Updated 24 February 2021

The junta regime is continuing its arbitrary arrests at night and violent crackdowns during the day. The number of deaths, casualties, arrests and detentions of anti-coup protestors, activists and staff participating in CDM has increased each day since 1 February. The media’s position as the fourth estate is also being threatened, journalists are being arrested for simply reporting on news.

On 22 February, the junta delivered a warning to the media not to use the word “the coup government”. If outlets continue to do so, the publication will be banned. This is a violation of one of the fundamental rights of the people for access to a free press and information. On 25 February, although the Indonesia Foreign Affairs Ministry  announced the cancellation of a one-day visit to Naypyidaw by the Minister from Indonesia. U Wunna Maung Lwin, Foreign Affairs Minister, appointed by the junta, today went to Bangkok, Thailand. The Minister of Indonesia there became the first international ambassador to meet with Burma’s military coup council.

On 22 February, the department of the Ministry of Home Affair announced the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor was to be abolished in accordance with article 419 of the 2008 Constitution.

Three student protestors, Ma Khaing Yii Win, Ma Aye Naunt and Ma Ei Thinzar Kyaw who took part in the “22222” uprising on 22nd February, were captured on the Won Kan Hill, Mong Hsu Township, Shan State. On 23 February, the Ayeyarwady Region coup regime issued a statement saying five staff from the Ayeyarwady Regional Hluttaw Office who joined the CDM were to be dismissed from their jobs in accordance with sub-law (a) of section 170 of the Civil Service Law.

Four medical superintendents in Kyauktagar Township, Bago Region, were charged under section 505 (a) of the Penal Code by Township Police Major for joining the CDM on 23 February. And, in Muse Township, Northern Shan State, four civilians who participated in a demonstration against military coup were arrested and charged under section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law. The hearing was held by video conference, said defense lawyer Daw Phyu Phyu Win.

On 24 February, 20 people who participated in a leading demonstrations role against the military coup were filed a lawsuit under section 505-a(c) of the Penal Code which was amended by a new law by the State Administrative Council, according to the Magway Regional Police Force. U Dar Shi La Sai, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Kachin State, was charged under section 505(b) of the Penal Code and detained in Myitkyina Prison.

On the morning of 24 February, security forces tried to disperse demonstrators who were peacefully protesting in front of the Embassy of Japan. Police and soldiers tried to forcibly abduct journalists who were documenting the demonstration in Pyinmana Township, Naypyidaw and several journalists fled from capture.

7 residents who participated in a demonstration against the military coup on 9 February in Ann Township, Rakhine State were charged with two-section, one is under section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law by Police Officer and another one is under section 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law by the General Administration Department and they were sentenced to a fine of 30000 MMK under section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law and 50000 MMK under section 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law,  total a fine of 80000 MMK by Ann Township Court.

The military-appointed Union Election Commission invited political parties to attend a meeting on 26 February in Naypyidaw. However, the Arakan League for Democracy, Kayah State Democratic Party, Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), People’s Party, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and Ta’ang National Party have announced they will not attend.

U Zaw Htay, the spokesperson of the President’s Office was re-appointed as an original position under the military junta, said a spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Htun.

As of February 24, a total of (728) people have been arrested, charged or sentenced in relation to the military coup on February 1. Of them, (4) were convicted; (2) to two years imprisonment, (1) to three months and (1) to seven days. (47) have been charged with a warrant but are evading arrest, (4) others have been charged but not detained, and (62) were released. A total of (666) are still under detention or have outstanding charges/evading arrest, including the (4) 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.

If you receive any information about arrests/detentions of CSO leaders, teachers, activists, journalists, civilians, in relation to the military and police crackdown on dissent. Please submit to the following addresses:

Email :   [email protected]

Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/burmapoliticalprisoners/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/aapp_burma

In Solidarity,

AAPP

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