Moderator's letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs
On 17 February 2021, the Right Rev Fakaofo Kaio, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, wrote to The Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, NZ Government Minister of Foreign Affairs, to express deep concern regarding the military coup that took place in Myanmar on 1 February 2021. Download the letter here and read it below.
The Moderator's letter follows a statement made by the PCANZ partner church Presbyterian Church in Myanmar condemning the coup. Read the statement by the PCM here. See more on the PCANZ Global Mission relationship with Myanmar and PCM here.
Minister of Foreign Affairs response to Moderator
On 8 March 2021 the The Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, responded to the Moderator of the PCANZ; download and read the response from the NZ Government regarding the actions it is taking to "support peace, democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar".
The Honourable Nanaia Mahuta
Minister of Foreign Affairs
17 February 2021
Dear Minister
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned at the military coup that took place in Myanmar on 1 February. We applaud the New Zealand Government’s statement condemning the coup, its call for a release of those detained, the announcement that it will refuse to work with the illegal regime and that it has placed a travel ban on its leaders.
It was heartening to see politicians from across the political spectrum at the Rally for Peace and Democracy in Myanmar in Parliament grounds on 9 February, and to have the Minister of Foreign Affairs speaking in support of democracy in Myanmar.
News from Myanmar continues to cause great concern, with reports of ongoing imprisonment of political leaders and those protesting the coup, arrests being made under cover of darkness, escalating violence, and reports of the internet being shut down.
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has a partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Myanmar and is in regular contact with its leaders, monitoring conditions in Myanmar and pledging our ongoing support. The events in Myanmar profoundly affect people we know personally, including New Zealand citizens who have been working in Myanmar, and members of the Chin ethnic community in New Zealand who have family members in Myanmar.
In light of these developments we congratulate the New Zealand Government on its opposition to the military coup and indicate our willingness to share information received from our contacts in Myanmar if required.
We also ask the Government to monitor this crisis closely and use all diplomatic channels to work with the international community in helping seek a peaceful resolution. The people of Myanmar, by an overwhelming majority, elected a democratic Government and need the international community to strengthen its efforts to support them in this time of crisis in their country. Without this international support, there is a grave risk that Myanmar will enter another long period under a military dictatorship, which will be devastating for millions of people within Myanmar, and a huge setback for the democratic movement everywhere.
Yours sincerely,
Right Rev Fakaofo Kaio
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand