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Thuzar Wint Lwin in traditional costume: "I've been speaking as much as I can since the coup"
Photo:
Rodrigo Varela / Getty Images
Beauty pageants are usually not known for their political explosiveness.
But in view of the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, the Miss Universe participant from the civil war country, Thuzar Wint Lwin, used her appearance to appeal to the international community.
The world must raise its voice against the military junta, demanded Thuzar Wint Lwin - and posed in national costume with a poster that read "Pray for Myanmar".
"Our people die and are shot by the military every day," she said in a video message for the competition in a hotel in Florida.
“I want to encourage everyone to talk about Myanmar.
As Miss Universe Myanmar, I've been speaking as much as I can since the coup. "
The military in the Southeast Asian country couped on February 1 and ousted the head of government Aung San Suu Kyi.
Since then, there has been chaos and violence in Myanmar.
The army tries to brutally suppress any resistance.
According to estimates by the prisoners' aid organization AAPP, at least 788 people have been killed since the coup.
More than 5,000 were arrested.
The best typical outfit
Only at the weekend did the military junta and a group of armed resistance fighters fight each other in western Chin State.
"They are bringing soldiers in helicopters to attack our city," said one of the leaders of the "Chinland Defense Force," which was founded to defend itself against the military, on Saturday.
According to local media reports, the army used heavy weapons there against the coup opponents.
After several days of fighting, the armed civilians left the city to the junta.
Miss Thuzar Wint Lwin is one of dozen of Myanmar celebrities who spoke out against the coup.
The group includes actors, influencers and athletes.
Thuzar Wint Lwin did not make it into the final round of the Miss Universe competition - but she won a prize for the best national outfit.
It is based on the costume of their Chin people from northwest Myanmar, where fierce fighting has raged between the army and fighters of the anti-junta militia in the past few days.
The winner is from Mexico
The 26-year-old Mexican Andrea Meza won the competition.
The woman from Chihuahua wants to campaign for women's rights and against gender-based violence.
Her predecessor Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, who won the competition in 2019, put the crown on her.
"Wearing the Miss Universe crown is a dream come true," Meza said, according to a statement.
It was the 69th Miss election, in which applicants from 74 countries took part.
apr / Reuters / dpa
