YANGON, Myanmar (AP) —YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s coup leader has used the country’s Union Day holiday to call on people to work with the military if they want democracy, a request likely to be met with derision by protesters who are pushing for the release from detention of their country’s elected leaders. In addition to the military commander’s message published Friday, the new junta also announced it would mark Union Day by releasing thousands of prisoners and reducing other inmates’ sentences. The Feb. 1 coup reversed nearly a decade of progress toward democracy following 50 years of military rule. The U.N.’s top human rights body opened an urgent session on Friday to discuss the situation, while on Thursday the U.S. announced fresh sanctions targeting Myanmar’s top military officials.
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STR/AP
Demonstrators in traditional dance costumes display an upside-down begging-bowl, a form of protest symbolizing the refusal of charity from the military government, during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Myanmar's coup leader used the country's Union Day holiday on Friday to call on people to work with the military if they want democracy, a request likely to be met with derision by protesters who are pushing for the release from detention of their country's elected leaders. (AP Photo)
Posted at 12:23 AM, Feb 12, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-12 05:30:06-05
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