Myanmar Elections Marked by War Crimes and Repression

Preparations for this weekend’s first round of junta-imposed elections in Myanmar have led to unlawful attacks that may be war crimes, as well as a sharp rise in arbitrary detentions and crackdowns on free speech, Amnesty International said today.

The military passed a law in July – the Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic General Elections – that makes it a crime to speak out against the election or election workers. people found guilty under this law coudl face prison sentences from three years to life, or even the death penalty.

“This election organized by the junta is very different from Myanmar’s democratic elections in 2015 and 2020. 2015 brought hope for peace and human rights, but now Myanmar faces hopelessness, with war crimes, arrests, and surveillance happening every day,” said Joe Freeman, Myanmar Researcher at Amnesty International.

“Many people in Myanmar oppose this election because they worry it will allow the people who have been unlawfully killing civilians for five years to stay in power, without being held accountable for their actions.”

Election law Used to Suppress Opposition

The junta claims its election law is meant to protect workers, equipment, and the election process.Though, in the weeks before the first vote on December 28th, the junta has used the law to increase repression, targeting any criticism – even on social media.

Since the law was passed, at least 229 people have been charged with “attempting to sabotage election processes,” according to media controlled by the military. Those arrested include artists and people putting up anti-election stickers.

In September, a man in Shan State was sentenced to seven years of hard labor for criticizing the election. In early December, a man near Yangon was arrested for an anti-election post on Facebook.