Additional Information about Myanmar
Detailed reports of brutality by the military police include the killing and beating of peaceful protesters who seek an end to the military coup and a release of the duly elected civilian government officials arrested in the coup. The brutality also includes forcing civilians to be porters for the military police under threat of beatings or death; forcing civilians to walk ahead of the police in dangerous areas so that the civilians would become human shields and human minesweepers for the soldiers. In addition, there are reports of rape by military police. There are many night raids in which civilians are arrested, and over 100 people were detained and at least three killed in such raids Sunday night. Medical personnel, medical facilities, ambulances, and crews are also targeted. Over the weekend the military took over hospitals and schools to use them as temporary bases for the military. Also, hospitals taken over were used to arrest wounded who came in hoping to get treatment. The military there assumed that the wounded were protesters. In rural areas, there have also been villages that have been burned by military police. It is reported that the average age of those who have lost their lives defending democracy is 17. There are also reports of some military police or former military police who have refused to participate in these acts against civilians, disobeying their superiors and leaving their military positions. They, too, need our prayers.
American Baptist Churches U.S.A. is responding in a number of ways, and you are invited to help both with prayer and with additional much-needed help if so moved. This link provides brief information on how the crisis began and our more than 200-year partner relationship with the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC), a call to prayer, and a way for any who are so moved to help American Baptist International Ministries provide financial support. Funds will be used to assist civil servants and their families who are engaged in the Civil Disobedience Movement, to assist people who are suffering due to their jobless status, and to help those who cannot afford to pay for medical care and vitamins as well as to pay for tests, medical supplies and vaccines related to Covid-19.