Feb, 15th 2021 – Small groups of protesters have begun to gather in Myanmar despite the armored vehicles which have appeared on the streets of several cities. The military’s increased presence is the latest sign of a potential crackdown on opposition to the coup it carried out on the 1st of February.
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in protests over the last 10 days, demanding for democracy to be restored. They also want their elected leaders released from detention.
The military however announced that civilian leader Aung San Su Kyi would be detained for a further two days despite plans for her detention to end today.
Ambassadors from the United States, Canada, and 12 European nations have also called on Myanmar’s security forces to refrain from violence against the protestors. They have condemned the arrests of the political leaders, activists, and also the military interference with communications.
Statement by Ambassadors to Myanmar: "We support the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy, freedom, peace, and prosperity. The world is watching." pic.twitter.com/OtRzSEIf1H
— U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) February 14, 2021
In a joint statement, they said, “We support the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy, freedom, peace, and prosperity. The world is watching.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed his concerns about the situation in the country which includes the increase of use of force.
Residents also reported that all four major telecommunication networks were inaccessible. Citing a near total internet shutdown, internet blockage monitor NetBlocks said that the internet shutdown was if effect as of early hours of Monday morning, 1am.
⚠️ Confirmed: A near-total internet shutdown is in effect in #Myanmar as of 1 a.m. local time; real-time network data show national connectivity at just 14% of ordinary levels following state-ordered information blackout; incident ongoing 📉
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 14, 2021
📰Background: https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/wWWVzb0c0G