Hearing the voices, seeing the footage and reading the dispatches shared with us by law student correspondents in Myanmar, law student staffers at JURIST* have written this petition to urge law students around the world to join their fellow law students in Myanmar in condemning the military junta that arbitrarily and illegally deposed the elected civilian government of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, 2021.

Since seizing power, junta police and soldiers have repeatedly opened fire on unarmed civilians participating in peaceful sit-in strikes, rallies and marches opposing the coup. They have also used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets against protesters. They have wantonly destroyed property and shot citizens in their own homes. Over 2600 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced under civil or martial law and over 250 have been killed in violent crackdowns. Many lawyers, law teachers, political figures, journalists and others have had to go into hiding to avoid detention.

The military junta is taking lives, restricting liberty and free speech, depriving citizens of internet access and privacy, denying due process rights and undermining democratic reforms. Multiple international observers, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, have said that the junta is committing crimes against humanity.  

We demand that the military junta stop all violence against peaceful protesters, restore citizens’ basic freedoms, and return the country to democratic government. We also call for the immediate release of all detained students, lawyers, law teachers and other political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Military officers must be held accountable for their crimes under international law.

Law students of Myanmar, law students around the globe stand with you.

*JURIST (jurist.org) is a nonprofit legal news organization powered by a global team of volunteer law students. They report legal news and publish analyses by informed experts and local observers in order to promote civic engagement and strengthen the rule of law worldwide.

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