A United Nations official is calling for an investigation after a military massacre took place in Myanmar that reportedly took the lives of at least 35 people on Christmas Eve. 
Two employees for Save the Children, a humanitarian group, are missing, as well. 
On <a href="https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/USG-ERC%20Statement%20on%20Myanmar%2026.12.21.pdf">Sunday</a>, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths “condemn[ed] this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law.&#8221;
He also &#8220;call[ed] upon the authorities to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.&#8221;
&#8220;Millions of people in Myanmar remain in dire need of humanitarian support. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to providing help throughout the country,&#8221; Griffiths concluded.
A Monday <a href="https://myanmar.un.org/en/166652-statement-attributable-united-nations-special-envoy-secretary-general-myanmar-ms-noeleen">statement</a> by the U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, said Heyzer is “deeply concerned by the continued escalation of violence in Kayin State and other parts of Myanmar, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, including women and children, many seeking refuge across borders for protection and assistance, while many more are trapped within the country.”
The statement added, “she appeals for a New Year’s ceasefire throughout Myanmar.”
The Save the Children organization put out a <a href="https://www.savethechildren.net/news/statement-burned-bodies-women-children-found-myanmar-save-children-staff-missing">statement</a> on Christmas Day, saying they have “condemned an attack by the Myanmar military in which at least 38 people, including women and children, were killed in Kayah State in Eastern Myanmar.”
“Two of our staff, who were on the way back to the office after conducting humanitarian response work in a nearby community, were caught up in the incident and remain missing,” the statement continued. &#8220;We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out. The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies.”
On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/myanmar-military-attack-kills-dozens-including-children-aid-group-says-11640510326">reported</a> on the attack, writing that “[a]t least 38 people, including children, were killed in an attack by Myanmar’s military in a region of the country where resistance groups have been fighting forces from the junta, according to international aid group Save the Children and a local militia that opposes the military.”
“The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a nonprofit that monitors arrests and fatalities, said that the military has killed more than 1,300 people since seizing power,” the outlet added. 
The Journal added: 
<blockquote>
Khun Thomas, a spokesman for the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, a local militia that operates against the military, said the military attack in Kayah state took place on Friday and killed 39 people—35 civilians and, in a separate incident nearby, four militia members. He said that civilians were fleeing a military campaign in the area when many of them were shot. The military then burned their vehicles, he said.
</blockquote>
The military, however, reportedly provided a different story of what happened during the attack.
The U.S. Embassy in Burma <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyBurma/status/1475061469771276294">tweeted</a> on Sunday that it is &#8220;appalled by this barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children.&#8221;
It added, &#8220;We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma.&#8221;
<div class="Box-w0dun1-0 PhotoGalleryEmbed__AnimatedBox-lqudj4-0 ebAIof eZNlL PhotoGalleryEmbed-lqudj4-15 czLZAY">
<div class="Box-w0dun1-0 bxtMxG">
<div class="Box-w0dun1-0 SlideshowEmbed__HeadingBox-fkpjfn-1 jdMLRk ljMYbl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
We are appalled by this barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children. We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsHappeningInMyanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qz1eytOWGL">https://t.co/Qz1eytOWGL</a>
&mdash; U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyBurma/status/1475061469771276294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Myanmar has experienced violence over the course of the year after the military held a coup and took over the government in February.
As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/myanmar-civilian-leader-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison">reported</a> earlier this month, Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years in prison after she was found to be guilty of two charges. 
The Myanmar junta has violently cracked down on protesters who are pushing back against the military takeover of the country. 
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/footage-released-of-violent-myanmar-protests-after-at-least-38-people-killed">Footage</a> of violent protests came out in March showing “security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators … In other footage, about two dozen security forces, some with their firearms drawn, chase two people wearing the construction helmets donned by many protesters down a street. When they catch up to the people, they repeatedly beat them with rods and kick them. One of the officers is filming the scene on his cell phone,” per the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-protest-crackdown-videos-spark-outrage-45bcddc6508ddf61f2d736f2741fb613">AP</a>.

