effective measures to put the pressure on the Myanmar military that would return the country’s democracy to normal.

Signed by 71 civil society organizations in the Republic of Korea:

Achendong Church, Activists group for Human Rights ‘BARAM’, Advocates for Public Interest Law, Asahi Labor Union, Asian Companions Against Brutality, Asian Dignity Initiative, Better World, Catholic Human Rights Committee, Center for Military Human Rights Korea, Citizens Action Network, Community with Jesus, CONET, Duruduru School, Ecumenian, Ecumenical Youth Council in Korea, Fellowship with the sufferers, Freedom Dignity and Asia, GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation, Gwanak Education Community MODU, Gwanghwamoon Bookforest, Hansarang Church, Home of Joseph, Human Rights Movement Space 'Hwal', Incorporated Organization Silchun Bulgyo, Institute for Law and Human Rights in Society(ILHRS), Inter-religious Climate and Ecology Network, Jeju Peace Human Rights Institute WHAT, Jesuit Research Center for Advocacy and Solidarity,  Joomin Church of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea(PROK), JPIC Committee of Catholic Men Religious, Juspeace, Justice Party Committee of Yongin City, Justice Party's Working Group for International Solidarity, Kijamii Table, KOFID, Korea Branch of Dialogue China, Korea Democracy Foundation, Korean Christian action organization, Korean House for International Solidarity, Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights(KLPH), Korean Solidarity for Overseas Community Organization, Life & Safety Network, Migrant World TV, MINBYUN- Lawyers for a Democratic Society International Solidarity Committee, Nangok House of Love, National Clergy Conference for Justice and Peace, National Council of YMCAs of Korea, NCCK Human Rights Center, New Bodhisattva Network, OFM KOREA JPIC, Owl Lovers Association, Pax Christi Korea, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD), People Solidarity of Gwanak, PIDA, Preparatory committee for youth of Kim Dae-jung Foundation, Progressive 3.0, Refugee Rights Center NANCEN, SARANGBANG group for human rights, Solidarity for Another World, Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights of Asia, Solidarity with Migrants, Suncheon Heaven Seed Church, Suncheon NCC, Suncheon Seonam Church, SungKonghoe University Asia NGO Information Center, Supporters Group for Migrant workers movement, The Declaration of Global Citizen, Truth-finding Commission on Yongsan Disaster