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Sabtu, 13 Februari 2021

Trump's speedy impeachment trial heads toward Senate vote - CNA

WASHINGTON: Senators are poised to vote on whether Donald Trump will be held accountable for inciting the horrific attack at the Capitol after a speedy trial that laid bare the violence and danger to their own lives and the fragility of the nation's tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power.

Barely a month since the deadly riot, closing arguments are set for the historic impeachment trial as senators arrive for a rare Saturday (Feb 13) session, all under the watch of armed National Guard troops still guarding the iconic building.

The outcome of the quick, raw and emotional proceedings are expected to reflect a nation divided over the former president and the future of his brand of politics in America.

“What’s important about this trial is that it’s really aimed to some extent at Donald Trump, but it’s more aimed at some president we don’t even know 20 years from now,” said Senator Angus King, the independent from Maine, weighing his vote.

The US Capitol riot is at the center of efforts to impeach and then convict Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. (Photo: AFP/Alex Edelman)

The nearly weeklong trial has been delivering a grim and graphic narrative of the Jan 6 riot and its consequences for the nation in ways that senators, most of whom fled for their own safety that day, acknowledge they are still coming to grips with.

Acquittal is expected in the evenly-divided Senate, a verdict that could heavily influence not only Trump’s political future but that of the senators sworn to deliver impartial justice as jurors as they cast their votes.

READ: Commentary: The real reason behind impeaching Trump isn't the insurrection

House prosecutors have argued that Trump's rallying cry to go to the Capitol and “fight like hell” for his presidency just as Congress was convening Jan 6 to certify Joe Biden’s election was part an orchestrated pattern of violent rhetoric and false claims that unleashed the mob.

Five people died, including a rioter who was shot and a police officer.

READ: Capitol Police chief apologises for failures in Jan 6 siege

The defense attorneys countered in a short three hours Friday that Trump's words were not intended to incite the violence and impeachment is nothing but a “witch hunt” designed to prevent him from serving in office again.

Only by watching the graphic videos - rioters calling out menacingly for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the vote tally - did senators say they began to understand just how perilously close the country came to chaos.

Hundreds of rioters stormed into the building, taking over the Senate and some engaging in hand-to-hand, bloody combat with police.

Trump Impeachment — In this image from video, security footage is shown to senators as the House impeachment manager speaks during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021. (Image: Senate Television via AP)

While it is unlikely the Senate would be able to mount the two-thirds vote needed to convict, several senators appear to be still weighing their vote. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell will be widely watched for cues, but he is not pressuring his GOP side of the aisle and is telling senators to vote their conscience.

Many Republicans representing states where the former president remains popular doubt whether Trump was fully responsible or if impeachment is the appropriate response. Democrats appear all but united toward conviction.

READ: Bar Trump from holding office again, impeachment managers urge Senate

Trump is the only president to be twice impeached, and the first to face trial charges after leaving office.

Unlike last year’s impeachment trial of Trump in the Ukraine affair, a complicated charge of corruption and obstruction over his attempts to have the foreign ally dig up dirt on then-rival Biden, this one brought an emotional punch over the unexpected vulnerability of the nation’s tradition of peaceful elections. The charge is singular, incitement of insurrection.

On Friday, Trump’s impeachment lawyers accused Democrats of waging a campaign of “hatred” against the former president as they wrapped up their defense, sending the Senate toward a final vote in his historic trial.

Capitol Breach Pardoning Rioters — The Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. (Photo: AP)

The defense team vigorously denied that Trump had incited the deadly riot and played out-of-context video clips showing Democrats, some of them senators now serving as jurors, also telling supporters to “fight," aiming to establish a parallel with Trump's overheated rhetoric.

“This is ordinarily political rhetoric," declared Trump lawyer Michael van der Veen. “Countless politicians have spoken of fighting for our principles.”

But the presentation blurred the difference between general encouragement politicians make to battle for health care or other causes and Trump’s fight against officially accepted national election results, and minimised Trump’s efforts to undermine those election results.

The defeated president was telling his supporters to fight on after every state had verified its results, after the Electoral College had affirmed them and after nearly every election lawsuit filed by Trump and his allies had been rejected in court.

