BY KEREM DORUK
A military coup in Myanmar has struck fear into the Monash international student community following civilian casualties and widespread internet shutdowns.
On the morning of February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military carried out a coup d'etat and detained leaders from Myanmar’s democratically elected National League for Democracy.
Since then, unrest has gripped Myanmar with demonstrators pouring into the streets and international pressure mounting against Myanmar's military for their use of force against protestors.
The situation arose after Myanmar's military claimed there was mass voter fraud in the November 2020 election where Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party secured enough seats in parliament to form the next government.
However, leading Myanmar experts such as Professor Melissa Crouch, University of New South Wales lecturer and author of The Constitution of Myanmar, have identified major flaws in the military's claims.
"This is a manufactured emergency. The military has provided no evidence of voter fraud,” Professor Crouch said.
“What the military did do is prove that they are above the constitution. They are the fourth branch of government. They are a supra-constitutional entity. The rules don’t always apply to them.”
Myanmar Student Association Australia volunteer Kaung Si Thu has attended protests and raised awareness about the crackdown.
“The news of protestors being killed has been heartbreaking — the protestors are not being respected by the military,” Mr Thu said.
“At the Myanmar Student Association, we have been organising charities. I have also been sending money back home to those in need but it has been hard because the banks have shut down.”
The Myanmar military has said long sentences and fines will apply to those found to incite "hatred or contempt" towards them, raising fears amongst the international student community.
“There is a risk for international students if they protest. The military has been monitoring online activities,” Mr Thu said.
Military-imposed internet blackouts to censor citizens have also made it difficult for Mr Thu and other international students to contact their families back home.
“I call them every day to see if they are safe, but unfortunately the internet connection has been really bad,” he said.
Harrison Moe, also a Monash student from Myanmar, said he fears his activism has put him at risk when he returns home.
“An international student such as myself will not be able to return to my home country without having the risk of being persecuted,” Mr Moe said.
“The situation in Myanmar is horrible and devastating.
“Everyone in the world should do whatever they can do to support us.”
