On the International Day of Democracy, 7 months after the military dictatorship launched its coup in Myanmar, the IUF Executive Committee is calling for the immediate return to democracy as well as an end to the daily violence against all human rights defenders including trade unionists.
In its annual meeting, again held virtually, the EC adopted a resolution calling on all governments in the 76th United Nations General Assembly, currently taking place in New York, to reject the military State Administration Council (SAC) and to recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) as the democratic government of Myanmar.
The resolution also calls for:
- greater action internationally to stop the arms trade with the military government and to impose economic sanctions on all military leaders and their business interests
- targeted sanctions against all companies involved with military businesses or the military cronies identified in the 2019 UN Human Rights report as companies financing the military and crimes against humanity
The IUF has joined with other global unions and LabourStart to launch a petition calling on the United Nations General assembly to deny credentials to the military dictatorship and recognize the National Unity Government.
The IUF Executive Committee:
Condemns the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, and the violent repression of rights and freedoms throughout the country, including the killing of 1,080 protesters and the arrest of over 8,048 who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), with more than 6,398 still in detention;
Further condemns the charges of subversion and high treason against 1,984 human rights defenders, including trade union leaders and members and the criminalization of 16 trade union and labour organizations;
Expresses outrage at the military bombardment of towns and villages and the recent deployment of troops and escalation of military operations in several states and regions, including Chin State, Rakhine State, Shan State, Kachin State, Karen State and Taninthari Region, at the cost of countless lives;
Welcomes the federal democracy charter of the National Unity Government (NUG) and its clear commitment to include all ethnic groups in the democratic governance of Myanmar and to end the racist and discriminatory policies of past governments;
Further welcomes the commitment of the National Unity Government (NUG) to introduce the policies and reforms needed to guarantee fundamental trade union rights, as well as the right to freedom of assembly and freedom speech that is necessary for workers to be able to exercise their trade union rights;
Calls on all governments to reject the military State Administration Council (SAC) in the 76th United Nations General Assembly and to recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) as the democratic government representing the people of Myanmar;
Further calls for greater action internationally to stop the arms trade with the military government that is arming the regime against its people and to impose economic sanctions on all military leaders and their business interests;
Supports targeted sanctions against all companies involved with military businesses or the military cronies identified in the 2019 UN Human Rights report as companies financing the military and crimes against humanity;
Extends its solidarity to all workers in Myanmar in this struggle for democracy and especially conveys to IUF members praise for their courage and determination and unconditional support at this extremely difficult time;
Observes that International Day of Democracy is an important day of international trade union action that must continue beyond September 15 with a more coherent and consistent commitment of trade unions globally to support the struggle for democracy in Myanmar and an end to military rule.
