conflicts
“Flower strike” for Suu Kyi: Dozens arrested in Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi, photographed in December 2019. To show their support, numerous people demonstrated in Myanmar for the ousted head of government. photo
© Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
Suu Kyi has been in prison since a military coup – a junta court sentenced her to more than 30 years in prison. On her birthday, many people protest for the ousted head of government.
In Myanmar, the military has reportedly arrested dozens of women. Your crime: On Monday you demonstrated with flowers as a sign of your support for the ousted Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi. Local media and local activists unanimously reported nearly 100 arrests. The reason for the “flower strike” was the 78th birthday of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who almost always wore fresh flowers in her hair. Many had posted photos of their actions online.
“For people to be detained for such a minor act underscores the military’s fear of any symbol associated with Aung San Suu Kyi and the democratic movement,” prominent democracy activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi told the German Press Agency. “It’s a desperate attempt to quell resistance and keep people in control.”
Women with floral decorations carried away
Detained in the February 2021 military coup, Suu Kyi was later sentenced by a junta court to more than 30 years in prison for multiple alleged crimes. She is being held in solitary confinement at a prison in the capital, Naypyidaw.
At one market in the Sagaing region alone, soldiers arrested 40 women for wearing flowers in their hair, The Irrawaddy newspaper reported. At least 15 women with floral decorations were taken away from the largest city of Yangon (formerly Rangoon). Other arrests were made in the Mandalay region. Flower sellers were also temporarily detained. Local activists confirmed to the dpa that there had been almost 100 arrests.
In the past two years there have been “flower strikes” on June 19 in honor of the former icon of freedom. But fear is everywhere. Since the overthrow, the junta has taken brutal action against all opponents.