Open Letter from Civil Society Organizations calling on the Council’s immediate action to ensure the protection of demonstrators

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A diverse groups of Civil Society Organizations calls on the Human Rights Council (HRC) to pass a swift and stong resolution at the 29th Special Session on Myanmar condemning the military coup and to take steps to ensure the protection of protesters, monitor the situation on the ground, and enable long-term federal democratic and human rights change in the country. The CSOs call for an urgent enhanced monitoring of the fast-unfolding human rights crisis in Myanmar, including by immediately sending a delegation to Myanmar to monitor the situation on the ground and report back to the Council and other relevant bodies.
“We are deeply concerned that the military is planning to retaliate using violence, unlawful arrest, and intimidation”
“We further call on UN Member States to consider imposition of strategic and targeted sanctions against the Myanmar military as an institution, including military-owned and controlled companies and their substantial business associates in accordance with the recommendations of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar.”
They call on the HRC to urge the Myanmar military regime to:
✅Refrain from using violence, and arbitrary arrests against protesters and respect people’s right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
✅Immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been arbitrarily detained;
✅ Allow unfettered Internet access, including on all mobile phone networks and lift all restrictions on access to media sites, social media platforms, VPN and refrain from imposing any further restrictions against use of Internet;
✅Immediately allow all humanitarian aid and health support to resume their work unimpeded;
✅End all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in ethnic and ceasefire areas, and that all civilians are protected, including by lifting all barriers to humanitarian assistance and ensuring the non-interference of aid to ethnic areas.