<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-embassy-in-myanmar-warns-of-troop-movements-cautions-its-citizens-363614">Myanmar's</a> military junta on Monday cut internet service and deployed troops around the country amid large scale protests as security forces fired to disperse demonstrations in the country's north.&nbsp;

Watch:

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NetBlocks said a "near-total internet shutdown is in effect in #Myanmar as of 1 am local time; real-time network data show national connectivity at just 14% of ordinary levels following state-ordered information blackout."

Myanmar troops fired tear gas at protesters in Myitkyina even as reports said at least five journalists monitoring the protest were detained. The crackdown by the military has been heavily criticised by the international community as UN rights envoy said the generals will be held accountable.

Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur for Myanmar said: "It's as if the generals have declared war on the people of Myanmar, these are signs of desperation. Attention generals: You WILL be held accountable."&nbsp;

The foreign ambassadors in Myanmar expressed concern over the incident while urging the military to refrain from violence against demonstrators. The US embassy warned of troop movements and possible "telecommunications interruptions" in Yangon.&nbsp;

Myanmar has witnessed escalated violence ever since the February 1 military coup in which pro-democracy leader and NLD party head Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in a morning raid. The whereabouts of Suu Kyi are still unknown even as the military has arrested several party leaders close to the Nobel Prize winner.

Protests have been going on in the country for over a week with demonstrators demanding a return to democracy and freedom for Suu Kyi.

The military had taken over the country after claiming the November election which was swept by the NLD was a result of voter fraud, an accusation which has been dismissed by the international community.

Myanmar's military junta on Monday cut internet service and deployed troops around the country amid large scale protests as security forces fired to disperse demonstrations in the country's north.

Myanmar's military junta on Monday cut internet service and deployed troops around the country amid large scale protests as security forces fired to disperse demonstrations in the country's north. Watch: NetBlocks said a "near-total internet shutdown is in effect in #Myanmar as of 1 am local time; real-time network data show national connectivity at just 14% of ordinary levels following state-ordered information blackout." Myanmar troops fired tear gas at protesters in Myitkyina even as reports said at least five journalists monitoring the protest were detained. The crackdown by the military has been heavily criticised by the international community as UN rights envoy said the generals will be held accountable. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur for Myanmar said: "It's as if the generals have declared war on the people of Myanmar, these are signs of desperation. Attention generals: You WILL be held accountable." The foreign ambassadors in Myanmar expressed concern over the incident while urging the military to refrain from violence against demonstrators. The US embassy warned of troop movements and possible "telecommunications interruptions" in Yangon. Myanmar has witnessed escalated violence ever since the February 1 military coup in which pro-democracy leader and NLD party head Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in a morning raid. The whereabouts of Suu Kyi are still unknown even as the military has arrested several party leaders close to the Nobel Prize winner. Protests have been going on in the country for over a week with demonstrators demanding a return to democracy and freedom for Suu Kyi. The military had taken over the country after claiming the November election which was swept by the NLD was a result of voter fraud, an accusation which has been dismissed by the international community.

Myanmar military blocks internet as troops fire to break up protest

Anti-Coup protests in Myanmar is now joined by the break dancers, the protests have taken a new route as the protesters also get creative in the coup. The protesters even used the Spiderman figure to alert the military to stay out of the politics. The creative route is not just limited to the heroic figures but also the use of the breakdance concept has also taken place a way to condemn the military coup.

Anti-Coup Protests took a Creative route in Myanmar

It is the second week of protest in Myanmar, and citizens have refused to back down. People have already started to hit the streets and demand an end to the military power grab. Demonstrations in Yangon have been gaining momentum.

Anti-Coup rallies in the Myanmar is gaining momentum

United Nations human rights Counsel held a special session to address the crisis in Myanmar. The 47 members Geneva forum adopted a resolution unanimously without a vote with Russia and china dissociating themselves from consensus.

UN rights body unanimously adopts Myanmar Resolution

Rallies against the Military in Myanmar is gaining momentum

What's happening in Myanmar is a textbook military coup. Tough restrictions have been imposed on the citizens. But, the protesters have found new and creative ways to catch the attention of the world

Gravitas: From bodybuilders to inflated water pools: Myanmar's colourful protests

Things remain tensed in Myanmar where protesters refused to back down despite the crackdown by the authorities on the demonstrators who are opposing the military coup in their country.

Myanmar Police uses water cannons, fire bullets at protesters

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/martial-law-declared-in-parts-of-myanmar-362212">Myanmar</a> military government on Tuesday disallowed US request to speak to Aung San Suu Kyi amid protests in the country over the coup which took place last Monday.

Watch:

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State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "We stand with the people of Burma and support their right to assemble peacefully, including to protest peacefully in support of the democratically elected government."

"We are of course very concerned about the military's recent announcement restricting public gatherings," Price added. The country's military government has imposed a banned five people gatherings and put a nighttime curfew in several areas including Yangon.

"We made an effort to reach out to Aung San Suu Kyi. We did that both informally and formally," Price said, adding, "Those requests were denied."&nbsp;

There have been large scale protests across the country over the military rule imposed last week which started last weekend and continued on Monday as protesters called for a return to democracy.

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council said it will hold a special session to discuss the Myanmar crisis even as several world leaders expressed their displeasure with the military rule.

The Myanmar military hasn't revealed the whereabouts of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and has detained several other leaders from her National League for Democracy(NLD) party.

Amid the large scale criticism, Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing said that the democratic leaders were removed after &nbsp;"voter fraud" while stating that power will be handed back after elections.&nbsp;

The military has imposed one year state of emergency in the country and imposed martial law in some parts of Mandalay, Yangon and other towns amid protests in the country.

The Myanmar military government on Tuesday disallowed US request to speak to Aung San Suu Kyi amid protests in the country over the coup which took place last Monday.

The Myanmar military government on Tuesday disallowed US request to speak to Aung San Suu Kyi amid protests in the country over the coup which took place last Monday. Watch: State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "We stand with the people of Burma and support their right to assemble peacefully, including to protest peacefully in support of the democratically elected government." "We are of course very concerned about the military's recent announcement restricting public gatherings," Price added. The country's military government has imposed a banned five people gatherings and put a nighttime curfew in several areas including Yangon. "We made an effort to reach out to Aung San Suu Kyi. We did that both informally and formally," Price said, adding, "Those requests were denied." There have been large scale protests across the country over the military rule imposed last week which started last weekend and continued on Monday as protesters called for a return to democracy. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council said it will hold a special session to discuss the Myanmar crisis even as several world leaders expressed their displeasure with the military rule. The Myanmar military hasn't revealed the whereabouts of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and has detained several other leaders from her National League for Democracy(NLD) party. Amid the large scale criticism, Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing said that the democratic leaders were removed after "voter fraud" while stating that power will be handed back after elections. The military has imposed one year state of emergency in the country and imposed martial law in some parts of Mandalay, Yangon and other towns amid protests in the country.

Myanmar's military government rejects US request to speak to Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar military govt rejects request to speak with Suu Kyi: U.S.

A week after the military coup in the country, &nbsp;several thousand people came out on the streets in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/internet-access-restored-as-myanmar-coup-protests-grow-361966">Myanmar</a> demanding the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Watch:

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Reports said at least a thousand people turned up at a park in Yangon to begin the third day of protests against the military regime demanding return to democracy. Several protesters had also come out on the street in Mandalay on Monday morning.

Several hundred protesters had gathered nationwide in Myanmar just days after the military place Aung San Suu Kyi under arrest and jailed several National League for Democracy(NLD) &nbsp;in pre-dawn raids on Monday last week. The nation's president was also placed under arrest and imposed one-year state of emergency.

The military had accused that there was widespread voter fraud in the November elections which was swept by the NLD. The military has also blocked the internet which was later restored after large scale protests.

After the restoration of Facebook which was earlier blocked by authorities, live FB video feeds from several cities showed protesters marching through the streets across the street.

Meanwhile, police fired shots in the air and arrest protesters in southeastern Myanmar town of Myawaddy.

Crowds had gathered in &nbsp;Yangon over the weekend chanting "we want democracy" as they gestured three-finger salute which was the symbol of protests in Hong Kong.

Several world leaders including US President have asked the military to return the country to democracy even as Pope Francis expressed "solidarity with the people of Myanmar", and urged the the nation's army to work towards "democratic coexistence".

A week after the military coup in the country, several thousand people came out on the streets in Myanmar demanding the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Watch: Reports said at least a thousand people turned up at a park in Yangon to begin the third day of protests against the military regime demanding return to democracy.

A week after the military coup in the country, several thousand people came out on the streets in Myanmar demanding the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Watch: Reports said at least a thousand people turned up at a park in Yangon to begin the third day of protests against the military regime demanding return to democracy. Several protesters had also come out on the street in Mandalay on Monday morning. Several hundred protesters had gathered nationwide in Myanmar just days after the military place Aung San Suu Kyi under arrest and jailed several National League for Democracy(NLD) in pre-dawn raids on Monday last week. The nation's president was also placed under arrest and imposed one-year state of emergency. The military had accused that there was widespread voter fraud in the November elections which was swept by the NLD. The military has also blocked the internet which was later restored after large scale protests. After the restoration of Facebook which was earlier blocked by authorities, live FB video feeds from several cities showed protesters marching through the streets across the street. Meanwhile, police fired shots in the air and arrest protesters in southeastern Myanmar town of Myawaddy. Crowds had gathered in Yangon over the weekend chanting "we want democracy" as they gestured three-finger salute which was the symbol of protests in Hong Kong. Several world leaders including US President have asked the military to return the country to democracy even as Pope Francis expressed "solidarity with the people of Myanmar", and urged the the nation's army to work towards "democratic coexistence".

