The political parties organized a coordination meeting on sanctions on Myanmar at the Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC) in Yangon on 28 May. First, the Chairperson of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) U Khin Yee said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss sanctions on Myanmar. Then, the attendees who are the responsible officials of the political parties had discussions on sanctions on Myanmar, and released a joint statement strongly opposing and condemning sanctions on Myanmar.
Present at the meeting were chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and executive committee members of political parties, the chairperson and members of the Myanmar Writers’ Association, the president and the general secretary of the Myanmar Farmers’ Development Foundation, officials of foreign embassies in Myanmar and invitees. The full-text of the joint statement released by the political parties are as follows:
Joint Declaration of 25 Political Parties
6th Waning of Kason 1386 ME
28 May 2024
1. In the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the government, responsible organizations, and citizens who desire peace and stability are making concerted efforts in accordance with the law to resolve the internal conflicts that have arisen in the aftermath of the 2020 multiparty democratic general elections.
2. However, numerous innocent civilians have been killed, private properties have been destroyed, and essential social and economic infrastructures built with public funds have been damaged by the terrorist groups created by extremist political actors. The future of the younger generation has also been destroyed.
3. As a consequence of the above episodes, basic livelihoods have deteriorated, leading to an increase in crimes such as robbery, kidnapping, arson, intimidation, and other acts of violence.
4. While the Myanmar Government is making concerted efforts to resolve the internal conflicts domestically, some powerful countries and some global organizations have imposed sanctions as a means to directly or indirectly support certain factions. International responsibility for supporting the peace and stability of a country in a positive manner and offering humanitarian aid with impartiality should be abided by those countries and groups. They have instead adopted the practice of selectivity and partiality by imposing “Sanctions” to create political and economic crises in a country, which was the unsuccessful method of “Neo-colonialism”.
5. Upon examining the sanctions imposed on Myanmar from 11 February 2021 to 31 January 2024, it is found that they include blocking private assets, cutting off support links with the government, obstructing socioeconomic activities, restricting financial transfers, limiting and prohibiting exports of goods and products, travel restrictions, suspending international engagements, isolating the country, and banning participation in global intellectual property meetings, among many other intensified measures.
6. The aforementioned sanctions explicitly target and restrict a nation’s sovereignty, development, stability, and the peaceful and prosperous future of its entire population. These actions also create conditions of discrimination and partiality, clearly violating the principles stated in Article (7) of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which asserts, “Discrimination instead of equal protection, incitement to discrimination, and equal protection”. It has been observed that these declarations and principles are being blatantly violated.
7. Furthermore, these actions also violate the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. Article (2), Section (1), which states, “The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members,” and Article (4) states, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of political independence of any state.” It is concluded that these sanctions are in direct contravention of these principles.
8. Although sanctions are claimed to be directed at the Myanmar Government, the reality is that they adversely affect the entire population in Myanmar, causing widespread suffering and forcing them into a vicious cycle of hardship. Additionally, these actions will also hinder the progress of the five-point roadmap being implemented by the State and obstruct the conditions necessary for the emergence of a free and fair election.
9. Therefore, we strongly urge all to revoke the sanctions imposed on the State as soon as possible. We request the international community to provide collective assistance based on the actual impact and conditions. Furthermore, we, all political parties, unanimously and categorically reject, oppose, and condemn any action or sanctions taken against Myanmar.
Source: GNLM (29-5-2024)
- The sanctions on Myanmar explicitly target and restrict a nation’s sovereignty, development, stability, and the peaceful and prosperous future of its entire population.
- Such actions will also hinder the progress of the five-point roadmap being implemented by the State and obstruct the conditions necessary for the emergence of a free and fair election.
- We strongly urge all to revoke the sanctions imposed on the State as soon as possible. We request the international community to provide collective assistance based on the actual impact and conditions.