Democratic senators shook their heads at what many called a false equivalency to their own fiery words. “We weren’t asking them 'fight like hell' to overthrow an election,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Democrats say that Trump was the “inciter-in-chief” whose months-long campaign against the election results was rooted in a “big lie” and laid the groundwork for the riot, a violent domestic attack on the Capitol unparalleled in history.

“Get real,” lead prosecutor Jamie Raskin, said at one point. “We know that this is what happened.”

The Senate has convened as a court of impeachment for past presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and now twice for Trump, but the unprecedented nature of the case because he's no longer in the White House has provided Republican senators one of several arguments against conviction.

Republicans maintain the proceedings are unconstitutional, even though the Senate voted at the outset of the trial on this issue and confirmed it has jurisdiction.

Six Republican senators who joined Democrats in voting to take up the case are among those most watched for their votes.

Early signals came Friday during questions for the lawyers. Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, two centrists known for independent streaks, asked the first question. They leaned into a point the prosecutors had made asking exactly when did Trump learn of the breach of the Capitol and what specific actions did he take to bring the rioting to an end?

Democrats had argued that Trump did nothing as the mob rioted.

Another Republican who voted to launch the trial, Senator Bill Cassidy, asked about Trump’s tweet criticizing Pence moments after having been told by another senator that the vice president had just been evacuated.

Van der Veen responded that at “no point” was the president informed of any danger. Cassidy told reporters later it was not a very good answer.

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2021-02-13 07:08:04Z
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Jumat, 12 Februari 2021

Commentary: Myanmar resistance against coup taps on powerful ethnic nationalism with large grassroots base - CNA

Washington DC: The military’s seizure of power in Myanmar and the detention of head of government Aung San Suu Kyi is far from the first time generals in the country have interfered in national politics.

Myanmar’s military has held a prominent political position in the country for decades. For almost 50 years – between 1962 and 2011 – the country was under successive military regimes.

These regimes displayed an ambivalent attitude to the country’s main religion, Buddhism – Buddhist movements, which were on the whole in opposition to military rule, were severely repressed.

READ: Commentary: Understanding its history of resistance rather than sanctions can help Myanmar now

At the same time the military drew a significant level of legitimacy from nationalism, which in Myanmar is intrinsically linked to Buddhism.

As scholars of international relations who examine social movements, identity formation and conflict, we have studied the evolution and growth of Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar. While these groups might not be reliable allies for the military, they are a powerful force with a large grassroots base.

EMERGENCE OF ETHNIC NATIONALISM

Myanmar is ethnically diverse. Its government officially recognises 135 ethnic groups. In terms of religion, there is a sizable presence of Christian and Muslim minorities, but close to 90 per cent of the population identifies as Buddhists.

The roots of Buddhist nationalism go back to the country’s colonial past. Myanmar came under British colonial rule in 1824. The colonial administration withdrew traditional state support for monasteries, promoted secular education, suppressed Buddhist practices and encouraged Christian missionary activity.

Under colonial rule, the British often moved local populations to different colonies. In Myanmar – called Burma under British rule, but changed by the military after crushing the pro-democracy movement in 1989 – the colonists brought in Hindu and Muslim Indians to serve in the colonial administration.

This resulted in Indian businessmen dominating some sectors of the economy. The British also promoted migrant labor to increase rice cultivation and profits. Between 1871 and 1911, the Muslim population tripled.

Each of these factors generated significant resentment among the majority Buddhist population. In the 1930s, violence erupted between Burmese and people of Indian descent. Muslims, in particular, were cast as a threat to the local way of life.

In 1948, Myanmar gained independence from British rule. But for the next 14 years, the country struggled with armed ethnic conflict and political instability.

During military rule, Buddhist groups were violently repressed. In 2007, some 80,000 Buddhist monks came out in protest against the military government’s decision to stop subsidies of fuel. This became known as the “Saffron Revolution.”

The revolution itself was put down by the military regime, but experts believe it might have helped usher in the era of democratisation which began in 2011.

It was at this time Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, or NLD, and daughter of Myanmar’s independence leader, General Aung San, was released from nearly 15 years in detention.

RESURGENCE OF NATIONALISM

The current crisis unfolds in an environment of heightened tensions between Buddhist nationalists and minority groups. Since 2011, Myanmar has been troubled by an upsurge in extreme Buddhist nationalism, anti-Muslim hate speech and deadly communal violence.