Protests erupt in Myanmar for third consecutive day against military coup

Thousands of people took to the streets of Yangon on Saturday to condemn this week's military coup and demand the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar: Demonstrators seeking to roll back the military seizure

Myanmar lost access to Twitter on Friday night, the latest move to stifle dissent as the military widened an internet ban days after a coup that has drawn global condemnation and the threat of new sanctions. &nbsp;

De facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained Monday and ousted from power, returning the country to military rule after a 10-year dalliance with democracy.&nbsp;

Facebook was the first platform that saw issues on Wednesday, and by Thursday, Myanmar users had flocked to Twitter to spread a hashtag campaign against the military putsch with millions of mentions.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-police-step-up-arrests-as-anti-coup-protests-grow-361588" hreflang="en">Myanmar police step up arrests as anti-coup protests grow</a>

But around 10 pm local time (1530 GMT), they saw their Twitter acccess curtailed, with some saying it could not be used even with a VPN service.&nbsp;

"Twitter is now being restricted in #Myanmar on multiple network providers," said NetBlocks, which monitors internet outages around the world.&nbsp;

It also confirmed that other Facebook products -- Whatsapp and Instagram -- were facing disruptions.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protests-erupt-in-myanmar-as-teachers-students-defy-military-rule-361521" hreflang="en">Protests erupt in Myanmar as teachers, students defy military rule</a>

According to a Ministry of Transport and Communications document seen by AFP but not verified, Twitter and Instagram were used to "spread incitement and false news... causing misunderstanding among the public".&nbsp;

"For the sake of the public and stability of the country, Instagram and Twitter will be temporarily blocked until further notice from February 5," it said.&nbsp;

Friday also saw around 200 teachers and students protest at a Myanmar university — the largest show of public dissent within the country so far.

Displaying the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movements, the protesters sang a popular revolutionary song.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-coup-unsc-expresses-concern-calls-for-aung-san-suu-kyis-release-361431" hreflang="en">Myanmar coup: UNSC expresses concern, calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release</a>

"We have to resist this dictatorship," lecturer Win Win Maw told AFP.

"If all civil servants participate in this movement, it's not easy to operate this government system."

Hours before the rally, Win Htein, a key aide of Suu Kyi, was arrested at his daughter's house, said Kyi Toe, press officer for her National League for Democracy party.

The 79-year-old NLD stalwart, considered Suu Kyi's right-hand man, has spent long stretches in detention for campaigning against military rule.

Speaking to local media ahead of his arrest, Win Htein called on people in the country to "oppose (the coup) as much as they can".

While Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was detained on Monday, Kyi Toe said she's currrently "under house arrest" in Naypyidaw, the country's capital, and was "in good health".&nbsp;

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Yangon-based group that monitors political arrests in Myanmar, more than 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained.&nbsp;

'Hope broken'

With Facebook stifled on Wednesday, many people had moved to Twitter in recent days or started using VPN services to bypass the blockade.

After the Twitter restriction Friday, hashtags like #WeNeedDemocracy and #FreedomFromFear -- based on a famous quote by Suu Kyi -- started trending.&nbsp;

A so-called Civil Disobedience Movement has gathered pace online, calling on the public to voice opposition every night by banging pots and clanging cymbals to show their anger.

"I feel our hope is broken by the military after they seized power," said food vendor Thazin Oo, whose mobile phone case has a photo of Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

Police in Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, detained more than 20 people for banging pots and pans. They were sentenced Friday to seven days in prison for violating a public disorder law.

Another four university students from Mandalay were charged Friday for protesting at a small rally the day before without permission and breaking coronavirus rules.&nbsp;

As they were escorted out of court in chains, they flashed a defiant three-finger salute to the waiting media.&nbsp;

In Naypyidaw, dozens of employees from several government ministries posed for group photographs wearing red ribbons and flashing the democracy symbol.

Some 300 MPs also held a virtual meeting Friday to convene an unofficial "parliament committee" in defiance of military rule, according to the NLD.&nbsp;

'Refrain from violence'

The coup has drawn condemnation globally.

On Thursday, US President Biden reiterated his call for the generals to reverse course.

"The Burmese military should relinquish power they have seized, release the advocates and activists and officials they have detained, lift the restrictions in telecommunications, and refrain from violence," he said.

His National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said the White House was "looking at specific targeted sanctions" on military-linked entities.

The UN Security Council took a softer line, voicing "deep concern" -- a step down from a draft Tuesday that had condemned the coup.

Diplomats said veto-wielding China and Russia, Myanmar's main supporters at the UN, had asked for more time Tuesday to finesse the council's response.

There have been calls on multinational companies working with Myanmar's military-linked businesses to cut ties as a way to pressure the generals.

Japanese beer giant Kirin -- long under scrutiny over its ties to Myanmar's army-owned breweries -- said Friday it was terminating a joint venture with a military-owned conglomerate.

Myanmar lost access to Twitter on Friday night, the latest move to stifle dissent as the military widened an internet ban days after a coup that has drawn global condemnation and the threat of new sanctions.

Myanmar lost access to Twitter on Friday night, the latest move to stifle dissent as the military widened an internet ban days after a coup that has drawn global condemnation and the threat of new sanctions. De facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained Monday and ousted from power, returning the country to military rule after a 10-year dalliance with democracy. Facebook was the first platform that saw issues on Wednesday, and by Thursday, Myanmar users had flocked to Twitter to spread a hashtag campaign against the military putsch with millions of mentions. Also read| Myanmar police step up arrests as anti-coup protests grow But around 10 pm local time (1530 GMT), they saw their Twitter acccess curtailed, with some saying it could not be used even with a VPN service. "Twitter is now being restricted in #Myanmar on multiple network providers," said NetBlocks, which monitors internet outages around the world. It also confirmed that other Facebook products -- Whatsapp and Instagram -- were facing disruptions. Also read| Protests erupt in Myanmar as teachers, students defy military rule According to a Ministry of Transport and Communications document seen by AFP but not verified, Twitter and Instagram were used to "spread incitement and false news... causing misunderstanding among the public". "For the sake of the public and stability of the country, Instagram and Twitter will be temporarily blocked until further notice from February 5," it said. Friday also saw around 200 teachers and students protest at a Myanmar university — the largest show of public dissent within the country so far. Displaying the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movements, the protesters sang a popular revolutionary song. Also read| Myanmar coup: UNSC expresses concern, calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release "We have to resist this dictatorship," lecturer Win Win Maw told AFP. "If all civil servants participate in this movement, it's not easy to operate this government system." Hours before the rally, Win Htein, a key aide of Suu Kyi, was arrested at his daughter's house, said Kyi Toe, press officer for her National League for Democracy party. The 79-year-old NLD stalwart, considered Suu Kyi's right-hand man, has spent long stretches in detention for campaigning against military rule. Speaking to local media ahead of his arrest, Win Htein called on people in the country to "oppose (the coup) as much as they can". While Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was detained on Monday, Kyi Toe said she's currrently "under house arrest" in Naypyidaw, the country's capital, and was "in good health". According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Yangon-based group that monitors political arrests in Myanmar, more than 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained. 'Hope broken' With Facebook stifled on Wednesday, many people had moved to Twitter in recent days or started using VPN services to bypass the blockade. After the Twitter restriction Friday, hashtags like #WeNeedDemocracy and #FreedomFromFear -- based on a famous quote by Suu Kyi -- started trending. A so-called Civil Disobedience Movement has gathered pace online, calling on the public to voice opposition every night by banging pots and clanging cymbals to show their anger. "I feel our hope is broken by the military after they seized power," said food vendor Thazin Oo, whose mobile phone case has a photo of Suu Kyi. Police in Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, detained more than 20 people for banging pots and pans. They were sentenced Friday to seven days in prison for violating a public disorder law. Another four university students from Mandalay were charged Friday for protesting at a small rally the day before without permission and breaking coronavirus rules. As they were escorted out of court in chains, they flashed a defiant three-finger salute to the waiting media. In Naypyidaw, dozens of employees from several government ministries posed for group photographs wearing red ribbons and flashing the democracy symbol. Some 300 MPs also held a virtual meeting Friday to convene an unofficial "parliament committee" in defiance of military rule, according to the NLD. 'Refrain from violence' The coup has drawn condemnation globally. On Thursday, US President Biden reiterated his call for the generals to reverse course. "The Burmese military should relinquish power they have seized, release the advocates and activists and officials they have detained, lift the restrictions in telecommunications, and refrain from violence," he said. His National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said the White House was "looking at specific targeted sanctions" on military-linked entities. The UN Security Council took a softer line, voicing "deep concern" -- a step down from a draft Tuesday that had condemned the coup. Diplomats said veto-wielding China and Russia, Myanmar's main supporters at the UN, had asked for more time Tuesday to finesse the council's response. There have been calls on multinational companies working with Myanmar's military-linked businesses to cut ties as a way to pressure the generals. Japanese beer giant Kirin -- long under scrutiny over its ties to Myanmar's army-owned breweries -- said Friday it was terminating a joint venture with a military-owned conglomerate.

Myanmar restricts Twitter as outrage over coup grows

Myanmar's military has said it will not leave even after a year. Elected legislators have defied the military by taking an oath of office. There is a Civil disobedience movement in Myanmar. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the latest.

Gravitas: Facebook blocked in Myanmar

The 79-year-old NLD stalwart is a longtime political prisoner. He has spent lengthy periods in and out for detention for protesting against military rule.

Myanmar military arrests key Aung San Suu Kyi aide

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-calls-on-myanmars-military-to-relinquish-power-361506/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Teachers belonging to a Myanmar university wearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unsc-stops-short-of-condemning-coup-in-myanmar-as-military-arrests-another-suu-kyi-aide-361430">Suu Kyi's</a> NLD party colours and students waving three-fingered salutes chanted "Long live Mother Suu".

The military had earlier arrested NLD's senior party leader Win Htein,79, who was considered to be a key aide of Suu Kyi, just days after arresting the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Reports said at least &nbsp;200 teachers and students from Yangon's Dagon University staged a rally where they displayed the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movement.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained after the coup which took place in the early morning hours on Monday.

The military cut off the internet in the country and blocked Facebook while arresting pro-democracy activists. The coup has been roundly criticised worldwide, however, the UNSC in a meeting on Thursday stopped short of condemning it after intervention from China and Russia.

President Joe Biden urged the military to "relinquish power" asserting that detained advocates, activists and officials should be freed.

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday.

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday. Watch: Teachers belonging to a Myanmar university wearing Suu Kyi's NLD party colours and students waving three-fingered salutes chanted "Long live Mother Suu". The military had earlier arrested NLD's senior party leader Win Htein,79, who was considered to be a key aide of Suu Kyi, just days after arresting the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Reports said at least 200 teachers and students from Yangon's Dagon University staged a rally where they displayed the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movement. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained after the coup which took place in the early morning hours on Monday. The military cut off the internet in the country and blocked Facebook while arresting pro-democracy activists. The coup has been roundly criticised worldwide, however, the UNSC in a meeting on Thursday stopped short of condemning it after intervention from China and Russia. President Joe Biden urged the military to "relinquish power" asserting that detained advocates, activists and officials should be freed.

