Naypyitaw [Myanmar], February 15 (ANI): The Ambassadors to Myanmar on Sunday called on the military junta to refrain from violence against demonstrators and civilians, who are agitating against the overthrow of their legitimate government.
The envoys have issued a joint statement condemning the detention and the arrests of political leaders, civil society activists, and civil servants, as well as the harassment of journalists.
The official statement has been signed by Ambassadors to Myanmar from Canada; the Delegation of the European Union and EU Member States with presence in Myanmar: Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden; Norway; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; and the United States.
“We call on security forces to refrain from violence against demonstrators and civilians, who are protesting the overthrow of their legitimate government. We unequivocally condemn the detention and ongoing arrests of political leaders, civil society activists, and civil servants, as well as the harassment of journalists,” the statement read.
The envoys also denounced the military‘s interruption of communications and the restriction of the Myanmar people’s fundamental rights and basic legal protections.
“We support the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy, freedom, peace, and prosperity. The world is watching,” the statement added.
On February 1, Myanmar‘s military staged a coup and overthrew the democratically elected government of the National League for Democracy (NLD), alleging voter fraud in November 2020 elections that saw the NLD securing a resounding victory.
The military detained several political officials and activists including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and declared a one-year emergency.
Despite military repression, widespread protests continue across Myanmar, including Yangon and other key cities. (ANI)
‘Shame on you China’: Protest outside Chinese embassy in Yangon against Beijing’s support to military rule
Yangon [Myanmar], February 14 (ANI): Chanting ‘Shame on you China‘ in unison, dozens of youths gathered outside the Chinese embassy in Yangon on Sunday to protest against Beijing’s support to the military dictatorship in Myanmar, local media reported.
The young protestors were seen holding handmade and printed placards, while demanding China to stop supporting the military, according to Myanmar Now.
One of the placards read: ‘Stop helping the military’. Another placard read: ‘Myanmar Military dictatorship is ‘Made in China‘.
On February 1, Myanmar‘s military staged a coup and overthrew the democratically elected government of the National League for Democracy (NLD), alleging voter fraud in November 2020 elections that saw the NLD securing a resounding victory.
While there is a global condemnation against the military coup, China has given a muted response, saying it has “noted” the development.
“We have noted what has happened in Myanmar and are in the process of further understanding the situation,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing in Beijing on February 1.
“China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar‘s. We hope that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability,” he added.
Meanwhile, student union leaders from 18 universities have sent an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging China to recognise the will of the people of Myanmar to end the military rule and restore the country’s civilian government, local media reported on Sunday.
The letter noted that China should not recognise the current military government who forcibly took power on February 1 and detained the country’s top civilian leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.
China and Russia continue to defend Myanmar‘s military, insisting that the armed forces’ seizure of power from the democratically-elected government in Myanmar‘s internal affair, the Irrawaddy reported.
Meanwhile, a majority of United Nations members deplored the military’s actions during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday.
However, Myanmar‘s giant neighbour China distanced itself from the country’s human rights issues, with China‘s representative to UNHRC saying, “What happens in Myanmar is essentially Myanmar‘s internal affairs.”
That stance is consistent with China‘s refusal– along with Russia— to condemn the military takeover during last week’s meeting of the UN Security Council.
Myanmar protesters continued the demonstrations in front of both countries’ embassies, urging them not to support the military regime.
Meanwhile, mass street demonstrations in Myanmar entered their second week on Saturday.
On Saturday, people from all fields of life marched peacefully holding the identical red placards on the streets of Mandalay. The placards read: ‘Are Russia and China supporting Myanmar Junta?’
“In Mandalay, People from all fields of life marched peacefully with the same cards. Their boards and cards target about China and Russia who are supporting Myanmar Military. Shame on you, Russia and China,” a Twitter user from Myanmar tweeted.
Several people have tweeted about the Mandalay rally.
“Hear our VOICES. (The photos are taken in Mandalay) Russia and China are backing up the Burmese Military Coup for their own benefits. We know it and we will boycott them from now on. Let the injustice fail!,” another user read. (ANI)
