One day, a friend who was born and raised in Myanmar told me. “In my country, the army is using force to control protesters. Why do they need a gun to control non-violent protests?” Her usual cheerful smile disappeared from her face, and sadness emerged.
- #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar
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Citizens are now demonstrating in Myanmar, and the armed forces are oppressing it. The demonstrations led by Generation Z gradually strengthened its solidarity among people, and the crackdown by armed forces became worse. In Myanmar, Japan, and the world today, they are still fighting for the next generation’s freedom even though they have made many sacrifices and faced fear.
- Why are myanmar Citizens Angry?
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Why did this happen? It was because the armed force unfairly seized its power. The general election held in November 2020 came out as an overwhelming victory by the NLD (National League for Democracy) led by Aung San Suu Kyi. But the armed forces claimed that the election was fraudulent. On February 1, commander-in-chief of the armed forces seized full power by detaining Aung San Suu Kyi. The explanation by them for this act lacked legal and political grounds and disappointed the people.
- Creative Protest
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After the transition to civilian rule in 2011, the public opinion was that a military coup was unlikely to occur. They thought that the increased productivity due to economic liberalization, and accelerated information expansion by the spread of the internet, would be the deterrent. Citizens who were taken aback by the event on February 1 were angry that the election results being ignored. The next day, various protests led by students began. There were many protest styles, such as hitting a pot, demonstrating in costumes, broadcasting through SNS, and abandoning workplace by civil servants from the concept of CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement). However, all movements were consistently unarmed and non-violent. Order is maintained, such as picking up trash and wearing masks. Their attitude of wishing for peace while supporting each other in dire straits was instantly transmitted to the world.
- The Violent Crackdown by the Armed Forces
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The crackdown by the armed force, which began with the disconnection of the network, gradually escalated. The arrest of protesters, water discharge, and tear gas use intensified from the latter half of February. They also started to shoot live ammunition at young people marching on demonstrations. In the daytime, there were sounds of gunshots and screams of citizens. And at night, people were afraid that they might be taken away by the army. There are no safe places. When the heavy bombings began, the evacuees swiftly started to move out. The number of arrests was 3,000. The death toll was at least 700 (the exact number is unknown, as some were taken away by the military after being shot dead in a demonstration). Additionally, arrest warrants were issued for the most influential celebrities, and 23 citizens were sentenced to death. Military personnel with guns roamed the town in some areas, and citizens cannot go out.
- For Freedom and Justice
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Even under such circumstances, they continue to protest. It contains the determination to leave a peaceful and bright future for the next generation, even if they are the sacrifice for it.
- What We Can Do?
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They are fighting hard, but now that information is regulated and cracked down by force is continuing. The international community’s support is essential. As a method for that, the following actions can be considered.
・Have interests
Gather information using media and lectures such as webinars. In addition to receiving it, it is also possible to appeal to the media such as TV stations and newspaper companies by telling your impressions. You can also visit Myanmar restaurants to talk and listen to the people of Myanmar.
・Persuade the government of your country
Deliver your voice to the government through signing activities.
・Support protests such as CDM
In addition to providing financial support through fund-raising campaigns and crowdfunding, support is available in various ways, as posting support message plates and posting photos and videos with three fingers. It is also effective to disseminate information and spread the news to expand understanding. Below, I would like to introduce some sources of donations and information.
・Myanmar Emergency Assistance Team 21 #JUST Myanmar 21
・Donations to protect the “life” of Myanmar people
・Myanmar Online meeting to think and act on “what we can do”
Japan’s national election voter turnout was 49% in the 25th House of Councilors election held in July 2019. The voter turnout of Myanmar’s general election, which NLD won overwhelmingly in 2015, was 85%. From the anger of being deprived of their freedom, they fought by increasing solidarity among the ethnic groups. I feel that their attitude of cooperation is questioning how we deal with our politics. I want to know the history and the current situation surrounding them. Moreover, continue to pay attention without giving up on a bright future together.