VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY THE MYANMAR ARMY AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL

VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY THE MYANMAR ARMY AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL

March 29, 2020 – OTTAWA

The Parliamentary Centre is appalled by the murder and horrendous violence perpetrated against the people of Myanmar by the Myanmar Army. With estimates that up to 114 people have been killed last Saturday alone, the struggle of the people of Myanmar needs to be supported and democratic order must be restored.

On November 8, 2020, the people of Myanmar elected 1,142 individuals to represent them in legislatures at the union, state and region levels.  These elections were found to be legitimate by impartial domestic and international observers, as well as the Union Election Commission (UEC).  We believe that the 1,142 individuals elected on that day are the legitimate representatives of the people of Myanmar.  

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) was formed by those elected on November 8, 2020.  We urge the international community to support the request of the CRPH for recognition as the legitimate representative authority of the people of Myanmar. 

We denounce the continued brutality of the military junta since their unconstitutional coup on February 1, 2021 and stand with the international community in speaking out against the egregious use of deadly force in Myanmar in violation of international law and norms.       

The Parliamentary Centre will continue to speak out against tyranny and the violation of human rights in Myanmar. We must defend human rights, including the right to free speech, the right to assemble, and the right to participate in one’s own government. We must defend democracy.

 

Contact: Ivo Balinov, Director, Program Development and Partnerships

ivo.balinov@parl.gc.ca