Jesuit universities in the Philippines expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar as anti-coup protests continue.
The presidents of Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan released a joint statement on Wednesday night, March 10, in solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
The statement asserted that the Ateneo universities stand behind Myanmar's citizens after the military junta seized power in a coup, ousting democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and detaining government officials.
It also enjoined other nations to "not to recognize self-installed State Administrative Council of the junta." "The utter disregard for the rule of law, flagrant violation of human rights and the increasing violence punctuated by a Blood Sunday (February 28) with 18 deaths and surpassed by a Bloodier Wednesday (March 3) with 38 killed on a single day speak volumes of carnage and a humanity in crisis," the statement read.
"These cruel dispersals have claimed lives, mostly the young, and left thousands injured as the military relentlessly continues to use brute force to silence the call of its peoples to end the five decades of military rule. As Myanmar's brothers and sisters, we call for the cessation of these atrocities. These people's right to peaceful assembly must be fully respected without threats of reprisal," it furthered.
On March 3, 19-year old activist Kyal Sin, known as Angel, was shot dead at a protest in streets of Malanday, Myanmar.
Angel was wearing a t-shirt with the phrase "Everything will be OK." The message went viral on social media as users posted it as defiance of security forces.
The Ateneo presidents also called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community to "promote the force of law instead of the law of force" and to "rally behind the democratic aspirations of the peoples of Myanmar." "Myanmar cannot be left in isolation. We must dream with the peoples of Myanmar. We must labor in pain with them, in struggling for the restoration of democracy and in fighting for the protection, respect and fulfillment of human dignity. With them, we imagine a future of peace, freedom and justice. We unite our call to theirs for the cessation of military brutality. We stand for them and with them because in our one humanity and as one ASEAN family, we are brothers and sisters all," the statement also read.
On Feb. 1, Myanmar's military detained State Counselor Suu Kyi and President Win Myint in the country's first coup since 1988, bringing an end to a decade of civilian rule.
Suu-Kyi led the National League for Democracy after a landslide win in a general election in November. However, the military has claimed the election was marred by fraud.
Mass protests and acts of civil disobedience have been seen across Myanmar streets since the military seized power on Feb. 1, 2021.