On Feb. 1, Myanmar’s military staged a coup and seized power of the state, claiming election fraud after Aung San Suu Kyi, a member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party was reelected this past November. Under Myanmar’s laws, Suu Kyi is not allowed to be president as her children are considered foreign nations; therefore, her official title was State Counselor and President Win Myint was considered a close advisor and aid. The military, in support of the opposition, has declared a year-long state of emergency and put Suu Kyi on house arrest for possession of illegal walkie talkies. Currently, the state refuses to hold more elections until the state of emergency is over and has placed military chief General Min Aung Hlaig in charge.
While on the surface this conflict is between the government and military of Myanmar, it is important to acknowledge the group caught in the middle- the Rohingya Muslim population. Myanmar has historically treated the Rohingya Muslim population with gross neglect and violence, to the point of recent genocide trials ordered by the International Court of Justice in 2017; and this coup could be a massive turning point for the group, for better or for worse. The leaders of the military coup have said that the repatriation of the Rohingya people is a priority for them and plan to honor agreements with Bangladesh to bring refugees home. However, this is the same army that nearly four years ago was accused of genocide against these very same people.
However, this situation has a high chance of putting the Rohingya people in a more vulnerable position. In a speech given by the Myanmar military after their coup, plans to bring Rohingya people home were described, but there were no details given and questions regarding the logistics continue to remain unaddressed. Due to the military’s history of abuse, the international community should be skeptical and keep an eye on Myanmar’s leaders and their actions towards the Rohingya people. This is most likely a political move by the military to relieve some of the pressure they are feeling as a result of the coup. If the international community falls for this trap, it will lead to the continued opression and murder of the Rohingya people. Currently, many individuals feel unsafe about returning to their home country, in an interview for AL Jazeera the President of the Rohingya Humans Rights network stated that “there might be something really really tragic that’s about to happen”; not just for the Rohingya people, but the entire population.
Although atrocities against the Rohingya persist, a new opportunity may have arised. The political landscape of Myanmar is changing to include the Rohingya population in a way that was not accepted before. Recently during pro-democracy protests in response to the military coup, there has been an influx of young demonstrators showing their remorse for the past treatment of these people. In the past, this conflict has largely been fueled by Mynamars public perception of them. But now, as citizens are seeing the faults in their military over this coup, they are also realizing the faults of the military in their genocidal attacks on rohingya populations.
What we are seeing as a result is more social awareness of the issue, and the international community can use this traction as a starting point for wider acceptance of the Rohingya population. In 2020, Suu Kyi had an approval rating of 79%, up 9% from the previous year. People from across the world can use this leverage for the benefit of the Rohingya people. Seeing citizen’s perspective on the Rohingya genocide changing and their support for Suu Kyi rising, it is essential for others to provide her support to ensure she can regain her power.
But, our efforts cannot end there. In order to put pressure on the military to end their coup, sanctions need to be placed on Myanmar even though this could further damage an economy that is only beginning to grow. Placing sanctions could shine more light onto current court cases filed on behalf of the Rohinga people, and for years to come Suu Kyi will have to defend herself against claimes of genocide. Neither sides of Myanmar would want this outcome: the military would face the brunt of economic downfalls and the National Unity Party. supported by the military, would be brought back into the light. If there is one thing that will get people to the negotiating table, it is mutually assured destruction, which will happen in Myanmar if these sanctions are set into place. While sanctions are always a difficult option and normally used as a last resort, we cannot allow the suffering of the Rohingya people and the entire country to continue under this coup.
Sources
Myanmar coup: What is happening and why?
Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar democracy icon who fell from grace
Myanmar Coup: Why the Military Overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi | Time
2019 Opinion Poll In Myanmar Coup, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Ends as Neither Democracy Hero nor Military Foil
Written by: Hannah Winnick