8th April, 2021 #day67

 

The situation in Myanmar is also having a major impact on Myanmar embassies around the world. An act like coup d'état took place at the Myanmar embassy in London yesterday evening. While Ambassador Kyaw Swar Minn was outside of the embassy, Myanmar’s military attaché and deputy ambassador Dr. Chit Win went inside the building and barred him from entering. The ambassador previously called for the end of bloodshed and release of all detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and said he would follow her instructions. However, he has been criticized by protesters for refusing to speak publicly about his participation in the CDM. After the incident, he announced in front of the embassy that he would stand with the CRPH, the BBC Burmese reported. The CPRH also issued a letter urging the UK government to recognize Kyaw Swar Min as ambassador and address the situation. The junta has also announced that Chit Win will serve as chargé d’affaires in London in the absence of the ambassador. According to the BBC, the UK Foreign Office said that “it must accept the decision taken by the Myanmar regime,” and the UK foreign secretary wrote on his social network that he condemns the junta's bullying. According to the Vienna Convention related to diplomatic relations, the duties of an ambassador shall be terminated immediately once the host country receives notification from his/her country. Netizens are criticizing the UK government for accepting the junta's decision as it can imply that the military junta is officially recognized. At present, there are about 30 embassy staffs working around the world doing CDM, according to media reports.

In Kalay (Kale), a total of 12 people has been killed after the junta’s violent crackdown and shootings. A young man who lost his arm due to the grenade also died, according to Chin World. Up to 29 civilians have been killed in Kalay since the coup, the highest in Sagaing Region. Security has been tightened throughout the city, and residents are fleeing to the Chin State and India border. In Tangze, Sagaing Region, at least 11 civilians have been killed and more than 20 were injured as the junta opened fire on protesters, according to Mizzima. Three soldiers are reportedly killed as well, but this has not been confirmed yet. Tangze is home to rallies with thousands of people every day.

The junta is reportedly seizing Thai-owned PSI satellite dishes in Irrawaddy region. According to Mizzima, the disassembly is ordered because Mizzima and DVB Media channels can be accessed via the PSI. Police also raided shops in Mon State and seized the broadcasting machines, Khit Thit Media reported. According to Tachileik News Agency, the Thai company PSI just announces that it now bans Mizzima and DVB news channels for the safety of its users. In order to restrict the information flow, the junta has already shut down the internet at night, cut off Wi-Fi Broadband and mobile internet. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), one of the strongest ethnic political parties, told RFA that it welcomed the CRPH's announcement to repeal the constitution and called on the CRPH to push for a federal constitution. The Irrawaddy reports that the junta arrested the Myanmar model Paing Takhon, who is well-known in Myanmar and Southeast Asia, in North Dagon at 5 am today. He has won the admiration of many for his active participation in the Spring Revolution, not only on the street protests but also through his social media accounts. About 120 artists and public figures have been charged under Section 505 (a).

Young people organized #MarchingShoesStrike with the slogan "For every step, a flower blooms" in honour of the fallen heroes saying, “there are those who have fallen, but they are still moving until democracy is restored.” Twitter today announced the creation of the #MilkTeaAlliance emoji. The hashtag has been used about 11 million times since April last year. The company said that it is a recognition of the online campaign which has become a global movement for pro-democracy led by activists in Hongkong, Thailand, Taiwan and Myanmar. Twitter has previously created emojis for #Metoo #Blacklivesmatter campaigns. The United States has imposed sanctions on the state-owned Myanma Gems Enterprise, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken wrote on social media.