Yangon: Security forces in Myanmar pointed guns toward anti-coup protesters and attacked them with sticks, seeking to quell the large-scale demonstrations calling for the military junta that seized power earlier this month to reinstate the elected government. More than 1,000 protesters rallied in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, when at least 10 trucks full of soldiers and police arrived and immediately started firing slingshots toward the protesters, according to a photographer who witnessed the events.
The soldiers and police then attacked the protesters with sticks, and police could be seen aiming long guns into the air amid sounds that resembled gunfire. Local media reported that rubber bullets were also fired into the crowd, and that a few people were injured. Police were also seen pointing guns toward the protesters.
Earlier on Monday, Myanmar’s military leaders extended their detention of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose remand was set to expire and whose freedom is a key demand of the crowds of people continuing to protest the February 1 coup. Suu Kyi will now be remanded until February 17, when she will likely appear in court by video conference, according to Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer asked by Suu Kyi’s party to represent her.
Economic pressure
A growing number of governments are curbing diplomatic ties with Myanmar and increasing economic pressure on its military over the coup recently that erased the fragile democratic progress in the long-oppressed Southeast Asian nation. US President Joe Biden said he was issuing an executive order that will prevent Myanmar’s generals from accessing US$ 1 billion in assets in the United States, and promised more measures.
The US was among many Western governments that lifted most sanctions in the past decade to encourage democratic transition as Myanmar’s military rulers were taking gradual steps toward civilian rule - changes that proved temporary with the ousting of the elected government and detentions of Suu Kyi and others.
One of the strongest reactions came from New Zealand, which has suspended all military and high-level political contact with the country and pledged to block any aid that could go to its military government or benefit its leaders. It also placed a travel ban on Myanmar’s new military rulers. In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said European foreign ministers will meet Feb 22 to review the 27-nation bloc’s relations with Myanmar and explore ways to increase economic pressure. Its options could include sanctions targeting individuals and businesses owned by Myanmar’s military as well as cuts in development assistance.
UN calls for Suu Kyi’s release
The United Nations human rights investigator for Myanmar urged the UN Security Council to consider imposing sanctions and arms embargoes as a UN rights body adopted a resolution calling for Suu Kyi’s release. Special rapporteur Thomas Andrews cited “growing reports and photographic evidence” that Myanmar security forces had used live ammunition against protesters. “UNSC resolutions dealing with similar situations have mandated sanctions,” Andrews told the Council. “All of these options should be on the table.”
The 47-member forum met at the request of Britain and the European Union to consider a resolution calling for the release of Suu Kyi, and for UN monitors to be allowed to visit. It was adopted unanimously, although Myanmar, Russia and China envoys said they “disassociated” themselves from the resolution. In Myanmar, three people were wounded when police fired rubber bullets at protesters.
