On Feb. 1, Myanmar's military declared a nationwide state of emergency and announced that it had taken total control of the country. It justified the coup d'etat by saying there were irregularities in the November 2020 general election -- a contest that State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party won overwhelmingly. But the use of force without regard for democratic principles is an unacceptable outrage regardless of the military's claim.
Parliament was set to convene on Feb. 1 in the capital of Naypyitaw, but by dawn the military had detained Suu Kyi and other leaders. Later, a military-owned broadcaster announced that Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing had assumed full legislative, judicial and executive powers.