READ: Commentary: A crackdown in Myanmar could spark a humanitarian crisis

READ: Commentary: Myanmar military never had any intention of giving up power

This surge was not coincidental. The military-appointed government that led the democratic transition between 2011 and 2016 lifted restrictions on speech and assembly, allowing Buddhist monks to engage politically.

The most prominent of the nationalist groups was the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, commonly referred to by its Burmese language acronym, MaBaTha, led by Buddhist monks.

Because of its highly decentralised nature, estimates of their membership vary greatly, but it is believed to have between 20,000 and 80,000 members in Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, alone.

The MaBaTha Movement became an increasingly destabilising actor, particularly in their vocal campaign against the Rohingya, and Suu Kyi’s government tried to curtail its growth by outlawing it in 2017.

This did little to stop the movement’s growth, as it simply rebranded itself as the Buddha Dhamma Philanthropy Foundation and encouraged its followers to continue their work under that name.

NATIONALISM AND ITS BROAD APPEAL

The nationalist rhetoric found appeal among wide swaths of the Buddhist population, and made Buddhist nationalism an important social force in Myanmar. In 2017, during the violent military crackdown on the Rohingya, there was significant popular support for their actions among Myanmar’s Buddhists.

Meanwhile Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy are not blameless when it comes to encouragement of a certain type of Buddhist nationalism.

Protest against the military coup in Yangon — A Buddhist monk show the three-finger salute as he join a rally in a protest against the military coup and to demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon, Myanmar, February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

In the run up to the 2015 elections, no Muslim appeared on the ballot for the ruling party or the opposition. The National League for Democracy did not allow Muslims to run as political candidates.

In 2017, the National League for Democracy actively participated in the attempts to discredit reports of atrocities committed against the Rohingya.

Despite this, many nationalists in Myanmar believe that Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy are “weak” protectors of Buddhism.

RETURN TO MILITARY RULE

The military coup came as the new parliament was set to hold its first session since the November elections. Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy had won a substantive victory. The main opposition to the National League for Democracy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, or the USDP, has military support.

While there are no formal ties between the Union Solidarity and Development Party and Buddhist nationalist groups, the party’s rhetoric in the 2020 election campaign certainly courted them. They adopted the nationalist theme of “protecting” religion, portraying the National League for Democracy as a “religion-destroying” party.

Myanmar Election — Buddhist monks wearing face masks walk on a street to collect alms in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Nov 6, 2020. (Photo: AP/Aung Shine Oo)

Following the election, the Union Solidarity and Development Party accused the National League for Democracy of election fraud, but offered very little evidence to that effect. In this context of heightened tension and misinformation spreading online, the military made their move to seize power.

READ: Commentary: ASEAN can do better on Myanmar this time

READ: Commentary: Myanmar’s coup - end of the power sharing arrangement between military and civilian forces?

In addition to the nationalist rhetoric centring on religion, another sign that the military seeks the support of Buddhist nationalists is that among the many civil society actors arrested are three Buddhist monks who have been outspoken critics of both the military and the extreme Buddhist nationalist groups.

This signals to Buddhist nationalists that their rivals from within the Buddhist monk community are also seen as a threat to the military.

But Buddhist nationalists might not be reliable allies for the military. As history shows, they will not support a military regime unless it caters to their interests.

Anders Härdig is Director of the Global Scholars Program and Professorial Lecturer in the Comparative Politics and Regional Studies program at American University’s School of International Service. Tazreena Sajjad currently serves as Senior Professorial Lecturer in the Global Governance, Politics and Security (GGPS) Program in the School of International Service (SIS) at American University in Washington D.C. This commentary first appeared in The Conversation.

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2021-02-12 22:07:44Z
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UN rights envoy, US urge sanctions against Myanmar military - CNA

GENEVA: The United Nations human rights investigator for Myanmar urged the UN Security Council on Friday to consider imposing sanctions and arms embargoes as a UN rights body adopted a resolution calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

The United States, which imposed its own sanctions targeting Myanmar's military on Thursday, took the floor at the Human Rights Council to urge other UN member states to follow suit.

Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews cited "growing reports and photographic evidence" that Myanmar security forces had used live ammunition against protesters since seizing power almost two weeks ago.

