Geneva/New York: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has issued a statement following allegations of harassment and intimidation of trade unionists in Myanmar by police and military authorities. It says that the ILO has received allegations that the police and military are conducting door to door searches for trade unionists at their dormitories and hostels in the Hlaingtharyar industrial township, Yangon.
“It is alleged that these acts of harassment and intimidation have largely targeted young female workers working in the private sector industries of Yangon, who are living far away from their families in the rural areas,” the ILO stated.
In its statement, released on February 23, 2021, the ILO urged the military authorities to cease all acts of harassment and intimidation against these workers, in particular young female workers, and ensure that all workers can exercise their rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression as well as other human rights in a climate free of violence, pressure, fear and threat of any kind.
Meanwhile, in New York, in light of the unfolding events in Myanmar, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) too has expressed its strongest concern over the adverse impacts on the rights, safety, health and well-being of the people of Myanmar, including women, girls and young people.
In a statement, UNFPA warned of the likelihood that the instability will disrupt essential services to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls, including safe pregnancy and childbirth. “This will have serious, even life-threatening implications if timely access to emergency obstetric and newborn care is compromised or not provided in general, and for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in particular,” it stated.
It further expressed its “deep concern” over the use of force, which may contribute to an escalation of violence against women, girls and young people. “UNFPA echoes the call of the UN Secretary-General and UN partner agencies for the military and security forces to respect the fundamental human rights of the people of Myanmar, to refrain from using violence and to ensure the protection and safety of all persons be it in public or private spaces,” the UNFPA stated, asserting that it stands with women, girls and young people in Myanmar and their right to sexual and reproductive health care, even during the crisis.
UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews in his tweet on February 23, shared the “breathtaking” photos of millions who marched despite the junta’s “loss of life” threats.
The photos of yesterday’s massive crowds are breathtaking. Millions marched despite the junta’s “loss of life” threats. The generals are losing their power to intimidate and with it, their power. It is past time for them to stand down, as the people of Myanmar stand up. 📹@RFA pic.twitter.com/j4VDheONbs
— UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews (@RapporteurUn) February 23, 2021
In a tweet, Paing @PaingPhiravich shared photos of boy who, he claimed, was arrested by the military in the middle of night on February 22. He claimed the reason they arrested was to arrest his dad but they couldn’t find him so they took the child instead. According to his tweet, the military had taken more than 193 young people.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has reiterated his call on the military leadership to respect the will of the people of Myanmar and to adhere to democratic norms, with any difference to be resolved through peaceful dialogue and condemned the use of deadly violence in Myanmar.
Earlier too, Guterres in a tweet, had called on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately and stressed the need to release the prisoners, end the violence and respect human rights.
– global bihari bureau
