Myanmar Military Junta Declared 1 Year Emergency: What’s Happening in Myanmar and Why?

Over a month back, the military junta seized control in Myanmar and launched the coup after alleging electoral fraud in the November 2020 elections where Aung San Suu Kyi led NLD party won by a landslide.

The military forces have intensified their crackdown on the anti-coup protesters. On Wednesday, at least nine people are shot dead during at various locations including Mandalay, Yangon, Myingyan and Monywa. The UN Human Rights office described this Sunday (February 28) as the deadliest and bloody day of the coup so far as over 18 protestors were killed.

Currently, Military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing has taken the power who received international condemnation and sanctions for his alleged role in military attacks on ethnic minorities.

Military Junta detained Aung San Suu Kyi and many other leaders of the National League for Democratic party. 75-year old Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested after the launch of the coup. She appeared before the court through a video link on Monday to face the fresh charges. Initially, she was facing charges of possessing illegal walkie-talkies, violating Covid-19 restrictions during last year’s election campaign. Two fresh charges were framed against her on Monday including using illegal communication equipment and causing “fear and alarm”.

Aung San Suu Kyi got fame across the world in the 1990s for her campaign to restore democracy. Following rallies conducted for democratic reform and free elections, she was under detention for almost 15 years between 1989 and 2010. In 1991, she was honored with a Nobel Prize. She won the 2015 elections while leading NDL in the Myanmar’s first openly contested election in 25 years.

She got criticized for her only move where she declined to challenge the military on a very sensitive issue i.e., 2017 campaign of genocide against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority group.

This is the largest protest after the 2007 Saffron Revolution. The protestors include teachers, lawyers, students, bank officers and government workers who are seeking release of the civilian leaders and return of civilian rule.

Following the launch of the coup, night curfew is in force, international and domestic TV channels, including the state broadcaster, went off air, internet and phone services were disrupted, and banks were forced to close.

The military junta announced that 24 ministers and deputies had been removed, and named 11 replacements, including in finance, health, the interior and foreign affairs.

The Biden administration has been planning to cut the already small amount of aid that the US gives to the country. The administration also stated that it is considering placing economic sanctions on Myanmar’s military.

The Myanmar Military has been criticized all over the world for its crackdown on the peaceful protests. Several videos are out depicting the brutality against the civilians on the part of the military. Here are some disturbing pictures shared on Twitter in connection to the ongoing violence during the Myanmar coup.