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From Our Own Correspondent: Myanmar: One year under military rule

Magazines & Reviews

05/02/2022 GMT

Myanmar: One year under military rule

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Myanmar: One year under military rule

Protest and resistance in Myanmar; plus stories from Cyprus, Afghanistan and Australia.

Protest and resistance to Myanmar's coup, a miscarriage of justice in Cyprus; returning to Afghanistan; the radio station bringing worried Tongans together.

Myanmar this week marked one year since its democratically-elected government was overthrown by a coup. The generals who took over have promised to restore democracy, “once the emergency is over.” However, protestors calling for democracy have been arrested and beaten, while the army stands accused of murdering more than a thousand civilians, in its efforts to quash opposition to military rule. Jonathan Head has spoken to some of those still resisting the junta.

Yalda Hakim was six months old, when her family fled Afghanistan. Going back there recently, she found dramatic changes since her last visit. Under Taliban rule, there have been widespread reports of Taliban soldiers carrying out summary executions. When Yalda spoke to women determined to maintain their role in the workplace and wider society, she found their efforts were proving dangerous, and potentially fatal.

It started with a young woman going to the police to complain that she had been gang raped and resulted in a court case, with her in the dock. The case dates back to 2019, when the British student said she had been raped by up to twelve Israelis at a hotel room in Cyprus. She then retracted the allegation, and found herself convicted for making it up.  That sentence has now been overturned, by a panel of judges in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia. Anna Holligan watched the hearing, and says it focused attention on the way cases of rape and sexual assault are treated in Cyprus.

The volcanic eruption and tsunami which struck the Pacific Islands of Tonga caused catastrophic damage, killing at least three people, destroying homes and covering many communities in a thick layer of ash.  The violent eruption also cut the Kingdom's only undersea communications cable, isolating people from contact with the outside world, so for Tongans living abroad it’s been a time of huge concern, as they wait for news from their family and friends.  As the BBC’s Simon Atkinson found out, a small community broadcaster in Australia has become a hub for information, solace and support.

Producer:  Diane Richardson
Editor:  Emma Close

(Image: A group of women hold torches as they protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar July 14, 2021. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo)

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