The coup took place just hours before the newly electedAssembly of the Union was scheduled to convene and swear in its members, effectively preventing the transfer of power to the NLD government.[12][13][14]PresidentWin Myint,State CounsellorAung San Suu Kyi, and numerous cabinet ministers, deputies, and members of Parliament were arrested.[15][16] Both Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi were later charged on what independent observers widely viewed as politically motivated accusations designed to legitimize the military takeover.[17][18] They were initially remanded in custody for two weeks while facing a series of charges, including violations of import laws and emergency decrees.[19][20][21] Between February and April 2021, at least five additional charges were brought against Aung San Suu Kyi, including breaching state secrets and illegal communication equipment possession.[22][23][24]
As of March 2024, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of at least 50,000 people, including over 8,000 civilians—among them 570 children—while more than 26,000 individuals had been detained by junta forces.[26][27][28][29][30][31] Reports by human rights organizations such as theAssistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) andAmnesty International documented widespread arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and torture in detention facilities.In March 2021, at least three senior NLD members died while in police custody,[32][33] and in July 2022, the junta carried out the first judicial executions in decades, executing four pro-democracy activists.[34]
In January 2024, to mark the 76th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence, the junta announced an amnesty for over 9,000 prisoners, although international observers noted that many political prisoners remained incarcerated.[35]The following month, in February 2024, the military regime reintroduced compulsory conscription, mandating all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve up to two years in the armed forces, with professionals such as doctors and engineers required to serve up to three years.[36]
In 1988, nationwide protests broke out in the country. Dubbed the8888 Uprising, the civil unrest was sparked by economic mismanagement, leading Ne Win to step down.[40] In September 1988, the military's top leaders formed theState Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which then seized power.[40] Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of GeneralAung San, the country's founder, became a notable pro-democracy activist during this period. In 1990,free elections were allowed by the military, under the assumption that the military enjoyed popular support. Ultimately, the elections resulted in a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party, theNational League for Democracy (NLD). However, the military refused to cede power and placed her under house arrest.[41][42][43]
The 2021 coup occurred in the aftermath of thegeneral election on 8 November 2020, in which the NLD won 396 out of 476 seats in parliament, an even larger margin of victory than in the 2015 election. The military's proxy party, theUnion Solidarity and Development Party, won only 33 seats.[15]
The army disputed the results, claiming that the vote was fraudulent. The coup attempt had been rumored for several days, prompting statements of concern from Western nations such as theUnited Kingdom,France, theUnited States,[15] andAustralia.[46]
On 1 February 2021,NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt said thatAung San Suu Kyi,Win Myint,Han Tha Myint, and other party leaders had been "taken" in an early morning raid. Myo Nyunt added that he expected to be also detained shortly. Numerous communications channels stopped working – phone lines to the capital,Naypyidaw, were interrupted, state-runMRTV said it was unable to broadcast due to "technical issues",[47] and widespread Internet disruptions were reported beginning around 3 a.m.[48] The military disrupted cellular services throughout the country, mirroring "kill switch" tactics previously employed in combat zones inChin andRakhine states.[49] All the member banks under the Myanmar Banking Association suspended their financial services.[50]
Around 400 elected members of parliament (MPs) were placed under house arrest, confined to a government housing complex in Naypyidaw.[51] Following the coup, the NLD arranged for the MPs to remain housed in the complex until 6 February.[52] Social media users began calling on MPs to convene a parliamentary session within a government guesthouse, since the group met the Constitution's quorum requirements.[52] In response, the military issued another order giving MPs 24 hours to leave the guesthouse premises.[52] On 4 February 70 NLD MPs took anoath of office, in clear defiance of the coup.[53]