"Security Council resolutions dealing with similar situations have mandated sanctions, arms embargoes, and travel bans, and calling for judicial action at the International Criminal Court or ad hoc tribunals," Andrews told the Council. "All of these options should be on the table."

READ: Protesters defy Myanmar junta after US imposes sanctions

READ: Myanmar anti-coup protests resume despite bloodshed

The 47-member forum met at the request of Britain and the European Union to consider a resolution calling for the release of ousted Myanmar leader Suu Kyi, and for UN monitors to be allowed to visit. It was adopted unanimously, although Myanmar, Russia and China envoys said they "disassociated" themselves from the resolution.

"With this resolution we would like to send a strong signal to the people of Myanmar: the protection of their human rights matters to us," said Austrian Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger on behalf of the EU.

However, the resolution's language had been watered down somewhat in an apparent bid to get detractors on board.

In a letter read out to the Council earlier on Friday, some 300 elected parliamentarians called for UN investigations into the "gross human rights violations" that they said the military had committed since its coup, including arrests.

"The military also shot people protesting, invaded the ruling party's offices, confiscated documents, records, and property," said the letter, read out by British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite.

It said a telecommunications bill being prepared by the military was intended to restrict access to the Internet and mobile services.

READ: Setting aside divisions, Myanmar's ethnic groups unite against coup

READ: Biden targets Myanmar generals with sanctions, asset freeze

US Chargé d'Affaires Mark Cassayre said: "We ask all Council members to join the United States and others ... in promoting accountability for those responsible for the coup, including through targeted sanctions."

China and Russia - which have close ties to Myanmar's military - said they opposed holding the session at all.

"What happened in Myanmar is essentially Myanmar's internal affairs," said Chen Xu, China's ambassador.

Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov said: "Attempts to whip up hype around the situation in Myanmar need to cease."

Supporters of Suu Kyi clashed with police on Friday as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in defiance of the military's call to halt mass gatherings.

More than 350 officials, activists, journalists, monks and students have been detained, according to Nada al-Nashif, deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Myanmar Ambassador Myint Thu said Myanmar would continue to cooperate with the United Nations and uphold international human rights treaties, adding: "We do not want to stall the nascent democratic transition in the country."

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2021-02-12 18:04:09Z
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UN rights envoy, US urge sanctions against Myanmar military - CNA

The United States, which imposed its own sanctions targeting Myanmar's military on Thursday, took the floor at the Human Rights Council to urge other UN member states to follow suit.

Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews cited "growing reports and photographic evidence" that Myanmar security forces had used live ammunition against protesters since seizing power almost two weeks ago.

READ: Protesters defy Myanmar junta after US imposes sanctions

READ: Myanmar anti-coup protests resume despite bloodshed

However, the resolution's language had been watered down somewhat in an apparent bid to get detractors on board.

"The military also shot people protesting, invaded the ruling party's offices, confiscated documents, records, and property," said the letter, read out by British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite.

It said a telecommunications bill being prepared by the military was intended to restrict access to the Internet and mobile services.

READ: Setting aside divisions, Myanmar's ethnic groups unite against coup

READ: Biden targets Myanmar generals with sanctions, asset freeze

China and Russia - which have close ties to Myanmar's military - said they opposed holding the session at all.

"What happened in Myanmar is essentially Myanmar's internal affairs," said Chen Xu, China's ambassador.

Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov said: "Attempts to whip up hype around the situation in Myanmar need to cease."

Supporters of Suu Kyi clashed with police on Friday as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in defiance of the military's call to halt mass gatherings.

More than 350 officials, activists, journalists, monks and students have been detained, according to Nada al-Nashif, deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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Lunar New Year TV extravaganza hit again by blackface scandal - South China Morning Post

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2021-02-12 11:43:56Z
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Protesters defy Myanmar junta after US imposes sanctions - CNA

YANGON: Anti-coup protesters defied the junta's call to halt mass gatherings on Friday (Feb 12) as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide demonstrations, with many urging Washington to toughen sanctions imposed on the ruling generals.

Security forces carried out another series of arrests overnight, with those detained including at least one doctor who had taken part in an escalating civil disobedience campaign.

Social media giant Facebook said it would cut the visibility of content run by Myanmar’s military, saying they had "continued to spread misinformation" after seizing power in the Feb 1 coup.

