The International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS), the broad anti-imperialist alliance of grassroots organizations of the peoples of the world, vehemently condemns the ruling military junta in Myanmar led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing for reportedly executing four activists fighting for democracy on July 23. It sends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and comrades of those who were executed, and the people of Myanmar. It unites with those who love and look up to the four revolutionaries in seeking to transform despair over their untimely passing into revolutionary courage in the struggle for a democratic and free Myanmar.
The ILPS decries the Tatmadaw junta’s killing of Kyaw Min Yu, better known as “Jimmy,” Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. Kyaw Min Yu, 58, is a leading democracy campaigner who became famous as an activist leader in the 88 Generation Students Group and has been imprisoned many times with a total of more than 20 years. Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41, is widely known as hip-hop artist Zayar Thaw, a member of the first group to have released a hip-hop album in Myanmar, a former MP, a member of the National League for Democracy or NLD, and beloved by Myanmar youths. Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw are relatively unknown activists who were accused by the junta of killing a military informant.
As prominent leaders and supporters of the Myanmar people’s resistance against the illegitimate rule of the military junta, they are heroes of the Myanmar people and the peoples of the world. Reactionaries have always chosen to kill and silence revolutionaries and activists like Kyaw Min yu, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw and their supporters instead of heeding their just demands that resonate among the people. The people of Myanmar are waging a most just armed struggle in pursuit of democracy and freedom, and the ILPS and the people of the world stand with them. We uphold the right of the peoples of the world to rebel and revolt against governments that act against the people’s interests and pose threats to the people’s safety without cause.
The execution of the four activists, accused of committing “acts of terror” in supporting the people’s resistance, once again shows the folly of US-instigated terror-tagging in maligning and demonizing revolutionaries and activists who struggle for genuine change. The ILPS also condemns the particular circumstances of the execution. The four were convicted through secret trials run by the military, without aid of counsel, and in violation of due process. Their families were asked to meet them through Zoom on Friday, but were not informed that that would be their last meeting. The long-standing lack of access to them of their families, friends and comrades raises the possibility that they were tortured while in jail.
They were hanged, a most barbaric form of execution that insults the very dignity of humans. Their bodies were not immediately given to their families on Monday despite attempts to retrieve them. The execution of the four activists calls attention to the military junta’s dire human rights record which results from its efforts to silence all opposition: 117 sentenced to death by military-run courts, thousands of political prisoners, more than 2,000 people killed, and communities facing aerial bombings. No less than Aung San Suu Kyi, 77, elected as the country’s leader in the 2021 elections, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and faces 13 more counts that carry a total sentence of 180 years. Mass protests are brutally suppressed with water cannons, rubber bullets and actual live fire. By carrying out the death penalty against the four activists, the military junta is showing how far back Myanmar has regressed under its rule. Most countries in the world have repealed laws legalizing death penalty, and Myanmar itself has not carried out executions since 1988.
Almost one year and six months after the February 1, 2021 military coup, the junta still has to resort to executions in order to try to put fear in the hearts of the public and stabilize its reign. The executions only highlight the illegitimacy of its leadership, and is firing up domestic and international anger towards its illegitimate hold on power and its anti-democratic role in Myanmar history. It is only breeding more revolutionaries who are most determined in waging the armed struggle, in putting the Tatmadaw in its place within a democratic society, and in attaining a democratic and free society.
The ILPS calls on the peoples of the world to heighten solidarity with the people of Myanmar and condemn the brutal military junta. It supports calls for sanctions against this government that brutalizes its own people. It condemns Russia and China, the chief imperialist backers of the military junta, for supporting a murderous regime and then invoking non-interference in domestic affairs when questioned about this regime’s anti-people actions.
The ILPS stands with the people of Myanmar in their arduous struggle for democracy and freedom and in breaking away from its long history of military rule punctured by a short period of a problematic democracy. It trusts that the execution of the four activists will arouse more Myanmar youths and people to the need to heighten the struggle for democracy and freedom. Long live Kyaw Min Yu, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw! Long live the revolutionaries of Myanmar! Justice for the four executed revolutionaries!
Down with the Myanmar military junta! Solidarity with the Myanmar people’s struggle for democracy and freedom!
Signed by:
Len Cooper
ILPS Chairperson
July 29, 2022
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