Burma’s democratic opposition has called a general strike for next Wednesday, February 1, on the anniversary of the coup that ended civilian rule in favor of a military junta.
«We have shaken the dictator with the voice of our silence,» reported the General Strike Coordination Committee (GSC), according to the Irrawadi newspaper.
The military junta assures that life has returned to normal, but the opposition and anti-government militias will try to paralyze the country. «We will once again stage a silent strike on February 1 to remind the world that our people are still fighting by all means despite the cruel oppression of the terrorist regime (…) and to make it clear that we will not accept the planned illegal elections,» warned the CCHG.
The CCHG includes more than thirty local strike committees. On Wednesday, it is calling on Burmese to stay at home between 10:00 and 15:00 in the afternoon.
Two silent general strikes were called last year, on February 1, the anniversary of the coup d’état, and on March 24, Human Rights Day. The military junta has scheduled related demonstrations in response.
The Association for Aid to Political Prisoners has counted at least 2,890 dead and more than 17,400 arrested since the coup.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
