Statement
27 July 2022
We, the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya), condemn the executions of four democracy activists - Kyaw Min Yu, Phyo Zeyaw Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw - conducted by the Myanmar military regime in blatant violation of international human rights law.
Despite Myanmar Junta’s assurance stating that the activists would not be executed hastily, and worldwide pleas for clemency for the four political prisoners, including from United Nations experts and Cambodia, that is currently the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, it is shocking to see that the Myanmar Junta has taken this drastic step for the first time since 30 years. Myanmar military’s execution of the pro-democracy activists reflects the absolute breakdown of the human rights situation in the country and is a threat to anyone who dares to raise their voice against the military regime.
The international community, including United Nations agencies, courts and member states have already recognized the genocide of the Rohingya by the Myanmar military and the crimes, against humanity being committed since the February 2021 coup against many other ethnic groups in Myanmar. We petition the international community, specifically the US government to take the lead in imposing targeted sanctions on the Myanmar military and all allied companies to prevent the Myanmar military from procuring more weapons and finances that support the regime’s brutal acts.
The international community should completely end all engagement with the Myanmar junta force, that has been blatantly violating the rights of the civilians, and support all ongoing efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable for committing these mass atrocities. We also urge all ethnic groups in Myanmar to unite to work in solidarity to transition to a democratic union.
Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya) New Delhi India