2020 145E We oppose the military coup in Myanmar and urge the restoration and advancement of democratization

WP7 No.145E

February 8, 9(Rev.), 2021
Committee of Seven to Appeal for World Peace
Kinhide Mushakoji, Yoshino Oishi, Michiji Konuma, Satoru Ikeuchi, Shin’ichiro Ikebe, Kaoru Takamura, Susumu Shimazono

The military in Myanmar detained in the morning of February 1 the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other National League for Democracy (NLD) officials across the country and declared the assumption of power. It was the day of the first parliamentary sessions after the great victory of the NLD which was founded by Aung San Suu Kyi and others in 1988 and the serious defeat of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) linked to the military in the general election in November 2020.
The election was held in a peaceful manner. According to the statement issued on the next day of the election by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the election was watched by many domestic and foreign election observer missions of more than 12,000 members in total including a team of 19 members dispatched by the Government of Japan and the election activities, voting and the vote counting were concluded as transparent and generally fair.
Nevertheless, the military and the USDP called for the investigation to clarify voting irregularities repeatedly and the Union Election Commission rejected the claim.
We never acknowledge the detention of the State Counsellor, President and others by the military who did not accept the result of the general election, denied the freedom of communication and strengthened its regulation.

1 The military in Myanmar should release all in custody in the present action immediately and unconditionally.
2. The military in Myanmar should remove all regulation of communication and guaranty the freedom of communication.
3. The Japanese Government should demand the military in Myanmar to respect the result of the election and to restore the situation, and make the utmost effort for advancement of its democratization.
4. Japanese companies which have supported military-linked counter parts in Myanmar should change the partners to contribute toward the advancement of democratization.

Revised on February 9, 2021
“After the election the military and the USDP called for the investigation to clarify voting irregularities but the Union Election Commission rejected the claim. It is reported that a foreign election observation team evaluated the election generally fair.”
Is replaced by
“The election was held in a peaceful manner. According to the statement issued on the next day of the election by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the election was watched by many domestic and foreign election observer missions of more than 12,000 members in total including a team of 19 members dispatched by the Government of Japan and the election activities, voting and the vote counting were concluded as transparent and generally fair.
Nevertheless, the military and the USDP called for the investigation to clarify voting irregularities repeatedly and the Union Election Commission rejected the claim.”

PDF Appeal→145e.pdf