READ: Myanmar anti-coup protests resume despite bloodshed

In the biggest city Yangon, hundreds of doctors in white duty coats and scrubs marched past the golden Shwedagon pagoda, the country's holiest Buddhist site, while in another part of town, football fans wearing team kits marched with humourous placards denouncing the military.

Soldiers broke up a protest in the southeastern town of Mawlamyine and arrested several people. In the coastal town of Dawei, the streets were crowded with protesters giving fiery speeches, many carrying red flags with peacocks, a national symbol of pride and resistance.

READ: Setting aside divisions, Myanmar's ethnic groups unite against coup

Demonstrators protest against the military coup and demand for the release of elected leader Aung S — People hold signs and flash a three-finger salute from a vehicle to protest against the military coup and demand for the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 12, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

Thousands also gathered in Myitkyina, the capital of the far northern Kachin state, with young men playing rap music and staging a dance-off.

In the capital of Naypyidaw, some demonstrators put sheets over their heads and dressed as ghosts with sunglasses under the scorching sun. One carried a placard saying "Not all ghosts are scary. But the Burmese police are more frightening".

As Washington announced sanctions, European Union lawmakers on Thursday called for action from their countries and Britain said it was considering measures to punish the coup leaders.

READ: Biden targets Myanmar generals with sanctions, asset freeze

Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) welcomed the US sanctions but said tougher action was needed to force the military to release her from house arrest and recognise the NLD's landslide victory in November elections.

"We are hoping for more actions than this as we are suffering every day and night of the military coup here in Myanmar," Aung San Suu Kyi supporter Moe Thal, 29, told Reuters.

"We want to finish this ASAP. We may need more punishment and action against Myanmar's acting president and generals."

READ: Biden announces sanctions as Myanmar military tightens grip

PRISONERS RELEASED

The coup has prompted the biggest demonstrations since a 2007 'Saffron Revolution' that ultimately became a step towards now halted democratic change.

Friday's protests marked the seventh consecutive day of protests, including one on Thursday outside the Chinese embassy where NLD supporters accused Beijing of backing the junta despite Chinese denials.

The junta remitted the sentences of more than 23,000 prisoners on Friday, saying the move was consistent with "establishing a new democratic state with peace, development and discipline" and would "please the public".

READ: Myanmar junta leader asks Thai counterpart for help on democracy

Among the prisoners released was influential ethnic leader Aye Maung from the western state of Rakhine. He and writer Wai Hin Aung were arrested in 2018 over allegedly speaking favorably of the Arakan Army, one of the country’s most powerful ethnic armed groups. They were both found guilty of high treason and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

US SANCTIONS

The military launched the coup after what it said was widespread fraud in the Nov 8 election, although the electoral commission has said the vote was free and fair.

Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, was swept to power following a historic election victory in 2015. She now faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and has not been seen in public since the coup.

READ: Myanmar general warns anti-coup protesters to return to work

The US sanctions target 10 current and former military officials deemed responsible for the coup, including Min Aung Hlaing. It also blacklisted three gem and jade companies it said were owned or controlled by the military.

Min Aung Hlaing and other top generals are already under US sanctions over abuses against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, and some analysts question whether the latest penalties will have much effect.

The UN Human Rights Council is due to discuss Myanmar at a special session on Friday.

The protests have revived memories of almost half a century of direct army rule, punctuated by bloody crackdowns, until the military began relinquishing some power in 2011.

READ: How protesters in Myanmar get around social media and Internet blackouts

Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent nearly 15 years under house arrest under previous juntas, remains hugely popular at home despite damage to her international reputation over the plight of Myanmar's Rohingya minority.

The generals have promised to stick to the 2008 constitution and hand over power after elections, but on Friday the junta said it would "work for the emergence of a constitution that is in alignment and harmony with the Democratic Federal Union".

No date has yet been set for elections.

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2021-02-12 07:00:25Z
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Kamis, 11 Februari 2021

US sanctions Myanmar coup leaders as generals warn protesters to return to work - CNA

YANGON: The United States on Thursday (Feb 11) slapped sanctions on the leaders of Myanmar's military government, warning that more punishment could come even as the generals in Yangon ordered demonstrators to get back to work or face "effective actions".

