Call on INTERPOL to ban the illegal junta from representing Myanmar at its General Assembly

22 November 2021

 

To: Kim Jong Yang, INTERPOL President; Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL General Secretary; the INTERPOL Executive Committee and INTERPOL Member Countries

 

Subject: Call on INTERPOL to ban the illegal junta from representing Myanmar at its General Assembly

 

Dear INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang

INTERPOL Vice Presidents Benyamina Abbad and Šárka Havránková

INTERPOL General Secretary Jürgen Stock

INTERPOL Executive Committee Delegates

Khaled Jameel Al Materyeen

Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi

Jean-Jacques Colombi

Rogerio Galloro

Robert Guirao Bailén

Destino Pedro

Olushola Kamar Subair

Jannine Van den Berg

and Member Countries

 

We, the undersigned 259 organizations, call on INTERPOL to immediately ban the Myanmar military junta from representing Myanmar as a member of INTERPOL. We demand you ensure that the military junta is excluded from the upcoming 89th INTERPOL General Assembly and all benefits and future cooperation that membership entails.

 

According to media reports, the Myanmar military junta’s police force is currently representing Myanmar in INTERPOL and its members, led by the Head of Police and Deputy Home Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Than Hlaing, will act as delegates for the Myanmar government at the INTERPOL General Assembly. This is a matter of grave concern to us and raises serious credibility issues for INTERPOL itself for the following reasons:

 

1. The military junta does not represent the government of Myanmar. The international community has refused to recognize the military junta as the legitimate government of Myanmar and has prevented members of the military junta from participating in international forums including the UN General Assembly, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), and the ASEAN Summit.

 

2. The attempted coup on 1 February 2021, under the leadership of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing by violent means violated the Myanmar Constitution, international law, and the principle of rule of law.

 

3. The head of the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar recently stated that since the attempted coup the Myanmar military junta’s widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population amounts to crimes against humanity.

 

4. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, composed of international experts including former members of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar and a former Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, has recently argued that, in addition to crimes against humanity, the Myanmar military is engaging in terrorism and should be classified as a terrorist organization.

 

5. Lt. General Than Hlaing, as the junta’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Chief of Police, is directly responsible for decision making concerning repressive policies and violent actions committed by police against peaceful demonstrators and is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma.

 

6. For this and other reasons, Lt. General Than Hlaing has been placed by the European Union under a travel ban and asset freeze as of 3 March 2021.

 

7. Targeted sanctions against Lt. General Than Hlaing also remain in place by the US, UK, and Canada (overview with links here).

 

8. Lt General Than Hlaing has been appointed to lead operations in Chin State. Escalating military attacks against civilians there and in Sagaing and Magwe Regions have caused rights groups to draw similarities to “clearance operations” used to violently oppress the ethnic Rohingya population – now at issue in the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. 

 

INTERPOL’s vision is to connect police for a “safer world” and to support security for the world’s citizens. The people of Myanmar are in dire need of safety and security. The single biggest threat to their security is the Myanmar military junta, who is attempting to represent Myanmar in INTERPOL and use the General Assembly as a platform for political gain and international legitimacy. This will embolden the Myanmar military to continue to commit international crimes with blanket impunity.

 

We note that countering the threat of terrorism is the first of INTERPOL’s seven Global Policing Goals, and INTERPOL has a responsibility to counter and disrupt terrorism wherever it occurs, including in Myanmar.

 

We draw your attention to condemnation by the UN Security Council regarding the junta following the February 2021 coup, including a November 2021 statement by the Council’s President Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez citing “deep concern at further recent violence across Myanmar”.

 

We note that upholding human rights is central to INTERPOL’s mandate. We implore you to meet the commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stated in Article 2 of the Constitution of the ICPO-INTERPOL. Recognizing the Myanmar military junta, responsible for systemic and grave human rights violations would be a clear violation of this article.

 

We appeal to you to adhere to INTERPOL’s commitment to political neutrality stated in Article 3 of the INTERPOL Constitution. Awarding an unlawful military junta that lacks domestic and international recognition with legitimacy would violate this article, and amount to a partisan intervention that would embolden the military to continue to commit international crimes with total impunity.

 

Instead of legitimizing the military junta through INTERPOL membership, we appeal to you to uphold international law by supporting the ongoing investigation at the International Criminal Court concerning crimes of genocide against the Rohingya, and future investigations, to bring all perpetrators of Myanmar atrocities to account. The Myanmar military must be recognized as a terrorist organization, not recognized as representatives of the Myanmar people who are the very victims of the junta’s daily barrage of violence that INTERPOL aims to protect.

 

We, therefore, call on INTERPOL to:

– Ban the Myanmar military junta from INTERPOL, including the 89th General Assembly.

– Support efforts to bring Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Lt Gen Than Hlaing and all other perpetrators of atrocity crimes to justice by identifying and arresting suspects.

– Take all measures available to prevent the Myanmar military junta’s continued acts of terrorism by disrupting terrorism movement and tracing and disrupting their international revenue and arms supply networks.

