Han Nway Oo, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’21 and a Burmese American student, resigned from her role as president of the UNICEF club following the 2021 Myanmar coup. “I cannot be associated with an organization I do not support,” Oo said in the announcement on Instagram on Feb. 4.

On Feb. 1, the Myanmar military detained members of the ruling party, the National League for Democracy, in a coup. The Parliament of Myanmar was set to swear in elected officials from the November 2020 general election on Feb. 2, but the coup delayed this action. Now, the country is under military rule, with access to the internet limited and flights departing Myanmar canceled. The military’s leader justifies the coup, saying it was on the side of the people.

While the country struggles with the aftershocks of the coup, the global community has done little to offer support. A social media blackout in place across the country has prevented the people of Myanmar from speaking out on the international level.

“Our club wasn’t about glorifying UNICEF, it was about bringing people who work there and shedding light on the truth behind UNICEF.” Han Nway Oo, FCLC ’21 and former UNICEF Club president

The U.N. vows to maintain international peace and security, and UNICEF is committed to ensuring that disadvantaged children receive special protection. The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres shared his remarks regarding the coup, saying that he condemns the use of deadly force in Myanmar.

After recent events, Oo said that she no longer believes in the U.N. and UNICEF’s mission statements. “Our club wasn’t about glorifying UNICEF, it was about bringing people who work there and shedding light on the truth behind UNICEF.”

Myanmar’s democracy has been threatened throughout its history, including previous military coups and uprisings in 1962 and 1988. 

Across the United States, protests in solidarity with the people of Myanmar have taken place. On Feb. 9, protesters, including Oo, marched outside of the United Nations Headquarters in New York as they demanded that democracy be restored. 

“For me, I was born there and lived there for the past 10 years and then I came here as an asylum because I was marching on the street with my dad,” Oo said. “The reason I quit UNICEF is because my family went through all those events but the U.N. is not taking any action,” Oo continued. “We didn’t even have a permit to protest. We were protesting because we really wanted to be seen and heard.”

“I want to work on only doing things that align with my values and fighting for democracy in my country is my value right now.” Han Nway Oo

Oo was president of the UNICEF club at Fordham for one year. When asked about why she joined the UNICEF club in the first place, she said that people had told her it was the best way to help her country.  She emphasized that everything she does is out of passion, and when something does not align with her views, she no longer pursues it. 

“I want to work on only doing things that align with my values and fighting for democracy in my country is my value right now. UNICEF’s mission and their lack of action, especially the U.N., is the reason why I’m doing it,” Oo said.

Oo was the only member to step down; she no longer wanted to have an affiliation with the club. The club is still holding meetings to determine how to move forward.