Japan Press Weekly

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2021 March 17 - 23 [WORLD]

Shii calls for international community to unite against 2021 Maynmar coup d’etat

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on February 16 issued the following comments on the recent developments in Myanmar:

The Japanese Communist Party demands that Myanmar Army immediately cease the military crackdown, and calls for the international community to unite against the coup d'état

SHII Kazuo
Chair, Japanese Communist Party
March 16, 2021
Tokyo

Since the coup d'état on February 1, the Myanmar military has fired on peaceful public protests, imposed martial law in some areas, and intensified its crackdown. According to the UN, the death toll from the military crackdown has already reached 138 people.

The Japanese Communist Party strongly condemns the brutal act of trampling down on peaceful protests with the use of force. We strongly demand that the Myanmar military stop the oppression immediately, release all detained people at once, and allow the return of the National League for Democracy-led government which was established following the results of the general election.

The protests have spread throughout Myanmar, as seen in the general strike in which public officials also participated. This clearly shows the public will not tolerate the coup d'état by the military. The JCP expresses solidarity with the people of Myanmar who are fighting against the military's violent actions.

The military should change their unreasonable attitude of refusing to engage in dialogue and take steps to find a peaceful solution.

On March 9, the UN Security Council issued an unanimous Presidential Statement that they “strongly condemn the violence against peaceful protesters, including against women, youth and children”. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is continuing in its efforts to resolve the situation by adhering to the "rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights" and for a "peaceful solution involving all parties in Myanmar.

Some countries, such as China, have avoided taking active measures with its principle of "non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations," but this stance have also contributed to creating plenty of room for the military to do as they please. The overthrow of a democratically elected government in a military coup d'état, is a serious international issue and the international community must not tolerate this outrage.

We urge the Japanese government honor the will of the majority of citizens of Myanmar, make clear its position not to recognize the legitimacy of the military regime, and play an active role in the efforts of the international community to bring about a peaceful solution.