Myanmar's Military Martyring Myanmar

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Yangon, Myanmar to protest the military’s ouster of civilian leadership.   Credit...The New York Times

"China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors."

"We hope that all parties will properly handle their differences under the Constitution and legal framework to maintain political and social stability."

Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

 

"I would seriously urge the entire nation to join hands with the Tatmadaw [Burmese military] for the successful realization of democracy."  

"Historical lessons have taught us that only national unity can ensure the non-disintegration of the Union and the perpetuation of sovereignty."

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

 

"We are saddened to see media reports that a protester shot by police in Naypyidaw has died, marking the first reported death ... as a result of security forces response to the protests."

"We applaud yesterday's announcement of sanctions by the United Kingdom and Canada against the Burmese military leaders responsible for the coup."

"[Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Australian, Indian and Japanese counterparts] the urgent need to restore the democratically elected government in Burma."

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price 

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s ousted civilian leader, campaigning for Parliament in Aungban in 2012.  Credit...Adam Dean for The New York Times

"[A] full extended lockdown [of the economy has been planned]."

"To continue economic and business activities as usual ... will only benefit the military as they repress the energy of the Myanmar people."

"The time to take action in defence of our democracy is now."

Nine-union alliance joint statement

 

"They are killing people just like killing birds and chickens."

"What will we do if we don't revolt against them? We must revolt."

Myanmar union leader

And revolt they did and continue to do, with one massive protest after another, since Myanmar's civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was summarily deposed and placed in custody and house detention yet again, by the head of the Myanmar military. She had been, up to the present, in a type of coalition of necessity with the military, until February 1 when the coup surprised and alarmed the country. The November election that brought her an overwhelming majority expressed the will of the people for her to continue bringing Myanmar ever closer to the democratic sovereignty Suu Kyi represented.

 

The peaceful demonstrations draw immense crowds, taking place in all of the country's cities. The junta is under increasing pressure to tamp down the unrest. Its increasing use of force, culminating in deadly force and the deaths of protesting citizens have brought it censure from the West, and a recommendation from its neighbours, who consider the dissent an 'internal matter' calling for non-interference, to restrain the use of force against its population in the interests of avoiding criticism. 

While Western governments censure Myanmar's military's violent response to the demonstrations, just as they did when the military routed its minority Rohingya population into Bangladesh, the United Nations cannot condemn the country whose powerful neighbour as a member of the permanent UN Security Council blocks any censure. Sharing a long border, Beijing serves as a patron nation to Myanmar just as it does to North Korea, and it doesn't hurt to have powerful friends of influence quietly shoring up one's interests.

The major trade  unions in Myanmar now call on its members to shut down the economy in support of a campaign against the military coup which has allowed its forces to fire weapons and occupy hospitals in the capital Yangon following yet another day of massive protests. Gunfire and stun grenades were reported in many districts of the capital by witnesses, following nightfall with soldiers setting up camp in hospitals and university compounds, the latter a rich source of youthful protesters.

According to the non-profit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the army was "intentionally terrorizing residents" in Yangon. The nation was freshly shocked when, overnight while in police custody National League for Democracy official Khin Maung Latt died. A member of parliament's upper house quoted reports of bruising seen on Khin Maung Latt's head and body. "It seems that he was arrested at night and tortured severely. This is totally unacceptable", understated the member of the coup-dissolved parliament, Ba Myo Thein.

An immense demonstration in Yangon, the country’s largest city, on Feb. 22.  Credit...The New York Times

 On Sunday, police fired stun grenades and tear gas to break up a sit-in by tens of thousands of people in Mandalay on Sunday, 70 of whom were arrested. Tear gas and stun grenades were launched at protesters in Yangon and in the northern region of the country, seen through videos posted on Facebook. Police opened fire to break up a protest in a historic temple town, with live bullets. Soldiers were shown in a video posted by Myanmar Now beating men in Yangon who were rallying in protest despite security forces conducting overnight raids on campaign leaders and opposition activists.

Another member of Parliament, Sithu Maung who had worked closely with Khin Maung Latt, described soldiers and police detaining his father on Sunday night: "They broke into the house ... and point with guns, I was told". His father too was taken into custody and beaten. Over 50 people have died at the hands of security forces to the present. By Saturday the military junta had detained over 1,700 people, according to figures given by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group.

 

Much of the world has condemned the violence used against democracy advocates. In Bangkok on the day of the coup, protesters held up images of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi.  Credit...Adam Dean for The New York Times