Conflicts & War

Anti-junta protests continue in Myanmar 3 months after coup

Bangkok, May 1 (EFE).- Protests against Myanmar’s military junta continued Saturday on the three-month anniversary of the coup that abruptly ended the country’s incipient democracy and plunged it into chaos.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Yangon, Mandalay, Monywa and other cities to express their rejection of the military and support for the newly-formed National Unity Government, made up of politicians democratically elected in the November polls.

Protests have been taking place daily despite the brutal repression of security forces, which have killed 759 people since the Feb. 1 coup, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which verifies deaths and arrests.

Despite the fact that coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing promised last Saturday to stop the violence against civilians, during a meeting with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the junta’s campaign of intimidation has continued.

The junta later walked back the agreement, saying in a statement that it will consider the bloc’s “suggestions” once the country has returned to “stability,” but its first priority is to “maintain law and order and restore community peace.”

AAPP denounced that over 4,500 people, including the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, have been arrested, and 1,316 are wanted for arrest.

Suu Kyi is under house arrest in Naipyidaw, accused of six crimes, including violating the Official Secrets Law.

According to her lawyers, who have not been able to meet privately with her, the Nobel Peace Prize winner appears in good health.

The army is also opposed by various ethnic armed groups who have increased their attacks against military outposts.

According to the Kachin Independence Army, on Thursday at least 20 soldiers were killed during fighting in the Momauk region, in the northwest of the country, Myanmar Now reported.

The junta justifies their coup alleging electoral fraud in the November election, which Suu Kyi’s party won by a landslide, with the endorsement of international observers. EFE

nc/tw

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