Voices from Myanmar: A Firsthand Account of the Crisis

* Disclaimer: For safety concerns, the real name of the individual referred to as "Nadia" in the conducted interview has been concealed.

In the shadow of Myanmar, the Rohingya crisis continues to unfold—one that the world often hears about but seldom gets to see through the eyes of those who live it every day. On April 7th, 2024 BeyondtheWaters interviewed Nadia, a woman in her 50s, currently residing in Myanmar. Nadia shared her harrowing experiences under the condition of anonymity, shedding light on the dire situation that continues to affect her homeland.

“It’s like I’m in hell”

Living in the country of Myanmar is both a struggle and a fear. Nadia recounts her time in Myanmar and the constant terror that she and many others in her community have to face on a daily basis. 

Born and raised in Myanmar, Nadia moved to the United States in 2005 but returned to care for her ailing father. What was meant to be a reconnecting journey with her roots has turned into a survival battle in what she describes as "hell." The military's grip on the country has intensified, affecting every facet of daily life for its citizens, particularly the young and less affluent.

Nadia reveals a chilling reality where personal safety is a constant concern. "You can get arrested at any time for no reason," she says. The fear of detention is rampant, with younger people increasingly targeted. Encounters with the military are fraught with danger—arrests can last from days to years, or even lead to death without any semblance of due process. Any minor error could lead to their arrest. With an increasing presence of patrols, many have been forced to find alternative ways to go about their daily lives without restrictions. The arrests range from serious criminal offenses to meaningless activities.

Living under the brutal military occupation, there have been several attempts to contact the world outside of Myanmar, hoping to uncover weaknesses within the occupation’s system, but little to nothing has been truly successful.

Economic conditions have deteriorated sharply. Nadia notes, "We stopped business. There’s big inflation and no one can really do anything." The financial instability has crippled the ordinary lives of many Myanmar citizens, who find themselves caught between escalating prices and restricted opportunities in their daily lives. Basic necessities such as food and water have become difficult to afford. 

The military's presence is pervasive and menacing, with soldiers patrolling the streets and conducting arbitrary arrests, often without any clear reason. Nadia shares an incident where a boy, out of fear, ran and hid from soldiers. However, they arrested him under the assumption that his attempt to hide proved guilt. The soldier decided his activity was suspicious and it meant he must've done something wrong," she explains. This young man spent 20 days in detention before his father could afford his release.

As for jail conditions, citizens are allowed to be bailed out and their bail is contingent on the neighborhood they live in. Those who are from more affluent neighborhoods have their bail set at higher amounts since the military knows that they will pay the sum of money. Those in less wealthy neighborhoods have their bail set lower. Although bail costs are lower in less affluent communities, these civilians are already suffering as it is.

When bail is not set and execution is ordered, the public is made aware of it. Nadia recalls witnessing two young men being burnt alive as soldiers tied their wrists behind their backs.

As they burnt, Nadia added that one of the men asked the other, "Are you okay, bro?" "Why is it taking so long to burn?", even though he was burning as well. The people burst into tears as they witnessed the events unfold in front of them.

Nadia made an important note; many other innocent civilians who aren’t Muslim or Rohingya face the same devastating circumstances, many occurrences that the media fails to cover. 

Conditions in Myanmar are better for those with American citizenship because the military has chosen not to prosecute as many charges against them. However, this does not mean they aren't worried for their lives as well. The military continues to watch what they do and say, and they can be held accountable for it.

The growing restrictions placed on citizens have deprived them of their normal lives: they are not permitted to own drones (or any other remote-controlled devices), are not allowed to speak out against the existing government, and almost all of their networks are monitored frequently. There are frequent protests, primarily by the youth, but the number of protests has dropped dramatically. Protesters frequently carry banners, parade through the streets, and then flee when police are sighted around the corner. People are frightened to hold massive demonstrations because of the consequences. Furthermore, the military has chosen to enhance surveillance throughout the country, and cops are going undercover as normal civilians to figure out who is violating laws. Nadia even acknowledged the danger of the call BTW interviewed her with precaution.

Nadia’s brother was arrested. "You can’t protest. If you post online, they have ways to track your IP address. Even finding different VPNs might land you in jail for three years," Nadia points out.

Despite the pervasive climate of fear and oppression, there's a spark of hope among the populace. Nadia remains optimistic and believes that change is on the horizon, fueled by a resilient spirit among the people, asserting, "It’s getting better, people are winning...lots of hope."

For those living in Myanmar, daily existence is marked by a constant struggle for survival, freedom, and justice. The international community's awareness and involvement are crucial in supporting these voices that yearn for change and a return to peace in their troubled nation. As Nadia’s testimony shows, behind the headlines are real people enduring profound hardships, holding onto hope amidst a landscape of struggle. As global attention increases, she hopes that this awareness will lead to a loosening of the military's grip and a gradual improvement in living conditions.