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Myanmar was slated for more street protests Wednesday against the military government, while Indonesia’s efforts to emerge from the crisis with the help of other Southeast Asian countries appeared to falter with a diplomatic visit proposal scrapped.
Large demonstrations and a general strike took place this week on Monday to denounce the February 1 military coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, despite warnings from authorities that the confrontation could lead to death. of people.
On Tuesday, the gatherings were smaller overall, but a demonstration by members of different ethnic minorities was held in the Yangon Mall, with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Energy.
“We ethnic minority people have not had the opportunity to demand our rights, but now we do,” said San Aung Li, 26, a member of the Kachin minority.
“So I support the protest like all ethnic people do, with one voice.”
With protest and a civil disobedience movement paralyzing life in Myanmar, Indonesia has been trying to find a way out.
Sources said he proposed a plan focused on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sending monitors to ensure the generals keep their promise to hold fair elections.
The military has not given a deadline for a new election, but it imposed a one-year state of emergency when it took power, so it would likely be after that.
But Suu Kyi’s party, which swept the Nov. 8 election that the military says was marred by fraud, and her supporters want her victory recognized.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is in Thailand and was expected to fly to Myanmar, but that trip was canceled, her ministry said.
“After taking into account current developments and input from other ASEAN countries, this is not the ideal time to pay a visit to Myanmar,” Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said in a session. informational in Jakarta.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Indonesian embassy in Yangon to voice their opposition to a new election, demanding that the votes they cast in November be recognized.
The army seized power after denouncing fraud in the November elections, arresting Suu Kyi and many of the party’s leaders. The electoral commission dismissed the allegations of fraud.
Future Nation Alliance, a Myanmar-based activist group, earlier said in a statement that a Retno visit would be “equivalent to recognizing the military junta.”
The group demanded that foreign officials meet with Htin Lin Aung, a member of a committee representing the ousted legislators, who has been appointed “sole official responsible for foreign relations.”
‘Withheld on account’
Indonesia’s efforts to resolve the crisis come at a time when international concern is growing.
The rich nations of the Group of Seven (G7) on Tuesday condemned the intimidation and oppression of those who oppose the coup. “Anyone who responds to peaceful protests with violence must be held accountable,” the group’s foreign ministers said in a statement.
Western nations sought to increase pressure on the board this week, and the European Union warned it was considering sanctions that would affect military-owned companies.
The United States imposed sanctions on two more board members and warned it could take more action.
China, which has traditionally taken a softer line, said international action should contribute to stability, promote reconciliation and avoid complicating the situation, media reported.
The military chief, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, has called for state spending and imports to be reduced and exports to be increased to revive what he called a failing economy.
He did not link the protests to economic problems, but said authorities were following a democratic path in dealing with them and that police were using minimal force, such as rubber bullets, state media reported.
The security forces have shown more restraint compared to previous crackdowns on individuals who had promoted democracy during nearly half a century of direct military rule.
Still, three protesters have been shot dead. The army has said that a policeman died from injuries sustained during the protests.
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