Disproportionate Punishment
Myanmar’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives official sentencing
The Myanmar military leadership seized power of the country on 1 February 2021. Shortly after the military generals removed leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power and placed her in detention at an undisclosed location.
On Monday 6 December 2021 Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of numerous crimes, including inciting political dissent, violating COVID-19 rules and, one of her more heinous crimes, the importation of illegal walkie talkies. I’m sure we can all agree the latter of these to be the most serious of offences an individual can commit. I myself prefer a sturdy tin can telephone for private conversations.
The ruling is the first in almost a dozen cases the military is bringing against the former leader. The trial was closed to the media, with the military banning Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers from communicating with the media and the public.
In May 2021 the Junta began limiting internet access in an attempt to remove opposition to their seizure of the country. Civil disobedience increased online as a movement of tech savvy young citizens navigated restrictions through VPN’s.
The Junta forced telecom providers to impose nightly internet and power outages to limited communications amongst its citizens and quell unrest.
This type of pressure has continued to worsen as the military brings down harder and crueler punishments of innocent civilians. A local media report from the Sagaing region, located in the north-western part of Myanmar, shows the remains of 11 farmers who were allegedly burnt to death by soldiers.
Behind the News have a great run down of the backstory of the current situation in Myanmar. Well worth a watch!
The Junta continues to detain political dissidents and protestors of the military coup, many of which are politicians and journalists seeking to bring awareness to the horrors being suffered by the people of Myanmar.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support. I hope you continue to enjoy reading my work as I much as I enjoy writing it for you. - Al