Myanmar: Trade unions, civil society organizations at risk of extinction under junta, UN report says

Myanmar has been under civil and political unrest since its generals staged a coup and seized power from its elected government. More than a year since the coup, a United Nations report found that trade unions and civil society groups face the risk of extinction under the junta.

A report by the UN’s International Labor Organization published Wednesday found that labor and civil society groups are at risk of extinction under the junta. The assessment found that such groups in Myanmar were subject to violence, arbitrary arrests, raids, and seizures, as well as threatening phone calls and surveillance since coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, seized power last year.

The ILO interviewed 21 unions and civil society organizations for the report.

The groups facing “targeted persecution” resulted in the groups’ “limited their ability to operate” and forced organizers to make major changes to ensure security and safety, according to the report.

The ILO said the risks extended to both types of organizations that were banned since the coup and those that were not officially banned, with military authorities arresting leaders on the pretense of “causing fear, spreading false news or agitating.”

“Trade unions and civil society organizations have provided the foundation for much of the progress made on increasing labor rights protection in Myanmar over the last decade. The current state of affairs represents a genuine threat to their existence,” said ILO deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, Panudda Boonpala.

“The international community must stand with these organizations to help them survive and continue their vital work,” said Boonpala.

In the report, the ILO recommended that international organizations simplify or reduce reporting as well as due diligence requirements to allow “expanded and more unrestricted funding” for organizations being persecuted.

This report by the ILO also comes days after UN envoy Noeleen Heyzer visited Myanmar and met with Min Aung Hlaing. Heyzer called for an end to the violence and the release of the junta’s political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Heyzer’s office also said she urged the coup leader to impose a “moratorium” to halt all future executions of political prisoners, following last month’s execution of four activists linked to the resistance movement.