 

At this fragile and crucial time in Myanmar, INTERPOL and their member countries must act in the interests of the safety and security of Myanmar people, victims, and survivors of crime and in accordance with international law and norms.

 

Signed by

 

1. 8888 Generation (New Zealand)

2. Action Committee for Democracy Development

3. Activists Group for Human Rights ‘BARAM’

4. Albany Karen Community, Albany

5. All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress

6. All Burma Democratic Face in New Zealand

7. ALL FOR LITTLE ONE

8. Alliance for Gender Inclusion in Peace Process (AGIPP)

9. Alternative Solutions for Rural Communities (ASORCOM)

10. ALTSEAN-Burma

11. Arizona Kachin Community

12. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights – APHR

13. Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)

14. Asian Dignity Initiative

15. Assistance Association for Political Prisoners

16. Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

17. Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization

18. Auckland Kachin Community NZ

19. Auckland Zomi Community

20. B-Farm

21. Blood Money Campaign

22. Boat People SOS

23. Burma Action Ireland

24. Burma Campaign UK

25. Burma Human Rights Network

26. Burma Rohingya Organisation UK

27. Burmese Relief Center – Japan

28. Burmese Rohingya Welfare Organisation New Zealand

29. Burmese Women’s Union

30. Calgary Karen Community Association (CKCA)

31. California Kachin Community

32. Campaign for a New Myanmar

33. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights Committee (CENTRAL)

34. Chin Community of Auckland

35. CHRF

36. Christian Solidarity Worldwide

37. Citizen of Burma Award-New Zealand

38. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

39. Coalition to Abolish Modern-day Slavery in Asia (CAMSA)

40. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)

41. Committee for Religions Freedom in Vietnam

42. COVIL

43. CRPH & NUG Supporters Austria

44. CRPH & NUG Supporters Ireland

45. CRPH Funding Ireland

46. Dallas Kachin Community

47. DANA

48. Decency & Clarity

49. DEEKU-Karenni Community of Amarillo, TX

50. Democracy for Myanmar – Working Group (NZ)

51. Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization – DPW

52. DONEUIDONG

53. Dongjadong Sarangbang

54. Edmonton Karen Community Youth Organization

55. Education Community Woorijari Social Cooperation

56. Equality Myanmar

57. European Karen Network

58. Federal Myanmar Benevolence Group (NZ)

59. Federation of General Workers Myanmar

60. Federation of Workers’ Union of the Burmese Citizen in Japan

61. Freedom House

62. Future Light Center

63. Future Thanlwin

64. Gangbuk Housing Welfare Center

65. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)

66. Gender Equality Network

67. Georgia Kachin Community

68. Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)

