Myanmar sees 'blue shirt' protests over detentions, junta outlaws unity government
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
February 03, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
Myanmar sees 'blue shirt' protests over detentions, junta outlaws unity government

World+Biz

Reuters
21 April, 2021, 12:30 pm
Last modified: 21 April, 2021, 12:37 pm

Related News

  • Leaked docs suggest US, UK oil and gas field contractors made profits in Myanmar after coup: Guardian report
  • Myanmar junta extends emergency as coup anniversary marked by 'silent protest'
  • Junta jailed, tortured and killed thousands of civilians: US, allies in joint statement marking Myanmar coup anniversary
  • Protesters mark Myanmar coup anniversary, junta due to make statement
  • US and allies mark anniversary of Myanmar coup with more sanctions

Myanmar sees 'blue shirt' protests over detentions, junta outlaws unity government

The shirts are a tribute to pro-democracy activist Win Tin who was imprisoned by the military for 19 years and died on April 21, 2014. After his release, he pledged to wear a blue shirt until all political prisoners were freed

Reuters
21 April, 2021, 12:30 pm
Last modified: 21 April, 2021, 12:37 pm
People in Myanmar shared photos on social media wearing blue shirts and holding up a hand with the name of an arrested person written on it. Photo: Twitter
People in Myanmar shared photos on social media wearing blue shirts and holding up a hand with the name of an arrested person written on it. Photo: Twitter

Myanmar anti-coup activists launched protests on Wednesday calling for the release of prisoners detained by the junta, as the military government declared a National Unity Government formed by its opponents was illegal.

The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on February 1, with almost daily protests against the coup occurring despite a brutal crackdown by the junta on dissent.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an activist group, says 738 people have been killed by security forces since the coup and 3,300 people are currently in detention, including 20 who have been sentenced to death.

"Please raise your voice and demand the release of all the people who are being unfairly detained under the junta government," protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung said on Facebook.

On Wednesday, people shared photos on social media wearing blue shirts and holding up a hand with the name of an arrested person written on it.

People from #YayPhyu wore blue shirts for the release of more than 3000 detainees, holding the paper that reads "We need R2P", "We Support NUG" and "Dictatorship must fail" and take it to the streets to protest against the Coup today, on Apr 21.#Apr21Coup#ReleaseTheDetainees pic.twitter.com/tv7K7OZSIF— Winter ? (@sfys_nn) April 21, 2021

The shirts are a tribute to pro-democracy activist Win Tin who was imprisoned by the military for 19 years and died on April 21, 2014. After his release, he pledged to wear a blue shirt until all political prisoners were freed.

Protest: #blueshirt4burma #Dawei city

Protesters held sunflowers and wore blue shirt to ask for release of political prisoners. SAC crackdowned shortly after and 4 got arrested for protesting peacefully.#WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar #Apr21Coup #MilkTeaAlliance pic.twitter.com/AWFUXpeNXl— MilkTeaAllianceMMOfficial (@MilkTeaAllyMM) April 21, 2021

The junta has released from jail thousands of people since the coup but relatively few have been linked to the protests.

Today, April 21, People participated in the Blue Shirt Campaign Protest against the military dictatorship in Namti,Myanmar ??#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Apr21Coup pic.twitter.com/LmMCTxiu06— SAVE MYANMAR?? (@ReliCharm) April 21, 2021

Meanwhile, military-backed television broadcaster MWD reported on Tuesday that the home affairs ministry had declared unlawful a National Unity Government (NUG) formed by opponents of the junta.

Pro-democracy politicians including ousted members of parliament on Friday announced the formation of NUG that nominally includes Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the coup, as well as leaders of the protests and ethnic minorities.

