Women carry flower pots while participating in a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, April 13, 2021. REUTERS / Stringer
Opponents of Myanmar’s military government on Friday staged a “silent strike”, with many people staying at home to mourn the more than 700 people killed in protests against a February 1 coup, while others in black held small marches in several cities. and cities.
Many Myanmar citizens, furious at the return of military rule after five years of civilian rule led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, took to the streets every day with activists thinking of new ways to show opposition as security forces intensifies their suppression.
“Let’s make the roads quiet,” protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on his Facebook page.
“We must organize a silent strike to show our grief for the martyrs who scarified their lives. The quietest voice is the loudest.”
Friday is the fourth day of the traditional five-day Buddhist New Year holiday, known as Thingyan. Most people this year avoid the usual festivities to focus on their campaign against the generals who overthrew Suu Kyi’s government and imprisoned her and many others.
The streets of Yangon’s main city were largely deserted, residents said, while black-clad protesters held small rallies in half a dozen towns and cities, media reported.
There were no immediate reports of violence, but overnight, two people were shot and killed in downtown Myingyan, Radio Free Asia reported.
A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment.
The military has also garnered criticism and published the names of more than 200 wanted people under a law that makes it illegal to encourage riots or abandon obligations in the armed forces.
Two prominent protest organizers were arrested on Thursday along with an actor and singer, both known for speaking out against the coup.
Late on Thursday, soldiers attacked a famous Buddhist monastery in the second city of Mandalay and arrested two people, Myanmar Now media reported.
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Opponents organized both in the country and abroad, in order to intensify their campaign.
A previously unknown group called the Federal Army Ayeyarwaddy said on Facebook that it seeks to fight the army to restore an elected government and protect the people and called for volunteers.
He did not provide any details on how he intended to take over the well-equipped and experienced army, which has been fighting ethnic minority insurgents for decades.
International pressure has also grown slowly on the military, especially from Western governments, although the military has a long history of eliminating external pressure.
The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on 10 other individuals linked to the coup and to target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest of the military takeover, two diplomats said. Read more
While the EU has an arms embargo on Myanmar and targeted 11 senior military officials last month, the decision to target the two companies is the most significant response for the bloc since the coup.
EU diplomats told Reuters in March that parts of the military 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 their sanctions.
The EU declined to comment and no one from Myanmar’s EU mission in Brussels could be contacted for reaction.
In a rare share of an Asian company, POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co Ltd (POSCO C&C) (058430.KS) in South Korea said on Friday that it would end its partnership with MEHL. Read more
The company did not provide details on how it will end the adventure, but a spokesman told Reuters that while ending the adventure, he was not withdrawing from Myanmar.
Southeast Asian neighbors’ leaders, who tried to encourage talks between rival Myanmar parties, will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported.
Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader’s senior general, was scheduled to attend, a Thai radio station said, but the Jakarta Post said it had not been confirmed whether junta or former government representatives would be included at the summit.
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