KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 11/8/24)—On Tuesday, October 30, 2024, the international community gathered in New York City to commemorate A Day of Action for Burma at the UN. Organized by the Burma Advocacy Group, working under the American Baptist Churches USA Burma Refugee Commission, the event featured leading voices advocating for democracy and human rights in Burma, including special guest Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma, as well as key representatives and advocates from Burma’s National Unity Government (NUG).

“Today, Myanmar [Burma] is becoming increasingly invisible to the world,” said Andrews, calling for heightened global awareness and action. “We cannot allow the military junta to gain legitimacy or hold an illegal election. It is imperative that countries recognize this sham for what it is – fraudulent.” Andrews further highlighted the challenges faced by Burma’s disabled population and civilians who endure daily threats to their rights and lives.

The Burma Advocacy Group, comprising of various organizations such as Chin Baptist Church groups, Karen Baptist Church groups, Kachin Baptist Church groups, Burma Diaspora Community Groups, and American Baptist Churches, is a group of leaders from associations, churches, and community groups acting with one voice for advocacy concerning humanitarian aid, the funding of the Burma Act, religious liberty and other human rights. Mr. Van Kio, associate executive director, expressed thanks that the Burma Advocacy Group was joined by fourteen other organizations as co-sponsors of the event which show-cased concerns from across the religious and social spectrum of Burma. 

The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Christina Fink of George Washington University, with insights from panelists including: Minister Aung Myo Min, minister of Human Rights for Myanmar’s NUG; Wai Wai Nu, executive director of the Women’s Peace Network; and Gum San Nsang, former president of the Kachin Alliance. The panel highlighted their concern for the continuing human rights abuses by the junta and the Tatmadaw (Burma military). “We must unite,” said Ms. Nu, “to address the root causes of our country’s human rights and humanitarian catastrophe, in order to end the Burmese military’s mass atrocities against our people. As I told the Security Council last week, that means ending impunity once and for all. By making sure that no one in Burma can no longer get away with crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide, we will achieve a truly inclusive and peaceful federal democratic union.”

Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, convener of the Burma Advocacy Group, opened the meeting by sharing statistics of those killed, imprisoned and tortured since the military coup d’état. Addressing those gathered and watching online he added, “These are not just statistics… these are people that you know and love. . . . We gather today to demand of the UN and its member nations greater efforts for justice because of those we love.” In closing he reminded them, “You are not alone; you are not forgotten.”

Co-sponsored by numerous advocacy groups and human rights organizations, the event sent a clear message: the world cannot turn a blind eye to Myanmar’s crisis. The Burma Advocacy Group and other organizations are calling on governments, UN agencies, and individuals to take a stand, including supporting economic sanctions and recognizing the National Unity Government as Myanmar’s legitimate authority. “I understand there are many competing priorities in this world for the UN Member States to take into consideration,” remarked Moe Zaw Oo the National Unity Government Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. “but what is happening in Myanmar/Burma should not be forgotten because if the UN fails Myanmar, it means that it fails justice, accountability and humanity as a whole. I believe ‘A Day of Action for Burma at the UN’ highlighted that point.” 

Afterwards, there was great appreciation expressed for the event. “I’m beyond impressed by the power of the gathering,” stated Dr. Bobbi Nassar co-chair of the NGO Committee on Human Rights. And Scott Stearman, the Baptist World Alliance representative to the UN noted that “In 10 years of doing this work, I say without equivocation, that yesterday’s ‘day of action’ was the most constructive and hopeful I’ve seen. Clearly a large part of this is Tom Andrew’s frank, substantial, unapologetic, and pragmatic reporting.”

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.