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Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup

February 9th, 2021  •  Author:   Assistance Association for Political Prisoners  •  3 minute read
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Updated 8 February 2021

On February 8, the eighth day of the military coup and the third day of the people’s protests, tens of thousands of people across Burma rallied against the military coup. Civil service workers, teachers, doctors, and more were involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and stood and demonstrated together with the people. 88 generation student Leader Nilar Thein from 88 Peace and Open Society arrived and stood with the protesters as they called for a “People to People Plan” to assist civil servants who face personal and financial difficulties with their participation in CDM. At the Naypyidaw protest, police fired water cannons without warning leaving some with serious injuries.

Pro-military groups incited some to perform a counter-protest in anticipation of a violent crackdown. Cars in support of the coup lined up in front of the Rangoon Thuwanna Stadium, with songs, STOP campaign posters, and the five-fingered salute. After seeing such a response, we are concerned peaceful protestors will suffer violent action in the future.

The Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) announced “action must be taken in accordance with the law if there are violations of state stability and peace, safety of people, and the rule of law”. This is seen as a warning to the peaceful protests, that they could get violently crackdown, hence the concern for protesters safety.

Township general administrators signed and released a statement on February 8 to ban people from protesting or gathering in groups of five or more, with a curfew to run from 8pm to 4am, under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Section 144 refers “whoever, being armed with any deadly weapon, or with anything which used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, is a member of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished with imprisonment of their description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both”.

The Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has released an announcement on the unlawful seizure coup including the current political condition on February 8. It stated “the illegal coup was driven by the personal interests of the military leaders. The armed takeover and dismantling of the duly elected government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is an act of offence against the state.”

As for the arrests and charges, Dr Myint Naing, Chief Minister of Sagaing Region was arrested because he gave a speech to anti-military demonstrators through a mobile phone and brought it to Na Ma Kha (West-Northern Command). In addition, Nan Khin Htwe Myint, Chief Minister of Karen State, was brought again from house arrest by the military.

On February 7, Kyaw Swar Moe, Tun Lwin Soe, Kay Thi, Thin Thin Khaing and Ma Moe, helped transport 88 generation student Leader Min Ko Naing, of the 88 Peace and Open Society to the Rangoon protest. They were arrested after, before being released on February 8.

Thus, as of February 8, a total of (170) people have been arrested and detained in relation to the military coup on February 1. Of them, (2) were sentenced to two years imprisonment and (18) were released. A total of (152) are still under detention, including the (2) sentenced.

AAPP will continue to keep you informed of verified daily arrests, charges and sentences in relation to coup, and update our lists to the details of these alleged offences.

In Solidarity,

AAPP

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