Statement on the 74th Anniversary of the Union Day of Myanmar

Statement on the 74th Anniversary of the Union Day of Myanmar

1. February 12, 2021 marks the 74th Anniversary of the signing of the Panglong Agreement in 1947 in Myanmar (also known as Burma).  For the fifth year, the Myanmar communities residing in Indianapolis are joining the people of Myanmar and those in the diaspora around the world in honoring this historic political achievement for Myanmar and its people.
   
   
2. With the leadership of U Aung San, on February 12, 1947 at a conference held at Panglong, which was attended by certain members of the Executive Council of the Governor of Burma, all Saophas and representatives of the Shan States, the Kachin Hills, and the Chin Hills, the leaders signed the 9-points pertaining to the Panglong Agreement with the belief that it would speed up freedom from British colonial rule and with the intention to form a federal union based on the principles of federalist democracy and equality.
   
   
3. A mix of Burman chauvinism and successive military authoritarianism has not only failed to honor the Panglong Agreement, but it has systematically obscured the prospect of democracy, peace, and prosperity in the country. Furthermore, such systematic rights deprivations, oppressions, and mistrust for nearly 70 years have caused continued political crises and civil war, and forced thousands of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons to flee their homes in search of a safe haven and protection.
   
   
4. Instead of supporting the National Reconciliation and Peace process through the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference undertaken by the civilian government led by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, which was designed to help achieve the Panglong principles, on February 1, 2021 the military of Burma staged a coup d’état against the civilian government, unlawfully detaining Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and members of Parliament, as well as civil society leaders.
   
   
5. We, the Convening Committee of the 74^th Union Day of Myanmar, hereby join in strong condemnation of the illegal actions taken by the Burmese military and urge them to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained as a result of the military coup on February 1, and return to power all members of the civilian government and elected officials to fulfill their mandate without impediment.
   
   
6. While welcoming the concerns expressed and the outpouring of support offered by the international communities, we are prepared to work with our Hoosier friends, the American people, the United States, and all stakeholders and partners to help end the military’s illegitimate power in Myanmar.
   
   
7. Fully understanding the need for unity among the people of Myanmar, we support the Civil Disobedience Movement and other nonviolent movements against the military coup, and reiterate our commitment to work with all our international friends and our people inside the country until the very essence of the Union Day is achieved in Myanmar, to help establish a democratic federal union that guarantees freedom, equality, and self-determination.
   
   
   Convening Committee
   The 74th Anniversary of Union Day of Myanmar
   February 12, 2021, Indianapolis, IN, USA

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