FORUM-ASIA urges UN Security Council, other international actors to urgently act to protect people of Myanmar following military junta’s lethal violence leading to 38 protesters’ deaths

The events of 3 Mar, which witnessed the ruthless killing of at least 38 peaceful protesters in Myanmar, “demonstrate the military junta’s complete disregard for the right to life, and the fundamental rights to protest and dissent”, said FORUM-ASIA on Thursday (4 Mar).

“In the past three weeks, we have seen how the violence against protesters have escalated, and how a system of complete repression is being institutionalised in Myanmar,” said FORUM-ASIA.

FORUM-ASIA urged the international community, including the UN Security Council and other international actors, as well as ASEAN, to “take urgent action to protect the people of Myanmar”.

“We call on the international community and regional actors to listen to the people of Myanmar – to their relentless pursuit for freedom and democracy in the face of unimaginable repression by the junta,” said FORUM-ASIA.

All efforts to address the current crisis must be based on the voices, interests and aspirations of all peoples of Myanmar, said FORUM-ASIA.

“It is clear from the level of resistance to the military junta that it does not represent the interests of people of Myanmar,” said FORUM-ASIA. “Without immediate and sustained action, the situation will only worsen, and more lives will be lost.”

“FORUM-ASIA stands in solidarity with Myanmar’s peaceful protesters as we continue to condemn the relentless and intensifying violence by the Myanmar military and security forces against peaceful protestors,” said FORUM-ASIA.