Women wear flower pots while participating in a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on April 13, 2021. REUTERS / Stringer
Opponents of the military government in Myanmar observed a “silent strike” on Friday, with many people staying at home to mourn the more than 700 people killed in protests against a February 1 coup and d others in black made small marches in various cities and towns.
Many Myanmar citizens, enraged by the return of the military government after five years of civilian rule led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, have taken to the streets day after day with activists thinking of new ways to show opposition while security forces they increase its suppression.
“Let’s silence the roads,” protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on his Facebook page.
“We must stage a silent strike to show our grief for the martyrs who have scarified their lives. The quietest voice is the strongest.”
Friday is the fourth day of the traditional five-day Buddhist New Year holidays, known as Thingyan. Most people this year shun the usual festivities to focus on their campaign against the generals who overthrew Suu Kyi’s government and shut her down and many others.
The streets of Yangon’s main city were largely deserted, residents reported, while black-clad protesters held small rallies in half a dozen cities and towns, the media reported.
There were no immediate reports of violence, but during the night, two people were shot dead in the central city of Myingyan, Radio Free Asia reported.
A board spokesman could not be reached for comment.
The military has also been gathering its critics and publishing the names of more than 200 people wanted under a law that makes it illegal to encourage rioting or resignation from the armed forces.
Two prominent protest organizers were arrested on Thursday along with an actor and singer, both known for protesting against the coup.
On Thursday afternoon, soldiers stormed a famous Buddhist monastery in the second city of Mandalay and arrested two people, media group Myanmar Now reported.
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Opponents have been organizing both at home and abroad with the aim of intensifying their campaign.
An unknown group previously called the Ayeyarwaddy Federal Army said on Facebook that it intended to fight the army to restore an elected government and protect the people and called for volunteers.
He gave no details on how he intended to confront a well-equipped and experienced army, which has been fighting ethnic minority insurgents for decades.
International pressure has also been slowly increasing on the military, especially from Western governments, although the military has a long history of eliminating foreign pressure.
The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on ten other people linked to the coup and target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest of the military acquisition, two diplomats said. Read more
Although last month the EU had an arms embargo against Myanmar and targeted 11 senior military officials, the decision of the two companies to target is the most significant response for the bloc since the coup. state.
EU diplomats told Reuters in March that parts of the army’s conglomerates, Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), would be targeted, banning EU investors and banks from doing business with them. .
Human rights groups have also called for his sanction.
The EU refused to comment and no one could be reached on Myanmar’s EU mission in Brussels to react.
In rare shares of an Asian company, POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co. Ltd. (POSCO C&C) (058430.KS) of South Korea said Friday it would end its joint venture with MEHL. Read more
The company did not give details of how the company would end up, but a spokesman told Reuters that while the business relationship was ending, it was not withdrawing from Myanmar.
Southeast Asian neighborhood leaders, who have tried to encourage talks between Myanmar’s rival parties, will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported.
Senior General of the Board, Min Aung Hlaing, was scheduled to attend, a Thai station said, but the Jakarta Post said it had not been confirmed whether the summit would include representatives of the board or the former government. .
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