Head of Yangon Catholic Church Cardinal Charles Maung Bo said on February 3 that the promise of holding a multi-party general election after one year must be fulfilled if the people's trust was to be earned.

It was a part of his delivered message, both in English and Myanmar, meant for Myanmar citizens as well as international friends.

"You also promise to hold multiparty elections after one year. How will you gain the trust of our people? They will trust only when words are matched by sincere actions," said the Cardinal.

He goes on to say that "the world has reacted with shock and agony to what has happened. When, in 2015, a peaceful transition to the elected government was effected by the Army, that won the admiration of the world. Today the world tries to understand what went wrong in the following years. Was there a lack of dialogue between the elected civilian authorities and the Tatmadaw?"

The cardinal points out that it has been over 70 years of bloody conflict without any fair results, the hope was that a multitude of problems that plagues that once-rich nation of Myanmar would be solved through democratic ways and that the people still believe, and voted for, democracy and a peaceful transfer of power.

The Tatmadaw's takeover had shocked the world and Myanmar. While allegations of vote fraud could be solved through dialogue, the Cardinal says the chance is now gone. 

"Many leaders of the world have condemned and will condemn this shocking move.

Their anguish and disappointment must be understood. Your actions need to prove that you love them, care for them. Once again I plead with you, treat them with great dignity and peace. Let there be no violence against our dear people of Myanmar.

Sadly, the elected representatives of our people belonging to NLD are under arrest. So are many writers, activists and youth. I urge you, respect their rights and release them at the earliest. They are not prisoners of war; they are prisoners of a democratic process. You promise democracy; start with releasing them. World will understand you," said the Cardinal.

He goes onto point out that although the international attention on Myanmar is heartening and respected, international sanctions and blockages could ultimately cut off the country from the outside word, making it fall prey to powerful nations that have their eyes on the country's resources.

The full transcript of the message can be found here : https://spotlight.licas.news/message-to-the-people-of-myanmar-and-our-international-communities/index.html