Myanmar Protests Gain International Attention

Protestors take over the street of Myanmar and fight for their democratic rights (Wikimedia Commons).

Despite the death of nearly 38 people due to protests, Myanmar citizens once again took to the streets to protest against last month’s military coup. Last month, after Aung San Suu Kyi’s landslide election victory, Myanmar’s military staged a coup and seized power by detaining Ms. Suu Kyi along with other members of the democratically elected government, disputing the election results. The coup completely hindered the country’s slow democratization after nearly fifty years of military control. Over the course of the military take over, the junta declared a night-time curfew along with a one-year state of emergency. 

A clear violation of the country’s democratic sentiment, the military coup led to an eruption of civilian protests across the country. Myanmar security forces were seen shooting at dissenters and even severely beating a rescue vehicle team in a video showing an emotional acceleration of savagery against protestors. According to data obtained by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 30 people were killed in the cities of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, and Mon by violent forces on Wednesday alone. The OHCHR also warned that the true death figures may be much higher, with statistics difficult to verify. Moreover, at least 1700 people have been arrested on the grounds of participation in the protests since the first day of the coup, with nearly 700 detained on Wednesday. 

The coup first caught the attention of the international community when UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to the army’s actions as a “serious blow to democratic reforms.” United States President Joe Biden also released an official statement condemning the military actions: "Force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election." With the increase in violence, the reaction of the international community has also accelerated. The United Kingdom has called upon the UN Security Council to address the issue on March 5 while an official spokesperson for the US State Department declared that Washington was “appalled and revulsed” by what he called “horrific violence.” 

Any potential steps taken by the United Nations will have significant hurdles with permanent Security Council members like China and Russia most likely vetoing any decisions. Nevertheless, countries are considering imposing independent sanctions against Myanmar’s military rule.