Education International calls for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar
Four years since the coup d'état in Myanmar, democracy defenders continue to bravely resist the military junta. Educators around the world fully support our colleagues and the people of Myanmar in their struggle for freedom.
“Myanmar belongs to its people, not to the military. Education International stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar who continue to rise against oppression. We remain steadfast in our support for the Myanmar Federation of Teachers and the National Unity Government in their efforts to end dictatorship and restore democracy”, stated Mugwena Maluleke, Education International President.
Human rights crisis
The 1st of February 2025 marks four years since the military junta overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected government and began a regime marked by violence and atrocities. The people of Myanmar continue to endure horrific human rights abuses.
Since 2021, at least 6,000 civilians have been killed. Tens of thousands have been arrested and over 2,000 people have died in junta custody, including women and children. Abuses and torture are pervasive. Union leaders have been targeted, and many have been forced to go into hiding.
Over 100,000 homes have been burned and 154 attacks against schools and hospitals have been recorded.
42 million of Myanmar’s 53 million people now live in poverty. Over 1,8 million have fled the country and over 3 million are internally displaced.
Organising and resisting the dictatorship
The people of Myanmar are resisting their oppressors. Many, including teachers and trade unionists, have joined the civil disobedience movement, organising strikes and protests that caused significant disruptions for the regime.
Armed insurgencies by the People's Defence Force of the National Unity Government are also taking place across Myanmar in response to the military government's crackdown on anti-coup protests. The junta is losing ground.
International solidarity
Education International and the global union movement have strongly condemned the military junta and its human rights abuses. Global Unions have also called for the recognition of the National Unity Government as the legitimate leadership of Myanmar in international forums in order to limit the junta’s power and highlight its lack of legitimacy.
“Our colleagues in Myanmar are risking their lives and freedom to oppose a violent dictatorship and uphold the values we share across the global union movement. They need and deserve all our solidarity and support. We call on the international community to do everything in their power to ensure democracy and peace are restored in Myanmar. For as long as it takes, we stand with those who seek justice and freedom,” stressed Anand Singh, Director of the Education International Asia-Pacific.
Education unions around the world contributed to the Solidarity Fund opened by Education International shortly after the coup to support Myanmar teachers and their union, the Myanmar Teachers Federation (MTF). Thanks to the international solidarity, Education International provided direct support to MTF members and assisted the union in its activities.
Several capacity-building activities were organised online with board members of the MTF, as well as grassroots members, to foster discussions on promoting democracy in and through education. The sessions focused on empowering education activists by equipping them with the knowledge and strategies needed to advocate for inclusive, democratic practices within their communities and unions.
To support these capacity-building activities, EI translated its book ‘25 Lessons on Education and Democracy’ into Burmese. Written by EI President Susan Hopgood and EI General Secretary Emeritus Fred van Leeuwen, the book was initially published in 2018 as a response to the deterioration in democracy in many countries, including Myanmar, as well as to remind all educators around the world of the crucial role they play in building peace and protecting democracy in our societies.
In addition to discussing democratic principles, participants explored ways to strengthen their collective voice, mobilise support in communities, and influence policy at local and national levels. Joint union solidarity efforts will continue to expand these initiatives, ensuring that more education stakeholders are engaged in the fight for equity, inclusion, social justice, and democracy.