C3F3B663-63AC-4B07-9668-0A63EE956566_1_201_a

U.N. Official Calls For Investigation After Myanmar Military Massacre

Myanmar

United Nations

Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years in prison after she was found to be guilty of two charges. 
As <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-sentenced-to-four-years-in-prison-11638773465?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1">reported</a> by The Wall Street Journal: 
<blockquote>
The Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the country’s democracy movement has been tried behind closed doors. Ms. Suu Kyi, 76, was convicted of charges of incitement and violating pandemic rules, according to a person familiar with the case. The charges are among a dozen that could collectively see her imprisoned for the rest of her life.
</blockquote>
Suu Kyi was given a four-year sentence at first, but it was cut in half by the junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing. She will reportedly carry out the sentence in the place she is currently being detained rather than in jail, according to the military’s public information office, per the Journal. 
Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted about the sentencing, <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken">stating</a>, “The military regime’s unjust conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi and repression of democratically elected officials are further affronts to democracy and rule of law in Burma. I call on the regime to end violence, respect the will of the people, and release the unjustly detained.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The military regime’s unjust conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi and repression of democratically elected officials are further affronts to democracy and rule of law in Burma. I call on the regime to end violence, respect the will of the people, and release the unjustly detained.
&mdash; Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1467862366918516739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He also reportedly <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-elections-voting-myanmar-986be24c558b54c6ebdb20aa272657ca">said</a> in a statement, “The regime’s continued disregard for the rule of law and its widespread use of violence against the Burmese people underscore the urgency of restoring Burma’s path to democracy.”
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/myanmars-civilian-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-goes-on-trial-for-corruption">reported</a> by The Daily Wire, Suu Kyi was taken into custody after the military took control of the country earlier this year. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party were extremely successful in last year’s elections, but the military decided that the votes were inaccurate and took over. 
The Myanmar junta has violently cracked down on protesters who are pushed back against the military takeover of the country. 
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/footage-released-of-violent-myanmar-protests-after-at-least-38-people-killed">Footage</a> of violent protests came out in March showing “security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators … In other footage, about two dozen security forces, some with their firearms drawn, chase two people wearing the construction helmets donned by many protesters down a street. When they catch up to the people, they repeatedly beat them with rods and kick them. One of the officers is filming the scene on his cell phone,” per the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-protest-crackdown-videos-spark-outrage-45bcddc6508ddf61f2d736f2741fb613">AP</a>.
“Soldiers and police have killed more than 1,300 people and detained over 10,000 since the coup, according to the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. In the most recent clash on Sunday, security forces opened fire and rammed a truck into a crowd of protesters in Yangon, the country’s largest city,” the Journal noted. 
“Ms. Suu Kyi was long hailed internationally as a defender of human rights, but her reputation was badly damaged because she didn’t protect Rohingya Muslims, a stateless minority that was targeted in a 2017 military offensive that United Nations investigators say was carried out with genocidal intent,” the outlet added.
Last month, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-journalist-sentenced-to-11-years-in-prison-by-myanmar-court">a U.S. journalist was sentenced</a> to prison for 11 years by a court in the military-controlled country. 
As <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us-condemns-conviction-journalist-army-ruled-myanmar-2021-11-12/">reported</a> by Reuters, Danny Fenster is a 37-year-old American journalist and “managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar.” He “was found guilty of incitement and violations of immigration and unlawful associations laws, his magazine said and described the sentences as ‘the harshest possible under the law.’”
The United States has been vocal against the treatment of Fenster, but the question remains as to whether or not it will take further action. 
 “The ruling today represents an unjust conviction of an innocent person,” a State Department spokesperson said in an email to Reuters at the time. “We are closely monitoring Danny’s situation and will continue to work for his immediate release.”