Soldiers were seen in Naypyidaw and the largest city,Yangon.[57] The military subsequently announced on military-controlledMyawaddy TV that it had taken control of the country for one year.[58] A statement signed by Acting PresidentMyint Swe declared that responsibility for "legislation, administration and judiciary" had been transferred toMin Aung Hlaing.[59] TheNational Defence and Security Council – chaired by acting president Myint Swe and attended by top military officers – was convened, following which a statement was issued by the military declaring that fresh elections would be held, and that power would only be transferred after they had concluded.[60] The military also announced the removal of 24 ministers and deputies, for whom11 replacements were named.[1]
On 3 February 2021, Myanmar police filed criminal charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing her of violating the Export and Import Law, for allegedly importing unlicensed communications devices used by her security detail, after conducting a raid on her home in the capital.[63][64][65][66] The Export and Import Law carries a potential prison term of 3 years and/or a fine, and was previously used in 2017 to prosecute journalists for flying a drone above the Assembly of the Union.[63][67] Meanwhile, Win Myint was charged with violating the Natural Disaster Management Law, specifically for waving at a passing NLD convoy in September 2020, thereby violating rules against election campaigning during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[63]
On 6 February 2021,Sean Turnell, the Australian economic advisor to the civilian government, was arrested.[68]
On 8 February 2021 and 9 February 2021, the military government issued orders to impose curfew from 8:00pm to 4:00am in Yangon and other major cities and restrict gatherings of 5 or more people in the public spaces.[69][70][71]
On 9 February 2021, the NLD's headquarters in Yangon was raided byMyanmar police.[72] Myanmar's military regime distributed a draft for the controversial Cyber Security Law to internet service providers, asking them to provide comments by 15 February 2021. The law was widely criticised by IT communities as it violates human rights by putting citizens under digital surveillance and severely restricting freedom of speech.[73] News ofChina's involvement in building the firewall were widely circulated among Myanmar social media users, which prompts protestors to demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy. China denied the news as rumours.[74]
On 10 February 2021, civil servants atKayah State protested against the coup, which also included police officers stationed there when they refused orders from their superior to return to work.[75]
On 12 February 2021, at midnight, members of Myanmar's military and police arrested government ministers, election officials, senior members of the NLD, activists, and a former general.[76]
On 13 February 2021, a viral post online showed that the military-runMinistry of Information (MOI) pressured the press not to use the words "junta" and "regime" in the media in the military's first attempt to restrict the freedom-of-press.[77] The military regime issued an arrest warrant for seven well-known activists and influencers includingMin Ko Naing for "using their fame to spread writing and speaking on the social media that would disturb the nation's peace process".[78]
On 15 February 2021, the military deployed armoured vehicles across the cities, in an attempt to silence the demonstrations in the country. Thousands of protestors in different cities across Myanmar had been calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.[79] On 16 February, as protests continued, Aung San Suu Kyi was given a new criminal charge on allegations of violating the country's National Disaster Law.[80]
On 17 February 2021, the military issued arrest warrants on six more celebrities for urging civil servants to join the civil disobedience movement.[81]
On 26 February 2021, the Myanmar ambassador to theUnited Nations,Kyaw Moe Tun, condemned the coup by the Tatmadaw.[82] He was sacked from his post the next day.[83] On the same day, a Japanese freelance journalist named Yuki Kitazumi was detained by Myanmar officers at theSanchaung township police station, but he was released hours later after Kitazumi explained that he clearly identified himself as a reporter.[84]
On 8 March 2021, state-controlled channel MRTV announced that the Ministry of Information revoked the licences for five local media outlets:Mizzima,Myanmar Now,DVB,7 Day News, andKhit Thit Media. The announcement stated that the outlets were prohibited from publishing and broadcasting in any type of media and by using any sort of technology.[85]
On 9 March 2021,Kyaw Zwar Minn, the Burmese ambassador to the United Kingdom, was recalled after he called for release of Aung San Suu Kyi.[86]
On 18 October 2021, Min Aung Hlaing announced the release of 5,636 prisoners jailed for protesting against the coup. According to theAssistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 7,300 protesters remained imprisoned across the country following the announcement.[87]
