Press Conference on Implications of #Myanmarcoup on Human Rights and Democracy @PVamplify @forum_asia @Altsean @IIDonline Speakers: @khinomar @waiwainu @mpklang https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N-YaFd3PSMGbqoVVdxLBjg
Starting now! Follow our live tweets here

"Those who follow very closely, know that in the past 10 years, it’s really the military and business cronies who benefit the most from this 'Burmese democratic transition'", says Khin Ohmar, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Progressive Voice @khinomar

"They claimed that what they did was legitimate, but that was not true. They architected, carefully crafted, and designed it for their power to continue... We are coming back to square one."

"The reality is, if they don’t let the people express their own free will, the people will again show their will that they will vote for the NLD. That is very clear."

"They are using the same old tactics to create fear among the public to show off who is in charge in this country, and this is something that the international community needs to see very clearly." @khinohmar

At this point, the concern of the people is the economic crisis and seeing their leaders detained. People are also very worried about the internet shutdown, their communications being cut off, and the arrests of human rights and democracy activists, explained @khinohmar

"HRDS, civil society activists, and political activists are highly under threat. In ethnic areas, people are having a fear of increased militarization in their areas.
Rumors have been escalating. We need to pay attention to ethnic areas," says @waiwainu

"When we talk about #Rohingya, they are very fearful about what will happen next. There has been no progress over several years, but with this military coup, they are more frustrated about their return and accountability processes, justice, and peace for the future." @waiwainu

"We need a more comprehensive and bold international response to the situation. We need concrete actions at the Security Council and want the situation of the country discussed and referred to the ICC. Most importantly, immediate sanctions against the military and its businesses"

“The narrative that is being sold to the people of Myanmar is based on false assumptions,” says @mpklang "This is a way of the army exerting their power over the country. The international community and @ASEAN need to challenge this narrative."

ASEAN has called for dialogue, reconciliation and return to normalcy in accordance with the will and interest of the people of Myanmar. There is a perception that not all in ASEAN are happy, but their statements could be A LOT stronger, says @mpklang

"The elections may never be held. They are asking for a 1-year emergency period, but this could always be extended. This is something that we have seen in the experience of Myanmar. There's also a good chance that they may learn from Cambodia and ban Aung San Suu Kyi & the NLD."

"It is very unlikely that the elections are going to happen," says @waiwainu "They have already sealed almost all the NLD party offices and replaced individuals from the administration within one day. These quick moves give us very bad signals."