Last
February, Myanmar's democratic government fell to a
violent military coup — and the ruling junta has been on
a mission to abuse human rights. Just recently, towards
the end of July, the military junta sent new waves of
terror through the country. In a brutal move, it
announced it had executed four leading pro-democracy
activists, including a former member of
Parliament. Their names were Kyaw Min Yu ("Ko
Jimmy"), Hla Myo Aung, Aung Thura Zaw, and former MP
Phyo Zeya Thaw. They left behind not only a populace
that looked to them with hope, but also loved ones left
to suffer this unspeakable cruelty. As many as 70 other
political prisoners are also facing possible
execution.
Authorities
arrested the four activists last year, and held trials
against them in secretive closed-door sessions, without
due process. While family members knew the executions
were coming, authorities did not inform them of the
timing. On their final visits with their imprisoned
loved ones, spouses and children did not realize
those would be their final farewell moments.
Weeks later, junta officials have still refused to
return these martyrs' bodies to their families. Leaders
in the international community have sent out brief
statements condemning these chilling executions, but we
all know that such words are not enough. Some nations
are considering enacting diplomatic or economic
consequences, and we must support them in this.
Scores of other political prisoners are sitting
in prison cells, knowing their turn at the gallows is
next. We must demand that our leaders take decisive
action, now! Sign the petition to
demand that nations across the globe work together to
protect human rights in
Myanmar!
