ALTSEAN Burma updated its Coup Watch to take into account and record February 2023’s junta atrocities and how the Junta’s violence and incompetence has exacerbated economic woes.

Since the February 2021 coup the junta has sentenced 4,683 people to prison terms since the attempted coup according to newly acquired data from the AAPP that doubles previous estimates of prisoner numbers. The rise in numbers is due to the regime’s digital coup and information blockade that hampered accurate reporting of their crimes.

The junta courts rejected ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against a three-year sentence on two charges. The regime also denied ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint access to their lawyers.

But, also in February, the NUG officially opened a liaison office in Washington DC to foster and strengthen diplomatic ties.

The regime continued its campaign of terror against civilians. Regime troops abducted seven civilians including two children who were later decapitated. Junta forces and affiliated militias burned alive a 70- year-old nun, the 3,000th confirmed civilian death since Feb 2021.

The junta leadership targeted Rakhine State as the stage of its latest propaganda tours. Regime ministers visited “repatriation” camps intended for Rohingya refugees and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing attempted to curry favor from businessmen and locals in Sittwe. Both visits garnered much criticism.

The junta’s shortsighted economic policies caused Burma’s rice market to spiral into further chaos. Chevron’s exit from Burma spelled significant losses for the regime’s cashflow.

Swiss food giant Nestlé announced plans to halt production in Burma citing poor economic conditions.

ASEAN showed continued signs of division through member states ’differing approaches on Burma but have yet to prove themselves truly willing to hold the junta accountable.