In solidarity with the nonviolent mass protests against the military coup and for democracy in Myanmar We note with concern the current events in Myanmar since the unlawful coup of the military. On the morning of 1 February State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint along with other members of government were detained by the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military. On this very day the inaugural session of the parliament, elected in November 2020, was supposed to take place. The military declared the elections results invalid and the takeover constitutional. A one-year-long state of emergency was announced. The cabinet members were replaced by generals, while the military arrested other activists. First Facebook, then Twitter and Instagram have been blocked. Following the first shock, the citizens of Myanmar have found a myriad of creative ways to protest: For example, remembering the old tradition used during the protests of 1988 and 2007, at 8 p.m. (2:30 p.m. CET) sharp each night the residents of Yangon and other big cities are standing outside banging their pots and pans to banish “evil spirits” and express their resentment and fury with military. Flowers are handed over to police. Political cartoons and catchy taglines spread across social media. As a sign of resistance: People greet each other with the three-finger salute Doctors and nurses in Mandalay and Yangon who refused to work under the military regime ignited a Civil Disobedience Movement that is spreading across the country, joined by other civil servant like teachers and ministry employees, and in some places even by members of the police force. Supporting nonviolent resistance We are in close contact with our peace workers and our partner organisations in Myanmar. Many young people are active here for peace and democracy. Partly they still know how life under a military dictatorship was, but they are coined by the years of transition. They and their generation have grasped the opportunities of democratisation and courageously started many initiatives, e.g. in peace education (Watch this video about our project work). Even if some advances might be lost, the years of democratic opening have changed the country. Especially the young generation is coined by democratic liberties. These experiences will not be forgotten and the people will continue to strive for democracy. We are remain on their side and support the cicil society of Myanmar in its nonviolent resistance. More news: Demands of civil society in Myanmar Background: Interview with Bo Bo Lwin, Director of our partner organisation in Myanmar More about our peace work in Myanmar in the Civil Peace Service