1/3/22, 11:28 AM
Myanmar’s internet suppression
In the early hours of Feb. 1, Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup that has ignited
months of mass protests. The military junta’s security forces have since killed more than
550 civilians in crackdowns on the pro-democracy protesters, including children.
To try to suppress protests, the junta has imposed increasing restrictions on internet
access, culminating in a near total shutdown as of April 2. That has made it extremely
difficult for people to access information, upload videos of protests, or organize. These
tactics have also crippled businesses and limited access to medical information during the
coronavirus pandemic.
A Myanmar junta spokesperson did not respond to calls seeking comment. At a March 23
press conference, spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the junta had no immediate plans to
ease internet restrictions because violence was being provoked online.
Protesters in Myanmar, who asked to stay anonymous, told Reuters they were terrified
about being shut off from the world, with no way to broadcast news of the protests or of
the army’s killings to those outside of Myanmar.
“We Myanmar people are in the dark now,” said one young protester. “News from
Myanmar is going to disappear,” another added.
Internet connectivity
Governments around the world are increasingly using internet restrictions during
political crises as a tool to limit free expression and hide human rights abuses, according
to data from the digital rights organization Access Now. The U.N. Human Rights Council
has condemned such intentional disruptions as a human rights violation.
“Whenever the internet is shut down during such critical moments we would hear or
document or see reports of human rights abuses, and that is what is happening in
Myanmar,” said Felicia Anthonio, a campaigner with Access Now. “The government is
cracking down on protesters to ensure they do not let the rest of the world know what is
happening.”
https://graphics.reuters.com/MYANMAR-POLITICS/INTERNET-RESTRICTION/rlgpdbreepo/
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