2 years after coup, human rights in Myanmar continue to decline

02-02-2023

Aysu Amaha Öztürk

Myanmar and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

With the 1st of February passing, Myanmar marks its 2nd year of the coup d’etat. In these last 2 years, life in Myanmar for many has been tremendously difficult and chaotic, resulting in fear and death, yet also with perseverance and resilience. To mark the date and to show their perseverance, citizens of Myanmar have performed a silent strike and asked shopkeepers and others to have their businesses closed (Head and Show, 2023). As holding protests in public spaces are dangerous for protestors and interfered with force by the government, activists have asked the public to stay indoors and show their opposition in this manner (Ratcliffe, 2023). Outside of the country, activists and those who are opposed to the military regime gathered in front of the Myanma Embassy to show their dissent (Ratcliffe, 2023). 

From women being targeted to children not being able to go to school, from burning people’s houses and raiding villages to banning labour unions, the government of Myanmar has committed atrocities against its people over the last two years (Head and Show, 2023). Considering all these crimes that the military of Myanmar has committed over the two years, they have violated all the international human rights treaties they have ever ratified which includes treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) (Ratification Status for Myanmar, 2023). Myanmar must immediately cease all activities that are targeting people and their human rights. They should then implement accountability and justice mechanisms for the crimes that have been performed under the junta. 

Sources and further reading:

Human Rights Bodies. Ratification Status for Myanmar. United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies Database. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx?CountryID=119&Lang=EN

Head, J. & Show, O. (2023, February 1). Myanmar coup anniversary: 'Silent strike' marks two years of military rule. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64481138

Ratcliffe, R. (2023, February 1). Myanmar junta hit by western sanctions as ‘silent strikes’ mark coup anniversary. https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/01/myanmars-air-force-targeted-by-sanctions-two-years-on-from-military-coup-protest-strike