55DE9360-62CD-46C1-834A-21E3EAB68468_1_201_a

Myanmar Civilian Leader Sentenced To Two Years In Prison

Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court on Monday and is facing charges deemed by critics as “bogus and politically motivated.&#8221;
She was taken into custody after the military took control of the country earlier this year. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party were extremely successful in last year&#8217;s elections, but the military decided that the votes were inaccurate and took over. 
The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/myanmar-coup-suu-kyi-trial/2021/06/14/cae4f626-c99a-11eb-8708-64991f2acf28_story.html">reported</a>, “Shortly after her detention, [Suu Kyi] was charged with possessing and importing walkie-talkies without a license, but the military steadily slapped on more severe charges, including corruption and violating the colonial-era secrets act. She faces a total of seven charges and penalties of up to 15 years — meaning she could spend the rest of her life in detention.”
Win Myint, Myanmar’s civilian president, worked with Suu Kyi in the government prior to the military takeover. Win Mint has also reportedly been detained on charges like hers.
Suu Kyi is not aware of where she is being held, according to her lawyers, because she was taken to an undisclosed location after she was arrested. “The trial is happening behind closed doors, with information only released through her lawyers or state media,” per The Post.
The head of Suu Kyi’s defense team, Khin Maung Zaw, said the hearings started on Monday around 10:30 in the morning and continued for around six hours. “Several prosecution witnesses were brought forward to testify,” per The Post. 
The head of her defense team said that Suu Kyi “seemed not very well” but “paid keen attention” to the hearing. On Tuesday, two additional cases will be heard before the court.
Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights, last week said that more violence is impending in the country. She also reportedly said that the global community should hold the military responsible for its actions.
“Rather than seeking dialogue, the military is branding its opponents as ‘terrorists’ and pursuing politically motivated charges against the democratic leadership,” Bachelet said. “In just over four months, Myanmar has gone from being a fragile democracy to a human rights catastrophe.”
According to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-myanmar-trials-e44a208c40440242e062c57be6f8362a">The Associated Press,</a> “Human Rights Watch said that the allegations being heard in a special court in the capital, Naypyitaw, are ‘bogus and politically motivated’ with the intention of nullifying the victory and preventing Suu Kyi from running for office again.”
“This trial is clearly the opening salvo in an overall strategy to neuter Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy party as a force that can challenge military rule in the future,” said Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy Asia director.
The Myanmar junta has violently cracked down on protesters who are pushing against the military takeover of the country. 
According to <a href="https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/more-than-30-youth-sentenced-in-closed-court-hearing-inside-myeik-prison">Myanmar Now reporting</a> from last week, many young activists were sentenced to prison and tortured after being arrested for allegedly protesting the coup. &#8220;The young activists were tortured during the interrogation process in the Tanintharyi Region town, according to another dissident who was arrested with them and among those released earlier,&#8221; the outlet reported.
A man who had been formerly detained told Myanmar Now, “They said, ‘What is it you chant and sing in marches and protests? How many fingers do you hold up?’ and beat us up. Anyone with a tattoo of Amay Suu was treated even worse,” he said, referencing Suu Kyi.
“They said, ‘You called us military dogs. Well, military dogs bite.’ And they just kept beating us,” the man said.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/footage-released-of-violent-myanmar-protests-after-at-least-38-people-killed">Footage</a> of violent protests came out in March showing “security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators … In other footage, about two dozen security forces, some with their firearms drawn, chase two people wearing the construction helmets donned by many protesters down a street. When they catch up to the people, they repeatedly beat them with rods and kick them. One of the officers is filming the scene on his cell phone,” per the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-protest-crackdown-videos-spark-outrage-45bcddc6508ddf61f2d736f2741fb613">AP</a>.
The international community has expressed some outrage at Myanmar for its actions against democratic leaders and citizens, but the world is watching to see what additional efforts might be taken to support the pro-democracy efforts in the area.

DF796934-41AC-4AC9-92EF-9543223FB2F2_1_201_a

Myanmar’s Civilian Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Goes On Trial For Corruption