On 10 January 2022,Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for possessing walkie-talkies in her home and for violatingCOVID-19 protocols.[88]
On 1 August 2022, Myanmar junta's extended the state of emergency for another six months, after the leaderMin Aung Hlaing's request to "serve for an additional 6 months". The decision was unanimously taken by the junta'sNational Defence and Security Council.[89]
The military's motives for the coup remain unclear. Ostensibly, the military has posited that alleged voter fraud threatenednational sovereignty.[90] A few days before the coup, the civilian-appointedUnion Election Commission had categorically rejected the military's claims of voter fraud, citing the lack of evidence to support the military's claims of 8.6 million irregularities in voter lists across Myanmar's 314 townships.[91]
The coup may have been driven by the military's goal to preserve its central role in Burmese politics.[92][93] The Defence Services Act imposes a mandatory retirement age of 65 for the Armed Forces' Commander-in-Chief.[94]Min Aung Hlaing, the incumbent, would have been forced to retire on his 65th birthday in July 2021.[94] Further, the Constitution empowers solely the President, in consultation with theNational Defence and Security Council, with the authority to appoint Min Aung Hlaing's successor, which could have provided an opportunity for the civilian arm of the government to appoint a more reform-minded military officer as Commander-in-Chief.[94] Hlaing's lack of power would have exposed him to potential prosecution and accountability for allegedwar crimes during theRohingya conflict in various international courts.[95][96] Min Aung Hlaing had also hinted a potential entry into politics as a civilian, after his retirement.[96]
The activist groupJustice for Myanmar has also noted the significant financial and business interests of Min Aung Hlaing and his family as a potential motivating factor for the coup.[97] Min Aung Hlaing oversees two military conglomerates, theMyanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) andMyanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL),[98] while his daughter, son, and daughter-in-law have substantial business holdings in the country.[97]
A few days before the coup, theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) had releasedUS$372 million in cash loans to theCentral Bank of Myanmar, as part of an emergency aid package, to address the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.[99] The funds came with no conditions, and without any precedent for refunds.[99] In response to potential concerns regarding proper use of the funds by the military regime, an IMF spokesperson stated "It would be in the interests of the government, and certainly the people of Myanmar that those funds are indeed used accordingly."[100] The IMF did not directly address any concerns regarding the independence of the Central Bank, given the military's appointment of Than Nyein, an ally, as governor.[100][101] On 16 September, the IMF acknowledged it was unable to ascertain whether the military regime was using the funds as intended (i.e., "to tackle COVID and support the most vulnerable people.")[102] Myanmar'sMinistry of Planning and Finance did not respond to a request for comment on how funds had been appropriated.[102]
A lobbyist for the military junta reported that the junta would like to improve relations with the United States and distance Myanmar from China, believing Myanmar had grown too close to China under Aung San Suu Kyi.[103]
China is depicted in Western media as having hegemony over Myanmar.[104][105][106] China andRussia vetoed aUnited Nations Security Council resolution condemning the coup.[107] China and Russia are reportedly the main suppliers of weapons to the Myanmar Army.[108] Chinese foreign direct investment in Myanmar totalled $19 billion in 2019, compared with $700 million from the EU.[108] TheFinancial Times argues that Russia is supportive of the junta in order to sell more arms to them.[109]
Israel has been known to supply small arms, drones,[110] patrol boats and spyware to the Myanmar military.[111] On 27 September 2017, an Israeli court issued an order banning Israeli arms industries from exporting weapons to Myanmar.[112] Despite the ban order, Myanmar military received training and weapons from Israeli defence companies.[113] Myanmar army officers continued their visits to Israeli arms shows.[114]
The Myanmar military government did not attend the 27 October 2021East Asia Summit. The United States andASEAN (chaired byBrunei) criticised the junta's treatment of political prisoners, andCambodian Prime MinisterHun Sen described Myanmar's decision to skip the summit as "regrettable".[citation needed] US PresidentJoe Biden stated:
"[…] We must address the tragedy caused by the military coup which is increasingly undermining regional stability," and called for the "military regime to end the violence, release all political prisoners and return to the path of democracy."
