Myanmar protests in 2nd week, with neither side backing down

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Mass street demonstrations in Myanmar entered their second week Saturday, with neither protesters nor the military government they seek to unseat showing any signs of backing down from confrontations.

Protesters in Yangon, the country’s biggest city, again congregated at Hleden intersection, a key crossroads from which groups fanned out to other points, including the embassies of the United States and China. They marched despite an order banning gatherings of five or more people.

The U.S., especially after President Joe Biden announced sanctions against the military regime, is regarded as an ally in the protesters’ struggle against the Feb. 1 coup. China is detested as an ally of the ruling generals, whose support is crucial to them keeping their grip on power.

Demonstrations also resumed in Myanmar’s second-biggest city, Mandalay, with lawyers making up one large contingent.



Anti-coup protesters join a rally on motorcycles in Mandalay, Myanmar, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Mass street demonstrations in Myanmar have entered their second week with neither protesters nor the military government they seek to unseat showing any signs of backing off from confrontations. (AP Photos)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-embassies-myanmar-china-142587aef9a789b29a16d2ddce28bbe6

[Eugene]

1. Myanmar army suspends laws limiting forces, hunts protest backers

Source: Reuters

FEBRUARY 12, 2021 11:36 PM UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

Myanmar army suspends laws limiting forces, hunts protest backers

(Reuters) - Myanmar’s junta on Saturday suspended laws constraining security forces from detaining suspects or searching private property without court approval and ordered the arrest of well-known backers of mass protests against this month’s coup.

A series of announcements came on the eighth day of country-wide demonstrations against the Feb. 1 takeover and detention of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which halted an unsteady transition to democracy that began in 2011.

The announcements bore echoes of the near half-century of military rule before reforms began, when the Southeast Asian country was one of the world’s most repressive and isolated states.

An order signed by military ruler General Min Aung Hlaing suspended three sections of laws “protecting the privacy and security of the citizens”, which had been introduced during the gradual liberalisation.

Those sections include the requirement for a court order to detain prisoners beyond 24 hours and constraints on security forces’ ability to enter private property to search it or make arrests. The suspensions also free up spying on communications.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/myanmar-army-suspends-laws-limiting-forces-hunts-protest-backers-idUSKBN2AD05A