The picture of a nun, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng kneeling before the military junta in the northern Myanmar city of Myitkyina, begging the armed police officers to spare the children and take her life instead has gone viral. But even as the nun pleaded with the military regime (Tatmadaw) the police started firing at the protestors behind her. This nun’s action should move the rest of the world to intervene in the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. Australia and New Zealand have taken drastic steps to cut off diplomatic ties with Myanmar. The US has announced sanctions but whether that is good enough to deter the Tatmadaw is questionable. They have been unrelenting in killing even young protestors with the intent of curbing such protests.
Since the new military regime seized power on February 1, it has arrested hundreds of opposition activists, abolished the democratically elected parliament, and enacted a slew of new repressive laws. People in Myanmar have responded by organizing a Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) that has brought the country to a halt. Everyone from civil servants to doctors and train drivers have stopped work as a mark of protest against the Tatmadaw. But even as protests demanding the return of democracy have gained momentum the military regime too has escalated the use of force against citizens.
Political analysts observe that the recent coup and the violence of the past few weeks is the direct result of the world’s failure to act forcefully against the military in the past, and when it unleashed its fury on the Rohingyas in 2017. Many of the commanders responsible for the attack on the Rohingyas then are now in direct control of the country. The international community has to take a forceful stance against the coup and push for an immediate return to democracy. It is imperative that countries impose targeted sanctions on the military leadership and their associated businesses, along with a global arms embargo.
The Tatmadaw should be held to account for past abuses. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice need to step in and the UN Security Council (UNSC) too should carry out its mandated task of bringing justice to the people of Myanmar.
This is also the litmus test for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and an opportunity for it to play a more decisive role in restoring democracy to Myanmar. The Tatmadaw has said it would hold new elections within a year. But should this be allowed by the world community when the November elections were free and fair? Such an election would only legitimize the military coup. The ASEAN should take a stand against the Tatmadaw and facilitate the return of democracy to allow the democratically elected government to function in Myanmar.