The Times Australia
The Times News

.

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again?

  • Written by DB Subedi, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New England

Myanmar has once again returned to military rule, with a year-long state of emergency[1] declared by the army.

When military dictators ruled Myanmar from 1962 to 2010, they were able to maintain tight control over the people through the country’s extensive intelligence apparatus and harsh tactics such as imprisonment, torture and mass killings[2]. As a result, Myanmar’s people lived in virtual silence[3] for decades.

After a decade-long political transition that brought Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) to power, Myanmar is now a changed place. What used to be a pariah state[4] is increasingly connected to the world. Civil society has begun to be established and public awareness about freedom, democracy, human rights and development has increased drastically.

Given this, many are closely watching how people will react to the military taking back control of the country and tossing aside a government that won a massive popular mandate only a few months ago.

Already, we are seeing signs of non-violent protests and civil disobedience against the coup, particularly on social media. At least one public protest[5] has also been reported in Myanmar’s second-biggest city. For the military, maintaining “social control” may not be as easy as it was before.

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again? Resistance to the coup has occurred mainly online, though sporadic protests are popping up on the streets. NYEIN CHAN NAING/EPA

More internet access, but surveillance continues

The internet and social media undoubtedly shape social interactions and everyday life today in Myanmar — a massive change from even just a decade ago when SIM cards for mobile phones cost over US$1,000[6].

Today, around 90%[7] of Myanmar’s 54 million people have access to a phone with internet connectivity, and according to one estimate, nearly 22 million people use Facebook[8] as their primary source of online news and information.

However, the ubiquity of social media has not guaranteed freedom of expression. In fact, in recent years, it has gotten worse.

Under the country’s former dictatorship, a vast intelligence apparatus underpinned the military’s rule[9]. Indeed, the country could best be described as an “intelligence state[10]”.

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again? A soldier guards the guest house where newly elected parliament members were being detained this week. MAUNG LONLAN/EPA

This did not substantively change[11] when Suu Kyi came to power as the country’s de facto leader in 2016.

The dramatic increase in the use of mobile phones and the internet, for instance, allowed the authorities to use widespread digital surveillance[12] to maintain social control. And in 2018, the president’s office formed[13] a team of social media monitors, whose work some opponents have questioned[14].

The NLD also did not liberalise the media. In fact, media freedom surprisingly was not a priority for the party. Journalists have been jailed[15], arrested and harassed in recent years, and hundreds of news sites have been blocked[16], ostensibly for spreading “fake news”.

Moreover, the state maintains control over the leading broadcasters and publications and a monopoly[17] on telecommunications.

Given this, the military leaders were quick to order local telecom firms to temporarily block Facebook[18] following the coup, while the Myanmar state broadcaster, Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV)[19], has beamed out military propaganda[20] for the first time in years.

Laws cracking down on free speech since 2010

In addition, the military already has in place numerous laws to enforce social control. For example, the controversial Telecommunications Law, passed in 2013, empowers the government to temporarily suspend and restrict[21] telecommunication services and collect data from people.

It also makes defamation a criminal offence[22], which has been used numerous times in recent years for criticising or insulting the government and military. One youth activist described[23] the chill this has caused:

It makes us censor ourselves. It creates fear in the youth community. We are still living in fear.

Those wishing to hold an assembly or protest must also adhere to the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, passed in 2011. Demonstrators have been arrested for failing to comply with the law[24] or violating the vaguely phrased limits placed on speech by the statute.

Section 505(b) of the penal code is another overly broad law that prohibits speech that may cause “fear or alarm in the public” and lead others to “upset public tranquillity”. The law has long been used to curtail speech critical of the government[25]. Even monks holding sit-in protests[26] have been targeted.

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again? The most visible protests against the coup have occurred outside Myanmar, such as this one in Thailand. Sakchai Lalit/AP

Public reactions so far: symbolic and spontaneous

Despite these draconian laws and state repression, young people have embraced nonviolent movements and campaigns[27] to challenge the military’s rule in the past.

And public defiance is already being seen following this week’s coup. For instance, people have honked[28] car horns and banged pots and pans[29] to “drive out” the military in the same way they scare evil spirits[30] from their homes.

Several organisations[31] are releasing statements on social media condemning the coup, while many NLD supporters are turning their Facebook profiles black or replacing them with a red portrait of Suu Kyi[32].

Civil disobedience and boycotts are also gathering steam. Health workers at 70 hospitals and medical departments boycotted work[33] this week, while others are tweeting images of red ribbons, the campaign’s symbol of resistance[34].