A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/shoot-me-instead-myanmar-nuns-plea-to-spare-protesters">photo</a> of a Catholic nun kneeling before police officers armed with weapons to protect children and protesters has gone viral. Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng pleaded with the law enforcement officials before they tried to shut down an anti-coup protest in the northern Myanmar city of Kachin.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
‘Shoot me instead’: Myanmar nun’s plea to spare protesters <a href="https://t.co/zRypptPbMI">https://t.co/zRypptPbMI</a>
— The Guardian (@guardian) <a href="https://twitter.com/guardian/status/1369339669540970496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;I knelt down&#8230; begging them not to shoot and torture the children, but to shoot me and kill me instead,&#8221; she told AFP on Tuesday, as reported by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/shoot-me-instead-myanmar-nuns-plea-to-spare-protesters">The Guardian.</a>
The nun received praise from many people in the country, which is predominantly Buddhist. Myanmar has experienced political unrest, violence, and turmoil since the military took over the government and ousted pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
As reported by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/footage-released-of-violent-myanmar-protests-after-at-least-38-people-killed">The Daily Wire</a> last week:
<blockquote>Violence escalated in Myanmar on Wednesday, resulting in at least 38 people losing their lives after protests began on February 1 following a military takeover of the government. Video footage and photos released on Thursday shows protesters violently attacked as they fight back against the anti-democracy military junta.
On February 20, The Daily Wire reported that two people had been killed due to the unrest in Myanmar, “resulting in the most violent day since the military takeover of the government on February 1.” On Wednesday, that number changed dramatically. 
U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener confirmed in a briefing that Wednesday was “the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the first of February.” According to CNN, Burgener continued, “Every tool available is needed now to stop this situation…We need a unity of the international community, so it’s up to the member states to take the right measures.”</blockquote>
Several countries have spoken out against the unrest in Myanmar as the military continues to threaten journalists and citizens. On Monday, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/09/asia/myanmar-media-crackdown-intl-hnk/index.html">CNN</a> reported that members of the junta barricaded protestors in the city of Yangon before lifting a curfew and leaving the area, giving demonstrators the freedom to evacuate early Tuesday morning.
Protests continue every day throughout Myanmar and the military has responded violently. According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-politics/myanmar-protesters-able-to-leave-yangon-district-after-being-trapped-idINKBN2B106V">Reuters</a>, &#8220;More than 60 protesters have been killed and more than 1,800 detained, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an advocacy group, has said.&#8221;
Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng, the 45 year-old Catholic nun, described confronting the members of the police as they positioned around a group of protestors.
“The police were chasing to arrest them and I was worried for the children,” she said.
She got on her knees to beg them to be merciful, but as she was doing so, the police fired rounds into the throng of protestors.
“The children panicked and ran to the front … I couldn’t do anything but I was praying for God to save and help the children,” she said.
She recalled how she saw a man fall to the ground after he was shot in the head. “I felt like the world was crashing,” she said. “I’m very sad it happened as I was begging them.”
According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/shoot-me-instead-myanmar-nuns-plea-to-spare-protesters">The Guardian</a>, &#8220;A local rescue team confirmed to AFP that two men were shot dead on the spot during Monday’s protest, though it did not confirm whether live rounds or rubber bullets were used.&#8221;
Kachin is Myanmar&#8217;s northernmost state and is no stranger to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/slow-genocide-myanmars-invisible-war-on-the-kachin-christian-minority">conflict</a>. For years, the largest Christian minority community has seen war play out in the region as the Kachin Independence Army fights against government military forces. Christian groups are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/shoot-me-instead-myanmar-nuns-plea-to-spare-protesters">reportedly</a> among the organizations that are helping the tens of thousands of people in the area who have been forced to leave their homes.
On February 28, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/shoot-me-instead-myanmar-nuns-plea-to-spare-protesters">acted</a> with comparable bravery when &#8220;she made a similar plea for mercy, walking slowly towards police in riot gear, getting on her knees and pleading for them to stop.&#8221;
“I have thought myself dead already since 28 February,” she said.
The nun said that she will continue to do what she has been doing.
“I can’t stand and watch without doing anything, seeing what’s happening in front of my eyes while all Myanmar is grieving,” she said.

