Myanmar Protests as Death Toll Passes 500
Deustsche Welle
(March 30, 2021) — The death toll in Myanmar’s military crackdown on anti-coup demonstrators has reached 510, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) confirmed on Tuesday, warning that the true toll might be higher.
The AAPP said at least eight civilians were killed in Myanmar’s biggest city Yangon on Monday. The total number of deaths the watchdog recorded on Monday was 14.
International pressure is mounting on Myanmar’s junta for using force against protesters since the military ousted the elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
On Monday, the United States suspended a trade deal with Myanmar, demanding the restoration of a democratic government.
The US, Canada, Britain and the European Union had imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military generals.International organizations, including the United Nations, have continuously condemned the crackdown.
‘Garbage Strike’
Garbage covered the streets of Yangon on Tuesday as activists found a new way to protest the coup.
Images circulated on Twitter showed piles of garbage at main road intersections after protesters asked residents to leave their rubbish as a form of civil disobedience.
According to local media, authorities warned that they would take action against those who threw out garbage in Kyeemyindaing district, western Yangon.
Earlier in March, Myanmar’s junta imposed martial law in two districts in Yangon to gain more power amid increasing protests in the city.
Three of Myanmar’s armed ethnic rebel groups issued a joint statement threatening the military with retaliation.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army (AA) said if the junta did not stop the bloodshed, they would “cooperate with the protesters and fight back.”
The statement came after the General Strike Committee of Nationalities (GSCN), one of the leading groups organizing demonstrations, called for ethnic minority forces to help protesters.
Since Myanmar’s independence from Britain in 1948, armed rebel groups have fought the central government for decades for more autonomy.
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ACTION: President Biden: Support an Arms Embargo for Burma
(March 30, 2021) — Blood is flowing on the streets of Burma. At least 500 people have been killed since the military coup in February. One was a single mom, Ma Daisy Kyaw Win, buying snacks for her 6-year-old when a security force’s bullet killed her. She was 32.
Bullets like the one that killed Ma Daisy, bombs, and weapons are *still* being sold to the military regime that is now unleashing a devastating crackdown on pro-democracy protestors. A Global arms embargo would remove fuel from the fire.
With its renewed emphasis on global diplomacy and unparalleled diplomatic resources, the Biden administration has enormous power to lead and pressure other countries to stop the flow of weapons to Myanmar’s military coup leaders — if they step up.
The pro democracy protests that burst onto the streets following the military regime’s seizure of power is entering its third month, and the predictable draconian response has led to the arrest of more than 1,100 people.
It’s extremely likely the crackdown will get even more deadly — and that’s even more reason to take weapons out of the hands of the military.
More than one hundred groups have come together to urge the United Nations Security Council to immediately impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar. As one of the “Permanent Members” with enormous geo-political influence, the Biden administration can supercharge this effort — if it decides to make this a priority.
Thank you for working for peace. Amy and the Win Without War team
THE LETTER
President Biden:
Since the coup on February 1st more than 500 civilians have been murdered by the Burmese military. We must act now to prevent further bloodshed and to protect Burmese protestors.
I urge you to immediately support the efforts of activists to move the United Nations Security Council to immediately impose an arms embargo against the military junta in Burma.
