The Coup in Myanmar - One Year On

February 1, 2022 marks one year since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup. Since then, the country has descended into turmoil. The UN estimates the crisis will have driven almost half the population into poverty in 2022. The military continues to use violence and terror to stamp out dissent and silence opponents. Since the coup, at least 1,500 civilians have been killed (including nearly 300 in custody), 12,000 arrested, more than 400,000 newly displaced, while the poverty rate has doubled to half the population and 1/4 of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. But opposition remains, including the peaceful protest movements and local civilian defense forces. More details in this “by-the-numbers” document.

International engagement has been extremely lacking. The UN Security Council hasn’t been able to act due to opposition from China and Russia. Regional powers have had a mixed reaction but with a number of authoritarian governments as neighbors, there seems to be an inability for a regional approach for handling the situation.

The junta is fueled in part by their access to money and weapons. There have been some positive action recently though. Total and Chevron announced their intention to pull out from Myanmar last week and the US issued a business advisory for Myanmar. Australian energy company Woodside announced it is pulling out of Myanmar too. Just today, (January 31,2022) the US, Canada and the UK issued sanctions against Burmese regime individuals, a defense entity, and cronies who materially support the regime.

 We know there is still so much work to do but we continue to be inspired by people in Burma who have proven they won’t give up in their pursuit of peace, freedom and a genuine, inclusive democracy.

“We are not calling on the world to save us. We are leading this fight for justice and freedom ourselves. But we are calling on the world to stop aiding and abetting this brutal regime.” Powerful op-ed by Zau Maran from Fortify Rights.

“[T]he people of Burma, including all ethnic groups across the country, are fighting back to regain their rights. It is time for the international community to stand with us in our struggle instead of standing by. The people of Burma are not asking too much, only to hold the Burmese military accountable for the unspeakable crimes they have been committing. We ask the international community to help stop selling weapons to the Burmese military and to stop funding them.” writes Myra Dahgaypaw of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Democracy activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi said, “It is not a year under Coup or Military Junta Feb 1st is an anniversary of the People's Revolution for Democracy, Freedom, Justice & Accountability. We are commemorating the people's continued resistance & fighting spirit against the fascist military & its ideologies.”

“These days, I oscillate between pride and shame, hope and despair, optimism and pessimism. Yet I do remain hopeful. I see a big, transformative shift within Burmese society when it comes to finally acknowledging that minority groups have suffered systemic discrimination and oppression, and a new willingness to change this. Again this is led by young people who believe in diversity and inclusivity. All these herald good things for Myanmar’s future, if only we are allowed to have one,” says Thin Lei Win, founder of Kite Tales.

So, what can you do?
Congress needs to pass the BURMA Act, which would authorize powerful sanctions against the junta leaders responsible for the coup and for past and present atrocities, and provides humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people. It would also require the State Department to make a decision on whether the crimes committed against the Rohingya amounts to genocide. Ask your members of Congress to support the BURMA Act. Take action HERE.

Journalist and the media continue to be targeted in Myanmar. A donation to Kite Tales’ Digital Storytelling Fund supports struggling young Myanmar journalists, artists and other creative professionals, as the military snuffs out media freedoms and takes the country back into isolation. Thanks to a grant from a foundation, they are more than halfway to their target and are now able to support five journalists. You will soon be able to read their writings on their site here. They will also be sharing their diaries through a monthly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.

Participate in the encore edition of the Burma Spring Benefit Film Festival, taking place February 1-13 with over 40 films to stream. Optional donations will go to trusted civil society groups in Myanmar. These provide humanitarian assistance in Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni and Shan states-poor, ethnic areas most severely impacted by food insecurity and emergency shelter needs. Support will also go to freelance media and non-violent human rights activists forced into Thailand.