Security Council Calls for Release of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi, Others

The United Nations Security Council “expressed deep concern at the declaration of the state of emergency imposed in Myanmar by the military” and called for the immediate release of Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others who have been detained.

“The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanmar,” the 15-member council said in a statement agreed by consensus.

At least 147 people have been detained in Myanmar since this week’s coup, including activists, lawmakers and officials from the ousted government, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said.

The AAPP, which has tracked political detainees in Myanmar since the era of the previous junta, said 133 officials or lawmakers and 14 civil society activists were being held.

Myanmar’s junta blocked Facebook on Thursday, trying to shut off an important channel for opposition to the military coup as sporadic protests flared.

Military ruler General Min Aung Hlaing has moved quickly to consolidate his hold after detaining Suu Kyi and allied politicians on Monday.

Opposition to the junta has emerged very strongly on Facebook, the country’s main social media platform which underpins communications for business and government.

The Ministry of Communications and Information said Facebook – used by half of Myanmar’s more than 53 million people – would be blocked until this Sunday, Feb. 7, because users were “spreading fake news and misinformation and causing misunderstanding”. Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging was also blocked.