Myanmar Military Coup Leaders Tightening the Screws

Myanmar's military is beginning to bare its ugly teeth in the weeks following its bloodless coup d'état.  It is now stealing a page from the playbook of the military dictators in neighboring Thailand by introducing oppressive new laws against freedom of speech.  If it wasn't bad enough that they are restricting what Burmese can read (by cutting off the internet), the coup leaders are now warning anti-coup protesters that they could face up to 20 years in prison if they obstruct or speak against the armed forces.

Since the military is also the de-facto police, they are in a position to unilaterally define what it means to "obstruct" the military or coup leaders.  In fact, the new laws also provide for long sentences and fines for anyone found to incite "hatred or contempt" towards the coup leaders. The new laws provide enough latitude for the military to lock up anyone that speaks up against the military coup.

The legal changes were announced as armored vehicles appeared on the streets of several cities.  Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in protests in recent days.  The demonstrators are demanding the release from detention of their elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

 

 

Suu Kyi's lawyer said she would be detained for a further two days, and then tried via video link at a court in the city of Nay Pyi Taw.  Suu Kyi was rounded up with other members of the government by the coup leaders two weeks ago.  The charges against her include possession of so-called "unlawful communication devices"-- which are, in reality, walkie-talkies used by her security staff.

The military government has also given itself the power to make arrests, carry out searches and hold people for more than 24 hours without a court ruling.   It has also told journalists not to describe the military's takeover as a coup. Presumably, any journalist who characterizes the takeover as a "coup" will be arrested under the new law for "inciting contempt" against the coup leader-- which means the new laws also serve to undermine freedom of the press.  

In Yangon, eight-wheeled armored vehicles have been seen trying to navigate the rush-hour traffic, sometimes surrounded by cars honking their opposition to the coup.  Protests are focusing on the central bank building, the U.S. and Chinese embassies, and the city headquarters of Su Kyi's National League for Democracy.

In Mandalay, there were reports of security forces firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds. In footage posted on social media, the sound of what appears to be gunshots can be heard as crowds flee, with several people later appearing to display injuries. Police in the city were also reported to have used sling-shots against protesters and were met with volleys of bricks.

A leading student activist who has gone into hiding, Myo Ko Ko, told reporters why he and others were willing to risk their lives.  "We strongly believe in democracy and human rights. We know that it's risky," he said.  "I have to move to another place day by day because of being searched (for) by police. We hope the international community will help us."

In the city of Myitkyina, in Kachin state, shooting could also be heard as security forces clashed with anti-coup demonstrators. It was not clear whether rubber bullets or live rounds were fired. 

Students also protested in Nay Pyi Taw-- dozens were arrested and later released.  A doctor at a hospital in Nay Pyi Taw told reporters that security forces were carrying out night-time raids on homes.  "I'm still worrying because they [issued] a curfew . . . not to go outside between 20:00 and 04:00.  But this [provides] a time for the police and soldiers to arrest people like us," said the doctor, who cannot be named for safety reasons.  "The previous day they [broke] into the house, cut down the fence, entered and arrested people unlawfully. That's why I'm also worrying."