While ASEAN urged constitutional government, it also officially "reiterated that Myanmar remains a member of the ASEAN family."[115]
The legality of the coup has been questioned by legal scholars, including Melissa Crouch.[116] TheInternational Commission of Jurists found that, by staging a coup, the military had violated Myanmar's constitution, since the alleged election irregularities did not justify the declaration of a state of emergency in comport with the Constitution. Further, the jurists found that the military's actions had violated the fundamentalrule of law principle.[117] The NLD has also rejected the legal basis for the military takeover.[118][119]
During its announcement of the coup, the military stated that, during a meeting chaired by Min Aung Hlaing, the NDSC had invoked Articles 417 and 418 of the2008 Constitution and that this served as the legal basis for the military takeover.[120][121] However, Article 417 of the Constitution authorises only a sitting president to declare a state of emergency, following consultation with the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) and, sincehalf of the NDSC's members at the time of the coup were civilians, including thepresident, the civilian-electedsecond vice-president, and the speakers of the upper and lower houses,[122] all of whom had been arrested by the military,[123] it is unclear how this meeting could have been constitutionally convened.[1][116] The incumbent civilian president Win Myint had not voluntarily ceded his role; instead, the state of emergency was unconstitutionally declared by vice-president Myint Swe.[117] During Win Myint's court testimony on 12 October, he revealed that on 1 February before the coup, two senior military generals had attempted to force him to resign, under the guise of "ill health"..[124]
The declaration of a state of emergency then transfers legislative, executive, and judicial authority to the Commander-in-Chief per Article 418.[123]On 23 March 2021, during a news conference in Naypyidaw, the Tatmadaw defended the reimposition of the junta and claimed that ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi was corrupt, tantamount tograft. No supporting evidence for these allegations was offered outside of the taped testimony of a former colleague of Kyi,Phyo Min Thein, who has been detained by the military since the coup began.[125]
Thousands of protesters participate in an anti-military rally inYangon.
Civil resistance efforts have emerged within the country, in opposition to the coup, in numerous forms, including acts of civil disobedience, labour strikes, a military boycott campaign, apot-banging movement, a red ribbon campaign, public protests, and formal recognition of the election results by elected representatives. Thethree-finger salute has been widely adopted as a protest symbol,[126] while netizens joined theMilk Tea Alliance, an online democratic solidarity movement inAsia.[127] "Kabar Ma Kyay Bu" (ကမ္ဘာမကျေဘူး), a song that was first popularised as the anthem of the8888 Uprising, has been revitalised by the civil disobedience movement as aprotest song.[128]
Since the onset of the coup, residents in urban centres such as Yangon stagedcacerolazos, striking pots and pans in unison every evening as a symbolic act to drive away evil, as a method of expressing their opposition to the coup.[129][130][131]
Demonstration against the military coup on 9 February 2021
On 2 February, healthcare workers and civil servants across the country launched a national civil disobedience campaign, in opposition to the coup, with workers from dozens of state-run hospitals and institutions initiating alabour strike.[119][132][133][134] A Facebook campaign group, dubbed the "Civil Disobedience Movement", has attracted 150,000 followers within 24 hours of its launch on 2 February.[135][136] As of 3 February, healthcare workers in over 110 government hospitals and healthcare agencies[137] have participated in the movement.[135] The labour strikes have spread to other parts of the civil service, including union-level ministries and universities, as well as to private firms, such as factories and copper mines, students, and youth groups.[138]
On 3 February, healthcare workers launched thered ribbon campaign (ဖဲကြိုးနီလှုပ်ရှားမှု), the colour red being associated with the NLD.[139][140] The red ribbon has been adopted by civil servants and workers across Myanmar as a symbol of opposition to the military regime.[141]
Teachers are protesting inHpa-An, capital city ofKayin State, 9 February 2021
On 3 February, a domestic boycott movement called the "Stop Buying Junta Business" campaign also emerged, calling for the boycott of products and services linked to the Myanmar military.[142] Among the targeted goods and services in the Burmese military's significant business portfolio includeMytel, a national telecoms carrier, Myanmar, Mandalay, and Dagon Beer, several coffee and tea brands,7th Sense Creation, which was co-founded by Min Aung Hlaing's daughter,[143] and bus lines.[142]
