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In the whirlwind of daily life, I found myself distanced from global news—balancing work, online learning, and the ongoing complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic left me drained. However, that changed abruptly one morning as I browsed my news app, with my twin daughters peacefully asleep beside me. The headline that caught my eye read, “She was shot dead, her body dug up, and her grave filled with cement. But her fight is not over.” The story that unfolded filled me with rage, horror, and frustration that such catastrophic events fail to receive the attention they desperately deserve.
This tragic narrative could easily mirror my own daughter’s story. My daughter, at just five years old, is already a fierce advocate for justice and equality. The tale of Angel, a 19-year-old girl shot in the head by military forces, whose body was exhumed and her grave filled with cement, is a testament to the fight against egregious human rights violations in Myanmar. She battled for democracy and the hope of a future where her people could live freely. However, the military’s grip over Myanmar—also known as Burma, a small Southeast Asian nation—has stifled these aspirations.
On the day Angel lost her life, 38 others were murdered during protests, victims of a military regime that refuses to acknowledge its atrocities. Myanmar urgently needs our awareness and support, as its citizens strive for the democratic freedoms we enjoy in the United States.
Before the military coup in February, Myanmar had only begun to emerge from 49 years of oppressive rule. On February 1, the military detained President Aung San Suu Kyi, and by February 3, they had banned Facebook and other social media platforms essential for communication among protesters. Just days later, the internet was effectively blacked out.
Despite these challenges, thousands rallied to protest. By February 6, internet access was restored, but social media remained blocked. Since then, over 400 protesters—many of them children—have been killed in brutal attempts to suppress dissent. Accounts from Reddit’s “All about Myanmar” reveal chilling realities: homes burned with people trapped inside, parents forced to hide their children from violent attacks, and heartbreaking testimonies from siblings mourning loved ones.
Myanmar’s history is fraught with discrimination and mistrust of governance. Following the military coup, reports surfaced of individuals being arrested and disappearing, while others were shot and their bodies removed post-funeral. The military has unleashed tear gas and rubber bullets on civilians; when those proved ineffective, live ammunition was used. Cover-ups and disappearances have become routine actions of law enforcement in Myanmar.
For a decade, the citizens of Myanmar enjoyed relative freedoms in a democratic society. However, with the arrest of their democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the corrupt military has reverted the country to a terrifying state where human rights are disregarded and violence is commonplace.
It took President Biden ten days to address the grave situation in Myanmar. In his remarks, he focused on economic sanctions, pledging to withhold $1 billion from the military and asserting that they must relinquish their seized power. He emphasized that the U.S. would freeze assets benefiting the Burmese government while continuing support for healthcare and civil society initiatives that directly aid the people of Burma.
Twelve days later, during a virtual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, Myanmar topped the agenda. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the military to cease its repressive actions, release detainees, and respect human rights. He condemned the violence and the undermining of democracy, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.
With healthcare workers and educators joining protests, the situation in Myanmar is dire. The struggles there resonate with the historical lessons we’ve learned in the United States about vigilance in protecting our democracy. Everyone deserves basic human rights; no one should fear for their safety due to expressing their views. As international calls for justice and safety grow louder, the military in Myanmar must be held accountable for its actions.
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