As Myanmar was preparing for a seventh consecutive day of anti-coup rallies, the US Treasury Department announced it was blocking any US assets and transactions with 10 current or former military officials held responsible for the Feb 1 coup.

Demonstrations condemning the ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi have largely been peaceful, although security forces earlier in the week used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets on protesters, with isolated reports of live rounds being fired.

In the most significant concrete action, President Joe Biden announced his administration was cutting off the generals' access to US$1 billion in funds in the United States.

Targets of US sanctions announced Thursday include Army chief General Min Aung Hlaing, who now holds legislative, judicial and executive powers in Myanmar. Min Aung Hlaing was already under US sanctions over the campaign against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.

Also targeted are military leaders in the new cabinet such as Defence Minister General Mya Tun Oo, as well as three gem exporting companies controlled by Myanmar's military.

"We are also prepared to take additional action should Burma's military not change course," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, using Myanmar's former name.

"If there is more violence against peaceful protesters, the Burmese military will find that today's sanctions are just the first," she said.

Philippines Myanmar Protest — A protester wearing a Burmese Longyi holds a slogan to show support for protests in Myanmar during a rally in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines on Feb 11, 2021. (Photo: AP/Aaron Favila)

Biden had earlier called on Myanmar's military to release democratic political leaders and activists, adding "the military must relinquish power".

In Europe, former colonial power Britain welcomed Biden's steps, with foreign secretary Dominic Raab tweeting that "we will hold those responsible to account".

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also warned that the bloc could impose fresh sanctions on Myanmar's military.

BACK TO WORK ... OR ELSE

General MIin Aung Hlaing late on Thursday called for civil servants to return to work after days of nationwide strikes supporting the protests.

"Due to unscrupulous persons' incitement, some civil service personnel have failed to perform their duties," he said in a statement.

"Effective actions will be taken."

Since the coup there has been an outpouring of anger and defiance, calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained senior figures of her National League for Democracy party.

Demonstrators marched peacefully on Thursday in Naypyidaw - the capital and military stronghold - as well as Yangon, the largest city and commercial hub, which saw tens of thousands flood into the streets.

"Don't go to the office," chanted protesters outside Myanmar's central bank in Yangon, part of the effort urging people to boycott work to pressure the military government.

"We aren't doing this for a week or a month - we are determined to do this until the end when (Aung San Suu Kyi) and President U Win Myint are released," a protesting bank employee told AFP.

Joining the protest were dozens from the ethnic Karen, Rakhine and Kachin communities - drawn from Myanmar's roughly 130 ethnic groups, some of whom have faced intense persecution from the army.

APTOPIX Myanmar — Ethnic Entha community display placards during a protest against the military coup in Inle Lake, Taunggyi, Myanmar on Feb 11, 2021. (Photo: AP/Aung Ko San)

"Our ethnic armed groups and ethnic people have to join together to fight against the military dictatorship," Saw Z Net, an ethnic Karen protester, told AFP.

In Shan state, demonstrators in traditional costumes took their anti-coup message to the water on Lake Inle, with similar scenes unfolding in the ancient UNESCO heritage city of Bagan as hundreds marched between temples and pagodas.

CRACKDOWN DEEPENS

There were more reports of arrests on Thursday, including the deputy speaker of the parliament's lower house and a key aide to Aung San Suu Kyi.

The number of coup-linked detentions is now more than 200, according to monitor Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The NLD - whose Yangon headquarters saw a raid this week - also confirmed the arrest of election officials in the afternoon.

READ: Myanmar anti-coup protesters rally at Chinese embassy

READ: Myanmar gunshot victim fights for life amid online hunt for shooter

The military justified the power grab by claiming widespread voter fraud in November's polls, which saw a landslide for Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

It quickly moved to stack courts and political offices with loyalists as it ended a decade of civilian rule.

It was unclear how long the military government will tolerate the protests.

Live rounds were fired at a rally in Naypyidaw this week, critically wounding two people - including a woman who was shot in the head.

Images depicting the woman have been shared widely online alongside expressions of grief and fury.

The military's clampdown on information using internet blackouts - with tech companies ordered to cut communications intermittently - has drawn widespread condemnation.

Concern grew that the junta was planning to impose a much harsher internet crackdown, including enacting measures that would allow the military to order blackouts and website bans.

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2021-02-11 22:07:30Z
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