Protests erupt in Myanmar as teachers, students defy military rule

Aung San Suu Kyi is being called the hero of democracy in Myanmar. Being denoted as 'the lady' who spent 15 years under house arrest so that Myanmar could one day have democracy.&nbsp;She formed Myanmar's first civilian government in 2015.

Analysts outside the country say the leader isn't all about self-sacrifice but&nbsp;her country loves her.

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In 2020, more than 70 per cent of Myanmar's voters braced the pandemic to vote Suu Kyi back to office. Now, less than three months on, she, along with the country's democratic future, have been detained.

Experts say this&nbsp;coup d'etat&nbsp;is the end of her political career.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-asks-people-to-oppose-military-coup-and-protest-reports-360698">Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asks people to oppose military coup and protest: Reports</a>

Suu Kyi is the daughter of Aung San — the man who led Burma to the brink of independence in the 1940s. Suu Kyi was just two years old when her father was killed. She attended school in India, studied at Oxford and accidentally entered politics in 1988.

For decades she shouldered the dreams of her father —&nbsp;building up a free Burma.

She survived detention, house arrest. Her countrymen put her on the same pedestal as Václav Havel, Lech Wałęsa, and Nelson Mandela. Though Suu Kyi never really compared herself to Gandhi, his photo hung on the wall of the house in which she was detained for the better part of two decades.

In 2015, she finally had her shot to steer Myanmar into democracy but she chose to make exceptions to the country's democratic progress.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/world-leaders-condemn-myanmars-military-coup-and-detainment-of-aung-san-suu-kyi-360691">World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi</a>

When Myanmar's military orchestrated a genocide in the Rakhine state and forced millions of Rohingyas to flee their homes, Suu Kyi&nbsp;looked the other way. She did little to stop the atrocities and&nbsp;indifference was seen as a betrayal by&nbsp;her supporters abroad.

The Nobel committee awarded her the peace prize in 1991. This award had made her one of the world's most prominent dissidents — the face of human rights. However, Suu Kyi ended up as one of the biggest challengers of human rights. She defended the army against charges of genocide. She said the military was "exercising the rule of law"&nbsp;in Rakhine.

In 2018, she described the generals in her cabinet as 'rather sweet'. In 2019, she went to the Hague, stood in front of the international court of justice and defended the genocide as a legitimate military operation against terrorists. She traded her goodwill to be in the good books of the military.

Three years on, the same military has imprisoned her. This coup marks the end of her career, and we can give you three reasons why.

<ul>
	<li>Age is not on her side;&nbsp;she's 75 years old.</li>
	<li>Health:&nbsp;There are questions about her health.</li>
	<li>Trust:&nbsp;The military does not trust her anymore.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-next-for-aung-san-suu-kyi-360734">WATCH|</a>

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The generals have taken control of Myanmar. The constitution allows the state of emergency to go on for one year and the&nbsp;military has no plans of handing the baton back to the parliament before that. After&nbsp;that, if they want to continue the facade of democracy, the military will obviously help its proxies come to power.

They may not want Aung San Suu Kyi to be the future of Myanmar.

While the world is campaigning for democracy in Myanmar, they are unlikely to campaign in favour of Suu Kyi specifically.

She has lost the mystique of self-sacrifice. Once a&nbsp;face of resistance against the military, she now&nbsp;became one of its staunchest spokespersons.

If the two decades of house arrest&nbsp;shaped her political career, the&nbsp;current detention is likely to put an end to it.

She had famously written 'the only real prison is fear. The only real freedom is the freedom from fear'. Her fears of being in the military's bad books may have cost Suu Kyi her freedom and&nbsp;political career.

Aung San Suu Kyi is being called the hero of democracy in Myanmar. Being denoted as 'the lady' who spent 15 years under house arrest so that Myanmar could one day have democracy.

Aung San Suu Kyi is being called the hero of democracy in Myanmar. Being denoted as 'the lady' who spent 15 years under house arrest so that Myanmar could one day have democracy. She formed Myanmar's first civilian government in 2015. Analysts outside the country say the leader isn't all about self-sacrifice but her country loves her. In 2020, more than 70 per cent of Myanmar's voters braced the pandemic to vote Suu Kyi back to office. Now, less than three months on, she, along with the country's democratic future, have been detained. Experts say this coup d'etat is the end of her political career. Also read| Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asks people to oppose military coup and protest: Reports Suu Kyi is the daughter of Aung San — the man who led Burma to the brink of independence in the 1940s. Suu Kyi was just two years old when her father was killed. She attended school in India, studied at Oxford and accidentally entered politics in 1988. For decades she shouldered the dreams of her father — building up a free Burma. She survived detention, house arrest. Her countrymen put her on the same pedestal as Václav Havel, Lech Wałęsa, and Nelson Mandela. Though Suu Kyi never really compared herself to Gandhi, his photo hung on the wall of the house in which she was detained for the better part of two decades. In 2015, she finally had her shot to steer Myanmar into democracy but she chose to make exceptions to the country's democratic progress. Also read| World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi When Myanmar's military orchestrated a genocide in the Rakhine state and forced millions of Rohingyas to flee their homes, Suu Kyi looked the other way. She did little to stop the atrocities and indifference was seen as a betrayal by her supporters abroad. The Nobel committee awarded her the peace prize in 1991. This award had made her one of the world's most prominent dissidents — the face of human rights. However, Suu Kyi ended up as one of the biggest challengers of human rights. She defended the army against charges of genocide. She said the military was "exercising the rule of law" in Rakhine. In 2018, she described the generals in her cabinet as 'rather sweet'. In 2019, she went to the Hague, stood in front of the international court of justice and defended the genocide as a legitimate military operation against terrorists. She traded her goodwill to be in the good books of the military. Three years on, the same military has imprisoned her. This coup marks the end of her career, and we can give you three reasons why. Age is not on her side; she's 75 years old. Health: There are questions about her health. Trust: The military does not trust her anymore. WATCH| The generals have taken control of Myanmar. The constitution allows the state of emergency to go on for one year and the military has no plans of handing the baton back to the parliament before that. After that, if they want to continue the facade of democracy, the military will obviously help its proxies come to power. They may not want Aung San Suu Kyi to be the future of Myanmar. While the world is campaigning for democracy in Myanmar, they are unlikely to campaign in favour of Suu Kyi specifically. She has lost the mystique of self-sacrifice. Once a face of resistance against the military, she now became one of its staunchest spokespersons. If the two decades of house arrest shaped her political career, the current detention is likely to put an end to it. She had famously written 'the only real prison is fear. The only real freedom is the freedom from fear'. Her fears of being in the military's bad books may have cost Suu Kyi her freedom and political career.

Aung San Suu Kyi: A hero or opportunist?

Myanmar's de facto leader&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi is in detention&nbsp;in Naypyidaw for almost a day now. The military has declared a state of emergency and&nbsp;has taken control of the country for a year.

Signs of a coup were clear last week. Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, Myanmar defence forces spokesman had said, "We are not saying the Myanmar's army will take power. But, we are also not saying that it will not."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-asks-people-to-oppose-military-coup-and-protest-reports-360698">Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asks people to oppose military coup and protest: Reports</a>

Detentions began before dawn as the mobile signals were down. Numbers in Naypyidaw were unreachable, as were those to Yangon. Soon, the state TV also went off the air and the&nbsp;only message being beamed was from the military-owned television.

"The authority of the nation's law making, governance and jurisdiction is handed over to the commander in chief (min aung hlaing)," the messages read.

Yangon,Myanmar's commercial hub and&nbsp;its former capital was seized by the troops. Banks are closed and the supporters of the military are cruising around with flags. The day was supposed to mark the start of a newly elected parliament, but&nbsp;tanks are now crushing every scope of democracy.

A coup d'état can be never be justified.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/world-leaders-condemn-myanmars-military-coup-and-detainment-of-aung-san-suu-kyi-360691">World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi</a>

Myanmar's military is making a half-hearted attempt and is citing alleged poll irregularities.

In November 2020, Myanmar held its second democratic election in history.

Suu Kyi-led NLD swept the polls winning over 80 per cent of the votes. The military-backed union solidarity and development party settled for just 33 of 476 seats. However, the&nbsp;military has been crying foul ever since. It claims to have uncovered 10 million instances of voter fraud, but there's no proof and the military needs none to nullify the election.

Myanmar's is a fragile democracy and it was meant to be that way. The country's constitution was drafted by the military in 2008. The objective was never to uphold democracy, but to safeguard military supremacy.

The country came out of a 49-year-old military rule in 2011 and it has seen two coups before.

All the three branches of democracy&nbsp;have once again come under the control of the army. Sitting at the helm&nbsp;is army chief min Aung Hlaing — a&nbsp;man&nbsp;who made headlines for spearheading the Rohingya genocide and&nbsp;for being slapped with US sanctions. His men have promised balance and fairness in Myanmar.

University student activist, Si Thu Tun, said, "Our country is just a bird, learning to fly. Now the army broke our wings."

Alarm bells have gone off in the world's leading democracies, from Australia to India, United States, Britain and Japan. Even India said&nbsp;the rule of law and democratic process must be upheld. Many countries have called for the release of Myanmar's leaders.

The UK prime minister Boris Johnson, also tweeted, "The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released."

However, China has not had much to say. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said, "China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar. We hope that all sides in Myanmar... Can properly manage their differences."

