Myanmar Military Coup

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:30): I rise today to speak out against the violent and brutal actions of the military dictatorship in Myanmar. Following the landslide victory in the November 2020 general election by the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's new parliament was to meet on 1 February 2021 to be sworn in as the elected government.

Led by Army general Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, took control of Myanmar and detained politicians and civil society leaders, including the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. The Tatmadaw claimed the election fraudulent and rejected the outcome despite international observers saying there is no evidence of fraud. Since the military coup, we have seen reports of devastating violence in the streets and the climbing toll of lives lost as the voices of Myanmar's citizens cry out against this dictator military, a military using deadly and indiscriminate force against its own people who are protesting the unseating of their elected government.

On 2 May, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners recorded at least 765 people had been killed. I am told the Myanmar's military continues to use brutal and violent methods to quell protesters. At least 4,609 people are under detention and 1,396 have been issued arrest warrants. Myanmar people have remained defiant and continue to protest the dictatorship on their streets. I am told the Tatmadaw have stamped down on media trying to report on the military's violence and crimes. It has also cut out internet access and mobile data nationally preventing the Myanmar people from communicating with each other and the world.

On 16 April, Myanmar's ousted parliamentarians, anti-coup protest leaders and representatives of ethnic minorities of the Buddhist majority formed the National Unity Government (NUG) with the commitment to end military rule and build a federal democracy.

The people of Myanmar in Australia and around the world are calling for the protection of their people and seek help from the international community. The Myanmar people do not want further losses of their brothers and sisters in Myanmar. They really want action, very strong action that can stop the brutal acts of the Tatmadaw.

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Kyaw Moe Tun addressed the UN General Assembly recently and urged the world body to use 'any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military' to restore democracy in his country. Mr Kyaw Moe Tun urged all countries to strongly condemn the coup, to refuse to recognise the military regime and to ask military leaders to respect the November elections. He said:

It is time for the military to immediately relinquish power and release those detained.

We will continue to fight for a government which is, of the people, by the people, for the people.

I appeal to the international community to help us in whatever way they can. Many of us inside the country, especially those young, young people who are on the streets, they are helpless. And not only them, but all of us—all people of Myanmar—also feel helpless.

…Our democracy was just a nascent democracy and then the military came in to set it back 40 or 50 years. Democracy should prevail. Democracy must prevail.

I support Mr Kyaw Moe Tun's and his people's cries for help. I also support them in urging South-East Asian leaders and countries like the US, Canada and Australia to work with the newly formed anti-coup unity government in Myanmar to restore democracy, putting an end to the illegal military takeover.

Ayay Taw Pone—Aung Ya Mye (meaning 'Uprising—we shall win')

Ayay Taw Pone—Aung Ya Mye.

Ayay Taw Pone—Aung Ya Mye.