Police violence, erosion of democracy and rule of law violations are
escalating horrifyingly in Myanmar; due to General Min Aung Hlaing's
military dictatorship. A tragic testament of Myanmar's ongoing military
repression and impunity, the recent military coup has sent a shudder of
fear through the country - which endured almost 50 years of rule under
oppressive military regimes - before the move towards democratic rule in
2011. However, on 1 February 2021, President Win Myint and State
Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers and
their deputies and members of Parliament by General Min Aung Hlaing -
who acted in blatant violation of International Human Rights Law; namely
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - in particular Article
21 and Article 30 of the UDHR. Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy army
commander are responsible of systematic violence and killings in
Myanmar - with three protesters have been killed in recent weeks,
including a teenage boy and young man who were killed in Mandalay on 20
February 2021; when police, supported by frontline troops, used live
ammunition to disperse crowds. Security forces shot at ambulances as the
injured were carried away by medical volunteers, while teargas was fired
into nearby homes. And on 28th February at least 18 people have been
killed, after security forces in Myanmar used lethal violence against
anti-coup protesters in the most deadly crackdown since the military
seized power at the start of February. Live bullets, stun grenades and
teargas were fired at demonstrators in several towns and cities by
police and military troops. At least 18 people are believed to have been
killed, and 30 injured, according to the UN human rights office - which
is unacceptable! Therefore the International Community must come
together in one voice to press General Min Aung Hlaing to immediately
relinquish the power he has illegally seized; so that rule of law and
fundamental human rights can be restored in Myanmar. Gen. Min Aung
Hlaing and his commanders must immediately and unconditionally release
all detainees, rescind the state of emergency, and recognize the duly
elected parliament; so that rule of law, justice and democracy can be
restored in Myanmar. In the meantime, domestic policy, foreign policy
and human rights issues concerning the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
will be handled by the NGO BTB-Global Peacebuilding.
