NLC condemns coup d’état in Myanmar, calls for isolation of perpetrators
By Peter Usman/:
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has condemned the coup in Myanmar demanding that the perpetrators and masterminds of the coup in the country be isolated.
President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated this on the Day of the Global Action Against the Military Coup in Myanmar, saying that there must be respect for Democracy and Human Rights in that country.
Wabba noted with dismay that the forceful overthrow of the democratic government in Myanmar has negative impact on the rights and liberties of workers and the ordinary people, adding that the development has to be reversed.
He said the Nigeria Labour Congress, working in concert with the global working-class solidarity, has pledged to do all within its power to stop the coup from succeeding.
The NLC boss said, “This move is certainly anti-progressive and anti-development. This development particularly worries us because of its impact on the rights and liberties of workers and the ordinary people of Myanmar.
“We will work to ensure the release of all those detained. We will campaign to bring an end to the violence and harassment of the people of Myanmar. We make the demand that the perpetrators and masterminds of the coup in Myanmar must be isolated” Wabba said.
Speaking further, the NLC President said that in line with the positions and demands of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC to international institutions, the labour has called on governments worldwide including the government of Nigeria to stand together in support of the people in Myanmar to publicly condemn the coup d’état in Myanmar.
The NLC boss also requested the United Nations, UN General Assembly to keep the Myanmar seat vacant until the elected representatives can form a parliament and a government.
He averred that Labour will support the adoption of an urgent resolution of the UN Security Council, including sanctions for the coup leaders.
“We call for a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to review the situation in Myanmar; to call for the release of everyone arrested pursuant to the coup; and to mandate the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar to monitor and issue a special report on the human rights situation, including arrests, compliance with freedom of association, protection of protestors, respect for the right to peaceful assembly and protests and the right to opinion, expression and speech, including reliance on information technology platforms.
“Comprehensive economic sanctions should be implemented to stop any and all revenue to the military. Immediately cease all military cooperation and arms trade with Myanmar, expose and hold to account all lobby firms employed by Myanmar’s military and as well trace supply chains of military-run companies in Myanmar or outside Myanmar to ensure full application of economic sanctions.
“We demand that Nigerian companies operating in or sourcing from Myanmar should provide support to workers where operations are curtailed and also support and protection to workers protesting the coup” he said.
Wabba asserted that after 30 years of military dictatorship in Myanmar, NLC stand united with the people of Myanmar to ensure that the people’s vote is respected and that all those who have been democratically elected can form a legitimate government.
“We stand in solidarity with Myanmar’s workers and with the people of Myanmar and pay tribute to those brave workers taking action to reject the military takeover.” NLC President said.