As pro-democracy demonstrations build across Myanmar, Southeast Asian parliamentarians have today urged security forces in the country to respect the people’s right to peaceful protest and refrain from all forms of violence. 

“As peaceful demonstrations grow, the risk of violence is real. We all know what the Myanmar army is capable of: mass atrocities, killing of civilians, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrests, among others,” said Tom Villarin, a Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and former lawmaker in the Philippines. ” It is crucial that in the next few days, ASEAN and the international community use all their leverage to ensure the Myanmar army refrains from all forms of violence, and guarantees the safety of the peaceful protesters.” 

“From the beach towns of the south, to the mountains of the north, the people of Myanmar have been very clear in their desire to see a return to democracy.  It is their right to do so, and they must be able to do so safely,” Villarin said. 

APHR is also concerned about the restrictions imposed on the Internet and other telecommunications over the weekend, raising concerns of further potential human rights violations. On Saturday, Myanmar experienced a “national-scale internet blackout”, as pro-democracy protests grew, with connections returning late Sunday afternoon. 

“Shutting down the internet, not only amid growing protests against the coup but also a health pandemic, is an odious act that puts the people of Myanmar at even greater risk. Myanmar authorities need to be well-aware that the world is watching what is happening there,” Villarin said.