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in detention in Naypyidaw for almost a day now. The military has declared a state of emergency and has taken control of the country for a year.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in detention in Naypyidaw for almost a day now. The military has declared a state of emergency and has taken control of the country for a year. Signs of a coup were clear last week. Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, Myanmar defence forces spokesman had said, "We are not saying the Myanmar's army will take power. But, we are also not saying that it will not." Also read| Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asks people to oppose military coup and protest: Reports Detentions began before dawn as the mobile signals were down. Numbers in Naypyidaw were unreachable, as were those to Yangon. Soon, the state TV also went off the air and the only message being beamed was from the military-owned television. "The authority of the nation's law making, governance and jurisdiction is handed over to the commander in chief (min aung hlaing)," the messages read. Yangon,Myanmar's commercial hub and its former capital was seized by the troops. Banks are closed and the supporters of the military are cruising around with flags. The day was supposed to mark the start of a newly elected parliament, but tanks are now crushing every scope of democracy. A coup d'état can be never be justified. Also read| World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi Myanmar's military is making a half-hearted attempt and is citing alleged poll irregularities. In November 2020, Myanmar held its second democratic election in history. Suu Kyi-led NLD swept the polls winning over 80 per cent of the votes. The military-backed union solidarity and development party settled for just 33 of 476 seats. However, the military has been crying foul ever since. It claims to have uncovered 10 million instances of voter fraud, but there's no proof and the military needs none to nullify the election. Myanmar's is a fragile democracy and it was meant to be that way. The country's constitution was drafted by the military in 2008. The objective was never to uphold democracy, but to safeguard military supremacy. The country came out of a 49-year-old military rule in 2011 and it has seen two coups before. All the three branches of democracy have once again come under the control of the army. Sitting at the helm is army chief min Aung Hlaing — a man who made headlines for spearheading the Rohingya genocide and for being slapped with US sanctions. His men have promised balance and fairness in Myanmar. University student activist, Si Thu Tun, said, "Our country is just a bird, learning to fly. Now the army broke our wings." Alarm bells have gone off in the world's leading democracies, from Australia to India, United States, Britain and Japan. Even India said the rule of law and democratic process must be upheld. Many countries have called for the release of Myanmar's leaders. The UK prime minister Boris Johnson, also tweeted, "The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released." However, China has not had much to say. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said, "China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar. We hope that all sides in Myanmar... Can properly manage their differences."

As Myanmar suffers death of democracy in military coup, China remains silent

Reports said Myanmar military has taken control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) said that leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures were detained on Monday.

Watch:

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The military appointed an acting president to run the country while declaring a state of emergency in the country.

The development comes after reports of a coup for over a week amid growing tension between the civilian government and the military.

Reports said internet connections in the country were disrupted with phone lines to capital Naypyitaw not working. The military has reportedly been deployed outside city hall in the main city of Yangon.

Myanmar's military had said earlier that it will abide by the constitution and act according to the law of the country.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the US government urged Myanmar's military to release detained officials.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement: "The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed."

"We urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today," &nbsp;Jen Psaki added.

The NLD had swept the polls in November which was the second democratic elections in Myanmar, however, the military claimed there was widespread vote fraud.

Myanmar has seen two previous coups in 1962 and 1988 since its independence from Britain in 1948.

Reports said Myanmar military has taken control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) said that leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures were detained on Monday.

Reports said Myanmar military has taken control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) said that leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures were detained on Monday. Watch: The military appointed an acting president to run the country while declaring a state of emergency in the country. The development comes after reports of a coup for over a week amid growing tension between the civilian government and the military. Reports said internet connections in the country were disrupted with phone lines to capital Naypyitaw not working. The military has reportedly been deployed outside city hall in the main city of Yangon. Myanmar's military had said earlier that it will abide by the constitution and act according to the law of the country. Meanwhile, the US government urged Myanmar's military to release detained officials. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement: "The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed." "We urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today," Jen Psaki added. The NLD had swept the polls in November which was the second democratic elections in Myanmar, however, the military claimed there was widespread vote fraud. Myanmar has seen two previous coups in 1962 and 1988 since its independence from Britain in 1948.

Military takes control in Myanmar; Aung San Suu Kyi, senior leaders detained

Hours after the Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, along with several other senior members, the Myanmar leader has urged locals not to accept the military coup.

In a statement issued by Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD) on their official (and verified Facebook account), the military coup was strongly voiced against and the leader urged locals to protest against the morning developments.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/world-leaders-condemn-myanmars-military-coup-and-detainment-of-aung-san-suu-kyi-360691">World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi</a>

"The actions of the military are actions to put the country back under a dictatorship," the statement issued on behalf of Suu Kyi read.

While the statement reads Aung San Suu Kyi's name at the end, it does not have a signature from the leader, Reuters claimed.&nbsp;

"On my life I swear, that this request to the people is Aung San Suu Kyi’s genuine statement," wrote the party chairman Win Htein in a handwritten note at the bottom.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/military-takes-control-in-myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-senior-leaders-detained-360484" hreflang="en">Military takes control in Myanmar; Aung San Suu Kyi, senior leaders detained</a>

This note was apparently written before the military coup that took place on Monday, the NLD claimed. However, nobody has been able to verify the statement's authenticity yet as the NLD and the party chairman Win Htein have not been available for comment.

Suu Kyi has not been seen in the public eye since she was detained by the military forces in the early hours of Monday.

This statement has come hours after she, along with several other party leaders were detained. The coup has been condemned by several world leaders, governments and organisations who have asked for an immediate release of Suu Kyi and others.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Hours after the Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, along with several other senior members, the Myanmar leader has urged locals not to accept the military coup.

Hours after the Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained, along with several other senior members, the Myanmar leader has urged locals not to accept the military coup. In a statement issued by Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD) on their official (and verified Facebook account), the military coup was strongly voiced against and the leader urged locals to protest against the morning developments. Also read| World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi "The actions of the military are actions to put the country back under a dictatorship," the statement issued on behalf of Suu Kyi read. While the statement reads Aung San Suu Kyi's name at the end, it does not have a signature from the leader, Reuters claimed. "On my life I swear, that this request to the people is Aung San Suu Kyi’s genuine statement," wrote the party chairman Win Htein in a handwritten note at the bottom. Also read| Military takes control in Myanmar; Aung San Suu Kyi, senior leaders detained This note was apparently written before the military coup that took place on Monday, the NLD claimed. However, nobody has been able to verify the statement's authenticity yet as the NLD and the party chairman Win Htein have not been available for comment. Suu Kyi has not been seen in the public eye since she was detained by the military forces in the early hours of Monday. This statement has come hours after she, along with several other party leaders were detained. The coup has been condemned by several world leaders, governments and organisations who have asked for an immediate release of Suu Kyi and others. (With inputs from Reuters)

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asks people to oppose military coup and protest: Reports

Minutes after the&nbsp;Myanmar military took control of the country for&nbsp;one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) and detained the leader&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members, several governments and political figures came ahead to condemn the military coup in the country.

The European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen took to Twitter to condemn the sudden takeover by the military and said, "I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar."

"The legitimate civilian government must be restored, in line with the country's constitution &amp; the November elections," she tweeted. "I call for the immediate &amp; unconditional release of all those detained."

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I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar. 
 
The legitimate civilian government must be restored, in line with the country's constitution &amp; the November elections. 
 
I call for the immediate &amp; unconditional release of all those detained. <a href="https://t.co/YbIkxLZlve">https://t.co/YbIkxLZlve</a>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1356154420459933696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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An old ally of Myanmar, Australia, too, issued a statement expressing grief over the seizing of power by the military and said, "The Australian Government is deeply concerned at reports the Myanmar military is once again seeking to seize control of Myanmar and has detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint."

"Australia is a long-standing supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition. We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully," said Maris Payne, Foreign minister. "We strongly support the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, consistent with the results of the November 2020 general election."

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Statement on Myanmar. <a href="https://t.co/nX0Fx9pBRL">https://t.co/nX0Fx9pBRL</a>
— Marise Payne (@MarisePayne) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarisePayne/status/1356056945359089667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The US, too, issued a statement condemning the arrest of the state counselor and the upheaval caused by it in the country. "The United States is alarmed by reports that the Burmese military has taken steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition, including the arrest of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Burma," read the statement.

US President Joe Biden was also informed about the recent developments in Myanmar, "President Biden has been briefed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions and, in coordination with our regional partners, urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today."

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— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1356061220286197760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Josep Borrell Fontelles,&nbsp;Vice-President of EU commission, also condemned "the coup carried out by the #Myanmar military and call for the immediate release of those detained," he tweeted. Talking about the importance of the election results, he lent support to the country, "Myanmar's people want democracy. The EU stands with them."

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I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a> military and call for the immediate release of those detained. 
 
Election results and constitution must be respected. 
 
Myanmar's people want democracy. The EU stands with them.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) <a href="https://twitter.com/JosepBorrellF/status/1356142128875905026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"It's simply outrageous .. We are talking about overturning a constitution by the generals, that the generals wrote, that they said ..they would obey by ..This is an assault on democracy itself, on the people of #Myanmar," said&nbsp;UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews.

Minutes after the Myanmar military took control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) and detained the leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members, several governments and political figures came ahead to condemn the military coup in the country.

Minutes after the Myanmar military took control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) and detained the leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members, several governments and political figures came ahead to condemn the military coup in the country. The European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen took to Twitter to condemn the sudden takeover by the military and said, "I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar." "The legitimate civilian government must be restored, in line with the country's constitution & the November elections," she tweeted. "I call for the immediate & unconditional release of all those detained." I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar. The legitimate civilian government must be restored, in line with the country's constitution & the November elections. I call for the immediate & unconditional release of all those detained. https://t.co/YbIkxLZlve — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 1, 2021 × An old ally of Myanmar, Australia, too, issued a statement expressing grief over the seizing of power by the military and said, "The Australian Government is deeply concerned at reports the Myanmar military is once again seeking to seize control of Myanmar and has detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint." "Australia is a long-standing supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition. We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully," said Maris Payne, Foreign minister. "We strongly support the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, consistent with the results of the November 2020 general election." Statement on Myanmar. https://t.co/nX0Fx9pBRL — Marise Payne (@MarisePayne) February 1, 2021 × The US, too, issued a statement condemning the arrest of the state counselor and the upheaval caused by it in the country. "The United States is alarmed by reports that the Burmese military has taken steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition, including the arrest of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Burma," read the statement. US President Joe Biden was also informed about the recent developments in Myanmar, "President Biden has been briefed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions and, in coordination with our regional partners, urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today." https://t.co/AQLuVBttzK — Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 1, 2021 × Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice-President of EU commission, also condemned "the coup carried out by the #Myanmar military and call for the immediate release of those detained," he tweeted. Talking about the importance of the election results, he lent support to the country, "Myanmar's people want democracy. The EU stands with them." I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the #Myanmar military and call for the immediate release of those detained. Election results and constitution must be respected. Myanmar's people want democracy. The EU stands with them. — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 1, 2021 × "It's simply outrageous .. We are talking about overturning a constitution by the generals, that the generals wrote, that they said ..they would obey by ..This is an assault on democracy itself, on the people of #Myanmar," said UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews.