B4485C2E-3C6C-4222-9706-2C7DB1BB8E23_1_201_a

‘Shoot Me Instead’: Myanmar Catholic Nun Kneels In Front Of Military Forces

Violence escalated in Myanmar on Wednesday, resulting in at least 38 people losing their lives after protests began on February 1 following a military takeover of the government. Video footage and photos released on Thursday shows protesters violently attacked as they fight back against the anti-democracy military junta.
On February 20, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/facebook-bans-myanmar-military">The Daily Wire</a> reported that two people had been killed due to the unrest in Myanmar, &#8220;resulting in the most violent day since the military takeover of the government on February 1.&#8221; On Wednesday, that number changed dramatically.
U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener confirmed in a briefing that Wednesday was &#8220;the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the first of February.&#8221; According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/03/asia/myanmar-protest-deaths-intl/index.html">CNN</a>, Burgener continued, &#8220;Every tool available is needed now to stop this situation&#8230;We need a unity of the international community, so it&#8217;s up to the member states to take the right measures.&#8221;
The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-protest-crackdown-videos-spark-outrage-45bcddc6508ddf61f2d736f2741fb613">AP</a> reports on the details of the footage. &#8220;Videos showed security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators&#8230;In other footage, about two dozen security forces, some with their firearms drawn, chase two people wearing the construction helmets donned by many protesters down a street. When they catch up to the people, they repeatedly beat them with rods and kick them. One of the officers is filming the scene on his cell phone.&#8221;
The video evidence has led to a stronger response from the international community than had been previously reported, but some wonder if it will lead to action. The U.N. Security Council is set to gather on Friday in a closed-door meeting.
On Twitter, a U.N. expert on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, stressed the importance of leaders witnessing the violence displayed in the videos. He wrote, &#8220;The systematic brutality of the military junta is once again on horrific display throughout Myanmar. I urge members of the UN Security Council to view the photos/videos of the shocking violence being unleashed on peaceful protesters before meeting in Friday&#8217;s closed-door session.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The systematic brutality of the military junta is once again on horrific display throughout Myanmar. I urge members of the UN Security Council to view the photos/videos of the shocking violence being unleashed on peaceful protesters before meeting in Friday&#39;s close-door session. <a href="https://t.co/6owx7ybhcN">pic.twitter.com/6owx7ybhcN</a>
&mdash; UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews (@RapporteurUn) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapporteurUn/status/1367291707310628864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Journalists are also being targeted by the military during the protests and uprisings. An Associated Press journalist was handcuffed and put in a chokehold, according to reports and footage of the incident.
The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/video-myanmar-police-chokehold-ap-photographer-thein-zaw-73adafb20dd94a92fd62de9116fcf0c3">AP</a> details the assault:
<blockquote>&#8220;The video starts with [journalist] Thein Zaw standing by the side of a road on Saturday photographing dozens of security forces as they run at a group of protesters in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Several police run at him, and he tries to escape. At least seven surround him as he is placed in a chokehold. He is pushed and shoved and quickly handcuffed. A policeman with a bullhorn then uses the handcuffs to pull him away.&#8221;</blockquote>
Ian Phillips, AP&#8217;s Vice President for International News, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/video-myanmar-police-chokehold-ap-photographer-thein-zaw-73adafb20dd94a92fd62de9116fcf0c3">called</a> for the release of the journalist on Wednesday, saying, “Independent journalists must be allowed to freely and safely report the news without fear of retribution. AP condemns the charge against Thein Zaw and his arbitrary detention.”
The United States has been vocal about its disapproval of the violence in the region, as well. According to Reuters, &#8220;U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said he was &#8216;appalled and revulsed&#8217; by reports and images of a crackdown on protesters, in which Myanmar security forces killed at least 38 people on Wednesday.&#8221;
The U.S. also urged Myanmar officials to free the AP journalist, as well as five other media members. “We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on and arrests of journalists,” said Price. “We call on the military to immediately release these individuals and to cease intimidation and harassment of the media and others unjustly detained merely for doing their jobs.”
The U.S. previously sanctioned those who are involved with the military takeover, as well as some military organizations. However, Price also said that the U.S. is considering further action as it tries to bolster a reaction from the international community.
“We call on all countries to speak with one voice to condemn brutal violence by the Burmese military against its own people and to promote accountability for the military’s actions that have led to the loss of life of so many people in Burma,” said Price.
Social media companies have also recently taken note of the growing violence in the region. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/facebook-bans-myanmar-military">The Daily Wire</a> reported last week that Facebook decided to ban Myanmar&#8217;s military accounts on Instagram and Facebook in an attempt to protect the citizens of Myanmar.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/facebook-bans-myanmar-military">The Daily Wire</a> reported, &#8220;The social media company announced it is “banning the remaining Myanmar military (‘Tatmadaw’) and military-controlled state and media entities from Facebook and Instagram, as well as ads from military-linked commercial entities.”
Protesters returned to the streets on Thursday in spite of the violence from the previous day. Police reportedly used tear gas on gatherings in Yangon and signaled a show of strength through a formation flyover of five military planes in Mandalay.

