Updated 18 February 2021

As the anti-coup demonstrations have grown, so has oppression and violence committed by the junta against the protestors.

In Mandalay Town the railways have stopped operations since 8 February to participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).  Yesterday, the military arrested at gunpoint the railway drivers, Zaw Ko Ko Maung, Thant Zin and two others from Meiktila Central Transportation School in order to forcibly demand they drive the trains. The general public in Mandalay then protested yesterday afternoon to demand their release.  By night, the police and the military shot at the Mandalay Central Railway Station staff housing and one staff in the residence was injured. They also shot at the Charity Dari Social Welfare Association Office near the station, a youth member was thus injured and two charity vehicles were hit by bullets.

At around 4:30am 18 February morning, twelve civil servants from Foreign Affairs Ministry who participated in CDM were arrested at TatKone Township, Nay Pyi Taw.

In Myitkyina, Kachin State, this morning anti-coup protests were blocked  by the military and the police and some civilians were abducted by the military. In the afternoon, at about 2:00pm, peaceful protestors from Nay Pyi Taw were blocked and arrested by the police, subsequently, more than 30 people including women were detained and the crowd were dispersed with a water cannon. 

This disproportionate use of force by the police against peaceful demonstrators from the protests and the civil disobedience movement is unjustifiable and contravenes more than one international law. Speaking to the UN Special Session on Burma, 13 February, Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said “the response of police and security forces to the peaceful protests of a people united has gone from restraint to intimidation to bloodshed”, unfortunately the Rapporteurs warnings have come true again.

This morning in Rangoon, around ten civilians wearing robes smashed car windows which had NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stickers of support. The cars were parked at traffic lights on Bahan 3rd Road. Four cars were damaged and one person hit with an iron rod. The perpetrators then went into the monastery nearby. Subsequently, the public demanded the perpetrators and then made negotiations with the monks from that monastery. However, slingshots from the monastery were directed towards the public. A crowd was then blocked by the police who were security for that monastery. This location has been a well known assembly for pro-military movements before. 

Rakhine Regional Chief Minister U Nyi Pu has been filed under 505(b) of the Penal Code with the next court hearing on 22 February. As has Mandalay Regional Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, charged under section 505(b) of the Penal Code with next hearing on 22 February. He is currently detained at Mandalay Prison.

As of yesterday, the junta allegedly issued arrest warrants and charged six famous artists under section 505(b) of the Penal Code for encouraging civil servants to take part in CDM.

Khun Bwar Hto Thway who is a member of the NLD has been detained since yesterday evening  in Hsihseng Township, Shan State.

On 16 February, Swe Zin Nu who lives in Aung Thu Kha Village, Pobba Thiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw was arrested by policemen for donating food to civil servants who participated in the CDM. Her family members have not known where she was detained until now.

As of February 18, a total of (521) people have been arrested, charged or sentenced in relation to the military coup on February 1. Of them, (3) were convicted; (2) to two years imprisonment and (1) to three months. (32) have been charged with a warrant but are evading arrest, (3) others have been charged but not detained, and (44) were released. A total of (477) are still under detention or have outstanding charges, including the (3) 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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