The Newsmakers

The Newsmakers


Has Myanmar's Experiment With Democracy Come To An End

February 08, 2021

Aung San Suu Kyi's once-held reputation as a leader for peace was severely tarnished after she defended Myanmar's military against genocide charges at The Hague. No longer considered 'Asia's Nelson Mandela' she lost the support of the international community, but all the while gaining popularity at home. That seemed to anger military leaders who, disputing her party's landslide election victory in November, orchestrated a military coup on Monday that stripped Suu Kyi and the National League for democracy of their powers. Although the once ubiquitous red and yellow NLD flags have disappeared from sight, a quiet civil disobedience movement is growing among her supporters. But can it end the military’s takeover?

Guests:

Bo Kyaw Nyein
Former Student Activist and Political Prisoner

Win Naing
Chairman of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy in the UK

Phil Robertson
Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division