We, the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) and the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) along with World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) and FORUM-ASIA are calling for global attention to stop the Burmese military junta from executing democracy activists, who are on the death row in detention including nine women human rights defenders (WHRDs).
We are greatly concerned about their fate following the execution of Phyo Zeya Thaw; Kyaw Min Yu, known as “Ko Jimmy,” Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, the country’s first death sentences carried out in over 30 years.
Despite the widespread international condemnation of the execution, the military junta spokesperson stated at a press conference that they had proceeded with the executions to keep the stability of the country in line with the rule of law, and it would not hesitate to repeat the actions. Moreover, the statement of the junta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that they would continue to “take necessary legal actions against criminals” and tell foreign governments and agencies to stop interfering in the country’s domestic affairs.
All WHRDs were convicted after closed trials in the military court that fell far short of international standards. Alarmingly, reports revealed that death row detainees at Insein Prison have been separated from other inmates and a number of prisoners may be at especially high risk, as they have received more than one death sentence for their anti-regime activities.
All indicated that the illegitimate military junta is planning to continue the horrifying execution of political prisoners sentenced in death penalty.
As of 02 September 2022, a total of 83 post-coup death row political prisoners including the following nine women human rights defenders:
- Myit Myit Aye
- Moe Moe Myit Aung
- Zin Mar Tun
- Hla Hla Naing (Ka) Ma Naing
- Khin Wint Kyaw Maung
- Hsu Wai Hnin
- Su Myat Thwe.
- Cho Cho
- Aye Aye Min
These women were among other many fellow women, who actively and bravely participated in various activities using their professional skills, facing great personal risks to protest against the military coup, and to put an end to the brutal military dictatorship.
It is high time to take decisive action against these serious violations of international law to preserve international peace and security and fulfil mandates contained in Resolution 1674 regarding the protection of civilians and Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The international community, the United Nations bodies, the United Nations Security Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must raise their voices for securing the human rights, safety, and welfare of the women of Burma/Myanmar. Women’s League of Burma (WLB), Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) and FORUM-ASIA call the UN agencies, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the international community to:
- Condemn the Burmese military junta for killing civilians and executing Human Rights Defenders in the strongest terms and take effective action to stop further executions and atrocities
- Reject the Burmese military and its proxies by supporting and standing with the people of Burma to topple the military dictatorship;
- Apply concerted and strongest actions against the junta for the immediate and unconditional cessation of military violence and the release of all arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders and WHRDs. Immediately dispatch a well-equipped monitoring and intervention mission to Burma to end the military violence and terror campaign against the people, to prevent further atrocities;
- Enact targeted sanctions against the Burmese military and its proxies to effectively cut off financial flows;
- Institute a comprehensive global arms embargo, with robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, to end the direct and indirect supply, sale, or transfer of all weapons and other equipment that may be used for training, intelligence and military assistance;
- Refer the situation on human rights in Burma to the International Criminal Court for their crimes against humanity, which have been perpetrated against innocent civilians, including peaceful protests and ethnic groups.
Download the full statement here.