F6E63966-2C69-47D5-A8E2-96EACCF20D75_1_201_a

Footage Released Of Violent Myanmar Protests After At Least 38 People Killed

Facebook posted an <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/an-update-on-myanmar/">update</a> Wednesday on their current response to the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar that has continued to spark protests and violence in the country.
The social media company <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/an-update-on-myanmar/">announced</a> it is &#8220;banning the remaining Myanmar military (&#8216;Tatmadaw&#8217;) and military-controlled state and media entities from Facebook and Instagram, as well as ads from military-linked commercial entities.&#8221;
The Facebook <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/an-update-on-myanmar/">announcement</a> states:
<blockquote>We’re continuing to treat the situation in Myanmar as an emergency and we remain focused on the safety of our community, and the people of Myanmar more broadly.
Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban. We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw on Facebook and Instagram are too great.
We’re also prohibiting Tatmadaw-linked commercial entities from advertising on the platform. We are using the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar’s 2019 report, on the economic interests of the Tatmadaw, as the basis to guide these efforts, along with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These bans will remain in effect indefinitely.</blockquote>
Facebook adds that the company has required the Tatmadaw to adhere to the same Community Standards that it holds all users to around the globe, saying that it has &#8220;removed content from military Pages and accounts that violated these policies.&#8221; However, Facebook outlines the four reasons as to why they have decided to put an end to the Tatmadaw&#8217;s use of their services.
These four <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/an-update-on-myanmar/">reasons</a> are given as follows:
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>The Tatmadaw’s history of exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar, where the military is operating unchecked and with wide-ranging powers.</li>
<li>The Tatmadaw’s history of on-platform content and behavior violations that led to us repeatedly enforcing our policies to protect our community.</li>
<li>Ongoing violations by the military and military-linked accounts and Pages since the February 1 coup, including efforts to reconstitute networks of Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior that we previously removed, and content that violates our violence and incitement and coordinating harm policies, which we removed.</li>
<li>The coup greatly increases the danger posed by the behaviors above, and the likelihood that online threats could lead to offline harm.  </li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2021/02/an-update-on-myanmar/">Facebook</a> added that, in the past, the company has acted to avert the military group from misusing the social media company. Included in these actions are &#8220;banning 20 military-linked individuals and organisations in 2018, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, for their role in severe human rights violations; and removing at least six Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior networks run by the Tatmadaw from 2018 to 2020.&#8221;
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/two-killed-during-protest-in-myanmar">The Daily Wire</a> reported last week, violence continued in Myanmar as at least two people were killed while protesting against the military takeover that occurred Feb. 1.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/two-killed-during-protest-in-myanmar">The Daily Wire</a> reported:
<blockquote>Police reportedly confronted protesters and ship workers who were striking in the country’s second-largest city during a standoff that lasted hours. Some of the demonstrators were reported to have flung items at the police, who then tried to disperse the group. According to Reuters, “Police responded with tear gas and gunfire, and witnesses said they found the cartridges of both live rounds and rubber bullets on the ground.”
Ko Aung, a leader of the Parahita Darhi volunteer emergency service, confirmed, “Twenty people were injured and two are dead.” </blockquote>
Facebook made the point in its notice that the ban does not apply to &#8220;government ministries and agencies engaged in the provision of essential public services&#8221; and that they will keep assessing the circumstances and take action if needed in order to keep the public out of danger.

