Burma

Myanmar Medics Prepare Civil Disobedience Against Military Rule

By Zaw Zaw Htwe 2 February 2021

YANGON – Myanmar’s government hospital staff in several major cities are planning to organize civil disobedience against the military on Wednesday after Monday’s coup.

Health-care staff said they will go on strike and peacefully protest against the coup.

A member of the campaign, Dr. Hein Wint War, said: “We can save only some lives of our patients while we are on duty. But the hope of several hundred people will be lost per day under a military dictatorship if we keep silent about the coup.”

On Tuesday, several health-care staff from government hospitals in Naypyitaw, Mandalay, Yangon, Pyay, Bago, Myawaddy, Kyaukse, Monywa, Sagaing, Pyin Oo Lwin, Magwe and Nyaung U issued statements condemning the coup which seized power from an elected government. The military formed a new government, neglecting the public’s will, the statements said.

They said medical staff will hold a civil disobedience movement from Wednesday as they do not want to serve an unelected government formed by the military.

They also called for the release of President U Win Myint, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other government figures who have been detained during the coup.

They have called for parliament to convene with the recently elected parliamentarians.

Campaigners urged health-care personnel across the country to cooperate with their movement in protest against the military.

Meanwhile, staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, are also planning to join the civil disobedience movement.

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