Open letter to Australia’s Foreign Minister on the illegal military coup in Burma (Myanmar)

The illegal military coup in Burma (Myanmar) has abolished civilian democratic government and installed an illegitimate military administration.

The results of the 2020 election demonstrated the overwhelming support for the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the abject failure of the military backed party USDP.

The military and police have killed scores of civilians and arbitrarily detained thousands of people including President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, leaders of state government, student leaders, artists and public figures including Australian advisor Associate Professor Sean Turnell.

Australian businesses are currently operating in Burma (Myanmar) and children of several coup leaders are studying at Australian universities.

This letter has been developed with a range of Burmese community groups and activists in Australia and reflect calls for action inside Burma (Myanmar)

Please send a letter to support targeted sanctions on the military and to return democratic rule to Burma (Myanmar).

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Dear Minister,
Open letter to Australia’s Foreign Minister on the illegal military coup in Burma (Myanmar)
I condemn the illegal military coup in Burma (Myanmar) which has abolished civilian democratic government and installed an illegitimate military administration.
The results of the 2020 election demonstrated the overwhelming support for the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the abject failure of the military backed party USDP.
The military has arbitrarily detained thousands of people including President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, leaders of state government, student leaders, artists and public figures including Australian advisor Associate Professor Sean Turnell. The so called ‘security forces’ murdered scores of civilians and injured hundreds.  
Australian businesses are currently operating in Burma (Myanmar) and children of several coup leaders are studying at Australian universities.
The Australian government has the capacity to influence the military and should:
<ul>
<li>take a proactive role in the development of a globally and regionally coordinated effort to return democratic rule and civilian government;</li>
<li>support comprehensive, targeted financial sanctions against the military, its leaders, its business interests and business partners;</li>
<li>implement targeted visa bans against the Burma (Myanmar) military including family members in Australia;</li>
<li>support the unconditional release of all people illegally detained by the military; and</li>
<li>support accountability mechanisms and proceedings including at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.</li>
</ul>
I call on Australian businesses to:
Immediately divest from any relationship with military owned or linked businesses and cease operation in Burma (Myanmar) until democratic rule is returned.
Finally I’d like to thank you for the announcement that the Australian government will be suspending military co-operation and re directing aid. This is a positive start and is genuinely appreciated.
With the security situation deteriorating we urge you to act decisively and do all you can to assist.

OPEN LETTER TO AUSTRALIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER ON THE ILLEGAL MILITARY COUP IN BURMA (MYANMAR)

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