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Added on the 16/02/2021 13:00:00 - Copyright : EFE Inglés
Some 100 protesters march briefly in Yangon's Tamwe township, chanting “let’s end military dictatorship” and “let’s root out the fascist army”. A flag representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is also burned. ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, but the regional bloc is not known for its diplomatic clout, and observers have questioned how effectively it can influence events in the country. Meanwhile, the trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi will hear its first testimony in a junta court Monday, more than four months after February's military coup. The junta has brought a variety of charges against the Nobel laureate, from illegally accepting 11 kilograms of gold to breaking a colonial-era secrecy law. IMAGES
The United States condemns Myanmar's junta for dissolving the party of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and warns that the move would bring more instability. "We strongly condemn the Burma military regime's decision to abolish 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy," State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel says, using Myanmar's former name. "Any election without the participation of all stakeholders in Burma would not be and cannot be considered free or fair and, given the widespread opposition to military rule, the regime's unilateral push towards elections likely will escalate instability," he adds. SOUNDBITE
Demonstrators are rallying in Myanmar's Yangon to protest against the military coup despite a build-up of troops and fears of violence escalating. IMAGES
The United States' requests to meet Myanmar's deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi were denied, State Department spokesman Ned Price says in a press briefing. SOUNDBITE
Shouts of "may dictatorship end" and the three-finger salute protest signs pop up in the streets of Myanmar's largest city Yangon as young people call for civil disobedience against this week's military coup. Myanmar's generals ordered internet providers to restrict access to Facebook, after people have flocked to social media to voice opposition and share plans for civil disobedience. IMAGES
More than 1,000 people line up at the Thai embassy in Yangon on Friday as young people seek to leave Myanmar after the junta said it would impose military service. IMAGES