The Stream

Is Myanmar getting away with killing off dissidents?

On Wednesday, June 16 at 19:30GMT:
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power in February, claiming without evidence that an election in which the National League of Democracy (NLD) party retained power was fraudulent.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar under the NLD, has gone on trial accused of several crimes including violating coronavirus restrictions, receiving illegal payments and importing walkie-talkies. Rights groups have called the charges “bogus.”

The putsch led to months of protests across the country and, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) group, more than 800 civilians were killed in a subsequent crackdown.

The AAPP also says more than 5,900 people have been detained since the coup and 80 percent of those remain in detention. Several are reported to have mysteriously disappeared or died in custody.

In this episode, we discuss those disappearances and deaths as we take a close look at an upcoming investigative film from Al Jazeera’s 101 East. “State of Fear” uses witness testimony, footage, forensic analysis, satellite images and digital modelling to reveal the extent to which the junta is cracking down.

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On this episode we speak with:
Ali Fowle, @ali_fowle
Filmmaker

Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, @MissWHPT
Activist, Burma Campaign UK

Thin Lei Win, @thinink
CoFounder, Kite Tales Myanmar