We, the people of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, in order to preserve our democracy, establish rule of law, ensure civil liberties, safeguard our rights as citizens, defend our communities against forces of violence and promote the welfare and prosperity of our people including ethnic and minority groups, establish this petition to the United Nations Security Council. 

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On the 1st February 2021, the Myanmar military is also known as the “Tatmadaw” staged a Coup d'état, arbitrarily arresting government officials, members of the parliament, civilian leaders, and activists including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and subsequently formed State Administration Council (SAC) headed by coup leader and Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The Tatmadaw cited massive voting fraud in the November 2020 elections as the sole reason for the coup and that they have acted as per the 2008 Constitution, hundreds of local and international constitutional lawyers, activists, experts, and organizations have overwhelmingly claimed that the actions of the Tatmadaw violated the 2008 Constitution, which, the Tatmadaw itself spent almost 15 years drafting, and hence the formation of SAC, and appointment of Union Ministers and government officials are in fact, illegitimate.

Since 1st February, the military and the police force have, in many instances, resorted to using lethal weapons, to crack down on peaceful demonstrators, resulting in over 100 casualties (58 on 3rd February alone) and hundreds being injured. Not to mention the security forces and gangs of thugs terrorizing communities across Myanmar with night-time raids, arson attacks, random drive-by shootings, and over 1,400 arbitrary arrests of politicians, activists, influencers, students, and civilians.  

These are clear and unprecedented violations of Article 7 – Crimes Against Humanity, Article 8 – War Crimes, and Article 9 – Crimes of Aggression of the Rome Statue as well as the Charter of the United Nations and Geneva Convention. Unsurprisingly, the same Tatmadaw leaders have previously committed grave human rights violations and crimes against the Rohingya and other ethnic and religious communities for decades with total impunity.

Despite violent and fatal crackdowns since the coup began, people from all walks of life across Myanmar, including healthcare workers, teachers, engineers, civil servants, students, youth groups, LGBTQ communities, ethnic minorities, religious groups, activists among others are bravely continuing with peaceful protests.

In the meantime, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a working committee encompassing Members of the Hluttaw (the Parliament) from various political parties has been formed and is recognized by the people of Myanmar as the only legal body to represent the People. A newly formed Acting Union Government was announced on 2nd February 2021 and the international must move swiftly to recognize its legitimacy as the Government of Myanmar.

In a nutshell, the coup has essentially wiped out the positive gains Myanmar has made during the last decade and the atrocities being committed by the Tatmadaw and the Police Force are taking our country back to the dark days of the past. We, as a nation, are under siege and terrorized by the Tatmadaw and the terrorist-like security forces (as officially declared by CRPH) violating fundamental human rights.

While we welcome the unanimous Statement by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) dated 5th February 2021 and the Non-Binding Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council dated 16th February 2021, more action must be taken and taken swiftly.

In light of this and with great urgency, we, the People of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar call on the UNSC and the General Assembly to -

·        Collectively denounce the abhorrent and violent actions of the Tatmadaw and the Police Force, refrain from any use of violence, unlawful use live ammunition against protesters, and cease all arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances;

·        Immediately refrain from any use of violence, unlawful use of water cannons, use of live ammunition against protesters, and cease all arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances;

·        Dispatch an urgent enhanced monitoring and intervention mission to Myanmar to monitor the fast-evolving situation on the ground and mediate between all parties concerned;

·        Unequivocally reject the coup and the State of Emergency announced by the State Administration Council (SAC) and refrain from recognizing the SAC as a legitimate government of Myanmar;

·        Fully recognize the Committee Representing the Pyidaunsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the recently formed Acting Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar;

·        Impose severe and binding action on the Tatmadaw and its leaders including the global arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions;

·        Hold the leaders of the Tatmadaw, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, military members of the SAC as well as all perpetrators, accountable on the charges of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Crimes of Aggression since the coup on 1st February 2021;

·        Support Myanmar in returning to the path of democratic transformation, ensuring a long-term sustainable peace, equality, and prosperity among ethnic minority groups, and protection of the human rights of all peoples, and implements constitutional changes adhering to the will of the people of Myanmar.

We thank you for your consideration.

The People of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar