18th-19th June, 2021

People across the country launched #FlowerStrike to mark the 76th birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today. Protesters used flowers as she is often seen wearing flowers in her head. After a decade of her final release from house arrest on 13 November 2010, she is now spending her birthday in house arrest again. At the same time, the junta troops arrested those who took part in the protest and those who distributed flowers. Twelve employees, including the owner of Café 99 in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, were arrested for offering red roses to customers, according to Mizzima. Two young men were arrested with roses in Mandalay as well. On the same day, many activists launched online campaign called #REDLipsSpeakTruthToPower to highlight the gender based violence and sexual violence against women under the military regime. 

A car was hit by a bomb on Kandawgyi Road near the United Nations office in Yangon this evening, injuring one person, the BBC reported. On the evening of 18 June, three bombs exploded a few minutes apart in Tamwe Township, killing two people, including a police officer, and seriously injuring seven others. Witnesses said a grenade was hurled at a parked military truck, killing police and soldiers. It was a very rare attack on the junta troops in Yangon.

A traffic police was also shot dead by a gunman in Myingyan Township on 18 June, according to Myanmar Now. Traffic police have also been involved in extorting money from vehicle owners in collaboration with the junta troops, according to netizens. Nine people, including women and elderly persons, were beaten severely in Kin village, Kani Township, Sagaing Region, according to Khit Thit. The junta troops killed at least 20 civilians and displaced more than 10,000 people in the region, Myanmar Now reported.

The BBC reports that the Thai government urged the ethnic armed organizations that have signed the NCA to abide by it at their meeting in Thailand. The Rakhine ALP and Chin CNF did not attend the meeting. The World Food Program (WFP) Credentials Committee’s meeting on 15 June rejected the delegation's proposal of the junta, according to RFA. In the past, the junta representatives have been rejected by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Myanmar on 18 June, which was jointly submitted by Liechtenstein and 53 other countries. The resolution includes condemnation of the coup, calls to prevent the flow of arms to Myanmar (not global arms embargo), and the release of detainees. Out of 193 countries, 119 voted in favor, 36 abstentions, and Belarus voted against. Countries abstaining include Myanmar’s five neighbors: China, India, Laos, Bangladesh, and Thailand, and two ASEAN countries: Brunei and Cambodia.