Myanmar: Pressure-resistant regime

Dictatorial paranoia Myanmar | 25 August 2022

The execution of four prominent members of the democratic opposition movement has further isolated the country.

In a much condemned move, the military regime executed four prominent members of the democratic opposition movement, citing anti-terrorist laws (Radio Free Asia, 25 July 2022).

World Watch Research analyst Thomas Muller comments: “This execution has isolated the regime even further. While one of the men executed was even a veteran of the 1988 uprising, this move might also be seen as a defiant response to the decision by the World Court (formerly referred to as the International Court of Justice) that it does have jurisdiction in the case bringing genocide claims against Myanmar (Reuters, 23 July 2022). However, there is little that will influence the regime into changing its course. Even the country’s continued exclusion from the regional meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is unlikely to make the regime leaders implement the peace-plan agreed with ASEAN representatives (Reuters, 18 August 2022). Meanwhile, fighting in the country continues, including attacks on Catholic villagers in the Sagaing region by government forces (UCA News, 1 August 2022) and on other Christians in Chin State (Free Burma Rangers, 17 August 2022).”