The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), an international coalition of Christian organisations, released a Statement this week on Myanmar, condemning the illegal coup of last February by the military and expressing deep concern about the suppression on any perceived threat to their power, including religious communities and religious leaders.
“We watched with uneasiness the gross violation of human rights and freedoms ensuing from the military-led coup of February 2021 and wanted to express our concern with the deterioration of religious freedom or belief in Myanmar,” said Floyd Brobbel, CEO of Voice of the Martyrs, Canada and newly named Chairman of the RLP. “This statement reflects our collective call for action, anticipating that law and order and good governance will be restored and maintained. Further, we are encouraging the global church to pray that all citizens of Myanmar enjoy the freedom to worship openly, without abuse, and that their human rights are protected and enhanced.”
The RLP Statement on Myanmar applauds the efforts of the National Unity Government (NUG) in promoting a secular constitution and equal rights for all peoples of every religion and none and all ethnicities, advocating for the international community to recognise the NUG as the legitimate representatives of the people of Myanmar. It also urges the international community to lead efforts for a global arms embargo against the military in Myanmar; impose further targeted sanctions against the military and military-owned enterprises in Myanmar; and calls for the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council to escalate and intensify high-level diplomatic efforts to end the crisis and restore democracy in Myanmar.
“The RLP describes itself as a collaborative effort of Christian organisations from every continent focused on religious liberty for all,” said Brian F. O’Connell, Global Facilitator of the RLP. “The RLP Statement on Myanmar, has many signers from organisations in Europe and North America, but also from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific, reflecting that geographical diversity and demonstrating the breadth of international support for the people of Myanmar and their human rights.”
For more information on the RLP Myanmar Statement or the RLP itself, contact Brian O’Connell, RLP Global Facilitator: [email protected]; Phone/Text: +1 425.218-4718.
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