RCN position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar

The Royal College of Nursing stands in solidarity with all health workers in Myanmar. 

The Royal College of Nursing is gravely concerned about ongoing human rights abuses in Myanmar, and the deliberate targeting of health workers by the Myanmar Armed Forces. 

Myanmar has been under a military coup since February 1 2021, when the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) seized control of government. We are deeply troubled by the multiple reports of the targeting of health professionals including whilst they are attending to injured protestors. Many health workers have been forced into hiding and forced to treat civilians in temporary clinics.

We are concerned for the safety of all health workers – and the people they care for – and are calling on all instruments of the Myanmar government and the wider international community to ensure all nurses and health workers are able to perform their duties free from violence. The actions of the Tatmadaw directly contravenes the principle of medical neutrality enshrined in the Geneva Convention.

The ongoing situation is unacceptable and humanitarian law must be respected.