[Joint Open Letter] Call on INTERPOL to ban the illegal junta from representing Myanmar at its General Assembly

    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 recognise 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. 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.

    Organisation/s Involved

    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)

    How to Support The Campaign

    For more information, please contact:

    Khin Ohmar, Progressive Voice, [email protected]

    Veronica Pedrosa, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, [email protected]

    Annie Boyajian, Freedom House, [email protected]