Myanmar military government blocks access to …

Amid the biggest protests against the coup, Myanmar’s military government cut internet access. The measure aims to prevent strong public opposition to the revocation of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from spreading.

As reported by the Myanmar Civil Society Organization and Amnesty International, the de facto government blocked internet connectivity through cell phones. In the days following the February 1 coup, the Burmese military ordered networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to be blocked. The actions of the military regime have been denounced by organizations such as Human Rights Watch, the Europa Press agency reported.

Organizations have asked the country’s major telecommunications companies not to cut phone lines. After cutting off access to social networks and then to Internet connectivity, telephone lines are, according to NGOs, “the only form of communication” in the Asian country. Some media like Channel News Asia or Myanmar News reported that thousands of people came to demonstrate, in some cases blocking streets as happened in the capital Naipyidó or Rangoon, the largest city in Myanmar.

With the red flags and the colors of the National League for Democracy, Suu Kyi’s party in power since 2015, the demonstrators shouted “to the ground with the military dictatorship”. Images of people with arms raised and three fingers raised were also released. This greeting became a sign of rebellion in Asia and was reproduced in other protests such as those against the monarchy in Thailand.

Min Aung Hlaing is the current army chief Yes has a cause in Argentine justice for genocide. Last Monday, he proclaimed himself leader for a year, then held “free and fair” elections. In this way, the general ended a decade of civilian rule that he assumed after nearly half a century of dictatorship. The military argued that nothing had been done about allegations of fraud in the elections last November, organized by the armed forces themselves.

The UN had its first communication with the Burmese army yesterday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported, insisting on the call for the release of civilian leaders. He also called for the international community to unite to condemn the situation. The organization’s Security Council adopted a joint statement calling for the release of the detainees, but has not formally condemned the coup.