Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar stage a "silent strike," protesting the military rule ahead of elections deemed a "sham" by the UN.

Yangon

Pro-democracy activists in Yangon, Myanmar, organized a silent strike as a form of protest against military rule and the upcoming elections scheduled for December 28. The strike, which involved residents staying indoors, follows similar actions earlier in the year but was reportedly less effective due to increased pressure on businesses and public fatigue.

Activists and the United Nations have raised concerns about deteriorating conditions in Myanmar since the military seized power nearly five years ago, ousting the National League for Democracy and detaining its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The military government is searching for activists who protested the elections, with those caught facing potential prison sentences of up to ten years.

Activists in Myanmar stage 'silent strike' against military rule

The streets of Yangon, in Myanmar, are quiet. Pro-democracy activists like this man, who wants to remain anonymous, call it a silent strike, similar to the one which closed down much of the nation in February. If you cannot go to the front lines, if you cannot fight them physically, then doing what you can from behind the scenes, just by staying inside your home, is a form of rebellion. Activists say the situation has deteriorated, since the military seized power almost five years ago, ousting the governing National League for Democracy and detaining its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Having seized power from the winning party, look at the last four or five years, we have only regressed. Theft, robbery and rape have skyrocketed. The people have become poorer. We never used to hear of people dying of starvation in Myanmar. The military government is preparing to hold elections on December 28, even though about 40% of the country is held by rebel groups. The United Nations says intimidation is rife in the areas the junta does control. These elections are a sham, they're a fraud. You cannot have a free and fair election when you arrest, detain, imprison and torture the leaders of the political opposition. The latest silent strike doesn't appear to have been as effective as the one that paralysed Myanmar in February. Activists cited growing pressure, especially on shopkeepers to remain open, as well as fatigue as the conflict drags on. On Wednesday, the military government said it was searching for 10 activists who staged a protest against the elections. If caught, they could face up to a decade in prison. Jack Barton, Al Jazeera.

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