Public protests have also emerged in the wake of the coup. On 2 February, some Yangonites staged a brief 15-minute protest rally at 8 pm, calling for the overthrow of the dictatorship and Aung San Suu Kyi's release.[144] On 4 February, thirty people, led byTayzar San, protested against the coup in front of theUniversity of Medicine in Mandalay, leading to four arrests.[145][146] On 6 February, 20,000 protestors took part in a street protest in Yangon against the coup, calling for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released.[147] Workers from 14 trade unions participated in the protests. Protests spread toMandalay and to the Pyinmana township of Naypyidaw on the afternoon of 6 February. The Mandalay marches started at 1 pm. Protestors continued on motorbikes at 4:00pm in reaction to police restrictions. Police were in control by 6 pm.[148] On 9 February 2021, the military used violence to crackdown on peaceful protests, injuring six protestors, including a 20-year-old woman who was shot in the head.[149] About 100 demonstrators were arrested in Mandalay.[150] On 10 February 2021, most of the arrested demonstrators from Mandalay were released.[151]
Protesters hold posters with the image of detained civilian leaderAung San Suu Kyi
Youth groups protested on the roads by wearing cosplay costumes, skirts, wedding dresses, and other unusual clothing for daily life while holding signboards and vinyl banners that break with the country's more traditional protest messages for the purpose of grabbing attention from both domestic and international press media.[152][153]
On 12 February, theUnion Day in Myanmar, junta's crackdown inMawlamyine became more intense as shots were fired.[154] Gunfire was heard inMyitkyina,Kachin State, when security forces clashed with protesters on 14 February. Five journalists were arrested afterwards.[155] Troops joined police in forcefully dispersing marchers using rubber bullets and slingshots in the city ofMandalay.[156]
Facebook had been used to organise the civil disobedience campaign's labour strikes and the emerging boycott movement.[157] On 4 February, telecom operators and internet providers across Myanmar were ordered to blockFacebook until 7 February, to ensure the "country's stability".[157]MPT, a state-owned carrier, also blockedFacebook Messenger,Instagram andWhatsApp services, whileTelenor Myanmar blocked only Facebook.[158][157] Following the Facebook ban, Burmese users had begun flocking toTwitter, popularising hashtags like #RespectOurVotes, #HearTheVoiceofMyanmar, and #SaveMyanmar.[159] On 5 February, the government extended the social media access ban to include Instagram and Twitter.[160][161] On the morning of 6 February, the military authorities initiated aninternet outage nationwide.[162] Internet access was restricted by the government again since 14 February 2021 for 20 days, from 1:00am to 9:00am.[163][164][165][166] People have used social media like Facebook and Twitter to reach their voices to international communities and also to share photo and video evidence of brutality of military forces on the protestors.[166]
As themilitary response to theensuing protests started taking a violent turn, theShwekyin Nikāya, Burma's second largestmonastic order, urged Min Aung Hlaing to immediately cease the assaults on unarmed civilians and to refrain from engaging in theft and property destruction.[172] Its leading monks, includingÑāṇissara Bhikkhu, who is known for his amicable relationship with the military, reminded the general to be a good Buddhist,[172] which entailed keeping to theFive Precepts required for rebirth as at least a human.
Thailand's largest industrial estate developer,Amata, halted a $1 billion industrial zone development project inYangon in response to the coup, having started construction in December 2020.[173][174]Suzuki Motor, Myanmar's largest automaker, and several manufacturers[vague] halted domestic operations in the wake of the coup.[173] TheYangon Stock Exchange has also suspended trading since 1 February.[173] Myanmar's real estate market crashed as a result of the coup, with sales and purchase transactions dropping by almost 100%.[175]
On 4 February, French oil multinationalTotal SE announced it was reviewing the impact of the coup on its domestic operations and projects.[176] On 4 April, it issued a statement saying it would not withhold payments to the military junta and would not cease operations in itsYadana offshore gasfield where electricity is generated for public use.[177] A couple of weeks later there were reports of US oil giantChevron lobbying againstUnited States Department of State sanctions restricting the company in its capacity as "a non-operating partner" in the Yadana field through an affiliate.[178]
On 8 February, Lim Kaling, co-founder ofRazer announced he was divesting his stake in a joint venture with a Singaporean tobacco company that owns a 49% stake in Virginia Tobacco, whose majority stake is owned by MEHL.[182] Virginia Tobacco, Myanmar's largest cigarette maker, owns the Red Ruby and Premium Gold brands.[183] That evening, Min Aung Hlaing made a televised address, aiming to ease concerns about Myanmar's foreign investment climate.[184]
