KARACHI: Civil society and labour organisations’ representatives have condemned the Army takeover in Myanmar (Burma) last week and demanded the Pakistan government to sever all diplomatic relationships with the Janata government by recalling Ambassador from Yangon and closing down its Embassy.
In a joint statement, here on Tuesday, the civil society activists Karamat Ali, Executive Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER); Habibuddin Junaidi, Peoples Labour Bureau; Nasir Mansoor, National Trade Union Federation, Pakistan; Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Aurat Foundation; Ms. Farhat Parveen, NOWCommunities; Ms. Zehra Khan, Home-based Women Workers Federation; Liaquat Sahi, Democratic Workers Unions of State Bank of Pakistan; Saeed Baloch, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other said that there was no reasons to take over by the Military and the democratic government was working well before the takeover. After the general elections in 2020 the new assembly was to take oath, but the Military once again took over.
They said that due to prolonged military rule, the common Burmese people suffered social, economic and political problems. The world should put pressure on the Burmese rulers to hand over rule to public representatives. Many Burmese people have to take refuge in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, where they live in miserable conditions.
They expressed solidarity with the Burmese people, who are protesting against the Military takeover despite strict restrictions imposed by the rulers including ban on use of the Internet. They demanded that all the arrested political leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi be released and fundamental rights of people be restored. They also appealed to the United Nations to take action against the Myanmar military rulers and cancel its UN membership.