Why state of emergency announced in Myanmar?

The military of Myanmar has taken control of the country and a one-year state of emergency has been announced. Further, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained.

Why emergency has been announced?

• The state emergency was announced because the government was failed in tackling the situation of Covid-19 pandemic.
• Further, the military suspected the landslide victory of the Suu Kyi’s party in November 2020 elections.
• So, the military took over in the country in accordance with the Article 417 of the Myanmar’s constitution.
• Article 417 gives power to the military to take over in times of emergency.
• The military had framed the constitution of Myanmar in 2008 and retains power under the charter at the expense of democratic, civilian rule.
• Military highlights that, there were millions of irregularities in the voter lists in the November 2020 elections in which Suu Kyi’s party had won 396 out of 476 seats. However, the election commission had rejected the claims of military.

Implications of the military control

Now in Myanmar, telecommunications have been halted.  Internet and phone access have also been blocked. Social media accounts of many people have been temporarily suspended. Barbed wire road blocks were set up and the military units have overtaken the government buildings. Further, there is a fear of crackdown on human rights defenders, journalists, and others critics of the military because, even before the military takeover, journalists, free speech advocates and critics of the military have faced legal actions many times.

About Myanmar

It is a country in Southeast Asia which is bordered by Bangladesh and India in the northwest, China in the northeast, Laos and Thailand in the east and southeast while Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the south and southwest. It is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia while it is the 10th largest in Asia by area. The capital city of the country is Naypyidaw. Yangon (Rangoon) is the largest city of Myanmar. Myanmar have border with the Indian States of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2021