The NUG says it is the legitimate authority and has requested international recognition and an invitation to a meeting in Jakarta on Saturday to discuss the Myanmar crisis hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Junta Leader Due At ASEAN Meeting

Human Rights Watch in a statement said that the 10-member bloc, which includes Myanmar, should immediately withdraw an invitation to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

"Min Aung Hlaing, who faces international sanctions for his role in military atrocities and the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, should not be welcomed at an intergovernmental gathering to address a crisis he created," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

ASEAN has been trying to guide Myanmar, out of the bloody turmoil triggered by the coup, but the group's principles of consensus and non-interference have restricted its ability to overcome members' divergent views on how to respond to the army's killing of hundreds of civilians.

Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also prime minister, will chair Saturday's meeting, his office said in a statement.

Myanmar's military has shown little willingness to engage with its neighbours and no sign of wanting to talk to members of the government it ousted, accusing some of them of treason, which is punishable by death.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, has communicated with the military since the coup, but the junta has not allowed her to visit.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said his prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, would attend Saturday's meeting.

"We hope that with the coming discussions in Jakarta, Myanmar will agree to accept representatives from the ASEAN chair Brunei or the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta to observe and help Myanmar return to normalcy," he told reporters.

However, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he would be represented by his deputy, Don Pramudwinai, who is also a foreign minister.

Thai and Malaysian officials have said that Min Aung Hlaing would go to Jakarta, although the Myanmar government has not commented.

Top News

Myanmar / Myanmar Army / Myanmar activists / Myanmar Conflict / Myanmar coup / Myanmar Coup protest / Myanmar crisis

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • International Monetary Fund logo : AP via UNB
    IMF sets time-bound reform agenda as it releases first tranche of loan
  • Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
    Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
  • The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs
    The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs

MOST VIEWED

  • FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Adani Group is seen on the facade of its Corporate House on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
    Adani firm's shares slumps 10% at open, dropped from Dow Jones indices
  • Photo: Reuters
    Boris Johnson's brother quits Adani-linked firm
  • Former US president Bill Clinton back at White House to push paid family leave
    Former US president Bill Clinton back at White House to push paid family leave
  • British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds a press conference after meeting with US President Joe Biden and a phone call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on November 16, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS
    Giving Ukraine jets would need 'months if not years' of training: UK PM
  • Photo: Reuters
    Biden reaffirms US support for Jordan, Iraq in meeting, phone call
  • France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. European Union leaders were heading into a two-day summit Thursday with opposing views on whether, and how, the bloc could impose a gas price cap to contain the energy crisis fueled by Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and his strategy to choke off gas supplies to the bloc at will. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
    After Netanyahu talks, Macron warns of Iran nuclear 'consequences'

Related News

  • Leaked docs suggest US, UK oil and gas field contractors made profits in Myanmar after coup: Guardian report
  • Myanmar junta extends emergency as coup anniversary marked by 'silent protest'
  • Junta jailed, tortured and killed thousands of civilians: US, allies in joint statement marking Myanmar coup anniversary
  • Protesters mark Myanmar coup anniversary, junta due to make statement
  • US and allies mark anniversary of Myanmar coup with more sanctions

Features

Andy Mukherjee. Sketch: TBS

What makes India's billionaires' support special for Adani

46m | Panorama
Photo: Rejaul Hafiz Rahi

A jackal farewell

1h | Earth
The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs

The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs

2h | Panorama
Six Jeep Wranglers and a special XJ Jeep Cherokee set out into the depths of Lalakhal, Sylhet for an experience of a lifetime. Photo: Ahbaar Mohammad

Jeep Life Bangladesh: A club for Jeep owners to harness the power of their vehicles

1d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

17h | TBS Round Table
Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

15h | TBS Entertainment
Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

18h | TBS Current Affairs
What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

16h | TBS Stories

Most Read

1
Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
Bangladesh

Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!

2
Leepu realised his love for cars from a young age and for the last 40 years, he has transformed, designed and customised hundreds of cars. Photo: Collected
Panorama

'I am not crazy about cars anymore': Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu

3
Photo: Collected
Energy

8 Ctg power plants out of production

4
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
Economy

IMF approves $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh, calls for ambitious reforms

5
Photo: Collected
Court

Japanese mother gets guardianship of daughters, free to leave country

6
Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane
Infrastructure

Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]