69. Global Myanmar Spring Revolution

70. Gwangju Asia sisterhood

71. Gyeonggi Association of Self-Sufficiency Promotion Center

72. HANBARAGI

73. Houston Kachin Community

74. Human Rights Foundation of Monland

75. Incorporated Organization Shilcheon Bulgyo

76. Independent Trade Union Federation (INTUFE)

77. Info Birmanie

78. Initiatives for International Dialogue

79. International Campaign for the Rohingya

80. International Child Rights Center

81. International Karen Organisation

82. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

83. Iowa Kachin Community

84. Jangsuwon

85. JCMK

86. JPIC of Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

87. Junta Denouncing Committee Korea

88. Justice For Myanmar

89. Kachin American Community (Portland – Vancouver)

90. Kachin Community of Indiana

91. Kachin Community of USA

92. Kachin Gender Star Group

93. Kachin Women’s Association Thailand

94. Kaesong Tourism Center

95. Kansas Karenni community, KS

96. Karen American Association of Milwaukee, WI

97. Karen Association of Huron, SD

98. Karen Community of Akron, OH

99. Karen Community of Canada (KCC)

100. Karen Community of Czech Republic

101. Karen Community of Finland

102. Karen Community of Hamilton

103. Karen Community of Iowa, IA

104. Karen Community of Ireland

105. Karen Community of Israel

106. Karen Community of Kansas City

107. Karen Community of Kitchener & Waterloo

108. Karen Community of Leamington K

109. Karen Community of Lethbridge

110. Karen Community of London

111. Karen Community of Minnesota, MN

112. Karen Community of North Carolina

113. Karen Community of Ottawa

114. Karen Community of Regina

115. Karen Community of Saskatoon

116. Karen Community of Thunderbay

117. Karen Community of Toronto

118. Karen Community of Windsor

119. Karen Community of Winnipeg

120. Karen Community Society of British Columbia (KCSBC)

121. Karen Human Rights Group

122. Karen Organization of America

123. Karen Organization of Illinois, IL

124. Karen Thai Group

125. Karen Women’s Organization

126. Karen Youth Education Pathways

127. Karen Youth Networks

128. Karen Youth of Norway

129. Karen Youth of Toronto

130. Karen Youth Organization

131. Karenni Civil Society Network

132. Karenni Community of Arizona, AZ

133. Karenni Community of Arkensas, AK

134. Karenni Community of Austin, TX

135. Karenni Community of Bowling Green, KY

136. Karenni Community of Buffalo, NY

137. Karenni Community of Chicago, IL

138. Karenni Community of Colorado, CO

139. Karenni Community of Dallas, TX

140. Karenni community of Des Moines, IA

141. Karenni Community of Florida, FL

142. Karenni Community of Fort Worth, TX

143. Karenni Community of Georgia, GA

144. Karenni Community of Houston, TX

145. Karenni Community of Idaho, ID

146. Karenni Community of Indianapolis, IN

147. Karenni Community of Massachusetts, MA

148. Karenni Community of Michigan, MI

149. Karenni Community of Minnesota, MN

150. Karenni Community of Missouri, MO

151. Karenni Community of North Carolina, NC

152. Karenni Community of Portland, OR

153. Karenni Community of Rockford, IL

154. Karenni Community of San Antonio, TX

155. Karenni Community of Sioux Falls, SD

156. Karenni Community of Utah, UT

157. Karenni Community of Utica, NY

158. Karenni Community of Washington, WA

159. Karenni Community of Wisconsin, WI

160. Karenni Human Rights Group

161. Karenni National Women’s Organization

162. Karenni Society New Zealand

163. Karenni Society of Omaha, NE

164. Karenni-American Association

165. Keng Tung Youth

166. Kentucky Kachin Community

167. Kijamii Table

168. Kim Wan Sik (MR)

169. Korea Christian Solidarity for Democracy and Human Rights in Myanmar

170. Korea Karen Organization

171. Korea Karen Youth Organization

172. Korea Women’s Associations United (KWAU)

173. Korean House for International Solidarity

174. Korean Solidarity for Overseas Community Organization

175. Let’s Help Each Other

176. Louisiana Kachin Community

177. Maryland Kachin Community

178. May18 Seoul Memorial Society

179. Metta Campaign Mandalay

180. Michigan Kachin Community

181. Migrant Health Association in Korea WeFriends

182. Milk Tea Alliance (Friend For Myanmar)

183. MINBYUN – Lawyers for a Democratic Society International Solidarity Committee

184. Minnesota Kachin Community

185. Myanmar Accountability Project

186. MYANMAR Action Supporters

187. Myanmar Community Austria

188. Myanmar Democratic Force (Denmark)

189. Myanmar Engineers – New Zealand

190. Myanmar Family Community in Ireland

191. Myanmar Gonye (New Zealand)

192. Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)

193. Myanmar Students Organization

194. Myanmar Students’ Union in New Zealand

195. National Clergy Conference for Justice and Peace

196. NeT Organization

197. Network for Advocacy Action

198. Network for Human Rights Documentation Burma (ND-Burma)

199. Neutinamu

200. New Bodhisattva Network

201. New York Kachin Community

202. New Zealand Doctors for NUG

203. New Zealand Karen Association

204. New Zealand Zo Community Inc.

205. No Business With Genocide

206. North Carolina Kachin Community

207. NUG & CRPH Supporter Denmark

208. Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica

209. Olive Organization

210. Omaha Kachin Community

211. Organization of Social Welfare Service Bokumjari

212. Oversea Karen Organization Japan

213. Overseas Mon Association. New Zealand

214. Pa-O Youth Organization

215. Pennsylvania Kachin Community

216. People’s Initiatives for Development Alternatives

217. People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)

218. Progressive 3.0

219. Progressive Korea

220. Progressive Voice

221. Pyeongchang

222. Pyithu Gonye (New Zealand)

223. RCSD/FSS Chiang Mai University

224. Rvwang Community Association New Zealand

225. SAMYANG CITIZENS NETWORK

226. SARANGBANG Group for Human Rights

227. Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas

228. Save Myanmar Fundraising Group (New Zealand)

229. Shan Community (New Zealand)

230. Shan MATA

231. Sisters 2 Sisters

232. Sitt Nyein Pann Foundation

233. Social Action for Community and Development (SACD)

234. Solidarity for Another World

235. South Carolina Kachin Community

236. Support Group for Democracy in Myanmar (Netherlands)

237. Supporters group for migrant workers in Korea

238. Suwon Migrants Center

239. Swedish Burma Committee

240. Synergy – Social Harmony Organization

241. Ta’ang Women’s Organization

242. Ta’ang Legal Aid

243. Tanintharyi Women Network

244. Tennessee Kachin Community

245. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

246. The People Center for Development and Peace (PDP-Center)

247. Tongirinreoygeo

248. Union of Karenni State Youth

249. US Campaign for Burma

250. Utica Karen Community, NY

251. Virginia Kachin Community

252. Washington Kachin Community

253. West Virginia Kachin Community

254. With Gilbut Welfare Foundation

255. Women Advocacy Coalition – Myanmar (WAC-M)

256. Women’s League of Burma

257. Women’s Peace Network

258. Youth of Kim Dae-jung Foundation

259. Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP)

 

Open Letter [See and Download]