Protesters have staged a ‘silent strike’ against a military takeover, which ended the Southeast Asian country’s brief democratic rule and caused the death of more than 1,500 civilians.
In comments published on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, Junta Chief, Min Aung Hlaing repeated the military’s claim it had been forced to take power following fraud in the 2020 elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, that international observers said were largely free and fair.
It would hold “free and fair” polls by August 2023 if stability in the country is restored, he told the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
According to the media observers, the streets of commercial hub Yangon were busy Tuesday (February 1, 2022), as residents ran errands and met friends ahead of a “silent strike” protest expected to begin around 10 am local time. A similar strike in December 2021 emptied the streets of cities and towns across the country.
On Tuesday (February 1, 2022) morning, images on local media showed around a dozen young protesters gathering in a flashmob in Yangon, unfurling a pro-democracy banner and setting off a flare.
Ahead of the anniversary, marking the junta’s one year in power, it has threatened to seize businesses that shutter their doors and warned that noisy rallies or sharing anti-military “propaganda” could lead to treason or terrorism charges.
Sanctions
The United States, Britain and Canada unveiled coordinated sanctions against Myanmar officials on Monday, January 31, 2022, including officials involved in the trial of Suu Kyi.
Washington sanctioned Attorney General Thida Oo, Supreme Court Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Tin Oo, who it said were closely involved in the “politically motivated” prosecution of Suu Kyi.
“We are coordinating these actions with the United Kingdom and Canada… to further promote accountability for the coup and the violence perpetrated by the regime,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Quoting “unspeakable violence against civilians,” the undermining of regional stability and “rampant” corruption, President Joe Biden, in a statement said that he was working with allies to “hold accountable” those responsible.
Another trial for Suu Kyi
Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to six years in jail for illegally importing and owning walkie talkies, incitement against the military and breaking COVID-19 rules.
The Nobel laureate will face a further trial on charges of influencing the country’s election commission during the 2020 polls that saw her National League for Democracy (NLD) party defeat a military-aligned rival, according to a source with knowledge of the case.
The case is expected to be wrapped up within six months. Former President and NLD stalwart, Win Myint will face the same charge.
On Monday, January 31, 2022, ousted Myanmar lawmakers from a shadow “National Unity Government” addressed the media in Paris.
Human rights spokesman, Aung Myo Min urged the international community to implement an arms embargo and tighten economic sanctions to cut off all trade with the regime.
UN special envoy, Noeleen Heyzer called for a “humanitarian pause” in violence to allow for the delivery of aid, warning that hundreds of thousands had been displaced by conflict.
Following Washington’s lead, Britain imposed sanctions against Thida Oo, Tin Oo and a third person, the chair of the country’s election commission.
Head of Burma Campaign UK, Anna Roberts, in welcoming the fresh sanctions said “The Burmese military is using ever more brutal and desperate tactics to try to cling on to power.”
“The British government is doing exactly the right thing… however, they need to speed up the pace of new sanctions. It is vital to maximise pressure now while the military is more vulnerable.”
Head of Burma Campaign UK – Anna Roberts
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