IndustriALL Global Union condemns military coup in Myanmar and calls for respect for democracy and the constitution
2 February, 2021 IndustriALL Global Union condemns the coup d’etat by the military in Myanmar and the detention of democratically elected leaders of National League for Democracy (NLD) Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi, hours before the swearing-in ceremony of new parliamentarians and formation of a new cabinet.
After 50 years of military regime, the process to build a democracy in Myanmar must not be interfered with. The military leaders of Myanmar must respect the election results from November, where NLD won a crushing majority over the military-led Union Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP).
In a country where unions have only been allowed since 2012, IndustriALL supports the statement of Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) that any action that aims to derail the election outcome or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition must be rejected.
The military must willingly accept the people’s free and democratic choice and comply with international human rights norms. Win Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi and other political activists should be released, unconditionally and immediately.
IndustriALL calls on the military leaders to acknowledge that the fruit of economic growth and improvement of living standard is a result of democratization and peaceful co-existence of multiple political party since 2011. Resorting to violence, conflict and undemocratic rule will defeat Myanmar’s effort to attract foreign investor and international economic development.
“Together with global unions and our affiliates around the world, we will mobilize international solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar in their continuous fight for workers’ rights and democracy.
“We call on multilateral organizations and governments to send a clear message to the military to respect democracy and the constitution, and to reinstate the elected government,”
says IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches.
