This article was originally published in the Myanmar Gazette in December 2024.
Zaw Tu Hkawng is a 2020 McCain Global Leader from Myanmar and a fellow with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.
The world is witnessing an alarming resurgence of dictatorship, threatening democracy, human rights, and freedom. Authoritarian regimes are tightening their grip while democratic nations hesitate. This inaction emboldens despots, leading to political prisoners, civilian killings, journalist persecution, and oppression of freedom fighters. Democracy and human rights cannot be taken for granted.
The recent kidnapping of Jesús Armas, my fellow McCain Global Leader and a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure, by Nicolás Maduro’s regime on December 10, 2024, exemplifies the lengths to which dictators will go to silence dissent. Jesús, a 2023 McCain Global Leader, has dedicated his life to freedom and democracy. His abduction underscores the sacrifices made by those who challenge authoritarian regimes.
Organizations like McCain Institute, PEN America and Stanford University have called for the release of Jesús Armas and nearly 2,000 political prisoners held by the Maduro regime. This tragic event is part of a larger trend. The 2021 military coup in Burma/Myanmar crushed hopes for democracy in my homeland, leading to violence and imprisonment of activists. Similarly, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine was a blatant attack on sovereignty and international order, showcasing the audacity of authoritarian powers. From Iran to Belarus, authoritarian leaders are silencing dissent and repressing freedoms.
As a fellow defender of democracy and human rights from Burma/Myanmar, I know all too well the sacrifices required to fight for these values. My country’s ongoing struggle against the military junta has demonstrated the resilience of those who refuse to bow to tyranny, but it has also revealed the devastating consequences of international inaction.
The fight for democracy and human rights transcends borders. It is a cause greater than any one nation or individual. To Jesús, my friend and fellow freedom fighter: we stand with you. Your courage inspires us to continue this fight. To the democratic nations of the world: it is time to act. Let us honor the sacrifices of those who risk everything for freedom by ensuring that their voices are heard and their struggles are not in vain. We cannot allow Jesús and others like him to become forgotten victims of oppression.
Let us raise our voices for Jesús Armas. Let us demand his immediate release and call for justice for all who defend human rights under oppressive regimes. Together, we can uphold the ideals of democracy and ensure that the light of freedom shines brightly for generations to come.
#FreeJesúsArmas #StandWithJesúsArmas #DemocracyNow
