Good Shepherd Sisters statement on Myanmar

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in the USA and Canada, the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd International Justice Peace Office condemn the illegitimate takeover of the Government of Myanmar and support the voice of the people, including those of our Good Shepherd Sisters in Myanmar.

The military's power grab in response to its lopsided loss in November's free and fair elections does an injustice to the will of the people of Myanmar. The military is there to serve and protect the people; not the other way around. We join with the International community unanimously standing with the people of Myanmar on the side of democratic, fair and just elections and the rule of law.

We stand with the people of Myanmar. The human rights situation in Myanmar is tenuous. Much has been accomplished in the past ten years of civilian rule, but much remains undone. We are gravely concerned that conditions in Myanmar will drastically decline with this blow to democracy.

The country's economy is faltering in the wake of this coup d'état with banks running out of money, jobs being lost and the power supply faltering. The Good Shepherd Sisters have had a nearly continuous presence in Myanmar since 1865 supporting the social framework of society. The Sisters in Myanmar are committed to establishing a society where women and girls enjoy their rights to the fullest through empowering girls, women and children with a special focus on education and employment.

We, with the world, are watching and we are in solidarity with the people. We call on President Biden and his Administration to work with the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar, Ms Christine Schraner Burgener, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr Tom Andrews, and other governments to pressure the military generals to relinquish power and return it rightly to the people.

We support the appeal by Mr Andrews calling on the international business community to act in a responsible and ethical way according to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and "suspend or terminate activities with the Myanmar junta when the risk of involvement in serious human rights abuses can no longer be reasonably managed." We urge the US State Department to immediately contact the business community, highlight the UN Guiding Principles and demand termination of business activities.

We pray for the people - for their strength and safety. They are a courageous and faith-filled people who seek and deserve respect and freedom and whose rights are being violated in this military coup.

Our Foundress, Saint Mary Euphrasia wrote, "Correct with kindness and love but also with zeal and holy freedom. If you do not speak out, if you do not sound the alarm when it is needed, you will be justly convicted by your silence."

Conference of Provincials in USA and Canada:
Sr Francisca Aguillón, RGS US Province Leader
Central South Province
Sr Maureen McGowan, RGSUS Province Leader
New York/Toronto Province
Sr Madeleine Munday, RGSUS Province Leader
Mid-North America Province
Sr Aline Bertrand, RGSCanada Province Leader
Montreal Canada Province
NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC, United Nations:
Sr Winifred Doherty, RGSMain NGO Representative to the United Nations
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd:
Lawrence E CouchDirector