World leaders condemn Myanmar's military coup and detainment of Aung San Suu Kyi

The Myanmar military on Tuesday announced the extension of the suspension period of its operations against armed groups until the end of December. 
 
The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services issued a statement that the suspension of military activities which expired on Monday will be further extended to December 31, reports Xinhua news agency.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-chief-accuses-government-of-unacceptable-mistakes-ahead-of-election-340534">Myanmar army chief accuses government of 'unacceptable mistakes' ahead of election</a>

The statement said the extension aims to carry out effective prevention, control, and treatment measures against the coronavirus pandemic and to implement long-lasting peace successfully. 
 
During the period, the military's operations will be suspended in the command areas, excluding those where government-designated terrorist groups are residing. 
 
In addition, the military also formed Peace Talks Committee to carry out the peace process successfully.

The Myanmar military on Tuesday announced the extension of the suspension period of its operations against armed groups until the end of December. The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services issued a statement that the suspension of military activities which expired on Monday will be further extended to December 31, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Myanmar military on Tuesday announced the extension of the suspension period of its operations against armed groups until the end of December. The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services issued a statement that the suspension of military activities which expired on Monday will be further extended to December 31, reports Xinhua news agency. Also read: Myanmar army chief accuses government of 'unacceptable mistakes' ahead of election The statement said the extension aims to carry out effective prevention, control, and treatment measures against the coronavirus pandemic and to implement long-lasting peace successfully. During the period, the military's operations will be suspended in the command areas, excluding those where government-designated terrorist groups are residing. In addition, the military also formed Peace Talks Committee to carry out the peace process successfully.

Myanmar military extends non-operation period against armed groups

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi remains the frontrunner, as Myanmar gears up for General Elections - its second since it emerged from decades of military rule.

Myanmar plans to push ahead with a November general election despite calls from opposition parties to postpone it because of a surge in novel coronavirus cases.

Analysts say the November 8 election is a test of the extent of Myanmar’s democratic reforms.

Parties halted campaigning in the commercial capital of Yangon on Monday after authorities imposed a citywide lockdown, forcing the majority of its five million residents to work from home in the toughest measure yet to combat the virus.

The last general election in 2015 brought to power the National League for Democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi after more than five decades of military rule.

Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory, partly through tactical alliances with ethnic minority parties that were also eager to get rid of military rule.

Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who won the Nobel Peace Prize for leading a nonviolent pro-democracy movement for more than two decades, remains by far the country’s most popular politician.

Challenging Suu Kyi is her former ally Lady Thet Thet Khine.

"The National League for Democracy (NLD) is no longer the solution for the country. And the way the party is run is very chaotic and it's very autocratic within the party." said Thet Thet Khine , Chairperson of People's Pioneer Party.

Rohingya politicians excluded from election

Rohingya politician Abdul Rasheed was born in Myanmar and is one of the very few from the Muslim minority to have Myanmar citizenship.

His father was a civil servant. But when the country goes to the polls in November, he will not be able to stand, because officials accuse him of having foreign roots. 
"We have all these documents that the government issued, and they don't accept the fact that my parents are citizens. I feel bad about that and feel concerned," he said.

The vast majority of the Rohingya are unlikely to be able to vote due to lack of citizenship, leaving little hope of victory for the very few Rohingya candidates who managed to get approval to stand in the election.

While voter lists have been posted across the country, none have appeared at the camps outside the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, where about 100,000 Rohingya are confined, community elder Kyaw Hla Aung told Reuters by phone.

The Myanmar military still fights accusations of human rights abuses. The election in November may just be the most crucial &amp; controversial in Myanmar’s history.

(With inputs from agencies)

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi remains the frontrunner, as Myanmar gears up for General Elections - its second since it emerged from decades of military rule.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi remains the frontrunner, as Myanmar gears up for General Elections - its second since it emerged from decades of military rule. Myanmar plans to push ahead with a November general election despite calls from opposition parties to postpone it because of a surge in novel coronavirus cases. Analysts say the November 8 election is a test of the extent of Myanmar’s democratic reforms. Parties halted campaigning in the commercial capital of Yangon on Monday after authorities imposed a citywide lockdown, forcing the majority of its five million residents to work from home in the toughest measure yet to combat the virus. The last general election in 2015 brought to power the National League for Democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi after more than five decades of military rule. Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory, partly through tactical alliances with ethnic minority parties that were also eager to get rid of military rule. Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who won the Nobel Peace Prize for leading a nonviolent pro-democracy movement for more than two decades, remains by far the country’s most popular politician. Challenging Suu Kyi is her former ally Lady Thet Thet Khine. "The National League for Democracy (NLD) is no longer the solution for the country. And the way the party is run is very chaotic and it's very autocratic within the party." said Thet Thet Khine , Chairperson of People's Pioneer Party. Rohingya politicians excluded from election Rohingya politician Abdul Rasheed was born in Myanmar and is one of the very few from the Muslim minority to have Myanmar citizenship. His father was a civil servant. But when the country goes to the polls in November, he will not be able to stand, because officials accuse him of having foreign roots. "We have all these documents that the government issued, and they don't accept the fact that my parents are citizens. I feel bad about that and feel concerned," he said. The vast majority of the Rohingya are unlikely to be able to vote due to lack of citizenship, leaving little hope of victory for the very few Rohingya candidates who managed to get approval to stand in the election. While voter lists have been posted across the country, none have appeared at the camps outside the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, where about 100,000 Rohingya are confined, community elder Kyaw Hla Aung told Reuters by phone. The Myanmar military still fights accusations of human rights abuses. The election in November may just be the most crucial & controversial in Myanmar’s history. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar elections going to be the most crucial and controversial in country’s history

The Myanmar military has said it is investigating "possible wider patterns of violations" before and during a 2017 crackdown in Rakhine State that the United Nations has said was executed with genocidal intent against Rohingya Muslims.

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh that year following the launch of a sweeping security campaign that refugees said included mass killing, gang-rape and arson.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/highest-stakes-in-the-resolution-of-rohingya-issue-india-327714" hreflang="en">'Highest stakes' in the resolution of Rohingya issue: India</a>

The army has denied genocide, saying it was carrying out a legitimate operation against Rohingya militants, but says it has court-martialed some troops over incidents in certain villages though details on the perpetrators, their crimes, and sentences have not been released.

The military, in a statement carried in state media on Tuesday, acknowledged for the first time a possible broader pattern of abuses.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/casualties-in-myanmar-may-represent-war-crimes-un-human-rights-chief-327452" hreflang="en">Casualties in Myanmar may represent war crimes: UN human rights chief</a>

It said the military-run Office of the Judge Advocate General had reviewed a report by a government-backed commission that accused soldiers of committing war crimes and had expanded the scope of its investigations in response.

The office was "investigating possible wider patterns of violations in the region of northern Rakhine in 2016-2017", the military said in the statement.

"Allegations regarding villages in the Maungdaw area are included in the scope of this wider investigation," the military said, referring to a district on the border with Bangladesh that was a focus of its security operations in 2017.

It provided no more details and an army spokesman did not answer telephone calls by Reuters seeking further comment.

The announcement follows reports last week that two Myanmar soldiers have been taken to the Hague to appear as witnesses or face trial after confessing to killing dozens of villagers in the north of Rakhine State and burying them in mass graves.

The Myanmar military has said it is investigating "possible wider patterns of violations" before and during a 2017 crackdown in Rakhine State that the United Nations has said was executed with genocidal intent against Rohingya Muslims.

The Myanmar military has said it is investigating "possible wider patterns of violations" before and during a 2017 crackdown in Rakhine State that the United Nations has said was executed with genocidal intent against Rohingya Muslims. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh that year following the launch of a sweeping security campaign that refugees said included mass killing, gang-rape and arson. Also read: 'Highest stakes' in the resolution of Rohingya issue: India The army has denied genocide, saying it was carrying out a legitimate operation against Rohingya militants, but says it has court-martialed some troops over incidents in certain villages though details on the perpetrators, their crimes, and sentences have not been released. The military, in a statement carried in state media on Tuesday, acknowledged for the first time a possible broader pattern of abuses. Also read: Casualties in Myanmar may represent war crimes: UN human rights chief It said the military-run Office of the Judge Advocate General had reviewed a report by a government-backed commission that accused soldiers of committing war crimes and had expanded the scope of its investigations in response. The office was "investigating possible wider patterns of violations in the region of northern Rakhine in 2016-2017", the military said in the statement. "Allegations regarding villages in the Maungdaw area are included in the scope of this wider investigation," the military said, referring to a district on the border with Bangladesh that was a focus of its security operations in 2017. It provided no more details and an army spokesman did not answer telephone calls by Reuters seeking further comment. The announcement follows reports last week that two Myanmar soldiers have been taken to the Hague to appear as witnesses or face trial after confessing to killing dozens of villagers in the north of Rakhine State and burying them in mass graves.

Myanmar army probes 'wider patterns' of abuse against Rohingya

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/two-years-on-rohingyas-still-without-rights-status-or-justice-244567">allegations of torture and deaths</a> in custody.

They voiced grave concern at reports that numerous ethnic Rakhine men and boys had recently been taken into custody and held incommunicado for weeks at a time over terrorism allegations, with many reporting they were tortured while detained.

"The practice of incommunicado detention must be immediately brought to an end," the three experts, who are independent and do not speak for the world body, said in a statement.&nbsp;

"There must be a credible independent investigation into the allegations of torture and inhuman treatment, deaths in custody, and reliance on forced confessions in cases involving Arakan army-related allegations," they said.

"All perpetrators of such violations must be held accountable."

The conflict-scarred Rakhine state, the site of a deadly crackdown that in 2017 drove some 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh, has in recent months seen fierce battles between the military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group claiming to fight for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.&nbsp;

The UN experts pointed to the case of Naing Aung Htun, who was rounded up with others in Kyaukyan village in Buthidaung on August 8, and who was held incommunicado until August 21.

He was allegedly given electric shocks by soldiers until he confessed to having ties to the Arakan army.

His father, who was finally permitted to visit him on August 22, reported he had sustained injuries to his face and complained of pain in his back, chest and head.

"We are distressed by the use of incommunicado detention where individuals are suspected of being associates of the Arakan army," said the experts including Yanghee Lee, a specialist on human rights in Myanmar.

"It is essential for detained people to be able to communicate with the outside world, especially with family members and their lawyer," they said, stressing that the practice "may facilitate torture".

