Once again we protest against military coup in Myanmar

Kurosawa Koichi
Secretary-General
the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren)
July 15, 2021

More than five months have elapsed since Myanmar military’s February 1 coup d’etat. The military, after seizing power in a coup against the democratically elected government, declared martial law for some areas. It is intensifying its crackdown on peaceful protests using weapons against the workers and the broad sections of the people. Nearly 900 people have reportedly been killed and more than 4,000 people detained amid the military crackdown. The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) categorically condemns the brutal repression of peaceful protests. It reiterates its strong demand that the Myanmar military immediately stop the repression, free all people detained, and reinstate the democratically elected government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD).

The civil disobedience and other forms of protest staged by Myanmar people have spread throughout the country. Even public service workers have participated in a general strike. Zenroren joins with the international trade union movement in protesting about the military’s gross violation of freedom of association and the workers’ basic rights as well as the civil rights. We express our solidarity with all Myanmar workers and their trade union movement. The Myanmar military should change its mind and stop rejecting calls for dialogue and consultation.

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously issued a statement by its president saying: “The Security Council strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protestors, including against women, youth and children.” The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is making efforts to solve the problem to ensure that the rule of law is strictly observed and achieve a peaceful resolution with all parties in Myanmar participating. The 109th International Labour Conference in June did not accept the Myanmar military government’s credential of the Myanmar’s government, employers’, workers’ delegates.

A military coup overthrowing a democratically elected government is a matter of grave international concern and must not be tolerated. Myanmar’s military junta is illegitimate. The international community should address the issue recognizing the democratically elected government that was toppled by the coup d’etat.

The Japanese government should support the will of the Myanmar people, make clear its rejection of the military junta as the legitimate government of Myanmar, and take active part of the international efforts. Also, it should immediately suspend its official development assistance (ODA) and all other public assistance to the military regime.

Japanese firms doing business in Myanmar, particularly those involved in military-related businesses, should immediately review their way of doing business in the country. They must refrain from doing business in a way that helps secure revenue for the military junta.

Zenroren reiterates its protest against the military coup and expresses deep solidarity with people and the workers’ movement in Myanmar. It also throws support behind the Myanmar people’s and workers’ movement rejecting the military rule.