17 February 2021

DVB

• In Yangon downtown, around Sule and Hladan areas,  thousands of anti-coup protesters are taking to the streets today afternoon( Feb 17) in even larger demonstrations than seen in previous days.
• The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), one of the largest ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar,  issued a statement today (February 17) urging not to use forcely crackdown on the protesters,  and added that it welcomed all people’s efforts to end the dictatorship. The statement expressed its appreciation of international recommendations and suggestions, and urge for work together to solve the crisis of the country.
• The deposed Mandalay Region Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation,  U Myo Thit was arraigned in Chan Aye Thar San Township Court today(Feb17) under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, after announcing  a statement on Feb10 that it would be assume public holiday until the Nov Elections elected new government is formed. Some of the Nov elections elected cabinet ministers, including Mandalay Division Chief Minister Dr Zaw Myint Maung, were detained by the military on Feb1 and later released under house arrest.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a strong denunciation concerning filing a new charge against Aung San Suu Kyi. He tweeted “new charges against Aung San Suu Kyi fabricated by the Myanmar military are a clear violation of her human rights,” and added “We stand with the people of Myanmar and will ensure those responsible for this coup are held to account.”
• Regarding the rumors spreading on social media, the United Nation in Myanmar announced today that no high-level delegation or high commissioner was visiting Myanmar at this time.
• Singapore’s foreign minister ViVian Balakrishnan said on Tuesday that the current situation in Myanmar was “alarming” and Singapore was concerned about violent clashes in the protests, the arrests of civil servants, internet cutoff, deployments of troops and armored vehicles, but he would not support widespread sanctions on the country as these could hurt ordinary citizens. He said that he hoped the release of all detainees including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and the negotiation with the Military State Administrative Council.