They said they were particularly concerned about cases of incommunicado detention in light of reports "regarding at least 15 deaths in custody of men alleged to be associates of the Arakan army."

The signatories also included Agnes Callamard, an expert on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions, and Nils Melzer, experts on torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

They called on the military to make the results of its ongoing investigation into those deaths public and to hold the perpetrators accountable.&nbsp;

They also urged a probe into an allegation that Naing Aung Htun was tortured, and said he should receive a fair trial, stressing that any confession made as a result of torture should be excluded from evidence against him.

 
&nbsp;

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as allegations of torture and deaths in custody.

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as allegations of torture and deaths in custody. They voiced grave concern at reports that numerous ethnic Rakhine men and boys had recently been taken into custody and held incommunicado for weeks at a time over terrorism allegations, with many reporting they were tortured while detained. "The practice of incommunicado detention must be immediately brought to an end," the three experts, who are independent and do not speak for the world body, said in a statement. "There must be a credible independent investigation into the allegations of torture and inhuman treatment, deaths in custody, and reliance on forced confessions in cases involving Arakan army-related allegations," they said. "All perpetrators of such violations must be held accountable." The conflict-scarred Rakhine state, the site of a deadly crackdown that in 2017 drove some 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh, has in recent months seen fierce battles between the military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group claiming to fight for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. The UN experts pointed to the case of Naing Aung Htun, who was rounded up with others in Kyaukyan village in Buthidaung on August 8, and who was held incommunicado until August 21. He was allegedly given electric shocks by soldiers until he confessed to having ties to the Arakan army. His father, who was finally permitted to visit him on August 22, reported he had sustained injuries to his face and complained of pain in his back, chest and head. "We are distressed by the use of incommunicado detention where individuals are suspected of being associates of the Arakan army," said the experts including Yanghee Lee, a specialist on human rights in Myanmar. "It is essential for detained people to be able to communicate with the outside world, especially with family members and their lawyer," they said, stressing that the practice "may facilitate torture". They said they were particularly concerned about cases of incommunicado detention in light of reports "regarding at least 15 deaths in custody of men alleged to be associates of the Arakan army." The signatories also included Agnes Callamard, an expert on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions, and Nils Melzer, experts on torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. They called on the military to make the results of its ongoing investigation into those deaths public and to hold the perpetrators accountable. They also urged a probe into an allegation that Naing Aung Htun was tortured, and said he should receive a fair trial, stressing that any confession made as a result of torture should be excluded from evidence against him.

UN experts decry incommunicado detentions, alleged torture in Myanmar

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.&nbsp;

The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for the commanders'&nbsp;assets to be frozen.&nbsp;

"They were never going to travel to the US ... let's be realistic," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.&nbsp;

A US State Department spokeswoman defended the actions taken against members of Myanmar's military and called on others to do the same.

"We remain focussed on actions that will change the behaviour of the Burmese military, hold those responsible for atrocities and other abuses to account, provide justice to victims, and support democracy and prosperity in Burma," the spokeswoman said.

Lee said the sanctions - applied, in addition to Min Aung Hlaing, to his deputy Soe Win and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018.&nbsp;

The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide.

A military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to UN figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent."&nbsp; 
Myanmar denies the charge.&nbsp;

The US State Department so far has stopped short of calling the abuses genocide. Such a declaration could require Washington to impose stronger sanctions on Myanmar, where the United States has competed for influence with China.

At a separate news briefing in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, the International Criminal Court (ICC) deputy prosecutor James Stewart said Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda earlier this month sought permission from the ICC judges to open an investigation into alleged crimes committed against the Rohingya.

"The outcome of this request is still pending and is before the court`s judges," said Stewart, adding that he was visiting Bangladesh as part of a delegation from the Hague-based ICC to explain the judicial process to the government and other parties.

Bensouda said last month she would ask ICC judges for permission to investigate crimes that had "at least one element" in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a member of the ICC, but Myanmar is not.

The UN's Lee, speaking in Kuala Lumpur, said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse.&nbsp;

Last month, Lee said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Rakhine and Chin states. 
On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area and has hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods. 
&nbsp;

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday. The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for the commanders' assets to be frozen. "They were never going to travel to the US ... let's be realistic," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. A US State Department spokeswoman defended the actions taken against members of Myanmar's military and called on others to do the same. "We remain focussed on actions that will change the behaviour of the Burmese military, hold those responsible for atrocities and other abuses to account, provide justice to victims, and support democracy and prosperity in Burma," the spokeswoman said. Lee said the sanctions - applied, in addition to Min Aung Hlaing, to his deputy Soe Win and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018. The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide. A military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to UN figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge. The US State Department so far has stopped short of calling the abuses genocide. Such a declaration could require Washington to impose stronger sanctions on Myanmar, where the United States has competed for influence with China. At a separate news briefing in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, the International Criminal Court (ICC) deputy prosecutor James Stewart said Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda earlier this month sought permission from the ICC judges to open an investigation into alleged crimes committed against the Rohingya. "The outcome of this request is still pending and is before the court`s judges," said Stewart, adding that he was visiting Bangladesh as part of a delegation from the Hague-based ICC to explain the judicial process to the government and other parties. Bensouda said last month she would ask ICC judges for permission to investigate crimes that had "at least one element" in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a member of the ICC, but Myanmar is not. The UN's Lee, speaking in Kuala Lumpur, said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse. Last month, Lee said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Rakhine and Chin states. On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area and has hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods.

Travel ban on Myanmar military leaders not enough; UN investigator calls for assets freeze

There was a "systemic failure" of the United Nations in dealing with the situation in Myanmar ahead of a deadly 2017 military crackdown because it did not have a unified strategy and lacked Security Council support, according to an internal report.

The crackdown drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. UN investigators have said the operation was executed with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson.

Myanmar denies widespread wrongdoing and says the military campaign across hundreds of villages in northern Rakhine was in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents.

"Without question serious errors were committed and opportunities were lost in the UN system following a fragmented strategy rather than a common plan of action," wrote former Guatemalan foreign minister and UN ambassador Gert Rosenthal in a 34-page internal review, seen by Reuters prior to its publication on Monday.

"The overall responsibility was of a collective character; in other words, it truly can be characterized as a systemic failure of the United Nations," wrote Rosenthal, who was appointed by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier this year to look at UN involvement in Myanmar from 2010 to 2018.

He said senior UN officials in New York could not agree on whether to take a more robust public approach with Myanmar or pursue quiet diplomacy and that conflicting reports on the situation were also sent to UN headquarters from the field.

The United Nations struggled to balance supporting the Myanmar government with development and humanitarian assistance, while also calling out the authorities over accusations of human rights violations, Rosenthal concluded.

"The United Nations system ... has been relatively impotent to effectively work with the authorities of Myanmar to reverse the negative trends in the area of human rights and consolidate the positive trends in other areas," he said.

"The United Nations' collective membership, represented by the Security Council, bears part of that responsibility, by not providing enough support to the secretariat when such backing was and continues to be essential," Rosenthal wrote.

The 15-member Security Council, which visited Myanmar's Rakhine state last year, has been deadlocked with Myanmar allies China and Russia pitted against western states over how to deal with the situation.

Human Rights Watch said the report was dissappointing, given the scale of the Rohingya crisis, for not identifying specific UN officials responsible for the failures.

"The report now looks increasingly like a check-the-box exercise by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, designed to show commitment to accountability when in reality it accomplishes exactly the opposite," Phil Robertson, the group's deputy director for Asia, said in a statement.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Rosenthal's report was due to be sent to all 193 UN members states.

"Its conclusions and observations have been fully accepted by the Secretary-General, and he will work very closely with the senior leadership to make sure they're implemented," he said.

There was a "systemic failure" of the United Nations in dealing with the situation in Myanmar ahead of a deadly 2017 military crackdown because it did not have a unified strategy and lacked Security Council support, according to an internal report.

There was a "systemic failure" of the United Nations in dealing with the situation in Myanmar ahead of a deadly 2017 military crackdown because it did not have a unified strategy and lacked Security Council support, according to an internal report. The crackdown drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. UN investigators have said the operation was executed with "genocidal intent" and included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson. Myanmar denies widespread wrongdoing and says the military campaign across hundreds of villages in northern Rakhine was in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents. "Without question serious errors were committed and opportunities were lost in the UN system following a fragmented strategy rather than a common plan of action," wrote former Guatemalan foreign minister and UN ambassador Gert Rosenthal in a 34-page internal review, seen by Reuters prior to its publication on Monday. "The overall responsibility was of a collective character; in other words, it truly can be characterized as a systemic failure of the United Nations," wrote Rosenthal, who was appointed by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier this year to look at UN involvement in Myanmar from 2010 to 2018. He said senior UN officials in New York could not agree on whether to take a more robust public approach with Myanmar or pursue quiet diplomacy and that conflicting reports on the situation were also sent to UN headquarters from the field. The United Nations struggled to balance supporting the Myanmar government with development and humanitarian assistance, while also calling out the authorities over accusations of human rights violations, Rosenthal concluded. "The United Nations system ... has been relatively impotent to effectively work with the authorities of Myanmar to reverse the negative trends in the area of human rights and consolidate the positive trends in other areas," he said. "The United Nations' collective membership, represented by the Security Council, bears part of that responsibility, by not providing enough support to the secretariat when such backing was and continues to be essential," Rosenthal wrote. The 15-member Security Council, which visited Myanmar's Rakhine state last year, has been deadlocked with Myanmar allies China and Russia pitted against western states over how to deal with the situation. Human Rights Watch said the report was dissappointing, given the scale of the Rohingya crisis, for not identifying specific UN officials responsible for the failures. "The report now looks increasingly like a check-the-box exercise by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, designed to show commitment to accountability when in reality it accomplishes exactly the opposite," Phil Robertson, the group's deputy director for Asia, said in a statement. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Rosenthal's report was due to be sent to all 193 UN members states. "Its conclusions and observations have been fully accepted by the Secretary-General, and he will work very closely with the senior leadership to make sure they're implemented," he said.

'Systemic failure' of UN ahead of Myanmar military crackdown: Review

Myanmar's military commanders should be financially "isolated" and brought to trial to face charges of war crimes and genocide against the Rohingya minority, UN investigators said Tuesday.