F066C8F4-4D7A-4C30-8587-4029E5D316CD_1_201_a

Facebook Bans Myanmar Military

Facebook

According to multiple reports on Saturday, at least two people were killed during an anti-coup protest in Myanmar, resulting in the most violent day since the military takeover of the government on February 1.
Police reportedly confronted protesters and ship workers who were striking in the country&#8217;s second-largest city during a standoff that lasted hours. Some of the demonstrators were reported to have flung items at the police, who then tried to disperse the group. According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/two-killed-in-mandalay-city-in-bloodiest-day-of-myanmar-protests-idUSKBN2AK048">Reuters</a>, &#8220;Police responded with tear gas and gunfire, and witnesses said they found the cartridges of both live rounds and rubber bullets on the ground.&#8221;
Ko Aung, a leader of the Parahita Darhi volunteer emergency service, confirmed, “Twenty people were injured and two are dead.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/two-killed-in-mandalay-city-in-bloodiest-day-of-myanmar-protests-idUSKBN2AK048">Reuters</a> reports:
<blockquote>One man died from a head wound, media workers including Lin Khaing, an assistant editor with the Voice of Myanmar media outlet in the city, and a volunteer doctor said.
Ko Aung and the doctor said a second man was shot in the chest and died later of his wound. He was identified by relatives as Thet Naing Win, a 36-year-old carpenter.
“They took away the body to the morgue. I cannot bring him back home. Although my husband died, I still have my son,” his wife, Thidar Hnin, told Reuters by phone. “I haven’t been involved in this movement yet but now I am going to &#8230; I am not scared now.”</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/two-killed-in-mandalay-city-in-bloodiest-day-of-myanmar-protests-idUSKBN2AK048">On Friday</a>, the first anti-coup protester died &#8220;after being shot in the head last week as police dispersed a crowd in the capital, Naypyitaw &#8230;&#8221; The army said that one policeman has also died from injuries resulting from a protest.
U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price reacted to the news on Twitter, saying, &#8220;We are deeply concerned by reports that Burmese security forces have fired on protestors and continue to detain and harass demonstrators and others in Burma. We stand with the people of Burma.&#8221;
Myanmar is also known as Burma.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
We are deeply concerned by reports that Burmese security forces have fired on protestors and continue to detain and harass demonstrators and others in Burma. We stand with the people of Burma.
&mdash; Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1363258378554925057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Britain also <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/two-killed-in-mandalay-city-in-bloodiest-day-of-myanmar-protests-idUSKBN2AK048">reportedly</a> said that it would consider taking more action against those involved in violence against protesters, and the French foreign ministry called the violence “unacceptable.”
The protests come after Myanmar&#8217;s ousted pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, faced new charges earlier in the week.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/myanmars-ousted-pro-democracy-leader-suu-kyi-faces-new-charge">The Daily Wire</a> reported:
<blockquote>Myanmar police filed a new charge against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, which might make it possible for her to be held “indefinitely without trial as part of an intensifying crackdown by authorities who seized power in a coup,” according to The Associated Press.
The Feb. 1 military takeover in Myanmar resulted in Suu Kyi being detained and deposed. She is already facing one charge of illegal possession of “walkie-talkies — an apparent attempt to provide a legal veneer for house arrest.”
The most recent charge is for breaking a law that has reportedly been used to take legal action against those who violate COVID-19 restrictions, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told reporters after meeting with a judge in a court in Myanmar’s capital city of Naypyitaw.</blockquote>
The United States, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand have <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/two-killed-in-mandalay-city-in-bloodiest-day-of-myanmar-protests-idUSKBN2AK048">reportedly</a> announced limited sanctions since the military takeover.
On February 11, the United States detailed its <a href="https://www.state.gov/designating-officials-and-entities-in-connection-with-the-military-coup-in-burma/">sanctions</a> focusing on military leaders involved in the coup:
<blockquote>We join partners, allies, and others across the world in condemning the military’s actions. We stand with the duly elected representatives of the people of Burma and all those peacefully protesting this takeover. The military regime should relinquish power, restore the democratically-elected government, release all those unjustly detained, lift telecommunications and social media restrictions, and refrain from violence. Today’s action sends a clear message of support to the people of Burma in their pursuit of democracy and human rights.</blockquote>

