In the midst of juggling work, remote learning, and the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, my attention to global news had waned. However, one morning, while my twin daughters slept beside me, I opened my CNN app and was struck by a headline that read, “She was shot dead, her body dug up, and her grave filled with cement. But her fight is not over.” As I delved deeper into the story, I became increasingly enraged and horrified that such devastating events receive so little global attention.
This could have been my daughter, who at just five years old is already a fierce advocate for justice. The tragic tale of Angel, a 19-year-old girl shot in the head by the military, resonates deeply. Her body was exhumed and her grave filled with cement, yet her struggle for democracy and the hope for a better future for her fellow Burmese people endures. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a small Southeast Asian nation now under military control.
On the day Angel lost her life, 38 others were killed during protests, victims of a military regime that refuses to accept accountability for its brutal actions. The plight of Myanmar’s citizens calls for our urgent attention, as they seek the kind of democracy we enjoy in the United States.
Prior to the military coup in February, Myanmar had experienced a decade of relative freedom after enduring nearly half a century of military rule. On February 1, the military detained the democratically elected president, Aung San Suu Kyi, and swiftly banned Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp by February 3rd. Just days later, Instagram and Twitter were blocked, culminating in a near-total internet blackout.
Despite the blackout, thousands took to the streets to protest against the coup. While internet access returned, social media remained restricted, crucial for organizing protests. The military’s response has been brutal; according to reports, over 400 protesters, including children, have been killed since February, as the regime tries to stifle the voices of a populace yearning for democracy. Heart-wrenching testimonies flood platforms like Reddit, detailing horrifying events, such as families hiding from armed groups and parents mourning children lost to violence.
Myanmar’s complex history is fraught with discrimination and mistrust of government. The recent coup has exacerbated this crisis, leading to arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and horrific acts of violence against civilians. Following the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the military has reverted the nation to a state of fear and oppression, disregarding the rights and lives of its people.
It took President Biden ten days to address the situation in Myanmar, announcing the withholding of $1 billion in funds and imposing strong export controls on the regime. He emphasized that the military must relinquish the power it seized and signed executive orders sanctioning Myanmar. Additionally, he froze U.S. assets benefiting the Burmese government while ensuring support for healthcare and civil society groups that aid the people directly.
At a UN Human Rights Council meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military’s actions and called for an immediate halt to the repression, urging the release of prisoners and respect for human rights. He highlighted the ongoing violence and the need for accountability, including the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population.
As hospital staff, teachers, and young people rally against these injustices, Myanmar is in a state of turmoil. The current events there reflect the fragility of democracy, not unlike the lessons learned from the insurrection in the United States just months ago. Everyone deserves basic human rights and safety, and as the international community calls for justice, the Myanmar military will face consequences for its actions.
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Summary
The military coup in Myanmar has led to egregious human rights violations, with the military suppressing protests and killing hundreds, including children. The need for accountability and global attention is critical, as the people of Myanmar strive for democracy and justice.
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