Socialist parties in the Asia-Pacific have condemned the military coup in Burma/Myanmar.
The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) and the Party of the Labouring Masses (PLM) in The Philippines released statements on February 1 opposing the coup.
“We strongly condemn the unfolding military coup that involves the detention of the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders from the ruling party, dissolution of the Assembly of the Union, suspension of the Constitution and declaration of a state of emergency,” said the PSM.
“Despite the many flaws of Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration for the last five years in power, including the failure in addressing the genocidal repression of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State, there are no grounds to justify a military coup.”
“A military coup that is an attempt by Myanmar’s generals to roll back the democratic space, even if limited, which has been won by the people through a long and bloody struggle, must be condemned,” said the PLM.
“The coup also has serious regional implications as we resist the rise in authoritarianism within ASEAN.”
“Myanmar’s military must hand power back to the people and their democratically-elected representatives,” said the PSM.
“We urge ASEAN to suspend Myanmar’s membership until a civilian government is restored. We should not tolerate any authoritarian rule by military junta in the region.”