Myanmar’s Miss Universe contestant, Thuzar Wint Lwin, used the pageant on Sunday to urge the world to speak out against the military junta, whose security forces have killed hundreds of opponents since it seized power in a Feb. 1 coup.
"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 said.
1/2 Ma Thuzar Wint Lwin, Miss Universe Myanmar, holds up the "Pray for Myanmar" sign during Miss Universe pageant's national costume show, in Hollywood, Florida, U.S., May 13, 2021 in this screengrab taken from a handout video.
At least 790 people have been killed by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.
It says over 5,000 people have been arrested, with some 4,000 still detained - including several celebrities.
As she paraded with her national costume, she held up a placard that said “Pray for Myanmar”. »