WCC NEWS: Military coups in Myanmar and Sudan “an unconscionable assault,” states WCC executive committee

The World Council of Churches executive committee, in a public statement, expressed grave concern over recurrences of military coups in Myanmar and Sudan. A woman raises her hand into the air to make a peace sign during a protest held in Glasgow, UK, against the military coup in Sudan in October 2021. Photo: Albin Hillert/LWF 17 November 2021 "The military coups in both countries have been accompanied by the arbitrary arrest and detention of civilian political leaders, human rights defenders and journalists, lack of due process for those arrested, the disproportionate and deadly use of force against protestors, and restrictions on independent media and access to information…” reads the statement. “The actions by the military leaders of Myanmar and Sudan constitute an unconscionable assault on the democratic transition and on the people of both countries.” Both countries had been beacons of progress for their respective regions, the WCC executive committee noted. "The restoration of civilian rule, and a return to the path of legal and institutional reform for the fulfilment of the people's aspirations to democracy, the rule of law and human rights, therefore carries importance far beyond the borders of these two countries,” reads the statement. The WCC executive committee is meeting—in-person for the first time in two years—from 12-17 November at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute. Read full statement: Statement - Military coups in Myanmar and Sudan WCC executive committee member shares reflection on “how are we called to act in love and justice?” (WCC press release of 15 November 2021) WCC executive committee “reimagining the future” with a sense of hope (WCC press release of 12 November 2021) WCC executive committee to hold first in-person meeting in two years (WCC press release of 12 November 2021) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland