Conflicts & War

Myanmar military junta declares ‘democratic government’ terror group

Bangkok, May 9 (EFE).- Myanmar’s military junta has labeled the national unity government created by ousted lawmakers in the wake of the Feb.1 coup as a terror organization.

News outlet Myanmar Now reported Saturday that the military dictators decided the branding, “alleging that they incited violence in the country.”

Also labeled in the terror category is the “interim cabinet” known as the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the People’s Defense Force, the resistance set up to protect its supporters from violence by security forces.

The military, headed by the coup, General Min Aung Hlaing, is making efforts to control the country amid daily protests and a civil disobedience movement involving healthcare personnel, teachers, and factory workers.

The CRPH was formed shortly after the coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.

On Mar. 16, ousted lawmakers announced the formation of the national unity government, comprising of politicians close to Suu Kyi, activists, and representatives of ethnic minorities.

After months of repression by the security forces, the “democratic government” announced the creation of the People’s Defense Force on May 5.

Sunday marks one month since one of the worst post-coup massacres in the city of Bago, where security forces attacked protesters with weapons, causing at least 83 deaths in a day.

The pro-democracy representatives, who work underground, described the People’s Defense Force as the first step toward a federal army to be created with the help of the ethnic minority guerrillas.

Soldiers and police officials have killed 775 civilians so far, including at least 43 minors.

The military rulers have imprisoned more than 3,700 people, including Suu Kyi, advocacy group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.

While most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, some protesters have joined armed groups to fight the military junta.

The military junta justifies the coup alleging electoral fraud in the November elections.

Suu Kyi’s party had won by a landslide in the elections that international observers considered free and fair. EFE

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