Budiarti Utami Putri, Jakarta – A group of people in Indonesia held an event dubbed 'Gowes for Democracy' as a solidarity act for the people of Myanmar who are under the power of military junta following the coup on February 1. This event was also aimed to respond to the increasing violent acts and human rights violations by the military.

"We the people of Indonesia through the 'Gowes for Democracy #SaveMyanmar' initiative condemn the illegal coup and urge the Myanmar military to soon stop the violence and return the democracy according to the wishes of the people of Myanmar," said the representative of the event, Safina Maulida, in a written statement on Saturday, April 17.

Since the coup on early Februari until today, she said, more than 700 casualties are recorded as victims of extrajudicial killings. The military junta uses excessive force against the pro-democracy demonstrations and civilians.

Safina said the experts and human rights groups also documented serious human rights violations in Myanmar, including the internet blackout and limitation on freedom of expression.

The 'Gowes for Democracy' calls on the people of Indonesia to show solidarity in any way possible, online or offline.

The coalition invites the people to join by doing more solidarity acts and collect supports by sending mails, post cards to United Nations or ASEAN, or through social media campaign.

The 'Gowes for Democracy #SaveMyanmar' held on Saturday, April 17, was supperted by several human rights organizations, and cyclist communities in Jakarta. The human rights groups include Asia Democracy Network (ADN), Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Hakasasi.id, Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Kaukus Indonesia for Academic Freedom (KIKA), The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1453670/indonesians-urge-more-solidarity-actions-for-myanma