The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) which is constituted by 65 member conventions in 22 nations across Asia Pacific with over 33,000 Churches, and part of the 47 Million Baptist among the Baptist World Alliance spread in 126 nations worldwide with 241 member bodies expresses its condemnation over the recent attacks by the military, unleashed on unarmed civilians including children, by the Myanmar Tatmadaw led by Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing, who forcibly took over power, proclaiming a year-long state of emergency and declaring power had been vested in them.
It’s been more than 60 days since the coup d’état in Myanmar began on the morning of 1 February 2021. Reports state that as of 6th April, at least 550 people have been killed in subsequent protests against the coup, and at least 2574 have been arbitrarily detained or sentenced, and 20,000 already displaced since March 27. Three prominent NLD members also died while in police custody in March 2021.
The APBF unequivocally condemns the recent escalation of violence against unarmed civilian protestors and the airstrikes and arial bombing on five areas in Mutraw district near the eastern border, that was unleashed upon helpless villagers, including a displacement camp that were forced to flee for their lives. This is by no means a legitimate, responsible state response but is a totally unjustifiable and deliberate act to kill, maim and injure life.
We further, object strongly to the breach of all protocols of the Geneva conventions, particularly Article 36 of Geneva convention II, that has targeted medical professionals. We are shocked to hear of the arrests and even shootings of medical personnel that has made the provision and access to medical assistance and care a serious risk to all involved. The open disregard and contravention of all norms of R2P (responsibility to protect) by an individual state is atrocious in it's impunity.
The indiscriminate actions of the Military like abductions, enforced disappearances, use of live ammunition that killed even children and the internet blackout that has left Myanmar isolated from the rest of the world and these acts of oppression are contrary to all norms of human rights and cannot be endorsed.
We call upon the Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander in chief to stop these atrocities, release immediately the elected members of government under their custody and return Myanmar to a democratic rule and peaceful path. We stand with the people of Myanmar and call for an immediate halt to this reign of terror and the brutality witnessed in these last few days.
The APBF urges and calls upon the International community to take immediate action to bring
an end to this massacre of innocent lives.
We join together in raising our voice in appeal and in prayer; praying for peace and reconciliation in Myanmar, for democracy to be upheld and restored and for the safety and protection of all citizens of Myanmar of all ethnicities from violence and brutality.
“In Solidarity with the people of Myanmar”
