Statement of Gwangju Human Rights Laureates

 “Reinstate the democratic system in Myanmar / Release Aung San Suu Kyi”

We, the Gwangju Human Rights Prize awardees, condemn the army takeover in Myanmar and the heavy hand with which the military is trying to crush the people’s movement for a reversal to democracy. We condemn the arrest of human rights activist, political leader, leader of the NLD and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in the forefront of the struggle for Myanmar’s democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest as part of a decades-long fight against military rule, led her party to a landslide victory in Myanmars 2015 elections, establishing its first civilian government after decades of isolation and military authoritarianism. Her arrest, which follows another success of her party in the polls in November 2020, goes against all principles of democratic governance and sabotages the effort of Myanmar’s people to proceed with efforts at internal peace, social progress and economic growth.

In order to comply with Myanmars commitment to international human rights law and in order to respect the vote of the people as expressed in the democratic elections of November, we strongly urge the military authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi along with other democratic leaders and civil society leaders. We demand the physical safety of all who are unjustly detained and a guarantee that they are treated fairly and humanely in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.

We would remind the military junta that, as a member United Nations and ASEAN, Myanmar is obligated to adhere to the principles of UN Charter and ASEAN Charter, which require a commitment to promoting regional peace, security and prosperity, and rejection of threat or use of force in any manner that is inconsistent with international law.

We call upon the military authorities to respect the verdict of the November elections and immediately restore democracy in Myanmar, which requires the release of all political leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all civil society stalwarts and activists.

Signatories of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Laureates

Bersih 2.0 / Malaysia (org.)
Boonpattararaksa, Jatupat / Thailand
Carino, Joanna K / Philippines
Chanu, Irom Charmila / India
Dialita Choir / Indonesia (org.)
Fernando, Basil / Sri Lanka
Gusmao, Xanana / East Timor
Hafiz, Wardah / Indonesia
Hijos e Hijas la Identidad y la Justicia contra el Olivido y el / Argentina (org.)
Jayanthi, Dandeniya / Sri Lanka
Joya, Malalai / Afghanistan
Khan, Adilur Rahman / Bangladesh
Korean Democracy Bereaved Families Association / Republic of Korea (org.)
Malik, Muneer / Pakistan
Manatunga, Nandana / Sri Lanka
Martin, Bambara Serge / Burkina Faso
Moon, Jeong-hyeon / Republic of Korea
Mothers of Khavaran / Iran (org.)
Naing, Min Ko / Myanmar
Nampa, Arnon / Thailand
Neelapaijit, Angkhana / Thailand
Parents Circle-Families Forum Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families for Peace / Israel-Palestine (org.)
Pyakurel, Sushil / Nepal
Que, Nguyen Dan / Vietnam
Sen, Binayak / India
Siregar, Latifah Anum / Indonesia
Somphone, Sombath(Shuimeng) / Laos
Tempo / Indonesia (org.)
Untung Bedjo / Indonesia
WatchDoc Documentary Maker / Indonesia (org.)

24 February 2021