The United Nations fact-finding mission on the situation in Myanmar called on the international community to cut off all financial and other support to the country's military.

Marzuki Darusman, who heads the fact-finding mission which just concluded a 10-day visit to surrounding countries, said drastic measures were needed since Myanmar so far had done little to resolve the egregious rights situation in the country.

"There has been no movement toward a resolution of the crisis," Darusman said in a statement. "The situation is at a total standstill."&nbsp;

Some 740,000 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-police-rescue-dozens-of-rohingya-being-trafficked-to-malaysia-218629">Rohingya refugees</a> fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps.

Many Rohingya refugees who fled said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide".

The investigators lamented Tuesday that "both military and civilian sides of Myanmar's government persistently deny the facts and disclaim any responsibility for crimes under international law.

"Following this violence, Myanmar authorities have levelled empty Rohingya villages with bulldozers, effectively destroying criminal evidence, while making no substantive progress in resolving the ethnic animosities that have helped fuel the crisis," they said.

The UN fact-finding mission was not granted access to Myanmar itself, but during their visit to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, the investigators met exiled representatives from the Chin, Kachin, Shan and Rakhine ethnic communities.

"Meeting with these different ethnic communities only underscored our findings that the Tatmadaw (the Myanmar military) has over time committed similar atrocities against many of the ethnic groups living within the borders of Myanmar," expert Radhika Coomaraswamy said in the statement.

Another member of the team, Christopher Sidoti, said the investigators so far had "seen no evidence that the Myanmar government is acting in good faith to resolve the crisis or facilitate the safe return of refugees.

"The situation demands an increase in international pressure," he said.

"Due to the gravity of the past and continuing violations, attention must be given to the political, economic and financial ties of the Myanmar military - to identify who and what should be targeted so we can cut off the money supply as a means of increasing the pressure and reducing the violence," he added.

The fact-finding mission is due to present its final report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next September and will hand over its findings to a panel tasked with preparing criminal indictments.

Myanmar's military commanders should be financially "isolated" and brought to trial to face charges of war crimes and genocide against the Rohingya minority, UN investigators said Tuesday.

Myanmar's military commanders should be financially "isolated" and brought to trial to face charges of war crimes and genocide against the Rohingya minority, UN investigators said Tuesday. The United Nations fact-finding mission on the situation in Myanmar called on the international community to cut off all financial and other support to the country's military. Marzuki Darusman, who heads the fact-finding mission which just concluded a 10-day visit to surrounding countries, said drastic measures were needed since Myanmar so far had done little to resolve the egregious rights situation in the country. "There has been no movement toward a resolution of the crisis," Darusman said in a statement. "The situation is at a total standstill." Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps. Many Rohingya refugees who fled said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide". The investigators lamented Tuesday that "both military and civilian sides of Myanmar's government persistently deny the facts and disclaim any responsibility for crimes under international law. "Following this violence, Myanmar authorities have levelled empty Rohingya villages with bulldozers, effectively destroying criminal evidence, while making no substantive progress in resolving the ethnic animosities that have helped fuel the crisis," they said. The UN fact-finding mission was not granted access to Myanmar itself, but during their visit to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, the investigators met exiled representatives from the Chin, Kachin, Shan and Rakhine ethnic communities. "Meeting with these different ethnic communities only underscored our findings that the Tatmadaw (the Myanmar military) has over time committed similar atrocities against many of the ethnic groups living within the borders of Myanmar," expert Radhika Coomaraswamy said in the statement. Another member of the team, Christopher Sidoti, said the investigators so far had "seen no evidence that the Myanmar government is acting in good faith to resolve the crisis or facilitate the safe return of refugees. "The situation demands an increase in international pressure," he said. "Due to the gravity of the past and continuing violations, attention must be given to the political, economic and financial ties of the Myanmar military - to identify who and what should be targeted so we can cut off the money supply as a means of increasing the pressure and reducing the violence," he added. The fact-finding mission is due to present its final report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next September and will hand over its findings to a panel tasked with preparing criminal indictments.

UN experts urge 'financial isolation' of Myanmar military

Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic Rakhine insurgents has now reached the ancient temples of Mrauk U, the former capital of the Rakhine kingdom and a popular tourist site, local residents said Monday.

Rakhine state in Myanmar's west is riven with ethnic and religious divisions.

It came under the global spotlight after the bloody 2017 army crackdown that forced some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims over the border into Bangladesh.

But now the army is waging war against the Arakan Army (AA), an insurgent group fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, a population that also stands accused of aiding the military in their expulsion of the Rohingya.

Several thousand people have been displaced by the spreading violence which has neared the state capital Sittwe and has now engulfed the town of Mrauk U.

"We've been hearing gunshots and heavy artillery fire since about 7:30 pm," local historian Khin Than told AFP by phone on Monday evening, adding that she saw soldiers shooting from about 10 vehicles as they drove around town.

"We dare not go outside and are hiding in our homes," she said. "We do not want our ancient treasures destroyed in the fighting." Among the most vulnerable are some 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine without citizenship, restricted to either camps or their villages.

Fighting over the weekend raged around the town of Kyauktaw, wounding three Rohingya, including two teenagers.

"We are stuck in the middle," one Rohingya man told AFP, preferring not to give his name.

"Our injured villagers cannot go anywhere for treatment because of the situation. We can't do anything," he said.

The military ramped up operations against the AA after the armed rebels launched a brazen attack on police posts in early January that killed 13 officers.

The area is in strict lockdown and information is difficult to verify independently.

On Saturday, AA insurgents ambushed a cargo ship on the Kaladan river, temporarily abducting the crew and setting the vessel on fire, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said.

The rebels enjoy widespread support from many ethnic Rakhine, who have felt marginalised for decades in one of the country's poorest states.

The group has expanded its ranks since its formation in 2009 and is now believed to have several thousand recruits.

It is feared the expected verdict on Tuesday in the trial of a popular Rakhine politician for alleged treason could be a further flashpoint in Sittwe.

Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic Rakhine insurgents has now reached the ancient temples of Mrauk U, the former capital of the Rakhine kingdom and a popular tourist site, local residents said Monday.

Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic Rakhine insurgents has now reached the ancient temples of Mrauk U, the former capital of the Rakhine kingdom and a popular tourist site, local residents said Monday. Rakhine state in Myanmar's west is riven with ethnic and religious divisions. It came under the global spotlight after the bloody 2017 army crackdown that forced some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims over the border into Bangladesh. But now the army is waging war against the Arakan Army (AA), an insurgent group fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, a population that also stands accused of aiding the military in their expulsion of the Rohingya. Several thousand people have been displaced by the spreading violence which has neared the state capital Sittwe and has now engulfed the town of Mrauk U. "We've been hearing gunshots and heavy artillery fire since about 7:30 pm," local historian Khin Than told AFP by phone on Monday evening, adding that she saw soldiers shooting from about 10 vehicles as they drove around town. "We dare not go outside and are hiding in our homes," she said. "We do not want our ancient treasures destroyed in the fighting." Among the most vulnerable are some 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine without citizenship, restricted to either camps or their villages. Fighting over the weekend raged around the town of Kyauktaw, wounding three Rohingya, including two teenagers. "We are stuck in the middle," one Rohingya man told AFP, preferring not to give his name. "Our injured villagers cannot go anywhere for treatment because of the situation. We can't do anything," he said. The military ramped up operations against the AA after the armed rebels launched a brazen attack on police posts in early January that killed 13 officers. The area is in strict lockdown and information is difficult to verify independently. On Saturday, AA insurgents ambushed a cargo ship on the Kaladan river, temporarily abducting the crew and setting the vessel on fire, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said. The rebels enjoy widespread support from many ethnic Rakhine, who have felt marginalised for decades in one of the country's poorest states. The group has expanded its ranks since its formation in 2009 and is now believed to have several thousand recruits. It is feared the expected verdict on Tuesday in the trial of a popular Rakhine politician for alleged treason could be a further flashpoint in Sittwe.

Myanmar military fights rebels among ancient Rakhine temples

Myanmar's military Saturday said they would thwart attempts by leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party to alter the "essence" of the country's controversial constitution, putting the army and civilian administration on a collision course over the politically-charged issue.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) dominated 2015 elections ending decades of military-backed rule.

But because of a 2008 charter scripted by the military, the NLD was forced into an uneasy power-sharing agreement.

The constitution grants the armed services control of security ministries and a quarter of unelected parliamentary seats.

That hands the military an effective veto over constitutional change.

But the NLD-dominated parliament voted earlier this month to form a cross-party committee to look at reforms of the charter, a key campaign pledge.

The party will be allocated 18 out of 45 seats on the panel, the military will have eight and the remainder will be divided between other parties.

There has been no detail about the specific reforms, but military MPs stood up in protest when the idea was first mooted.

Major General Tun Tun Nyi told reporters in Yangon that 45 people is not enough to review the charter and the process "would not be fair".

Tun Tun Nyi said the army is not opposed to amendments but "we are rejecting trying to change the constitution this way".

Brigadier General and military MP Than Soe said they would take part in the panel but would oppose changes to the "essence of the constitution", echoing rare comments by commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing in an interview this month with Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun.

Debates over the constitution are highly sensitive in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, especially among nationalist movements.

The military is still fighting with ethnic armed groups in border areas and has said its role in politics is necessary for stability. But critics say it does not want to relinquish influence.

The 2008 charter also prevents anyone with a foreign spouse from becoming president, a measure believed to be aimed at Suu Kyi, who had a family with the late British academic Michael Aris.

The decision to form the panel came just a few days after a court handed death sentences to the killers behind the 2017 murder of Muslim lawyer and Suu Kyi advisor Ko Ni.

He was leading the charge on constitutional reform when he was shot dead in cold blood at Yangon airport, while cradling his grandson.

Ko Ni also helped craft the position of state counsellor for Suu Kyi after the election since she could not be president.

Tun Tun Nyi reiterated opposition to that legal manoeuvre, calling it "beyond the constitution", which is why "we condemned it when it was discussed."

Myanmar's military Saturday said they would thwart attempts by leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party to alter the "essence" of the country's controversial constitution, putting the army and civilian administration on a collision course over the politically-charged issue.