US PresidentJoe Biden and his administration imposed sanctions on the military leaders of the coup in Myanmar and froze 1 billion dollars in government assets held in theUnited States on 11 February 2021.[185]
After several protesters were shot dead by the military during theprotests on February,Facebook responded by suspending several accounts belonging to the government including Tatmadaw and its news website, Tatmadaw True News, andMRTV, due to these pages linked to promoting violence.[186][187] On 25 February, Facebook banned all accounts of the Tatmadaw, along with its related commercial entities. Parent company Facebook Inc (now Meta) also implemented the ban onInstagram.[188] Other tech companies follow suit, withYouTube terminated several channels belonging to governments includingMRTV andMyawaddy TV, andTikTok restricting several violence contents from being available in their platform.[189]
On 16 April 2021, South Korean steel giantPosco announced that its Myanmar subsidiary, POSCO C&C, would end its relationship with military-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).[190] On 27 October, Indian-ownedAdani Ports & SEZ announced it would terminate its US$127 million investment in Myanmar to construct a container terminal in the country.[191]Foreign direct investment in Myanmar fell to an eight-year low, dropping 22% to US$3.8 billion in Myanmar's 2020 fiscal year (September 2020 and September 2021), due to the combined pressures of COVID and political unrest following the February coup.[192]
As the protests have started, there have been reported defections from theMyanmar Police Force. On 5 March 2021, 11 officers were seen to have crossed the India–Myanmar land border to Mizoram state[193] with their families[194][195][196] due to refusing orders to engage protestors by using lethal force.[197] Myanmar officials have reached out to India to repatriate the defecting police officers located in Mizoram, with the reply that the Indian government will make a final decision.[198] The Assam Rifles were given orders to tighten security along the India–Myanmar border.[199] As of 5 March 2021, more than 600 police officers have joined the anti-regime movement, some of whom have served as police officers for many years and have collected awards for their outstanding performances.[200] From 10 March, the border has been closed after 48 Burmese nationals have crossed it.[201]
Some military personnel from Tatmadaw also left their posts to stand with the people against the military junta. Among them are Captain Tun Myat Aung from the 77th Light Infantry Division[202][203] and Major Hein Thaw Oo from the 99th Light Infantry Division who holds the highest rank among the known defectors from Myanmar's military as of 21 April 2021.[204] Both of them cited the corruption among the high-ranked military officers and the lack of will to kill their own people as main reasons for their defection.[202][203][204]
Cambodia,Thailand, andVietnam explicitly refused to support either side, characterising the coup as an internal matter.[237][238][239]On 9 February 2021, New Zealand suspended diplomatic contact with Myanmar and prohibited government military leaders from entering New Zealand because of the coup.[240] On 25 February 2021, Tokyo considered halting projects in Myanmar in response to the coup.[241]
On 24 February, the new Myanmar foreign minister visited Thailand, marking the first high official visit since the coup.[242] Malaysian Prime MinisterMuhyiddin Yassin and Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo called a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss the issue during Muhyiddin's visit toJakarta.[243] In March, reports appeared in the Thai press accusing theThai military of supplying rice to the Myanmar military, which it denied.[244]
Demonstration against the military coup on 14 February 2021
South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 12 March 2021 thatSouth Korea will suspend defense exchanges with Myanmar and ban arms exports, and would limit exports of other strategic items, reconsiderdevelopment aid and grant humanitarian exemptions for Myanmar nationals to allow them to stay inSouth Korea until the situation improves.[248]
Intergovernmental organisations, including the United Nations,[250] ASEAN,[251][252] and theEuropean Union expressed concern and called for dialogue from both sides. In addition to concern, the European Union also condemned the coup and urged the release of detainees.[253]
In response to the coup, theUnited Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting, where a British-drafted resolution urging the "restoration of democracy" in Myanmar, condemning the Myanmar military's action, and calling for the release of detainees was proposed. The first draft of the statement was not issued because of failure to garner support from all 15 council members; the diplomats of China and Russia reportedly had to relay the draft to their respective governments for review.[254][255][256][257] China and Russia, as permanent members of the council and therefore having thepower of veto, refused to back the statement.[258] India and Vietnam, two non-permanent members, also "voiced reservations" about the resolution.[259]
