Myanmar junta recommends internet disruption as more protesters are detained for democracy

Myanmar junta recommends internet disruption as more protesters are detained for democracy

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Pro-democracy protesters have repeatedly filled streets across the country for nearly two months in protest after the military overthrew the elected government over demands of election fraud and instituted a ruling junta.

The army responded to the protests with bloody repression. According to the advocacy group the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 550 people have been killed by junta forces.

The rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday that since the February 1 coup, the junta has also forcibly disappeared hundreds of people – including politicians, election officials, journalists, activists and protesters.

At least 2,751 people, including journalists, protesters, activists, government officials, union members, writers, students, civilians and even children, were detained, often in checkpoints, according to AAPP.

On Friday, most Myanmar citizens woke up to Internet access after telecommunications companies were instructed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to discontinue wireless broadband Internet services.

Customers of the telecommunications company Ooredoo received text messages the previous evening before saying that wireless services would be discontinued until further notice. That directive is dated 1 April. A majority of the customers in Myanmar access the internet through the wireless data services and only those with physical connections will have access to the internet.

According to the internet monitor Netblocks, mobile data was also turned off for the 19th day.

CNN has targeted myanmar army for comment on turning off wireless internet.

As the military slows down the flow of information, according to the UN, dozens of journalists have been detained by security forces, and according to civilians, also civilians who have spoken to media.

Anxiety in Myanmar after weekend of 'outrageous' bloodshed

A CNN team chatted with residents on Friday during a visit to a bazaar in Insein township in Yangon. CNN is in Myanmar with the permission of the military and is being escorted by the military, also during the visit to the market.

Two women were subsequently arrested, according to a report by local store The Irrawaddy. The report contains an eyewitness report that one woman was seen talking to the CNN team. It is unclear from the report whether the woman was arrested shortly thereafter. An improvised protest against the government broke out while the team was present, the report added.

Several unverified social media reports said at least two people were taken away by security forces after speaking to the CNN team.

CNN has released the Myanmar Army for comment on the detention.

In its latest briefing, the AAPP said it could confirm the location of ‘only a small fraction’ of recent prisoners it has identified.

The co-chairmen of the United Nations group of friends for the protection of journalists issued a statement on Thursday expressing their deep concern at the attacks on the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the situation of journalists and media workers in Myanmar and condemning the strongest their harassment, arbitrary arrests and detention, as well as human rights defenders and other members of civil society. ”

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