SHILLONG, Feb 10: In the aftermath of the military coup in Myanmar, the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) has adjured the global community, military and the political leaders of Myanmar to initiate talks between National League for Democracy (NLD) and military leaders, and work out a solution to restore democracy in the country.
The NEDF, in a letter to Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said the restoration of democracy will be welcomed by the citizenry of Myanmar.
“NEDF is shocked to learn about the sudden coup in Myanmar by the military and the subsequent arrest of many political leaders who have faith and are committed to democracy in Myanmar,” the letter read.
The NEDF also likened the recent violence in US Capitol to the military coup, saying that both former US president Donald Trump and Myanmar’s military could not accept the results “as per the people’s choice”.
“The Myanmarese and the whole world has been let down. The consequences of this adventurism will inevitably result (if not already) in violence, bloodshed and denial of human and democratic rights,” the NEDF said.
The NEDF has also beseeched the United Nations Organisation to communicate with military leaders and the NLD leadership for political talks.
Earlier, The 15-nation Security Council, the most powerful organ of the world organisation, had issued a press statement on Thursday on the situation in Myanmar, three days after the military seized power in the Southeast Asian nation.
The Council members expressed “deep concern” at the declaration of the state of emergency imposed in Myanmar by the military on February 1 and the arbitrary detention of members of the government, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint and others. They called for the immediate release of all those detained.
Last week, in a first contact between the UN and Myanmar military since generals seized power in a bloodless coup, Burgener spoke with the country’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice-General Soe Win and expressed strong condemnation of their action and called for the immediate release of all detained leaders. Dujarric said the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy remains prepared to visit under agreeable conditions to help calm the situation.
As the military in Myanmar imposed a curfew on Monday in various different areas and banned gatherings of more than five people, Dujarric described these measures as concerning.
Measures that limit people’s ability to speak up, to demonstrate freely are concerning, he said, adding that the UN has seen reports of rolling blackouts of Internet networks, which undermine core democratic principles.