However, through negotiations, by 10 March 2021 — with explicit condemnation of the Myanmar military and its coup removed from the statement, along with removal of the threat of U.N. sanctions — a consensus was reached among the 15 Security Council members, resulting in a "presidential statement" from the Security Council (a step below a "resolution".) The statement condemned the violence, called for its end, and restraint by the military, and the prompt release of the detained civilian government officials (including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint), and a negotiated settlement between the parties within the framework of the Myanmar Constitution.[260][261][262][263]
The UNSC presidential statement further urged all parties to cooperate with mediation efforts of the ASEAN, and the U.N. envoy to Myanmar, and to ensure access to humanitarian aid for all in Myanmar. The resolution also addressed the2017 military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine State (which had targeted theRohingyaMuslim minority, there, most of whom were driven out of the country) — noting that the current conditions were preventing the Rohingya's "voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return" to Myanmar.[260][261][262][263] ASEAN called for a special ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta on 24 April 2021, with Min Aung Hlaing in attendance along with other member states' heads of government and foreign ministers. Members of theNational Unity Government formed in response to the coup and consisting of ousted lawmakers were reported to have been in contact with ASEAN leaders, but were not formally invited to the meeting.[264][265] During the summit, Min Aung Hlaing was not referred to as ahead of state.[266] ASEAN released a statement that it had agreed to a "five-point consensus" with Min Aung Hlaing on the cessation of violence in Myanmar, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, and the appointment of a special envoy by ASEAN to facilitate the dialogue process.[267]
On 28 May 2021, the governments of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam proposed that a U.N. draft resolution on Myanmar be watered down, including removing a call for anarms embargo against the country.[268]
On 27 July 2021, U.N. Special RapporteurTom Andrews urged the U.N. Security Council and member states to advance a "COVID ceasefire" in Myanmar. At the time of his report, over 600 healthcare professionals were eluding outstanding arrest warrants and 67 had already been detained in the midst of soaringCOVID-19 infections and deaths throughout the country.[269]
Protest in favor of a Myanmar "COVID ceasefire" on 27 July 2021, across from the United Nations in New York, NY.
TheSingapore Police Force issued warnings on 5 February 2021 against foreigners planning to participate in anti-coup protests in Singapore.[274][275] On 14 February 2021, SPF officers arrested three foreigners for protesting at the outskirts of the Myanmar embassy without permits to participate in a public assembly.[276] In March 2021, thePublic Security Police Force of Macau has warned Myanmar residents that they are not allowed to conduct anti-coup protests as Article 27 of the Macau Basic Law only allows Macanese residents the right to do so.[277]
On 4 February 2021, Japanese expats living/working in Myanmar were evacuated from Yangon International Airport to Narita International Airport after the coup on 1 February.[278] On 21 February, Taiwanese government started the evacuation process of Taiwanese expatriates in Myanmar, Taiwanese government also urged Taiwanese expatriates who wished to go back to get in touch withChina Airlines.[279] On 7 March, the South Korean government ordered a charteredKorean Air flight from Yangon to Seoul to return South Korean expatriates from Myanmar.[280] On the same day, the Indonesian and Singaporean governments urged their citizens to leave Myanmar as soon as possible due to safety reasons.[281] The British government also urged British citizens who stayed in Myanmar to immediately leave the country due to rising violence.[282]
^Butwell, Richard; von der Mehden, Fred (1960). "The 1960 Election in Burma".Pacific Affairs.33 (2). Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia:144–157.doi:10.2307/2752941.JSTOR2752941.
^"Statement on Myanmar".Minister for Foreign Affairs – Minister for Women – Senator the Hon Marise Payne.Archived from the original on 1 February 2021.
^Christiastuti, Novi (1 February 2021)."Negara-negara ASEAN Bahas Kudeta Militer di Myanmar" [Intergovernmental Organization ASEAN Discusses Military Coup in Myanmar] (in Indonesian).Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved1 February 2021.
^"Security Council fails to agree statement condemning Myanmar coup".Al Jazeera. 3 February 2021.Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved3 February 2021.The UN Security Council has failed to agree on a joint statement condemning Monday's coup in Myanmar, after a two hour long emergency meeting failed to secure the support of China, a key Myanmar ally and a veto-holding permanent member of the council.
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