The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) and the Myanmar Council of Churches have appealed to the military for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained leaders while urging them to act in a peaceful way.
Christian leaders said they share the same feelings as people who have voiced concern over the imposition of a state of emergency following the military’s seizure of power on Feb. 1. “We appeal to Christians to pray and fast towards prevailing peace, justice and development in the country,” the leaders said in a statement on Feb. 9. They also urged citizens of Myanmar to refrain from all forms of violence and discrimination and called on the international community to give a hand to the needs of people in Myanmar. Pope Francis has called for the release of all detained political leaders and expressed his solidarity with the people of Myanmar. Nationwide protests are intensifying against the coup that removed Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy-led government. On Feb. 9, thousands of people took to the streets in Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and other cities in defiance of a ban on large gatherings.
Police used water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition in the demonstrations in Naypyitaw, where one woman was killed and another was hospitalized, according to media reports. At least 60 people were arrested by police who cracked down on the protests in Mandalay by using water cannons and tear gas, according to media reports. The United Nations has condemned the use of force by security forces. “I call on the security forces to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Ola Almgren, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar, said in a statement on Feb. 9.
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Harrison Okafor
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
