HRW demands immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi

An official from the Human Rights Watch condemned a military coup underway in Myanmar on Monday. Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division Phil Robertson called it "our worst nightmare come true" over an online interview with The Associated Press.

Myanmar military television said Monday that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country's senior politicians including leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been detained.

An presenter on military-owned Myawaddy TV made the announcement and cited a section of the military-drafted constitution that allows the military to take control in times of national emergency. He said the reason for takeover was in part due to the government's failure to act on the military's claims of voter fraud in last November's election and its failure to postpone the election because of the coronavirus crisis.

Image: AP