What’s Going On In Myanmar?

 by Manon Francis-Braconi

Myanmar is a country located in Southeast Asia, and neighbours Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, China and India. On the 1st February 2021 the Myanmar military seized power in a coup after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Party, as well as President Win Myint. Suu Kyi was State Counsellor of Myanmar and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016,spent a total of 15 years in detention between 1989 and 2010, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for attempting to bring democracy to the military-ruled Myanmar (also known as Burma). Her persistence finally resulted in a landslide victory in 2015, though the Myanmar constitution forbade her from becoming president because she has children who are foreign nationals, however she is seen as the de facto leader. Suu Kyi's international reputation has suffered recently as a result of Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority. She appeared before the International Court of Justice in 2019, where she denied allegations that the military had committed genocide when thousands of Rohingya were killed and more than 700,000 fled to Bangladesh following an army crackdown in 2017, as Myanmar considers them illegal immigrants and denies them citizenship. 

The military were responsible for the coup, with Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing and his supporters now in control. He has significant political influence, successfully maintaining the power of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's military) even as the country moved towards democracy in 2011, and held crucial security-related cabinet portfolios. The Tatmadaw backs the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the NLD’s opposition in Parliament, which had been trying to contest the election that had just occurred by claiming election fraud, an election the NLD won by a landslide. This explains the timing of the coup, as it occured just before the first session of the new Parliament was due to take place, and due to the coup, the session will no longer happen. 

Since the overthrow of the government and detainment of officials, Aung Hlaing has taken steps to ensure opposition is limited; by having troops patrol the streets, enforcing a curfew and by declaring a State of Emergency for a year. Internet and television has also been disrupted, with the state broadcaster being replaced with military propaganda, making it hard for civilians to reach for help and inform the world of the events unfolding. Despite this, demonstrations and protests against the new regime have erupted, even amidst the pandemic, spurred on by Suu Kyi, who herself stated she wanted her supporters to protest the coup. Police and the military have increasingly used lethal violence to try and crush the opposition. More than 54 people have been killed by security forces in the protests so far, according to the UN Human Rights Office, although other reports claim numbers are higher. Wednesday 4th was the bloodiest day since the coup, with 38 protesters killed in cities and towns across the country. A 19-year-old woman was shot in Mandala and images shared on social media that went viral showed her wearing a T-shirt that read “Everything will be OK”. A teenage boy was also killed. Local media reported that he was 14. Police have also been reported stopping ambulances and beating medics. About 1700 people have now been detained, including members of Parliament, and 29 journalists. 

International reaction to the coup has been somewhat limited, with the UN Security Council expected to hold a closed session on Friday after the UK requested a meeting. A coordinated response is considered unlikely due to China and Russia’s previously blocking attempts to pressure Myanmar’s military. Foreign ministers from the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations met on the 2nd of March but didn’t come up with any decisive action. A statement released called for an end to violence however only only 4 members called for release of Aung Sang Suu Kyi and others who were detained- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. This shows whilst there has been global condemnation of the coup online via social media, little decisive action has been taken by the international community.