In Burma, leaders of the ruling military junta extended a state of emergency by another six months Wednesday, the second anniversary of the coup that overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Nearly 3,000 people have been killed over the past two years in a brutal crackdown on protests.
Across Burma, people took part in a “silent protest” as streets emptied and businesses shuttered for the day. Protests also took place around the world, including in Tokyo, where members of the Burmese community gathered to speak out on the anniversary of the coup.
Win Kyaw: “In Myanmar, there are so many people being killed and so many houses being burned down. The people in Myanmar and those of us abroad need to work together to show that our voices are the same.”
In related news, a new investigation by The Guardian reveals how U.S., U.K. and Irish oil and gas service companies have continued to reap massive profits in Burma following the 2021 military coup, while propping up the junta. The U.S. companies include Halliburton, Diamond Offshore Drilling and Baker Hughes.