The Myanmar dictatorship promised “free and fair” elections this Wednesday (4), the country’s independence day. The announcement was made by the head of the military junta at the head of the regime, General Min Aung Hlaing, in a speech during the festivities in the capital, Naypyidaw.
The Army, which two years ago overthrew the democratically elected government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, had already announced elections in 2023 – the state of emergency decreed by the military ends at the end of January and, according to the Constitution, they must organize a new election.
But the new elections are viewed with skepticism by the international community. Since the coup d’état, pro-democracy protests in the country have been the target of brutal repression by the regime. Last month, the UN Security Council drafted its first resolution on Myanmar in over 70 years, demanding an end to the violence and the release of all political prisoners. The European Union and nations such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada also imposed sanctions on the dictatorship.
In his speech, Hlaing downplayed international pressure against the country and thanked the nations with which he maintains relations, such as China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. “We will work together for the development and stability of the borders,” he said at a parade that, in an army show of strength, included tanks, armored vehicles, missile launchers and 750 “peace” doves being released.
State broadcaster MRTV even announced the release of 7,012 prisoners to mark the country’s 75th anniversary of independence from the UK. While this is common regime practice on commemorative dates, it is unclear whether the amnesty extends to political prisoners. According to the broadcaster, the law does not apply to those convicted of murder or rape or whose charges include using explosives, weapons and drugs, illegal association and corruption, or managing natural disasters.
The dictatorship had already released another 5,774 prisoners in November, after the approval of another amnesty law that targeted prisoners with links to other countries or in need of humanitarian aid. While the rules were somewhat ambiguous, the move was at the time described by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as “a bright spot in what would otherwise be an incredibly dark period”.
Among those contemplated were three former ministers of Suu Kyi’s government. The 77-year-old former civil leader, however, is still being held in a prison in the capital. Days ago, she was sentenced to another seven years in prison – her sentence already adds up to 33 years in total. The international community views her trial as a sham, although the regime insists she was subjected to a fair process led by an independent tribunal.
Despite the isolation, the dictatorship has had some international support. The UN Security Council remains divided over how to handle the country’s crisis, with China and Russia opposing intervention.
Russian President Vladimir Putin even sent his greetings to the dictatorship, anticipating a “further development” of bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the state-run Global New Light newspaper. Russia is an ally and arms supplier to the junta, which defended it in the invasion of Ukraine that started the war in February last year.
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