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Opponents of Myanmar’s military coup welcomed the new sanctions from Great Britain and Canada on Friday (February 19) as protesters prepared to take to the streets in what will mark two weeks of daily demonstrations in the Southeast Asian country. .
In addition to diplomatic pressure, Japan said it agreed with Australia, India and the United States on the need for democracy to be restored quickly after the army’s takeover on February 1 in which elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested.
READ: Myanmar protesters organize largest rallies since troop deployment
Youth leader and activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi applauded Britain’s asset freeze and travel bans on three generals, as well as measures to stop any aid that helps the army and prevent British companies from working with the army.
Canada said it would take action against nine military officers.
“We urge other nations to have such a coordinated and united response,” he wrote on Twitter. “We will be waiting for the announcement of the EU sanctions on (February 22),” he said, calling on people to meet at the EU office for the sanctions to include measures against military companies.
The Myanmar junta has yet to react to the new sanctions. On Tuesday, an army spokesman told a press conference that sanctions were expected.
There is little history that Myanmar’s generals gave in to foreign pressure and they have closer ties with neighboring China and Russia, which have long taken a softer approach than critical Western countries.
Demonstrators hold a banner as they march during a protest against the military coup near the temples in Bagan, Myanmar on February 18, 2021 in this image obtained by Reuters.
READ: Thousands of people demonstrate in Yangon despite the military concentration, UN expert ‘terrified’ could ensue
The leader of the junta, Min Aung Hlaing, was already under sanctions from Western countries following the 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority.
“Sanctioning military leaders is largely symbolic, but moves to sanction military companies will be much more effective,” said Mark Farmaner, head of the Burma Campaign UK group in reaction to the sanctions.
After nearly half a century of full military rule, companies linked to the military have a significant stake in the economy of the country of 53 million people, with interests ranging from banking to beer, telecommunications and transportation.
The army regained power after denouncing fraud in the November 8 elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party, halting a transition to democracy that had begun in 2011 and detaining her and hundreds more people.
HUNDRED ARRESTED
The Myanmar Political Prisoners Assistance Association said a total of 521 people had been detained as of Thursday. Forty-four have been released.
The junta has also been pressured by demonstrations and a campaign of civil disobedience that has paralyzed much of government business.
More protests were planned on Friday, marking the fourteenth day of what have become the largest street demonstrations since the “Saffron Revolution” in 2007, which became a step towards democratic reforms.
The marches have been more peaceful than the bloody-repressed demonstrations under the previous meetings, but the police have fired rubber bullets several times to disperse the protesters.
READ: Protesters in Myanmar again to denounce military coup, police use water cannons in capital
A protester is expected to die after being shot in the head in the capital Naypyidaw last week. The army says a policeman died from injuries sustained in a protest.
Three people were injured by rubber bullets on Thursday night in the southeastern town of Dawei when community members took to the streets to avoid the arrest of a protest leader, local media Dawei said. Watch.
The protesters have called for recognition of last year’s elections, as well as the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other detainees.
Aung San Suu Kyi faces one charge of violating a Natural Disaster Management Act, as well as charges of illegally importing six walkie talkie radios. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 1.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, spent nearly 15 years under house arrest for her efforts to bring democracy and won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle.
