YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Myanmar’s governing board has stepped up its campaign against celebrities backing national protests against the seizure of power, publishing wishlists in the state media and warning against the use of their work.
The move follows weeks of escalating violence by security forces in the wake of street protests against the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 570 protesters and spectators, including 47 children, have been killed since taking over, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners, which monitors victims and arrests and says the actual number is likely higher. The coup reversed the country’s gradual return to democracy after five decades of military rule.
The lists published Sunday and Monday in the Global New Light of Myanmar include actors, musicians and social media influencers accused of violating section 505 (A) of the Criminal Code for “spreading news that affects the stability of the state.” The penalty for the crime is up to three years in prison.
A chart that completes most of a page contains 20 people, along with photos, hometowns, and Facebook pages of each.
Several actors and directors were also charged in February, but the campaign against supporters of celebrity protests intensified last week, when army-controlled Myawaddy TV aired a wish list. There are now at least 60 people on such lists.
May Toe Khine, who describes herself on her Twitter profile as a “full-time Burmese actress / part-time fashion designer student,” posted on Twitter after the TV announcement that her arrest warrant was “for the simple fact that I did my civilian job: using my platform to speak the truth. ”
“Please always pay attention to the news in Myanmar until we win,” she wrote.
What appears to be a document released by the Ministry of Information, informs broadcasters and production agencies about allegations against people in the fields of literature, film, performing arts, music and journalism. He warns them not to publish or disseminate any of their works and not to be accused alone.
The April 4 document, which could not be authenticated by The Associated Press, was reported by Khit Thit Media and widely circulated on social media.
Protests continued Monday across the country, but generally on a smaller scale than recently and often in ways designed to avoid confrontations. On Sunday, there was an “Easter Egg Strike” with painted eggs in support of protests posted in public and online.
In Dawei, a city in southeastern Myanmar, which is a stronghold of the protest movement, a short march was accompanied by a motorcycle procession.
In Yangon, the country’s largest city, a memorial march for the dead was held by mourners dressed in black. Separately, about 20 people briefly gathered on a city street and burned Chinese flags. Many protesters believe that Beijing supports the military regime with economic and political support, including the threat of a veto at the UN Security Council against international sanctions.