Myanmar Regime Cracks Down on Information Flow: VPNs Blocked, News Access Restricted

Yangon, Myanmar – June 15, 2024 – Myanmar’s military junta has taken a further step in its ongoing crackdown on dissent by blocking access to virtual private networks (VPNs), effectively restricting citizens’ ability to access independent news sources and information.

This move comes amidst increasing international pressure on the regime following the February 2021 coup d’état, which has resulted in a brutal crackdown on opposition and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Restricting Access to Information:

The blocking of VPNs, widely used to bypass government censorship, has been met with widespread condemnation by human rights groups and international observers. It is seen as a blatant attempt to further isolate the population and prevent them from receiving critical information about the ongoing human rights violations and political turmoil.

“This is a desperate attempt by the military to control the narrative and prevent the truth from getting out,” said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Watch. “By blocking VPNs, they are silencing the voices of the people and denying them access to vital information.”

Escalating Repression:

The move to block VPNs follows a pattern of increasing repression by the junta, including the arbitrary arrests of journalists, activists, and political opponents. The internet has been subject to frequent outages and blackouts, and social media platforms have been blocked.

The junta has been accused of widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention. The UN has called for an end to the violence and for the junta to allow access for humanitarian aid.

Consequences and Concerns:

This latest crackdown on information access is likely to have serious consequences for the people of Myanmar. It will make it even harder for them to stay informed about the situation in the country, to communicate with the outside world, and to organize resistance to the military regime.

International organizations and governments are calling on the junta to reverse this decision and to respect the fundamental human right to freedom of information. They are also urging for increased international pressure on the regime to restore democracy and respect human rights.