894C235F-FA43-47E1-887C-961C34E5D84F_1_201_a

Two Killed During Protests And Unrest In Myanmar

Protest

Protesters

Myanmar police filed a new charge against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, which might make it possible for her to be held &#8220;indefinitely without trial as part of an intensifying crackdown by authorities who seized power in a coup,&#8221; according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">The Associated Press</a>.
The Feb. 1 military takeover in Myanmar resulted in Suu Kyi being detained and deposed. She is already facing one charge of illegal possession of &#8220;walkie-talkies — an apparent attempt to provide a legal veneer for house arrest.&#8221;
The most recent charge is for breaking a law that has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">reportedly</a> been used to take legal action against those who violate COVID-19 restrictions, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">reporters</a> after meeting with a judge in a court in Myanmar&#8217;s capital city of Naypyitaw.
The charge against violating COVID-19 restrictions has a maximum penalty of three years in prison. What has raised more concern, however, is that the charge could create a situation where Suu Kyi could be &#8220;detained indefinitely without court permission.&#8221; This is because of changes in the Penal Code put into place last week by the junta, the military group that recently took control of the country by force.
Some had been hopeful that Myanmar was moving towards democracy, but two weeks ago, the military coup &#8220;shocked many in the international community.&#8221; Protesters have been gathering since the coup, but the junta has gotten involved by violently dissolving the demonstrations and even issuing orders to block access to the internet.
According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">AP</a>:
<blockquote>
On Monday, security forces pointed guns at a group of 1,000 demonstrators and attacked them with slingshots and sticks in the city of Mandalay. Local media reported that police also fired rubber bullets into a crowd and that a few people were injured.
Protests continued Tuesday in Yangon, the country’s largest city, and elsewhere. In Yangon, police blocked off the street in front of the Central Bank, which protesters have targeted amid speculation online that the military is seeking to seize money from it. Buddhist monks demonstrated outside the U.N.’s local office in the city.
</blockquote>
There is a current order in place that bans any gatherings of more than five people, but protests are occurring in spite of this restriction. On Tuesday, about 3,000 people, mostly students, proceeded with the protests, reportedly &#8220;carrying posters of Suu Kyi and shouting for the return of democracy.&#8221; Following the confrontations on Monday, security was reported to be &#8220;low-key around the march.&#8221;
As reported by the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56074429">BBC</a>:
<blockquote>On Saturday, the military gave itself the power to make arrests, carry out searches and hold people for more than 24 hours without a court ruling, while telling journalists not to describe the military&#8217;s takeover as a coup.</blockquote>
The state-run media has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">reportedly</a> spoken about the protests, but not directly.
The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper did a report about a meeting of the State Administration Council, the new top governing body. In it, the paper quoted the chief of the council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who said the authorities “are handling the ongoing problems with care.” It said the council talked about providing &#8220;true information&#8221; to the media and taking legal action against demonstrators.
On Sunday and Monday nights, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-world-news-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-yangon-2e6f38a2f9916a3ae2ba81248f1f0b5c">AP</a>:
<blockquote>&#8230;the military ordered an internet blackout — almost entirely blocking online access. Once before in recent weeks it imposed a similar blackout and has also tried less successfully to block social media platforms. It has also prepared a draft law that would criminalize many online activities.</blockquote>
The military prevented parliament from starting its first session on Feb. 1, which, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55882489">BBC</a> reports at the time, &#8220;would have enshrined the election result by approving the next government.&#8221; The military claims that there was fraud in the election last year, and plans to maintain power for a year before holding new elections. Pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi won the disputed election in a landslide and the state election commission has found no proof of fraud.
After the takeover, members of Suu Kyi&#8217;s National League for Democracy party created a committee and declared themselves the true representatives of the people of Myanmar. They asked for recognition from the international community, but none has come.
The United Nations, the United States, and others have called for the military to relinquish power and give it back to the elected government, as well as release Suu Kyi and others who are being held in custody.

Protests Continue In Myanmar Despite Martial Law

Myanmar’s Ousted Pro-Democracy Leader Suu Kyi Faces New Charge

After the Biden administration warned they would “take action” if Myanmar’s military officials proceeded with an “apparent coup against the country’s civilian leaders,” President Joe Biden has approved an executive order to impose sanctions.
Speaking on January 31, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/31/myanmar-coup-464252">said</a>: “The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition,” adding that the U.S. “will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed.”
Ten days later, President Biden <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/in-response-to-myanmar-coup-biden-signs-order-for-sanctions-on-generals-businesses-idUSKBN2AA2OF">said</a> that he had “approved an executive order for new sanctions on those responsible for the military coup in Myanmar and he repeated demands for the generals to give up power and free civilian leaders,” and that the order enabled his administration “to immediately sanction the military leaders who directed the coup, their business interests as well as close family members.”
Speaking at the White House, Biden said that “We’re also going to impose strong exports controls. We’re freezing U.S. assets that benefit the Burmese government, while maintaining our support for health care, civil society groups, and other areas that benefit the people of Burma directly.”
“We’ll be ready to impose additional measures, and we’ll continue to work with our international partners to urge other nations to join us in these efforts,” the president continued.
“I again call on the Burmese military to immediately release the democratic political leaders and activists,” he said. “The military must relinquish power it’s seized.”
According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56015749">BBC</a>, the “sanctions come as a woman who was shot in the head during protests against the coup fights for her life at a hospital in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.” Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing was reportedly hurt yesterday after police tried to disperse protesters, employing water cannons, rubber bullets, and live rounds. Street protests have broken out since last week’s coup, with tens of thousands in attendance.
Biden referenced those protests, saying “The people of Burma are making their voices heard and the world is watching. As protests grow, violence against those exerting their democratic rights is unacceptable and we&#8217;re going to keep calling it out.”
The BBC report added that Biden’s administration would identify the first round of targets of the sanctions this week.

Menu