22nd February, 2021 #Day22

 

After 33 years, the largest historic nationwide mass demonstration, dubbed as "22222 revolution" in reference to 22 Feb 2021, took place again in Myanmar. Amid various threats and intimidations, millions of people across the country took to the streets and made their voices heard. Huge anti-coup protests were seen in almost every major city and town of the country with the exception of Rakhine State and some parts of northern Shan State.

Movement of hundreds of security forces and armoured vehicles around the Yangon city at night sparked widespread speculation and concern that violence could erupt today. However, protesters marched into the city and gathered in front of the embassies and intersections. In Mandalay, where security forces violently stormed the area for several days, millions of protesters rallied near the Mandalay Railway Station. Protests ended peacefully in all parts of the country except in the capital city, Naypyitaw. Protesters from nearby towns and villages were blocked from entering the city and hundreds of civilians and students have been arrested. The exact number of arrests is still unknown but news estimates that it could be more than 200. As of February 21, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), up to 640 people had been arrested since February 1, and 593 are still being held by the junta.

Although protests in the previous days did not received much attention from the Western media, today's protests have been widely reported. At the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, United Nations' Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the junta's atrocities and called for the immediate release of all prisoners. He said, "Coups have no place in our modern world," insisting on respect for human rights and the election results. The foreign ministers of the 27 member states of the European Council also expressed their support for the protesters in Myanmar and stated that they would take action against those responsible for the coup and their economic interests.

Facebook removes several Tatmadaw pages including the Tatmadaw True News Information Team, MRTV, and MRTV Live claiming that these pages repeatedly incite violence. In the past, Facebook took down pages of the military-owned news outlets Myawaddy and the Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw. Moreover, several government websites, including the central bank's website, have been targeted by cyber attacks.

The appointment of representatives for international relations by the CRPH, which is made up of elected parliamentarians has also gained public attention. Htin Lin Aung, a staunch supporter of the NLD in the United States, has been officially appointed as representative for international affairs. He was a political prisoner and sought refuge in the United States after the 2007 Saffron Revolution. He lives in Maryland and is an IT professional, according to a CRPH report. In addition, Dr. Sa Sa, a prominent Chin national and medical doctor who is close to Aung San Suu Kyi has been appointed as a special envoy of Myanmar to the UN. He is well known among the NLD supporters for his social work and affiliation with Western organisations. He rose to prominence after becoming a member of the NLD's election campaign in Chin State during the 2020 election and was expected to hold a senior position when the new NLD government is formed.

According to an unconfirmed document that emerged today, the junta-appointed Union Election Commission has invited political parties to a meeting in Naypyidaw. Three weeks after the coup, the junta made its first election-related action. More than twenty political parties including the military backed the Union Solidarity and Development Party which were defeated in the 2020 general election have already announced that they will participate in the election held by the junta.

Acknowledge and Disclaimer: I'd like to thank all the reporters and citizen journalists who reported the news and photos contained in this summary in the midst of the dangers. This daily news summary is solely based on my observation and analysis. It does not represent any organisation or individual.