Forbes
Dr. Ewelina U. OchabContributor Policy
On March 31, 2021, U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar, Ms. Schraner Burgener, called upon the U.N. Security Council to “consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multi-dimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia.” She stressed that “the ground situation will only worsen,” meaning “a bloodbath is imminent.”
This screengrab provided via AFPTV video footage taken on April 1, 2021, shows protesters, wearing ... [+] AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
This highly concerning warning is supported by data. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), total number of people killed stands at 550 since February 1, 2021, with at least 46 children. The youngest victims is a seven year-old girl, Khin Myo Chit. In addition, more than 2,750 people have been detained, including 38 sentenced. The AAPP further reports attacks and looting in villages and central Gant Gaw town in Magwe Region. “The perpetrators looted kitchen knives, money, mobile phones and jewelry. Over ten thousand residents hence fled into the forest. Number of villagers fleeing homes across Burma is rapidly increasing.” They further warn that on April 1, 2021, “junta forces ordered internet providers to shut down all wireless broadband services until further notice. Alongside the 47 nightly internet cut and 18 days of a mobile data shutdown. As a result, only a small percentage of individuals can access the internet in Burma. These oppressive measures intend to even further disrupt internal communication and silence the voice of the people.” The timing of the internet shutdown should not be seen as a coincidence. The atrocities are likely to continue when Myanmar is in the “dark.”
