On July 19 in Yangon, the Ministry of Defense under the military council, Strategic Command-52 of Military Region 1, Battalion No. 7 in Shwebo District held a ceremony commemorating the 78th Martyrs’ Day. During the ceremony, they honored members who lost their lives during the Spring Revolution period. According to the military council’s statement, 19 members from Battalion No. 7 in Shwebo District lost their lives during the Spring Revolution, and their families were presented with certificates of honor.
During the ceremony, offerings were made to Buddhist monks, including meals and Waso robes, and merit-sharing ceremonies were conducted for the deceased members. While the military council regularly conducts such ceremonies with the stated purpose of maintaining loyalty and unity among their forces, these events actually serve to obscure the violence and oppression perpetrated against civilians during the Spring Revolution period.
The Spring Revolution represents the Myanmar people’s struggle for democracy and freedom, a popular uprising against the military council’s coup. The military council continues to commit acts of violence and oppression against civilians, including forced military recruitment of youth, seizure of civilian property, and war crimes. Therefore, such ceremonies are merely attempts to cover up the military council’s crimes and cannot diminish the spirit of the people who continue to fight for truth and justice.
