The Asia Working Group of the International Confederation of Labor (ICL) calls on members, syndicates and sympathizers to stand in solidarity with our comrades in Myanmar who are tirelessly protesting the military takeover and risking their lives in the process. We call for participation in the Blood Money Campaign, initiated and developed by Individuals of the civil society on the ground as well as the grassroots union Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) and other activists.
Our engagement in the Blood Money Campaign can be seen as an extension of our activities following the solidarity call by the All Burma Federation of Trade Unions (ABFTU), the Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) and Food not Bombs Myanmar, which also appeared here. The alliance called earlier this year for support for the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and to increase pressure on international companies that continue to do business with the junta.
Specifically, the Blood Money Campaign calls on states, companies and banks to sanction the military junta, stop investments profitable to the military and freeze its assets.
The military should be deprived of the resources it still uses today to brutally oppress the Myanmarese population. There have already been countless cases of soldiers firing live ammunition at demonstrators. At least 900 people have been killed since the military coup in February 2021. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be far higher. Political persecution and illegal arrests are commonplace.
As early as September 2020, Amnesty International leaked documents showing how international companies are involved in financing the military. Among them are large corporations like Volkswagen, DHL and H&M, which must take responsibility and immediately end their direct and indirect business relations with the military junta. Lip service is not enough!
Frequently updated information on corporations continuing their business with the military can be found here:
What you can do:
- Show your solidarity and support – including social media! #BloodMoneyMyanmar #StopPayingToJunta #FreezeDollarToJunta
- Send a message to the cooperations that think they can continue doing business with the military. Plan direct actions in front of their offices, branches and headquaters.
- You can use visual elements like bloody dolls to create a “shock effect”. Hands soaked in red color can be used as well.
- Stay informed about current events in Myanmar.
- Support fundraiser such as We Resist – Burma: firefund.net
The working group Asia will continue to maintain close contacts with our comrades in Myanmar and support them in their struggle as much as possible with their networks. If you have questions or are planning actions, please feel free to contact us.
Show our comrades in Myanmar that they are not alone, show your worldwide solidarity!
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