21st March, 2021 #day49

 

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has called on the international community to investigate Myanmar’s military leaders for crimes against humanity. Along with genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity is considered as the most serious crime under international law and requires Responsibility to Protect (R2P). According to Article 7 of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), crimes against humanity are any acts which are “a part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population.” Eleven crimes, including extermination, rape, torture, and enforced disappearance of persons are under this category. Myanmar has not signed the Rome Statute, making it difficult for the ICC to take action. However, once the CRPH stands as an internationally recognized government, it could sign the agreement and attempt to prosecute the coup leaders.

To date, at least 249 people have been killed by the junta, according to DVB. It is believed that the actual death toll could be much higher due to the lack of information. According to Myanmar Now, in the previous week alone, about 180 people have been killed and 115 of them are from Yangon and 60 are from twenty cities. 15 victims are under the age of 18, the youngest being 14-year-old Maung Zin Ko Ko. Some family members have not recovered the bodies from the soldiers and at least six people have been tortured and killed in custody. The RFA Burmese reports that the troops are stationed in about 36 public hospitals and the country’s entire health system has completely abolished. According to a joint statement from Save the Children, UNESCO and UNICEF, the troops are also stationed in more than 60 schools in 13 states and regions. Health workers and teachers were the initiators of the nationwide civil disobedience movement.

Protesters are calling for a silent protest on March 24. According to the social media users, people will stop going out, stop driving, and stop business for a day. This is aimed at countering the military council's efforts to prove that cities are back to normal and giving time for all protesters to rest. Despite the military pressure to reopen the famous Mandalay’s Zay Cho market, the shop owners refused to open, and the market was deserted today, according to local reporters. Also in Mandalay, soldiers yesterday posted a sign in front of the public hospital stating that it is functional again. CRPH, on the other hand, continues to pressure civil servants to do CDM and urges them to do so by March 31. After that date, they said action will be taken against them but all the CDMers will be rewarded and part of a new government mechanism.

Thai military has denied sending any provisions to the Myanmar army. According to the Bangkok Post, the commander of the Naresuan Task Force said that the Myanmar side did not ask for their help and that the 700 sacks of rice were just for normal trade. However, residents in the area told Reuters that the route through which the provisions passed was not a regular trade route. In addition, the KNU's 5th Brigade issues a letter saying that the Myanmar army is not only invading Karen ancestral lands, but also perpetually oppressing unarmed civilians. It said in a statement that it would take action against the army and its supporters.

The military council is also targeting civil society organizations that are helping the poor and injured. Local media reported that offices were raided, and members of the groups have been arrested. Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Mizoram state of India, held an online meeting with the CRPH Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung today. Addressing her as "Honorable foreign minister" on his social media account has received huge attention among Myanmar’s people. Following the widespread speculation that the military is running out of money, there are also rumours claiming that the military is looting gold and money from pagodas, including the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Recent update: Social media users in Mandalay are saying that soldiers cut off electricity in Aung Pin Lae quarter and opened fire in residential areas. Several rounds of gunfire are heard in several videos and some believe that machine guns are being used during the midnight raid. It’s still unknown the target of the soldiers and number of injured or dead. Some said a civilian has been killed.