Military junta sentences 19 protesters to death
The generals now resorting to the death penalty and martial law. Junta, the country is returning to "normality". There were dozens more killed yesterday. The appeal of foreign ambassadors to Myanmar. The UN envoy refused entry into the country.
Yangon (AsiaNews) - Nineteen opponents of the military junta were sentenced to death for killing a soldier during clashes between the population and the security forces. The pro-junta Myawaddy television channel reports the killing took place on March 27 in North Okkalappa, a district of Yangon, a hotbed of resistance to the military.
Myawaddy also announced that martial law has been imposed in that district (see photo).
This will mark the first time since the coup that the junta has resorted to the death sentence. Although pro-democracy demonstrations continue to arise throughout the country, according to junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun, the country is returning to normal and "soon" ministries and banks will reopen after months of civil disobedience.
Several sources claim that dozens of people were killed in Bago yesterday.
According to Zaw Min Tun, 248 civilians and 16 law enforcement officers were killed. He denied that the army uses automatic weapons.
According to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners, 614 people have been killed, including 41 children. The number of prisoners has risen to 2,800.
The number of people killed by the junta is confirmed in an appeal by several foreign ambassadors to Myanmar.
The appeal states: “Over 600 civilians have been killed in Myanmar, many of them while protesting for hard-won democratic rights and freedoms. Children were murdered. Thousands of people have been injured or detained just for giving voice to their desire for freedom and democracy.
We are humbled by their courage and dignity. We are united to accompany the grief of their families and friends. We stand together to support the hopes and aspirations of all those who believe in a free, just, peaceful and democratic Myanmar, where the rights and the potential of all people can be fully respected and developed. Violence has to stop, all political detainees must be released and democracy should be restored”.
The countries that have signed the document include: Australia, Canada, United States, Switzerland, South Korea, Norway, New Zealand and many European Union countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Holland , Spain, Sweden.
Meanwhile, the junta has refused entry to the UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who wanted to visit the country and some political prisoners. From Bangkok, where she began a series of visits to Asean countries, she declared: “I am ready for dialogue. Violence does not lead to any sustainable and peaceful solution”.
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17/03/2021 13:08
01/04/2021 10:08
