Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar
For months now, since the military coup on February 1, 2021, people from all walks of life in Myanmar have been continuously taking to the streets in protest. Everyday thousands of people have been detained, including high profile leaders and politicians of the civilian government. Many are kept under house arrest with no outside contact and in most cases their whereabouts are still unknown. Large demonstrations against the coup are occurring daily in Myanmar, defying the curfews and restrictions put in place by the military. There are also reports that dozens of protestors have died while many human rights defenders have been threatened and went into hiding. In this Indigenous Rights Radio Program, Producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar explores how the military coup is affecting the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Myanmar.
I am happy to see, they are building, networking, and coming together to fight for freedom. They are committed not to stop fighting until the military gives up power,” says Khun Khit San. “We never give up, we continue fighting for our freedom, dignity, and for our future.”
“I felt as if the whole world was collapsing, everything was chaotic and I felt hopelessness,” says Khun Khit San, a young Indigenous leader, sharing an experience about February 1, the first day of the military coup. “Until the internet, telephone, and other communication means were resumed, everything was finished. The president, MPs, and all high ranking officials were detained by the military.”
People from all walks of life, including women, youth, the general public are intensely engaged in the protests. Because the protests are absent of individual leaders, the movement is regarded to be a real people’s movement. There is a clear message that this generation does not want to go back to the dark times of dictatorship. Young Indigenous activists are doing everything they can to ensure that the country chooses the path of freedom. They are able to access information, are aware of their rights and therefore are coming out and demanding their rights. “I am happy to see, they are building, networking, and coming together to fight for freedom. They are committed not to stop fighting until the military gives up power,” says Khun Khit San. “We never give up, we continue fighting for our freedom, dignity, and for our future.”
- Listen radio program here: https://rights.culturalsurvival.org/military-coup-myanmar-and-its-impact-indigenous-peoples-part-2