On March 12, protest groups from Yangon sent an open letter to European Union member states and International Labour Organization (ILO) member countries, calling for action against the military forces that are violating citizens’ democratic rights and freedoms through forced conscription. Despite the ILO Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations made on October 4, 2023, to stop the military’s brutal oppression, the military council has failed to comply with these recommendations.
The protest groups urged EU and ILO member states to stand with the Myanmar people and take action against the military council during the upcoming ILO Governing Body meeting scheduled from March 10 to March 21. Article 33 is noted as the sole regulation that can penalize countries violating labor rights standards and is considered a crucial article for protecting workers’ rights. The open letter specifically addresses these concerns and calls for immediate action.
The letter demands several key actions, including a review and cessation of relations with the military group and their representatives, establishing legitimate contact with the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic revolutionary organizations, and democratic forces, and rejection of the military group’s illegitimate election. Additionally, it calls for effective implementation of the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution adopted in April 2024, stopping violence, and cutting off the military group’s revenue streams.
The strike forces and civil society organizations have also called for justice and accountability for affected civilians, requesting ILO member countries to support legal actions in international courts. These demands aim to protect the fundamental rights of Myanmar’s people and stop the military group’s violence. The letter emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention to address the ongoing human rights violations and forced military service imposed by the military council on Myanmar’s citizens.