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again? One of the doctors participating in the nationwide strike this week. LYNN BO BO/EPA

And in the capital, about 70 recently elected lawmakers convened a symbolic opening of the new parliament[35] at a government guesthouse.

The huge Myanmar diaspora can also become a powerful resistance group worldwide. This week, migrant workers protested against the coup in Thailand, chanting “Shame on you, dictator”[36]“. Similar protests have taken place in Japan[37], Australia[38] and Canada[39].

The diaspora was effective in the past in bringing visibility[40] to the harsh rule of the dictatorship in Myanmar and helping rally global support behind Suu Kyi.

Although the military rulers violently cracked down on nonviolent protests on many occasions in the past, including the famous Saffron Revolution[41] of 2007, they failed to crush[42] the people’s aspirations for democracy and justice.

Myanmar's military has used surveillance, draconian laws and fear to stifle dissent before. Will it work again? Led by monks, as many as 100,000 anti-government protesters marched during the Saffron Revolution. The military responded with a harsh crackdown. AP

As the public defiance this week illustrates, the people of Myanmar are refusing to be silenced again. Because their actions appear to be spontaneous, however, it remains to be seen how effective a longer-term resistance campaign will be in the face of the state’s sophisticated surveillance apparatus.

This will require organisation and leadership on the ground. And with the detention of Suu Kyi, as well as scores of other activists, lawmakers and other NLD officials[43], the opposition may struggle to replace the central command needed to lead protesters in this way.

The international community will also need to continue to support the pro-democracy activists and put pressure on the military leaders, particularly as the initial outrage over the coup subsides.

The public has demonstrated its resilience before. They’ll need to show bravery and determination again to make the military feel vulnerable in its claims of legitimate rule.

References

  1. ^ state of emergency (www.reuters.com)
  2. ^ imprisonment, torture and mass killings (www.hrw.org)
  3. ^ silence (www.goodreads.com)
  4. ^ pariah state (www.mccaininstitute.org)
  5. ^ one public protest (www.straitstimes.com)
  6. ^ cost over US$1,000 (www.brookings.edu)
  7. ^ around 90% (www.bloomberg.com)
  8. ^ 22 million people use Facebook (www.mmtimes.com)
  9. ^ underpinned the military’s rule (www.tandfonline.com)
  10. ^ intelligence state (blogs.griffith.edu.au)
  11. ^ did not substantively change (www.lowyinstitute.org)
  12. ^ digital surveillance (www.lowyinstitute.org)
  13. ^ formed (www.mmtimes.com)
  14. ^ some opponents have questioned (www.irrawaddy.com)
  15. ^ jailed (rsf.org)
  16. ^ blocked (rsf.org)
  17. ^ a monopoly (www.bbc.com)
  18. ^ temporarily block Facebook (techcrunch.com)
  19. ^ Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) (www.mrtv.gov.mm)
  20. ^ military propaganda (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  21. ^ temporarily suspend and restrict (www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org)
  22. ^ criminal offence (www.hrw.org)
  23. ^ described (www.hrw.org)
  24. ^ arrested for failing to comply with the law (monitor.civicus.org)
  25. ^ used to curtail speech critical of the government (www.hrw.org)
  26. ^ sit-in protests (www.mmtimes.com)
  27. ^ nonviolent movements and campaigns (www.usip.org)
  28. ^ honked (www.livemint.com)
  29. ^ banged pots and pans (www.facebook.com)
  30. ^ scare evil spirits (uk.finance.yahoo.com)
  31. ^ Several organisations (www.facebook.com)
  32. ^ red portrait of Suu Kyi (www.straitstimes.com)
  33. ^ boycotted work (thediplomat.com)
  34. ^ symbol of resistance (thediplomat.com)
  35. ^ symbolic opening of the new parliament (www.abc.net.au)
  36. ^ Shame on you, dictator” (www.channelnewsasia.com)
  37. ^ Japan (www.nippon.com)
  38. ^ Australia (www.facebook.com)
  39. ^ Canada (www.cbc.ca)
  40. ^ in bringing visibility (www.jstor.org)
  41. ^ Saffron Revolution (www.tandfonline.com)
  42. ^ failed to crush (www.usip.org)
  43. ^ scores of other activists, lawmakers and other NLD officials (www.straitstimes.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/myanmars-military-has-used-surveillance-draconian-laws-and-fear-to-stifle-dissent-before-will-it-work-again-154474

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...