26th February, 2021 #Day26

 

Violent crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Yangon, the arrest of a Japanese journalist, meeting between the junta-appointed Electoral Commission and political parties, and the formation of governing bodies proposed by the CRPH across Myanmar are of particular interest to the social media users. (the breaking news about the speech of the permanent representative of Myanmar at the UN meeting is described below).

After violent attacks by pro-military protesters yesterday, anti-coup protesters in Yangon were violently dispersed by security forces today. Security forces, unlike the previous days, crackdown on protesters rallying places without any advance warning or negotiation, according to the several video footages. Hledan and junctions, where protesters used to gather, were targeted and more than 20 protesters have been arrested but the exact number have not been confirmed yet. Some are still missing, according to social media posts of their relatives and friends. In addition, security forces have been threatening and arresting journalists. Yuki Kitazumi, a Japanese freelance journalist, was arrested in Myaenigone and released a few hours later.

Some protesters were seen hiding in nearby apartments and shops. According to video footage, security forces raided the houses and arrested them. Those who escaped the arrest wrote appreciation messages on their social media to the communities. Pictures of a child in spiderman suit injured by police’s slingshot fired in Mandalay have gone viral on the internet. According to those present at the scene, police opened fire on the protesters and residents randomly from the truck while driving. The anti-coup protesters claimed that many police are not real members of the police force, but soldiers in police uniforms. They said that these soldiers do not wear full police uniforms and use some military equipment such as shoes and helmets.

This morning, the junta-appointed Union Election Commission met with 53 officially formed political parties in Naypyidaw. Of these, 32 are based in Majority Burmese areas and 21 are based in other ethnic areas, according to news reports. Currently, there are 91 political parties registered in Myanmar. A total of 38 parties Including the NLD party and parties representing ethnic groups such as Shan, Chin, and Kayah did not attend. Some of these parties have released statements claiming that they do not recognize the election held by the junta. The 53 parties that attended the meeting won only 5.6 percent of the total votes in the last 2020 election, but the NLD alone won 82 percent of the total. Therefore, social media users have ridiculed that the participants of the meeting are sore losers and alliances of the military-backed USDP party. Thein Soe, chairman of the junta-appointed Union Election Commission, told the media that the Commander-in-Chief had seized three branches of state power during the current state of emergency, and therefore, the 2020 election results are invalidated. He also said that voter fraud was currently being investigated and that the findings would be released soon. He added that action would be taken against individuals or organizations in accordance with the existing law. The NLD immediately issued a statement saying that the current coup even goes beyond the 2008 constitution drafted by the military itself, no country has officially recognized the coup government, the current UEC is not legal, and only the results of the last election are valid. Anti-coup protesters have speculated that the junta could declare the NLD an outlawed party like in the post 1990 election period and disband the party, despite no strong evidence that the election was rigged.

At the request of the CRPH committee, which is made up of elected NLD parliamentarians, locals are beginning to form people's administrations in some townships. They will defy military rule and declare that they will self-govern their region. The group is made up of elected parliamentarians, locals, lawyers and will be accountable to the CRPH until the coup is over. In the next few days, these groups are expected to grow in many parts of Myanmar. In Taungoke Township, Rakhine State, four civilians have been charged under Section 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law for being affiliated with the Arakan Army. This section carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. The Tatmadaw and the AA, which have been embroiled in major fighting in the past, have remained silent since the November election. Dr Aye Maung, former chairman of the Arakan National Party and a staunch supporter of the AA, was granted amnesty by the military after the coup. However, there are speculations that the current lawsuits will escalate tensions with the AA or a return to war. Currently, there are occasional clashes between the military and the KIA, which is based in the northern part of Myanmar and near the Chinese border in northern Myanmar, and the KNU, which is based near the Thai border in eastern Myanmar.

At today’s the United Nations General Assembly, the permanent representative of Myanmar, H.E U Kyaw Moe Tun, delivered unexpected speech supporting the anti-coup movement and surprised the whole world. He said that "we need further strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people and to restore the democracy." Myanmar social media users are posting words of appreciation and photos of him in a way to acknowledge his bravery and risking his career and life. The response of the military is still unknown but some believe that this action will definitely create chaos in Naypyitaw and boost the CDM movement within the government.