The Parliamentary Centre Urges Restoration of Democracy and Dialogue in Myanmar
OTTAWA, February 1, 2021: The Parliamentary Centre is deeply troubled by the military coup in Myanmar and the detention of the country’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and numerous other government and political leaders. It is a grave disruption of democratic order, and the rule of law and the world must take action to support solutions.
“We urge the military leadership of Myanmar to respect the results of the democratic election of November 8, 2020. The National League of Democracy should convene parliament and form the government that voters elected. We urge all those who support human rights, democracy, and the rule of law to join our call for a return to democratic rule in Myanmar.”, said Tom Cormier, President and CEO of The Parliamentary Centre.
Despite the pandemic, citizens overcame the odds to vote in large numbers in a peaceful and orderly manner. Thousands of observers from over a dozen civil society groups and regional and international partners closely followed every aspect of the electoral process systematically. While some shortcomings were noted, they found the elections to be a credible reflection of the people’s will.
The Parliamentary Centre supports calls by Myanmar’s domestic election observer groups who believe that “only a meaningful discussion and dialogue among different political parties would be the right way to address weaknesses and shortcomings, and to amend the electoral legal framework.” We also echo Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau’s call for the “military to release all individuals who have been detained as part of this operation and immediately halt all obstructions to the democratic process.”
We will work with our Myanmar, Canadian and international partners to continue to support the strengthening of an inclusive democratic, rules-based system of governance in Myanmar.
ENDS
Information: ivo.balinov@parl.gc.ca
+1 (613) 884-3196
