Myanmar in Uproarious Situation over Military Coup, Rohingya Repatriation to Continue

10 February 2021

Myanmar (Burma) has been in an uproarious situation as tens of thousands of Burmese citizens hit the streets across the country demanding the end of military rule and release of all detained political leaders including pro-democracy  icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Political observers opine that the spontaneous protest demonstrations across Myanmar against the military dictatorship refresh the memory of 2007 Saffron Revolution that paved the way for democratic reforms in the Buddhist majority country.

Presently under the military rule at least for one year, the Southeast Asian nation witnessed a coup on 1 February 2021 when the military generals seized power and detained many of newly elected lawmakers hours before the Parliament convenes its first session. The military run Myawaddy television channel announced that the country was put under emergency for one year using necessary provisions of the military framed 2008 Constitution and formed an interim government with U Myint Swe as its President.

The fixed telephone lines, mobile services, internet connections in different parts of the country were temporarily restricted. The government run radio and television channel (MRTV) announced that it was not running the show since the morning hours. Military personnel with armoured vehicles were deployed in several important locations including the present capital Naypyidaw, former capital Yangon, ancient capital Mandalay, etc.

Myanmar’s military commander-in-chief senior general Min Aung Hlaing, 64, who nurtures his ambition to become the President, lately announced that the authority would arrange free and fair multi-party general elections soon after the emergency period is completed. He also asserted that Covid-19 protocols would be observed as usual and the Rohingya refugees, who are now taking shelter in south Bangladesh, would continue to be repatriated to Rakhine State in western Myanmar as already decided.

Earlier the New York based  Human Rights Watch observed that Myanmar military personnel have a long history of using excessive forces to crack down on peaceful public and hence expressed worries  over probable repressive measures against the protesting mass especially the democratic activists, military critics, journalists, etc. It also accused Hlaing for his active role in cleansing over 7, 00,000 Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine State bordering Bangladesh.

Besides, the United Nations, United States of America, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, Singapore, etc, India had also promptly expressed serious concerns over the military actions in its bordering nation.  India, which was monitoring the situation closely, has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar and New Delhi believes that the rule of law and the democratic process should be upheld, said a foreign ministry statement.

US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently discussed on various issues including the fight against Covid-19, terrorism, climate change and also the present situation in Myanmar.  Both the powerful leaders agreed to continue working to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, including support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, etc. They solidly commented that the rule of law and democracy should be upheld in Myanmar.

Now the UN Human Rights Council is holding a special session on the crisis and human rights situation in Myanmar on 12 February following the requests of the United Kingdom and the European Union. Endorsed by many member-nations, the appeal argued that the detention of elected representatives as well as activists by the armed forces may pose severe implications on human rights and hence an urgent UNHCR session was need of the hour.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International came out with a statement arguing that UN special session is a welcome first step, but more concrete actions are needed. Revealing that over 150 people have been detained across Myanmar, it is critical to halt and prevent further human rights violations on the ground, asserted the statement adding that the security council must also impose a comprehensive global arms embargo on Myanmar, and crucially, refer the situation (in Myanmar) to the International Criminal Court.

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