‘Crimes against humanity’ also occur in Myanmar', says Aung Myo Min, Myanmar minister in exile
The human rights activist told AsiaNews that the elections organised by the military junta are just propaganda. How can they supervise an election since they failed to respect the 2020 vote? He wants “concrete actions" from the international community. The military “must be held accountable” for the violence committed with impunity. He hopes to see interethnic unity in a democratic country; it is time to show “that we are not divided.”
Rome (AsiaNews) – It is an "old strategy", but now "people are not as naïve as before". The election proposed by the military junta that should be held next year is nothing more than “propaganda to legitimise itself, to stay in power,” said Aung Myo Min, speaking to AsiaNews.
The minister of human rights in Myanmar's exiled National Unity Government (NUG), set up after the 2021 coup to "bring democracy back to the people,” met with AsiaNews in Rome at an event promoted by the association "Italia-Birmania Insieme” (Italy-Burma Together).
“It makes us sadly smile to see the military, who did not respect the result of the last elections,[I] organise another round of elections,” he said. “They are losing on the ground because they don't have the support of the people."
At a time when the Myanmar military is facing numerous difficulties, losing battles and territory to the People's Defence Forces (PDF), with the support of the NUG and other militias, repression is getting worse.
“Especially recently, the military is using more airstrikes, because that's the power they have," Aung Myo Min explained.
The regime is backed by China, which continues to supply it with weapons. Last month, the city of Lashio, the capital of Shan State, was hit from the air. The fighting is of such a magnitude that it goes beyond the "violation of rights". What we have is a "crisis of crimes”.
We see that “crimes against humanity, war crimes, are intentionally committed. There is an ongoing and unresolved genocide against the people,” the minister stressed.
Crimes have been perpetrated for years in a climate of impunity. “Justice is missing,” Aung Myo Min laments; yet, he still hopes to see the rule of law restored.
In his travels he is trying to harness international support. Today he is in Italy, while in the next few days he will be in New York for the release of the new report about human rights in Myanmar by Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews.
“Through the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court or universal jurisdiction, individual states could take action on the matter," he explained to AsiaNews. This would “ensure that our military is held accountable for all the crimes committed.”
On the possibility of peace, which the international community is seeking – even Pope Francis often mentions Myanmar in his numerous appeals, Aung Myo Min sends a clear message.
"We need concrete actions," he said, noting that the first step is to cut off all support for the dictatorship, “and then ensure that a lasting and peaceful solution for dialogue is reached.”
First he hopes to see economic sanctions, "to stop the military who use money to kill people, to buy fuel for jets, and supplies for the armed forces.” It is also essential to listen to the will of the people.
The latter “have expressed a clear position: we no longer want the military. A peaceful solution is a good solution, but it is impossible if the military kills people every day and forces the younger generation into forced labour in the army.”
Last February, the military junta introduced compulsory military service for men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27. The younger generation is the first to suffer the consequences of instability.
Young people “leave the country or find a way to avoid the recruitment law by paying large sums of money," he told AsiaNews. "They flee to neighbouring countries by all possible means, both legal and illegal.” Those who remain resist the military "in spirit and in other ways".
Through them the dream of a future federal and democratic country is nurtured, rooted in the steps taken by Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1991, and her Spring Revolution.
"Federalism is the dream of ethnic groups," he added. Now it is good that the National Unity Government and many group leaders come together to talk about a common position, what we are aiming for, the strategies we work together with and the international positions to support our struggle.”
A common position is not easy to achieve amid the mosaic of regions and ethnic groups that make up Myanmar. It must be based on shared values and actions, like “humanitarian assistance after Typhoon Yagi, and a future common constitution that we would like to draw up.” Yagi caused hundreds of deaths, especially in the capital Naypyidaw.
"The time has come to be united. To take a very strong position and let the world know that we are not divided."
Aung Myo Min is in Italy today to collect the 2024 Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize (which went to Nelson Mandela in 1985) awarded this year to lawyer Ywet Nu Aung, a human rights defender arrested by the military junta and sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2022.
“This recognition is also representative of the many other lawyers and activists, inside and outside prisons, who contribute to supporting the democratic movement," he said. It represents an opportunity to bring international attention to Myanmar.
“It is a shame what is happening in other parts of the world such as Lebanon, Ukraine, the Middle East," he noted. “But Myanmar is also suffering crimes and violence by the military; we need attention.”
[I] In 2020, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won.
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