[Today's Prayer] Four people detained in Myanmar on charges of 'incitement'... " for congratulating Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday"

The Myanmar military arrested citizens for mentioning State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday online. The military government's true colors, which suppress freedom of expression by viewing even simple congratulatory messages as 'acts of incitement', have been revealed once again.

According to local independent media outlets Myanmar Now and Frontier Myanmar on the 25th, the military arrested four citizens who posted about Suu Kyi's birthday on social media from the 19th until recently. They were charged with 'disturbing the peace and stability of the country and inciting the people'.

Hnin Phyu (39), an employee of Myanmar's state-run radio and television station, is also among those detained. He wrote on Facebook, 'Happy birthday to Mother Suu Kyi (meaning State Counselor Suu Kyi). He wrote, “I hope you live long and recover from your illness and be with your loved ones,” and was taken away by the military from his home in Naypyidaw, the capital, on the 21st.

In Mandalay, the second largest city, three citizens who posted a congratulatory video on TikTok were arrested. Among them, Tay Tay Myo (39) celebrated Suu Kyi’s birthday wearing a traditional Myanmar costume with a rose pattern and was detained that evening. This means that the military authorities monitor individuals’ social media activities and locations in real time.

In Myanmar, roses symbolize Suu Kyi. It originated from the fact that during her political activities, she appeared in public with a flower in her hair.

Suu Kyi, born on June 19, 1945, was sentenced to 33 years in prison on charges of corruption following the military coup in February 2021 and has been incarcerated for over four years. She is held in solitary confinement and is prohibited from meeting with his lawyer. Even her family does not know her current status.

Kim Aris, the son of Suu Kyi who lives in the UK, told AFP on the 19th that “it is difficult to celebrate now,” and that “she has learned patience through her long imprisonment.” He added that “I have only received one letter in the past two years, so I have no idea what her current condition is.”

However, despite the military’s oppressive atmosphere, movements to commemorate Suu Kyi’s birthday continued in various places. Major ethnic armed groups and ethnic leaders, including the Karen National Union (KNU), issued official statements commemorating her 80th birthday.

(omitted)

Source: Hankook Ilbo

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105)

We have heard that the Myanmar military has arrested a citizen on charges of sedition for mentioning the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's national father and State Counselor, online.

As evidence is emerging that individuals' social media activities and locations are being monitored in real time, we pray that the Lord will become the true freedom and hope of Myanmar.

Since the military refused to accept the results of the 2020 general election and carried out a coup in February 2021, we pray that the Lord will repay the evil deeds of the Myanmar military, which has continued to rule by crushing not only the freedom of citizens but also the demands for autonomy and independence of ethnic minorities.

May the gospel be preached to the souls of Myanmar who have become poor in spirit as Myanmar citizens protesting against the oppression of the Myanmar military are arrested and even celebrating a birthday online is being used as a reason for detention.

May the Myanmar church and the ASEAN church proclaim the kingdom of God and serve the Myanmar people and ethnic minorities, and may the global church come together so that the evil of the Myanmar military is known to the world.

When the word of the Lord comes as a light that illuminates the path of the Myanmar people more than ever, please send out those who will spread the gospel and share the grace of the cross of Jesus Christ so that Myanmar can participate in God’s vision for the nations.

So may the Myanmar people rise up as a holy 1 million ASEAN force that fulfills the Lord’s last command on earth!