Kyaw Min
Just over a year ago, General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the armed forces, ousted the NLD government elected by Aung San Suu Kyi on allegations of electoral fraud. Democrats in Myanmar have been calling for the Civil Disobedience Movement's (CDM) non-cooperation against the olive government since February 2.
Although the Spring Revolution was a peaceful non-cooperation movement, it was heavily attacked by the military. After various sections of the society including the youth formed a resistance, the atrocities of the army started increasing. The remnants of the urban movement once spread all over Myanmar. At least 1,500 civilians were killed by Myanmar's military in the past year.
In retaliation, the PDF, the military wing of the NUG, known as the Alternative Government, demanded the killing of 3,000 soldiers.
International community should intensify pressure on Myanmar to
resolve the Rohingya crisis and allow the Rohingyas to return to their
homes in Myanmar with full dignity and civil rights
Bloody clashes between Myanmar's military and various armed groups continue to escalate. On the other hand, in 2017, the then UN human rights chief called Myanmar's "clearance operation" against the Rohingya a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.
Since the military junta took power a year ago, many young people have been fighting for their lives against the military.
The combination of the level of violence and the attacks suggests that the conflict is slowly turning into a civil war.
Despite international condemnation of Myanmar's military atrocities against the Rohingya, it has failed to stop arms sales to the country. In addition, various countries have maintained trade relations with the country. Russia, South Korea, North Korea, Israel, Ukraine, and the Philippines have been pushing for a lasting solution to the Rohingya problem, while also providing arms to Myanmar.
Myanmar's military, with the help of its civilian allies, continues to use brutal violence and torture against its own citizens - not just here. They have refused to accept democratic reforms, staged coups to seize power, violently suppressed pro-democracy protests, escalated civil war with armed ethnic groups, and continued to suppress freedom of speech and civil rights.
Even so, in the last four years, the trade relations of many developed countries with Myanmar have improved. International support for the Rohingya has also declined. If the world continues to give Myanmar free rein for human rights violations in the interests of trade, what does that mean for global justice and the moral responsibility of the international community?
Economic and arms embargoes must be imposed to put effective pressure on Myanmar. It is not enough just to impose sanctions on a few military officers or companies. At the s
A clear and concise initiative is needed to force the Myanmar military to reconsider its response to attacks on civilians. The Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency's ongoing inspections in Myanmar, it monitor Myanmar's compliance with "the steps required by the IAEA Board.
So, Myanmar must be pressured to resolve the crisis and allow the Rohingya to return to their homes in Myanmar voluntarily, with full dignity and civil rights. To that end, the international community should impose arms embargoes and economic sanctions on Myanmar. The UN Security Council or the countries themselves can impose sanctions.
The international community needs to impose sanctions on Myanmar's military. All should consider imposing sanctions on businesses linked to Myanmar's military. Sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada on Myanmar's institutions are a positive step.
Other countries need to take similar steps. The army has become reckless since the military coup. Efforts must be made around the world to stop them. The most obvious and peaceful way to do this is to take measures to prevent the army from raising money and weapons.
Only putting pressure, pressure, and pressure on Myanmar’s military can compel the junta to abide by the international customary law and restore democracy. The world community including ASEAN must pressure and teach the Myanmar military how to respect all ethnic groups.
Kyaw Min Is from Mandalay, Myanmar. He is currently living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
