Myanmar Marks One Year of Military Rule

Reuters

Myanmar has been under the rule of its military, officially called the Tatmadaw, for over a year since February 1, 2021’s coup d’état. Thousands have died or were arrested while resisting the military’s sweeping control, and massive protests, known as the Spring Revolution, have broken out in opposition to the regime. Citizens have been forced to flee the country or live with the constant fear of persecution.

Since the military coup d’état of 1962, Myanmar has operated under a military dictatorship, and has struggled with economic stagnation. However, a rising opposition party called the National League for Democracy (“NLD”), led by civilian activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, was formed in 1988 and gained support from citizens across Myanmar. 

Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy won the 1990 elections by an overwhelming majority. Regardless, the military refused the results of the elections and continued their dictatorship.

When the next elections in 2015 occurred, the National League for Democracy won again, this time allowing Myanmar to escape dictatorship for the first time in nearly 50 years. The National League for Democracy won again in the 2020 elections.

Recognizing the National League for Democracy’s rapid increase in popularity, the military—who had lost support from citizens and whose power in their government had weakened—decided to stage another coup.

A national emergency was announced on television on February 1, 2021 as broadcasts, flights, and internet were all suspended. The military took control of roads. The stock market and banks were shut down. Additionally, leaders of the National League for Democracy as well as other opposing politicians, activists, and writers, were all arrested. Aung San Suu Kyi was incarcerated and her position was filled by the military commander, Min Aung Hlaing.

Peaceful protests against the military’s actions broke out in the weeks following the coup. No fatalities were recorded until the military fired live rounds in the city of Mandalay, killing two unarmed protesters. One of the victims was reported to be a 16 year-old boy.

Outrage from Myanmar citizens fuelled a nationwide civil disobedience movement. Millions of people were seen in mass protests organized throughout cities and villages nationally two days following the military’s violence. The military responded to these protests by firing live and rubber bullets, as well as by shooting high-pressure water jets from water cannons into the crowds.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners’ most recent statistics, 1,297 people have been killed by the military and 10,536 have been detained. Protests demanding the return of a democratic government continue to rage throughout Myanmar.

In Myanmar’s jungles and smaller villages, people have armed themselves with firearms and hand grenades, preparing to defend themselves from a potential military attack. There have been many instances of violence, notably in the township of Kani where 40 men were killed. 

A majority of the Kani township murders took place in Yin village. Eyewitnesses told media that at least 13 men from their village were brutally murdered by the military.

Some citizens gathered to form local militias called the People’s Defense Forces. The People’s Defense Forces attacked military convoys, and even assassinated military officials. In regions where these local militias are prevalent, the military has retaliated by cutting off food supplies, burning villages, shooting rocket launchers, and firing at fleeing civilians, regardless of whether they were actively involved in protests or People’s Defense Forces.

Many families have also sought refuge in neighbouring India due to the return of Myanmar’s military dictatorship. Aid groups have already committed to help these refugees during this humanitarian crisis.

Foreign nations’ condemned the coup and the violence that erupted afterwards have called out the Tatmadaw for creating a “reign of terror.” Additionally, sanctions from the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union have been imposed onto Myanmar. The United Nations stated that Myanmar would experience “an intensification of violence and a rapid rise in poverty” under another period of military dictatorship.