A widely followed silent strike, new international sanctions and a UN investigation for crimes against humanity are some of the reactions in the world a year after the military coup in Burma.
(Read here: A former MP from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party is sentenced to death)
‘We live in hell under this dictatorship’
“We live in hell (…) We have (constantly) to think about our daily lives under this dictatorship, more than about our goals, our dreams for the future,” says Htoo Aung in the market of Rangoon, who did not want to give his real name for fear of reprisals.
‘Millions of Burmese need humanitarian aid’
“More than 14 million people need humanitarian aid, the economy is in crisis, the democratic gains have been lost and the conflict is spreading throughout the country,” they declared in a joint statement. European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and South Korea.
“We reiterate our call on the military regime to immediately end the state of emergency, authorize unhindered humanitarian access, release arbitrarily detained people, and swiftly steer the country towards a democratic process.”
(Also: Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years in jail)
‘Crimes against humanity or war crimes’
“Reports received over the past year suggest that more than 1,000 people have been killed in circumstances that may qualify as crimes against humanity or war crimes,” Nicholas Koumjian, head of the UN Independent Investigation Mechanism, said in a statement. United Nations for Burma.
“International justice has a very long memory and one day the perpetrators of the most serious international crimes committed in Burma will be held accountable,” he warned, recalling that UN investigators are following events “very closely.”
Sanctions to increase pressure on the regime
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, took advantage of this anniversary to increase the pressure on the regime, with new financial sanctions directed at specific perpetrators.
The sanctions were adopted in coordination with the UK and Canada and affect the country’s top judicial officials: Attorney General Thida Oo, Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo and anti-corruption commission chief Tin Oo.
‘A civil war seems inevitable’
Burma is on the verge of collapse,” warned Catherine Renshaw, a professor at Western University in Sydney, warning that the situation will worsen.
“Each week that passes, the suffering is greater, the reproaches accumulate and the distrust between the army and the opponents increases. A large-scale civil war seems inevitable.”
‘Silence is a scream’
“Silence is the loudest cry we can launch against the soldiers and their bloody repression,” said an anonymous opponent on Twitter, while the streets and shops were empty this Tuesday throughout the country.
“Our future is brighter than our past … I urge everyone to stand up for what is right for the people and do what is necessary for the good of the people of Burma,” tweeted Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a pro-democracy activist. .
AFP
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