As our world leaders gather to address the UN General Assembly, we have become accustomed to hearing talk of the ideals of democracy and inclusion, and of our shared responsibility towards each other as a community of nations.
These ideals should not be mere empty words. Such ideals should serve as our call to action, and they should lead to decisive measures to help peoples, communities, and nations during their hour of need.
Today, the people of our Southeast Asian neighbor, Myanmar, are caught in a storm of political instability and violence, which has led to so many senseless deaths and appalling human rights abuses.
The international community must come to the aid of the people of Myanmar and stand in solidarity with their struggle for peace and democracy. Their fight for a free, just, and peaceful Myanmar is our fight as well.
Myanmar protesters reject the military junta and continue to call for the restoration of their democratically elected leaders.
As such, the United Nations and its members must not turn a blind eye to the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The tragedy and hardships faced by the people of Myanmar should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet.
Decisive action must be taken, especially when the UN Credentials Committee choose to recognize either the democratically elected National Unity Government (NUG) — represented in New York by Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun — or the military junta, which has refused to accept the results of the elections held last year.
At this point, let us not forget that only a democratically elected government can speak for the people of Myanmar. Where more than one government claims to represent a country, the UN Credentials Committee is mandated to consider the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
Recognition of the democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar is not just a matter of compliance with the principles of international law. It is also a matter of life and death for many citizens of Myanmar. The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed the Myanmar crisis out of international headlines, has not abated the bloodshed and abuses in Naypyidaw and other parts of the country.
The people of Myanmar are still fleeing and seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Peaceful protesters continue to be oppressed. Even health workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis have been silenced.
The UN and its members must stay true to our principles and stand with the workers, protesters, and other marginalized peoples of Myanmar, most especially its ethnic minorities, such as the Rohingya. The international community should not sit idly by and abet the ongoing killings and abuses in Myanmar, especially when the doctrine of responsibility to protect mandates us all to act.
I join the global call of support for the NUG and its leading role in the restoration of democratic rule in Myanmar. I also support the NUG’s commitment to seek justice and accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya and other minorities. I support as well these ethnic groups’ recognition as citizens of Myanmar as they have much to contribute to the nation.
As chair of the Philippine Senate Committee on Women, Children Family Relations and Gender Equality, I also wish to highlight the terrible impact of armed violence and conflict on women and children. Peace and order in Myanmar must be restored swiftly to avoid prolonging the suffering of ordinary citizens, especially women and children, who are often on the receiving end of violence and abuse.
At the end of last month, I joined lawmakers and trade union representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region in signing a resolution for democracy and decent work in Myanmar. One of the key aims of our resolution is to show the people of Myanmar that we, not just in ASEAN but the entire world, hear their call.
We want to show them that we hear them and their cries of freedom and democracy. We hope to show that the world has not abandoned the people of Myanmar.
Let us all heed the call of the people of Myanmar. Let us show that any nation can depend on the help of our community of nations during its darkest hour. ●
Risa Hontiveros is a Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. She was a panelist at the ASEAN Plus 6 Regional Social Dialogue for democracy and fundamental rights in Myanmar held on 30 August 2021.
