By Khin
For me and many other Burmese students already stranded in the UK due to Covid-19, Myanmar’s military coup has put indefinite hold on our chances of returning home. Now stuck in limbo, and struggling with the uncertainty of our own situation and the plight of our families back home, we are using our voices to contribute to the fight for democracy and human rights in our country.
After completing my master’s degree in human rights last year, I had been waiting for a seat on one of the few coronavirus repatriation flights arranged by the Myanmar embassy. In the early morning of February 1st, all hopes of returning home were lost when military leaders overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi ‘s democratically elected government.
How the political crisis unfolded
The military had detained members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, along with other politicians, activists and students. Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest, absurdly charged with possessing illegal walkie-talkies and violating the country’s Natural Disaster Law.
The NLD claimed an overwhelming victory in the elections of 8 November 2020, with 396 out of 476 seats; six more than at the previous election in 2015. The military-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), obtained just 33 seats.
Concerned about losing control of the country’s legislative decision-making powers, the military claimed the NLD’s election win was tainted by irregularities and after staging the coup, declared a one-year state of emergency.
How have the Burmese people responded?
The military coup brought an immediate end to a decade-long democratic opening that had improved freedoms for citizens, civil society and independent media in Myanmar. Within 24 hours, the Military had installed a new unelected president, spreading a feeling of fear and uncertainty about our future.
The Burmese people have experienced much political turmoil since gaining independence from Britain in 1948; most notably a military coup in 1962, riots and anti-government protests in the 1980s and thwarted elections in the 1990s. The ‘Saffron Revolution’ of 2007 eventually led to the dissolution of the military junta in 2011, the release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the 2015 election that brought her to power.
After the immediate shock of the coup, a response of defiance began to emerge, first by doctors in Mandalay who refused to turn up for work. They were soon joined, in their show of civil disobedience, by others, including engineers, teachers and transport workers, and supported by mass public protests.
Yangon filled with candlelights and the sound of clanging pots and pans, as a sign of resistance. People spontaneously demonstrated their abhorrence towards the military dictatorship, and their admiration for their elected members of parliament and legitimate government.
MPs released a signed statement acknowledging the outcome of the 2020 Myanmar elections and demanding the release of all politicians and government members, including the president and the state counsellor.
Human rights violations under the military regime
Since the military seized power in Myanmar, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated. There have been widespread reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and brutality against peaceful protestors, with the use of water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas. The lethal use of live rounds, including some reports of the use of machine guns, resulted in the killing of a teenage boy in Mandalay and dozens more in recent days.
The military shoot during the day and kidnap at night, as they go house-to-house, arresting doctors, teachers, nurses and other civil servants. Approximately 2000 have so far been arbitrarily detained.
The city of Yangon is just one where people live in fear, staying awake at night to defend themselves against gangs of military-backed thugs who terrorise them with knives and other weapons. Those who are known to have joined the protests are particularly targeted, and people no longer feel safe.
There are reports that the military released thousands of those detained, only to order them to set fire to other civilian homes and poison the drinking water.
The military regime has arranged repetitive internet shutdowns, and obstructed access to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other messaging platforms. They have also closed down independent media outlets and arrested journalists. Disrupting access to information is a violation of international human rights law.
Additionally, the right to freedom of expression and the right to association and assembly are being prevented. The military have amended laws allowing them to arrest citizens without a warrant, search houses with no authority, and detain people for more than 24 hours.
Reaction of the international community
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has condemned the violence against protestors, saying “The use of lethal force against peaceful protestors and arbitrary arrests are unacceptable.”
In the last few days, the UN Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on the ruling junta in Myanmar, but China and Russia used their veto to block the release of a statement condemning the coup outright.
The US, Australia and the UK governments have imposed new targeted sanctions on Myanmar’s military generals, and the European Council has condemned the coup, saying they “stand with the Burmese people”, demanding an immediate end to the state of emergency and restoration of the legitimate civilian government. The council called on military authorities to release President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have been detained or arrested in connection with the coup.
Civil Disobedience Movement at home and abroad
The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) has been joined by people from all walks of life: medics, nurses, teachers, students, writers, artists, poets, housewives. On 22nd February, tens of thousands joined the ‘22222’ general strike in Myanmar. In towns and cities around the country, anti-military regime protesters gathered to participate and show their solidarity against the military coup.
In the UK, and around the world, the Burmese diaspora has been adding their support to the movement both virtually and in person. Many of us in the UK have joined the peaceful protests; lighting candles for those who sacrificed their lives on the streets of Myanmar, reading poems and statements online and creating a memorial to the deceased outside the Myanmar Embassy.
What we want to see is the following:
- Peace and democracy restored
- Military leaders brought to justice for the human rights abuses committed against protestors
- The 2008 constitution, which provides the military with authority and discriminates against ethnic minorities, should be abolished
- A new constitution that fosters freedom of religion and culture and enables decentralisation of authority to regional communities
- The new government should practice a non-discrimination policy, allowing equal political participation for all
We are also urging the British government to support those Burmese students stranded in the UK, through a petition sent to the House of Lords.
I am deeply concerned that if the military prevail, Myanmar will return to the dark ages, depriving me, and the young generation, of our dreams for the future. However, I am hopeful that people power will win, and we will continue the fight until that hope becomes a reality.
Human Rights Centre Blog 