Monday 10th May marked 100 days since Myanmar’s democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was ejected from power and control of the country seized in a bloody coup by the ruling military junta. Despite entreaties from LI and CALD to the United Nations and European Union, decisive action to restore democracy is, disastrously, a road not yet taken.

UN reports indicate that at least 782 lives have been lost, countless more have been wounded and over 3,700 people are in detention. Yet regardless of reports of torture of opposition figures, detainment of public figures and internet shutdowns the Generals have unleashed a resistance that their brutal methods cannot contain.

The major world powers must now act in concert towards their shared interest for stability in Myanmar and to put an end to the grotesque violence. We call upon the ASEAN, with the support from the European Union and the United States, to immediately appoint and despatch a special envoy as set out in its statement of 24 April; engage with the parties to the conflict; work to release political prisoners; and recognise the National Unity Government. We further urge the EU and UN to back up ASEAN in realising its 5-point consensus.

Businesses, both individually and collectively, should exert the maximum leverage on the military in Myanmar to halt what the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said may amount to crimes against humanity.

The people of Myanmar have unambiguously rejected the Generals’ pursuit of a return to the past. Liberal democracies must now step up to help navigate the path to a peaceful and democratic future in which Myanmar is a respected member of the global community.

The Bureau of Liberal International
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats