Since the Myanmar military launched the coup on February 1, the country’s anti-coup demonstrations have continued to ferment. Thousands of people marched in the streets to demand the release of the detained leader. The picture shows protesters displaying placards during a military coup protest in Taunggyi Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The military launched a coup on the grounds that the election in November last year was riddled with fraud. The Democratic League won an overwhelming victory in that election. The military requested the Election Committee to investigate and postpone the convening of a new Congress, but it was rejected. The picture shows on February 12, in Mandalay, Myanmar, demonstrators passing by military vehicles on motorcycles and holding three fingers.
The military announced the implementation of a ban on gatherings of more than five people in major cities of the country, and also stated that it will severely punish demonstrators who “destabilize the country”. The picture shows on February 12, firefighters riding motorcycles to participate in a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar.
On February 10, U.S. President Biden signed an executive order announcing that it would impose sanctions on the Myanmar military and freeze Myanmar’s assets in the United States of more than $1 billion. Biden also once again asked the military to abandon power and release elected leaders. The picture shows February 8th, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, riot police prevented demonstrators from protesting.
The Myanmar coup is the first major international crisis that Biden has faced since he took office. It will test whether he will fulfill his promises, pursue a human rights-centered foreign policy, and work more closely with allies. The picture shows on February 12, demonstrators waved the National Democratic Alliance flag against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar.
On February 12, the National Management Committee of Myanmar issued an order to pardon more than 23,000 prisoners. According to the order, this amnesty mainly targets prisoners sentenced before January 31, 2021. Prisoners in custody will receive varying degrees of commutation, and those sentenced to death will be changed to life imprisonment. Among the pardoned were 55 foreign prisoners, who were also ordered to leave the country.
.
