Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary
One year ago, 1 February 2021, democracy in Myanmar was violently crushed by a military coup. We will not rest until power is returned to the people in Myanmar, and we must use this anniversary to renew our demand for justice.
Take action here to mark one year too long of military rule. But there is more you can do for the people of Myanmar:
- Donate to the strike fund to support the democracy defenders.
- Put pressure on any company or government doing business with the military junta to cut all ties.
- Lobby your government and politicians to officially recognise the National Unity Government of Myanmar.
12 February: Action for Palestine
This month it will be two years since the UN Human Rights Office published a database of enterprises doing business in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
We welcomed the database for exposing the companies that, directly and indirectly, have enabled, facilitated and profited from the construction and growth of the settlements. But the database is out of date and urgently needs updating, in line with the original resolution and to help end corporate complicity in the occupation.
There are companies that can be removed from the list because they have stopped working in the illegal settlements and other companies that should be added.
Please look out for our petition this month calling on the UN Human Rights Commissioner to respect UNHRC resolution 31/36 and to update the database urgently.
28 February – 25 March: UN Human Rights Council
Palestine and Myanmar will be on the agenda at the UN Human Rights Council, where we expect to see robust action against any government that does not respect the basic rights of its people.
We will continue to call out the worst offenders in the Global Rights Index and elsewhere.
4 – 20 February: Beijing Winter Olympics
During the winter games we will be drawing the attention of the world to the increasingly repressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party, including the persecution and imprisonment of trade union leaders in Hong Kong.
We have already published Rings Of Repression, which shows how unsafe the party has made Beijing for athletes and others, and opened a petition calling on the International Olympic Committee to ensure protection for all at the games. China’s ruling party has now warned athletes that “any behaviour or speech that is against the Olympic spirit, especially against the Chinese laws and regulations, is also subject to certain punishment.”
Finally, remember to check the ITUC events page for more about what is happening this month.
In solidarity,
Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary
@SharanBurrow