On one February, the military in Myanmar staged a coup, unhappy with the November election results which resulted in a landslide win for Aung San Suu Kyi and her party. The military claimed widespread voter fraud in the elections. Since the February coup, Security Forces have detained more than 2,900 people and have killed more than 400 on the deadliest day on the country’s Armed Forces Day when more than 114 were killed. The November election put Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy in charge of a civilian government, challenging the stronghold the Military has had on the country for years. Suu Kyi, the elected leader, and the country’s popular civilian politician remains in detention at an undisclosed location.

The Military has practically “brainwashed” its members, resulting in intense loyalty as well as fear of any defiance of authority. Suu Kyi was under house arrest in Myanmar for years. Her release and the recent elections that put her in power were widely heralded as a victory by the masses and the world. The Military has been accused of all sorts of rights abuses, including torture, arson and rape, and genocide over the 2017 operation and abuses against the minority Rohingya Muslims. Those killed on Saturday, 27 March, including a six-year-old girl sitting on her father’s lap in their home. At least 20 minors have been killed since the protests started.

Sources:

• As Myanmar death toll climbs, a soldier’s wife is caught between protesters and military
• ‘Words are not enough:’ UN official urges world to act after at least 114 killed in Myanmar in one day

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