11th March, 2021 #day39

 News that the junta has removed the Arakan Army from the list of terrorist groups, several deaths due to the violent crackdown in Myaing, the junta's second press conference in Naypyitaw, and the call for a boycott of Chinese products is a hot topic among Myanmar social media users. Other news include the Security Council's statement, the CRPH's engagement with the international law firm, clashes between the Tatmadaw and other ethnic armed organisations.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) a.k.a Arakan Army has been removed from the list of terrorist organisations by the military council today. The AA was declared a terrorist and illegal organisation under the NLD government on March 23, 2020. However, it has been disbanded as a terrorist group but not as an illegal organisation yet. Some claim that this could only happen after the two sides reach a ceasefire agreement. The AA has been fighting against the military in Rakhine State since the time of Thein Sein's administration, and it has been left out to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement. The group has grown rapidly in recent years and has been severely attacked by the military. The government shut down the internet in Rakhine for several months and hundreds of civilians were reportedly killed by the military. However, since the 2020 election, there have been no clashes between them. Public opinion has been mixed and some have criticised the AA for not opposing the military as before, but some are urging critics to wait for the AA to make an official statement on today's announcement. According to the leaked Arakan National Party's letter to the military council on February 4th, the ANP demanded positions in the new coup government, release of Rakhine politicians, and called for the AA to be disbanded as a terrorist group.

At least six people were killed and several injured today in a violent crackdown in Myaing, Magway Region. Despite the small population and the lack of large-scale protests, violence and live ammunition were used against protesters. Many argue that today's incident supporting the fact that the military has been targeting protests in areas which name begin with the Burmese alphabet "Ma". Many say several deaths in Mandalay, North Okkalapa, Myaynigone, Myeik, Myaing and Mogok are not coincidental. Successive military leaders have been known to strongly believe in astrology and omens, and even today, attacks on places such as "Ma" have been linked to astrology. Some have suggested that the high number of deaths due to headshot may be due to these astrological beliefs of the coup leaders.

The military council held its second press conference in Naypyidaw this afternoon. As in the first case, many media outlets went on strike and did not cover the event. The military-appointed election commission claimed that there had been vote rigging in the last election, and that a military spokesman also claimed that they have evidence on the NLD leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, committing acts of corruption and conspiracy. He added that the protests are being held in accordance with the rules and regulations, and that CDM leaders and student leaders are being chased as they are inciting violences across the country. He admitted that the military hires the foreign lobby, but denied that the military council wanting to leave China's shadow and be closer to the West. According to the press conference, it is expected that the junta is more likely to sue NLD leaders on corruption charges and sedition. The spokesman also hinted that the military would not choose the negotiation path as the international community requested.

The president of the United Nations Security Council said in a statement that all members have agreed to condemn the ongoing military's use of force against peaceful protesters. However, objections from China, Russia, India and Vietnam have made it difficult for a UN Security Council to reach a resolution on Myanmar. As a result, anti-China sentiment has become widespread again in Myanmar. Many anti-coup protesters are now calling for a boycott of Chinese products and the destruction of a gas pipeline to China. The Chinese government has said in the past that it was unaware of the coup, was not assisting the junta, and wanted to play as a mediator to resolve the situation.

Two days after the military council announced the hiring of a Canadian-based lobby, the CRPH announced today that it would be working with Volterra Fietta, an international law firm to seek advice on prosecuting unconstitutional military coup, violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters, and widespread human rights abuses. This team, led by Robert Volterra, is start collecting documents about human rights abuses, according to the statement. The action of this law firm could possibly have implications for the existing trial at the ICJ.

Armed clashes are taking place between some ethnic armed groups and the military. A military base in a village near Taungoo, Pago Region was hit by a 107 mm motor today. There is no information about casualties nor the attacker. The Kachin Independence Army attacked a military base in the resource-rich region of Hpakant, according to RFA. In addition, letters circulating on internet stated that the KIA's soldiers have been ordered to shoot the military and protect the unarmed civilians. A KIA spokesman later told Myitkyina Media that the letter is a forgery. However, relations between the KIA and the military have been strained since the coup and there have been frequent clashes between them.