Our people are shot by the military every day: Myanmar’s Miss Universe contestant

Thuzar Wint Lwin, who represented Mynmar at Miss Universe 2020 that took place in Florida on Monday, used the platform to highlight the situation in her country. “Our people are dying and being shot by the military, every day,” she said about life after the February 1 coup that saw the military junta overthrowing a democratically-elected government.

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“Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day,” she said in a video message for the competition, where she was appearing in the finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“I would like to urge everyone to speak about Myanmar. As Miss Universe Myanmar since the coup, I have been speaking out as much as I can,” she added.

She is among dozens of Myanmar celebrities who have voiced opposition to the coup, in which elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown and detained.

More than 800 people have been killed by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.

It is also said that over 5,000 people have been arrested, with some 4,000 still detained – including several celebrities.

Thuzar Wint Lwin did not make it to the last round of the Miss Universe competition, but she won the award for Best National Costume. During the round, she was also seen holding up a placard that said: “Pray for Myanmar”.