The people of Myanmar have been protesting against the military coup that took place in February 2021. Despite the military junta’s announcement of holding elections in 2023, the pro-democracy movement has called for a boycott of the upcoming “sham polls.” In light of this, the Myanmar resistance has urged Taiwan and Japan to reject the elections and not recognize the military government. This article takes a closer look at the actions and reactions of the Myanmar resistance, and examines how their call for international support is gathering momentum.
Myanmar’s parallel government has urged Taiwan, Japan, and other democratic countries in Asia to reject the military regime’s proposed elections that are intended to legitimize its rule. Last week, the ruling regime dissolved Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) and 39 other parties for failing to comply with a new Political Party Registration Law. This move comes after the parties collectively won 89% of seats in the 2020 general election, which was annulled by the junta.
The parallel government, formed by ousted lawmakers, has called on democratic countries to denounce the military regime’s plan to hold “vetted” elections, which aim to exclude candidates perceived as anti-military. These elections are expected to reinforce the military’s grip on power and further entrench the junta’s rule, which has faced international condemnation for its human rights abuses and crackdown on democracy.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has released a statement in support of the parallel government’s call, stating that it firmly supports Myanmar’s democracy and condemns the military regime’s actions. The ministry called for the restoration of the democratically elected government and the release of all political prisoners.
Japan has yet to release a statement on the issue. However, it is under pressure to act due to its close economic ties with Myanmar. Japanese companies have invested heavily in Myanmar, with trade between the two countries reaching $1.8 billion in 2020.
The parallel government’s call comes amid a sharp increase in violence and human rights abuses in Myanmar. The military regime has been accused of killing hundreds of civilians, including children, since seizing power in a coup in February 2021. The regime has also imposed strict curfews and internet shutdowns to silence dissent and restrict access to information.
In response, the international community has imposed sanctions on the junta, including freezing assets and imposing travel bans on military leaders. However, the regime has continued to hold onto power and suppress opposition.
The parallel government has also called on democratic countries to provide humanitarian support to Myanmar, which is facing a severe COVID-19 outbreak due to the military regime’s mismanagement of the pandemic. The regime has been accused of hoarding vaccines and denying aid to opposition-controlled areas.
The international community’s response to the crisis in Myanmar has been divided, with some countries refusing to take action due to their economic interests in the country. However, the parallel government’s call for support from democratic countries in Asia signals a growing concern over the junta’s actions and its impact on regional stability.
In conclusion, Myanmar’s parallel government has urged Taiwan, Japan, and other democratic countries in Asia to reject the military regime’s plans to hold heavily vetted elections. The parallel government’s call comes amidst an increase in violence and human rights abuses in Myanmar, with the military regime facing international condemnation for its crackdown on democracy. The international community’s response to the crisis in Myanmar has been divided, with some countries refusing to take action due to their economic interests in the country. However, the parallel government’s call for support from regional democracies signals a growing concern over the junta’s actions and their impact on the stability of the region.