Burma Task Force Canada Stands Against Myanmar Military’s Illegal Take Over
Feb 7th, 2021
Statement—Justice For All Canada strongly condemns the Myanmar military's announcement of a 1-year state of emergency last week. This move has reinstated the military's rule on the country, within only hours of their coup against Myanmar's civilian government. Today, the Myanmar people are experiencing a military-sponsored internet shutdown, following public protests against the coup.
Following the exodus of 700,000 Rohingya to the Bangladesh border in 201, approximately 400,000 ethnic Rohingya have remained in Rakhine. Justice For All Canada urges Canada and the international community to pledge their support for the security and protection of Rohingya, an extremely vulnerable people in Myanmar, including other ethnic minorities at risk.
"Right now presents an advantageous moment for Canada to advance sanctions during this fragile period for Myanmar's leadership," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
"As we know from experience, a military coup presents considerable challenges in the way of diplomatic intervention. Despite this, governments must remember that Myanmar officials currently involved in the coup are the same people who were complicit in mass atrocities against the Rohingya, and other ethnic minorities in the region."
"These crimes against humanity are still actively being committed by this military," added Ghayyur. "
Justice For All Canada calls for comprehensive and concerted action by Canada and multiple global states in response to the military coup in Myanmar. We remind Canadians that this Myanmar military once planned and executed genocide against the Rohingya.
Justice For All Canada calls for more action from Canada following the Myanmar coup as international condemnation will not be sufficient. We share our appreciation of Canada's denouncing the military's actions in Myanmar and calling for a release of those detained in the region. Canada also participated in a joint G7 statement condemning the coup, reiterating that the military must respect the Myanmar election results.
However, as the perpetrators of horrendous atrocity crimes and gender-based violence of the Rohingya, these military men seizing total power is nothing short of catastrophic for all of Myanmar's population. For human rights reasons alone, Canada must implement sufficient measures to drastically limit the military's power.
Justice For All Canada was previously involved in years-long campaigning to Canada's Special Envoy to Myanmar. Our direct-advocacy and insight shared with the Honourable Bob Rae helped contribute to Canada's historic diplomatic decisions and actions supporting the Rohingya in 2017 and 2018.
We believe this event in Myanmar provides Canada with another opportunity to lead with diplomacy and act in favour of preventing additional human rights abuses and violations from taking place.
Statement—Justice For All Canada strongly condemns the Myanmar military's announcement of a 1-year state of emergency last week. This move has reinstated the military's rule on the country, within only hours of their coup against Myanmar's civilian government. Today, the Myanmar people are experiencing a military-sponsored internet shutdown, following public protests against the coup.
Following the exodus of 700,000 Rohingya to the Bangladesh border in 201, approximately 400,000 ethnic Rohingya have remained in Rakhine. Justice For All Canada urges Canada and the international community to pledge their support for the security and protection of Rohingya, an extremely vulnerable people in Myanmar, including other ethnic minorities at risk.
"Right now presents an advantageous moment for Canada to advance sanctions during this fragile period for Myanmar's leadership," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
"As we know from experience, a military coup presents considerable challenges in the way of diplomatic intervention. Despite this, governments must remember that Myanmar officials currently involved in the coup are the same people who were complicit in mass atrocities against the Rohingya, and other ethnic minorities in the region."
"These crimes against humanity are still actively being committed by this military," added Ghayyur. "
Justice For All Canada calls for comprehensive and concerted action by Canada and multiple global states in response to the military coup in Myanmar. We remind Canadians that this Myanmar military once planned and executed genocide against the Rohingya.
Justice For All Canada calls for more action from Canada following the Myanmar coup as international condemnation will not be sufficient. We share our appreciation of Canada's denouncing the military's actions in Myanmar and calling for a release of those detained in the region. Canada also participated in a joint G7 statement condemning the coup, reiterating that the military must respect the Myanmar election results.
However, as the perpetrators of horrendous atrocity crimes and gender-based violence of the Rohingya, these military men seizing total power is nothing short of catastrophic for all of Myanmar's population. For human rights reasons alone, Canada must implement sufficient measures to drastically limit the military's power.
Justice For All Canada was previously involved in years-long campaigning to Canada's Special Envoy to Myanmar. Our direct-advocacy and insight shared with the Honourable Bob Rae helped contribute to Canada's historic diplomatic decisions and actions supporting the Rohingya in 2017 and 2018.
We believe this event in Myanmar provides Canada with another opportunity to lead with diplomacy and act in favour of preventing additional human rights abuses and violations from taking place.