I admit, I was overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with global news amidst work obligations, remote education, and the challenges posed by COVID-19. However, one morning, as I scrolled through my news app with my twin daughters peacefully sleeping beside me, I stumbled upon a headline that shook me to my core: “She was shot dead, her body dug up, and her grave filled with cement. But her fight is not over.” As I read on, my feelings of anger and horror grew, realizing that such tragic events were not receiving the attention they deserved.
This could have easily been my daughter, who even at five years old exhibits fierce courage, standing up for others and voicing her opposition to injustice. The story of Mia, a brave 19-year-old girl shot in the head by the military, whose body was exhumed and her grave filled with cement, represents a heartbreaking fight against the military’s human rights violations in Myanmar. She stood for democracy, striving for a future where she and her fellow Burmese citizens could live freely. Yet, the military has seized control of Myanmar, a small nation situated in Southeast Asia.
On the day Mia lost her life, 38 others were also killed during protests, victims of a military regime that refuses to acknowledge its heinous actions. Myanmar urgently needs our attention in hopes of addressing the injustices endured by its citizens, who yearn for the democracy we cherish in the United States.
Before the military coup in February, Myanmar had just begun to emerge from nearly five decades of oppressive military rule. On February 1, the military detained the democratically elected president, Aung San Suu Kyi, and by February 3, they imposed a ban on Facebook and messaging platforms. Shortly thereafter, Instagram and Twitter were blocked, leading to an internet blackout.
Despite these challenges, thousands of people took to the streets in protest. Although internet access was restored a day later, social media remained banned, significantly hampering protesters’ ability to communicate. According to the BBC, over 400 protesters, including children, have been killed since February as the military seeks to silence those demanding democracy. A Reddit thread titled “All about Myanmar” provides a raw, real-time account of the atrocities occurring in the country, including horrific incidents of violence and destruction.
Myanmar’s history is marred by discrimination and distrust in the government. The current military coup has intensified fears, with reports of people being arrested and disappearing, as well as bodies being taken after funerals. Since February 1, the military has used tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds, escalating to live ammunition when these measures failed. Cover-ups and disappearances have become routine for the military and police.
For a decade, the people of Myanmar enjoyed a taste of democracy. However, after the arrest of their widely-supported president, the military has reverted the nation to a climate of fear and violence where human rights are trampled upon.
It took President Biden 10 days to address the situation in Myanmar. His statement emphasized financial repercussions, announcing that the U.S. would withhold $1 billion in funds while asserting that the military must relinquish power. He also imposed sanctions and announced a freeze on U.S. assets that benefit the Burmese government, while maintaining support for healthcare and civil society groups that directly aid the people.
Just 12 days later, during a UN Human Rights Council meeting, Myanmar was a focal point of discussion. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the military to cease its repression and respect the will of the people. He condemned the ongoing violence, arbitrary arrests, and human rights violations, including the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population.
With hospital staff and educators among the protesters and youth leading the movement, Myanmar is experiencing immense turmoil. The plight of its people is not so different from the struggles faced in the United States, as recent events have highlighted the fragility of democracy. Human rights are universal; safety should not be compromised due to fear of expression. As the international demand for accountability grows, the military in Myanmar will face consequences for its actions.
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Summary:
Myanmar faces severe human rights violations following a military coup that ousted democratically elected leaders. The military’s violent repression has resulted in hundreds of deaths among protesters, including children. International attention is urgently needed to support the Burmese people’s fight for democracy, as the consequences of this turmoil reflect broader issues of human rights worldwide.