• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
  • Volunteer
    • Internship with The Online Citizen
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Myanmar protesters stage biggest rallies since troop deployments

by The Online Citizen
17/02/2021
in Asia, Politics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
5
Myanmar protesters stage biggest rallies since troop deployments

Protesters hold signs as they march on a road during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay on 17 February 2021/AFP/Nay Zar Lin.

Myanmar’s anti-coup protesters returned to the streets in force on Wednesday with the biggest street demonstrations since troops fanned out around the country to quell opposition to the new military junta.

Thousands of people rallied in Yangon, the nation’s biggest city, with protesters blockading roads with vehicles to stop security forces from moving around the commercial capital.

Much of the country has been in open revolt since troops deposed Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s government at the start of the month and charged her under an obscure import law.

Wednesday’s crowds came in defiance of more violent efforts by the regime to bring resistance to heel, following nationwide street protests and a disobedience campaign encouraging civil servants to strike.

“We have to fight until the end,” Nilar, a 21-year-old student who asked not to use her real name, told AFP.

“We need to show our unity and strength to end military rule. People need to come out on the streets.”

Demonstrations over the past two days had been noticeably smaller since troops were deployed around Yangon on the weekend.

But social media platforms were flooded with calls for a show of force by protesters in the hours before the junta imposed a third consecutive overnight internet blackout.

UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews warned that reports of soldiers being brought into Yangon could lead to the situation there spiralling out of control.

“I fear that Wednesday has the potential for violence on a greater scale in Myanmar than we have seen since the illegal takeover of the government on February 1,” Andrews said in a statement.

“We could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar.”

There were no signs of a strong troop presence mobilised in Yangon on Wednesday morning.

In recent days rubber bullets, tear gas and even slingshots have been used against protesters.

One young woman remains in a critical condition in the capital Naypyidaw after being shot in the head last week.

The military said a police officer had died in Mandalay after a confrontation with protesters on Sunday.

“Those who committed lawless action on the police officer will be dealt with as necessary,” an army statement said.

New charge for Suu Kyi

The military justified its power seizure by alleging widespread voter fraud in November elections won by Suu Kyi’s party in a landslide.

After her detention in a dawn raid on February 1, Suu Kyi was charged for possessing unregistered walkie-talkies found in her home.

The Nobel laureate’s lawyer told AFP on Tuesday she had been hit with a second charge, of violating the country’s disaster management law.

Further details of the new charge have not been made public.

The disaster management law has also been used against deposed president Win Myint for an election campaign event that the junta claims broke coronavirus restrictions.

Khin Maung Zaw added that Suu Kyi and Win Myint, both of whom he has yet to have any contact with, were expected to appear via video link during a March 1 trial.

But he said there were signs Suu Kyi had already made an appearance in court on Tuesday, without his presence.

Andrews described the court proceedings as a “secretive trial”.

‘Staying at their houses’

Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said Tuesday that both Suu Kyi and Win Myint were in a “safer place” and “in good health”.

“It’s not like they were arrested — they are staying at their houses,” the general told a press conference.

More than 450 people have been arrested since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group.

There are unconfirmed reports of many other arrests.

Western powers and the United Nations have repeatedly condemned the leaders of Myanmar’s new military administration, which insists it took power lawfully.

China had initially not criticised the coup, which Chinese state media described as a “cabinet reshuffle”.

However Beijing’s ambassador to Myanmar said Tuesday that the current situation in the country was “absolutely not what China wants to see”.

So far, only Washington has announced targeted sanctions against the generals, calling on them to relinquish power.

– AFP

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Source: AFP
Tags: AFPAung San Suu KyiMyanmar
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Recent Posts

  • China GDP grows record 18.3% in first quarter in virus rebound
  • UN experts say deeply disappointed by decision to discharge Fukushima water
  • PM Lee seeking nearly S$130,000 in legal costs and disbursements from blogger Leong Sze Hian; much of disbursements tied to engagement of Hong Kong expert witness
  • Taiwan transport minister resigns over train crash
  • S’pore economy grows 0.2% in first quarter; MAS keeps monetary policy unchanged amid low core inflation outlook
  • Netizens question how woman who abused domestic helper allowed to become prison counsellor
  • Over 100mil devices at risk from NAME:WRECK DNS bugs, CSA advise firms to patch systems immediately
  • Public member highlights lax social distancing control in airport allowing travellers to intermingle

Trending posts

Louis Vuitton to hold physical fashion show in S’pore amid pandemic, fashion week in Paris goes virtual

Ho Ching shares not 1, not 2, but 7 Facebook posts by Chan Chun Sing in a row within 15 minutes

PM Lee seeking nearly S$130,000 in legal costs and disbursements from blogger Leong Sze Hian; much of disbursements tied to engagement of Hong Kong expert witness

Here’s why many Singaporeans aren’t bothered who the ruling party chooses to become PM

WP MP Gerald Giam’s intervention helped solve traffic congestion issue at Hougang Capeview

Unqualified supervising lawyer in trainee dispute was once a Deputy Public Prosecutor

FB post criticising Minister Chan Chun Sing’s leadership skills re-emerges in light of recent 4G leadership discussion

MP Poh Li San explains to media why RSAF Super Puma was replaced with Airbus H225M

Netizens question how woman who abused domestic helper allowed to become prison counsellor

Roy Ngerng raises over S$125,000 over 7 days of fund raising to pay for PM Lee’s defamation damage

Load More
February 2021
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
« Jan   Mar »
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz
5
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply