The pro-democracy mobilization continues in Burma. On this Easter Sunday, the civil disobedience movement has imagined a new campaign: broadcast pictures of eggs on social networks decorated with messages against the regime: “Save Burma”, “We want democracy”, “Let’s get out of MAH [le puissant chef de la junte, Min Aung Hlain] “.
Since the putsch of 1er February, which toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, tens of thousands of workers went on strike and entire sectors of the economy were paralyzed. More than 550 civilians, including women and children, have been killed by security forces. The toll could be much heavier: some 2,700 people have been arrested. Many, held in secret, without access to their relatives or a lawyer, are missing.
“Jesus is risen: hallelujah, Burma will rise again”
Four civilians were shot again on Saturday (April 3), and a 30-year-old man was shot dead on Sunday in Kachin state, in the far north of Burma. Despite this, opponents of the coup continue to challenge the military regime.
Our people’s creativities, braveries and courages are the future of Myanmar. Easter is all about the future, the… https://t.co/KignqVCoPD
“The creativity, bravery and courage of our people are the future of Burma”, tweeted Doctor Sasa, special envoy to the United Nations (UN) of the fallen civilian government. In his easter message, Pope Francis expressed his ” proximity (…) with young Burmese who are committed to democracy by making their voices heard peacefully ”. “Jesus is risen: hallelujah, Burma will rise again”, tweeted for his part Charles Bo, first cardinal of the country, overwhelmingly Buddhist.
The junta for its part assured, in a state media, that the security forces “Showed the greatest restraint”. On the ground, Burmese generals have cut internet access for a large majority of the population, ordering the suspension of mobile data and wireless connections. They are also tightening their judicial grip on Aung San Suu Kyi, accused in particular of corruption and of having violated a law on state secrets dating from the colonial era. If found guilty, the 75-year-old former leader, held incommunicado but ” in good health “ according to his lawyers, risks being banned from political life and faces long years in prison.
Arrest warrants have also been issued against 60 Burmese celebrities – singers, models, influencers on social networks – accused of having disseminated information likely to provoke mutinies in the armed forces.
Rebel factions support the disobedience movement
The bloodshed against civilians angered the country’s main ethnic rebel factions. Ten of them gave their support to the civil disobedience movement and planned to “Reconsider” the ceasefire signed with the military from 2015. The powerful Karen National Union, one of the largest armed groups in the country, seized last week a military base in the south-eastern part of the country. country, killing ten soldiers.
The army responded with air raids, the first in twenty years in this region, causing several victims and many displaced. Other rebellions threatened to take up arms against the military. The UN envoy for Burma, Christine Schraner Burgener, warned against a risk ” unprecedented “ of ” civil war “.