Since the military’s crackdown in Myanmar since the coup on Feb. 1, more than 600 people have died, including peaceful protesters and children. The military also arrested some celebrities in Myanmar who have criticized the coup.
The military in Myanmar arrested Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other leaders of the National League for Democracy on Feb. 1. Armed forces dominated Myanmar until 2021 when a new democratic government took control.
Protests have been ongoing in towns and cities across Myanmar for more than two months, and the military has worked to contain protesters. BBC News reported more than 80 people died in the recent military crackdown in the city of Bago.
“The military is reported to have taken away the dead bodies of those killed, and the true number of deaths may never be accurately established,” BBC News said. “Witnesses told local media that soldiers had used heavy weapons and shot at anything that moved.”
What are the global reactions to the coup and sanctions?
Support from Myanmar’s close neighbors is important for Myanmar. Although Thailand, Myanmar’s neighboring country, described the situation of Myanmar’s coup as “gravely concerned,” Thailand has reputedly pushed back more than 2,000 people attempting to flee. Thailand cannot interfere with the coup easily because their militaries have close ties, and they are afraid of a flood of refugees.
The United States has condemned the actions of the military. NBC News reported the President Joe Biden released U.S. sanctions against leaders of the Myanmar military coup on Feb. 10.
“President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that his administration will impose sanctions against those involved in last week’s military coup in Myanmar,” NBC News said. “(He) demanded that the country immediately return power to that nation’s democratically elected government.”
Forbes said Biden also announced support for people from Myanmar who live in the U.S. already.
“The Biden administration will allow people from Myanmar to temporarily remain in the United States,” Forbes said.
New Zealand reacted to the coup as well. After eight days into the coup, New Zealand announced a travel ban to Myanmar’s military leaders and cut ties with military leaders in Myanmar.
Authorities in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, mentioned they would stop supporting overseas aid programs which benefit Myanmar’s military leaders.
The ambassadors of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. issued a joint statement to condemn Myanmar’s military. AXIOS reported the details of the statement.
“As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forced and associated security services,” AXIOS said. “We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its action.”
However, people in Myanmar need more support besides the statement to solve the issue. BBC News said although Myanmar’s United Nations tried to respond responsibly to the situation in Myanmar, the coup may become worse.
“On Friday (April 9) ousted MPs and Myanmar’s UN ambassador called on UN Security Council members to take action against the military, including extending sanctions and imposing an arms embargo and no-fly zone,” BBC News said. “The UN meeting was also warned that Myanmar was ‘on the brink of state failure.’”
The dangerous condition in Myanmar has continued for almost two months and people have been under threat from the military. The country cannot control the military’s actions by itself. People in Myanmar are calling for international support as soon as possible.
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