Myanmar's military Saturday said they would thwart attempts by leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party to alter the "essence" of the country's controversial constitution, putting the army and civilian administration on a collision course over the politically-charged issue. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) dominated 2015 elections ending decades of military-backed rule. But because of a 2008 charter scripted by the military, the NLD was forced into an uneasy power-sharing agreement. The constitution grants the armed services control of security ministries and a quarter of unelected parliamentary seats. That hands the military an effective veto over constitutional change. But the NLD-dominated parliament voted earlier this month to form a cross-party committee to look at reforms of the charter, a key campaign pledge. The party will be allocated 18 out of 45 seats on the panel, the military will have eight and the remainder will be divided between other parties. There has been no detail about the specific reforms, but military MPs stood up in protest when the idea was first mooted. Major General Tun Tun Nyi told reporters in Yangon that 45 people is not enough to review the charter and the process "would not be fair". Tun Tun Nyi said the army is not opposed to amendments but "we are rejecting trying to change the constitution this way". Brigadier General and military MP Than Soe said they would take part in the panel but would oppose changes to the "essence of the constitution", echoing rare comments by commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing in an interview this month with Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun. Debates over the constitution are highly sensitive in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, especially among nationalist movements. The military is still fighting with ethnic armed groups in border areas and has said its role in politics is necessary for stability. But critics say it does not want to relinquish influence. The 2008 charter also prevents anyone with a foreign spouse from becoming president, a measure believed to be aimed at Suu Kyi, who had a family with the late British academic Michael Aris. The decision to form the panel came just a few days after a court handed death sentences to the killers behind the 2017 murder of Muslim lawyer and Suu Kyi advisor Ko Ni. He was leading the charge on constitutional reform when he was shot dead in cold blood at Yangon airport, while cradling his grandson. Ko Ni also helped craft the position of state counsellor for Suu Kyi after the election since she could not be president. Tun Tun Nyi reiterated opposition to that legal manoeuvre, calling it "beyond the constitution", which is why "we condemned it when it was discussed."

Myanmar army warns against changing 'essence' of constitution

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-senators-call-on-pompeo-to-label-myanmar-killings-genocide-185476">Myanmar</a> military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks.

The army would "stop military operations in respective military regions" in the north and east of the country until April 30, 2019, the office of the military's commander in chief said in a statement.

The cessation would allow military negotiators to conduct talks with insurgent groups that have refused to sign up to a nationwide ceasefire agreement, with the aim of completing a peace process by 2020, it said.

Government spokesman Zaw Htay said the military had informed the civilian administration led by Nobel laureate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aung-san-suu-kyi-calls-for-peace-in-speech-no-mention-of-rohingya-crisis-180684">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>ahead of the announcement, and that the two sides were "cooperating" on the peace process.

"We hope there will be good results," Zaw Htay told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw.

Suu Kyi prioritised ending the conflicts on coming to power in 2016, but talks have failed to make significant gains.

The Myanmar military has been engaged in multiple conflicts for decades with groups who say they represent the interests of ethnic minorities that want more autonomy in their regions.

The military said its commands in the northern Kachin State and Shan State to the northeast would be affected by the cessation, after a coalition of groups fighting there asked for a pause in the conflict this month.

More than 100,000 people have been displaced by clashes between the army and insurgents since a ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Army broke down in 2011.

Maung Maung Soe, a political analyst based in Yangon, said it was the first time in at least three decades that the military had unilaterally announced stop infighting.

"Peace for the whole country will depend on further discussions with each group," he said, noting that there would be concern that the announcement does not cover the troubled western state of Rakhine.

The Friday announcement did not make specific reference to Rakhine, where the military has battled both Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim insurgents in recent years.

The military launched a crackdown in response to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in August 2017, which claims to represent the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority. Myanmar considers the group "terrorists" and they are not included in any negotiations.

UN-mandated investigators said the military committed killings, gang rape and arson in a campaign carried out with "genocidal intent" that pushed more than 730,000 Rohingya across Myanmar's border to Bangladesh.

Myanmar denied that saying it conducted a legitimate counter-terrorist campaign.

In recent weeks, fighting has flared up between the army and a Rakhine Buddhist group, the Arakan Army, in mountainous parts of the western state.

The UN&nbsp;Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs received reports that more than 700 people had been displaced by that fighting since December 8, said Pierre Peron, a spokesman for the agency.

The Myanmar military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks.

The Myanmar military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks. The army would "stop military operations in respective military regions" in the north and east of the country until April 30, 2019, the office of the military's commander in chief said in a statement. The cessation would allow military negotiators to conduct talks with insurgent groups that have refused to sign up to a nationwide ceasefire agreement, with the aim of completing a peace process by 2020, it said. Government spokesman Zaw Htay said the military had informed the civilian administration led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of the announcement, and that the two sides were "cooperating" on the peace process. "We hope there will be good results," Zaw Htay told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw. Suu Kyi prioritised ending the conflicts on coming to power in 2016, but talks have failed to make significant gains. The Myanmar military has been engaged in multiple conflicts for decades with groups who say they represent the interests of ethnic minorities that want more autonomy in their regions. The military said its commands in the northern Kachin State and Shan State to the northeast would be affected by the cessation, after a coalition of groups fighting there asked for a pause in the conflict this month. More than 100,000 people have been displaced by clashes between the army and insurgents since a ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Army broke down in 2011. Maung Maung Soe, a political analyst based in Yangon, said it was the first time in at least three decades that the military had unilaterally announced stop infighting. "Peace for the whole country will depend on further discussions with each group," he said, noting that there would be concern that the announcement does not cover the troubled western state of Rakhine. The Friday announcement did not make specific reference to Rakhine, where the military has battled both Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim insurgents in recent years. The military launched a crackdown in response to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in August 2017, which claims to represent the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority. Myanmar considers the group "terrorists" and they are not included in any negotiations. UN-mandated investigators said the military committed killings, gang rape and arson in a campaign carried out with "genocidal intent" that pushed more than 730,000 Rohingya across Myanmar's border to Bangladesh. Myanmar denied that saying it conducted a legitimate counter-terrorist campaign. In recent weeks, fighting has flared up between the army and a Rakhine Buddhist group, the Arakan Army, in mountainous parts of the western state. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs received reports that more than 700 people had been displaced by that fighting since December 8, said Pierre Peron, a spokesman for the agency.

Myanmar army pauses operations in north in rare conciliatory action

Facebook has removed hundreds of pages and accounts in Myanmar with hidden links to the military, the platform said Wednesday, as the company scrambles to respond to criticism over failures to control hate speech and misinformation.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-discovers-bug-that-may-have-affected-up-to-68-million-users-184116">social media giant</a> -- Myanmar's most popular and influential site -- has been lambasted for years for its ineffective response to malicious posts, particularly against the country's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-accuses-myanmar-military-planned-and-coordinated-rohingya-atrocities-167495">Rohingya Muslims</a>.

The problem reached new levels of urgency last year as Myanmar's military drove more than 720,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh, while dehumanising material about the stateless group spread on the site.

Facebook said Wednesday some 425 pages, 17 groups, 135 accounts and 15 Instagram accounts had been removed, which were posing as independent news, entertainment, beauty and lifestyle pages but in reality had links to the military or to pages previously removed.

This is Facebook's third sweeping takedown of pages and accounts for what it calls " coordinated inauthentic behaviour" in Myanmar following deletions in October and August.

Hardline nationalist monks and even the army's top generals, accused by UN investigators of genocide, are among the users Facebook blacklisted this year.

Facebook said in a newsroom post that it does not want people or organisations "creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they're doing," adding that one page had 2.5 million followers.

Some of the deleted pages were called "Down for Anything", "Let's Laugh Casually", and "We Love Myanmar".

Facebook has been trying to repair its battered reputation, improving the speed with which hate speech is taken down and vowing to beef up its Myanmar-language reviewers on staff to 100 by the end of 2018.

But critics say this is not enough to oversee some 20 million Facebook accounts in the country, many in a patchwork of regional languages.

An independent report commissioned by Facebook concluded last month that the state was ultimately responsible for rights abuses, but the company should have done more to prevent the platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence.

It also warned that Myanmar's 2020 election will likely be a flashpoint for abuse and misinformation.

Most people in Myanmar only came online in the last few years, when smartphone usage soared as the country opened up to the outside world after decades of isolated military rule.

Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government -- which is in an uneasy power-sharing agreement with the military -- has come under fire for not doing more to stand up for the Rohingya.

Facebook has removed hundreds of pages and accounts in Myanmar with hidden links to the military, the platform said Wednesday, as the company scrambles to respond to criticism over failures to control hate speech and misinformation.

Facebook has removed hundreds of pages and accounts in Myanmar with hidden links to the military, the platform said Wednesday, as the company scrambles to respond to criticism over failures to control hate speech and misinformation. The social media giant -- Myanmar's most popular and influential site -- has been lambasted for years for its ineffective response to malicious posts, particularly against the country's Rohingya Muslims. The problem reached new levels of urgency last year as Myanmar's military drove more than 720,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh, while dehumanising material about the stateless group spread on the site. Facebook said Wednesday some 425 pages, 17 groups, 135 accounts and 15 Instagram accounts had been removed, which were posing as independent news, entertainment, beauty and lifestyle pages but in reality had links to the military or to pages previously removed. This is Facebook's third sweeping takedown of pages and accounts for what it calls " coordinated inauthentic behaviour" in Myanmar following deletions in October and August. Hardline nationalist monks and even the army's top generals, accused by UN investigators of genocide, are among the users Facebook blacklisted this year. Facebook said in a newsroom post that it does not want people or organisations "creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they're doing," adding that one page had 2.5 million followers. Some of the deleted pages were called "Down for Anything", "Let's Laugh Casually", and "We Love Myanmar". Facebook has been trying to repair its battered reputation, improving the speed with which hate speech is taken down and vowing to beef up its Myanmar-language reviewers on staff to 100 by the end of 2018. But critics say this is not enough to oversee some 20 million Facebook accounts in the country, many in a patchwork of regional languages. An independent report commissioned by Facebook concluded last month that the state was ultimately responsible for rights abuses, but the company should have done more to prevent the platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence. It also warned that Myanmar's 2020 election will likely be a flashpoint for abuse and misinformation. Most people in Myanmar only came online in the last few years, when smartphone usage soared as the country opened up to the outside world after decades of isolated military rule. Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government -- which is in an uneasy power-sharing agreement with the military -- has come under fire for not doing more to stand up for the Rohingya.

Facebook removes hundreds of Myanmar military-linked pages from platform

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