Over 1,500 Deaths in One Year
Hundreds of Thousands Reduced to Refugees
Military Tightens Grip on People
"Even Honking and Pot-Banging Protests Banned"
'Spring of Myanmar' Still Uncertain
Aung San Suu Kyi Effectively Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
The gesture of the 'three-finger salute,' a symbol of resistance against the military coup [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been exactly one year since the military in Myanmar staged a coup on the 1st. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), starting with the death of a 19-year-old woman shot by military police during anti-coup protests, over 1,500 people have lost their lives in the past year. The number of those arrested and detained, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, a symbol of Myanmar's democratization, has exceeded 11,500.
Myanmar's society is virtually at a standstill. The economy and industry have stopped, and schools and hospitals are empty. The World Bank forecasted that "the proportion of Myanmar's population living in poverty this year will more than double compared to 2019."
Hundreds of thousands of citizens have become refugees in the meantime. According to the United Nations and Save the Children, there have been 405,700 refugees from Myanmar so far. The number of refugees crossing into neighboring Thailand was about 2,500 as of December last year, but with the recent intensification of the Myanmar military's offensive, it has nearly doubled to approximately 4,700 within a month.
Even Honking Car Horns Can Lead to "Prosecution"
The military continues its ruthless violence amid international neglect. The United Nations passed a resolution in June last year urging an arms embargo on Myanmar, but has since effectively taken no action. Although the United States and the European Union (EU) have imposed economic sanctions and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is pressuring the military, the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate.
A Yangon citizen who requested anonymity told foreign media, "We are still living in dark times," adding, "Instead of thinking about future goals or dreams, we have to consider how to survive daily life under military dictatorship."
The military is tightening its grip further to suppress anti-military activities by citizens. Recently, the military government warned that common forms of protest since the coup, such as honking car horns or banging pots, could lead to charges of treason or violations of anti-terrorism laws.
To block the flow of information, restrictions have also been placed on internet use. The military government recently amended related laws to increase charges for mobile phone SIM cards and internet usage. Since the coup, Myanmar citizens have organized anti-military protests and spread various acts of civil disobedience through Facebook. The military blocked Facebook immediately after the coup for this reason.
Aung San Suu Kyi Faces Up to 160 Years in Prison
The Myanmar military staged the coup claiming the November 2020 general election, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by State Counsellor Suu Kyi won a landslide victory, was fraudulent. The military has charged Suu Kyi with a total of 16 offenses, and if all charges are proven, she could face a prison sentence exceeding 160 years. It is expected that the military will effectively sentence Suu Kyi, the focal point of democratization, to life imprisonment. In fact, some civilian government officials have already been sentenced to 90 years in prison. Additionally, among the 649 NLD lawmakers arrested, about 490?three-quarters?remain detained.
Citizens have risked their lives to take to the streets for Myanmar's democratization, but there is still no end in sight. Richard Horsey, a senior researcher at the International Crisis Group (ICG), an international conflict research organization, said, "The military is facing difficulties in recruiting new soldiers due to anti-military forces," but added, "The military will not surrender or lose its grip on state power despite these challenges."
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