Conflicts & War

At least 320 people killed in military crackdown since Myanmar coup

Bangkok, Mar 26 (efe-epa).- At least 320 people have died in violent crackdowns by the police and military after the Feb.1 coup in Myanmar.

Most of the victims are civilians who lost their lives in anti-coup protests.

A total of 11 civilians died in several cities across the country Thursday after security forces once again opened fire on protesters, according to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

The advocacy group said almost all of the 195 victims on whom it has information had received bullets in the head.

Most of the fatalities occurred in the Yangon region. Deadly violence also took place in Mandalay and Shan and Kachin states, among others.

While the first death occurred on Feb.8, most of the fatalities took place in March.

At least 78 people were killed on Mar.14.

The youngest victim is a 7-year-old girl who died after she was shot in the abdomen by a soldier during a military raid in Mandalay on Tuesday. The oldest victim is 78.

“Conditions in Myanmar are deteriorating but they will likely get much worse without an immediate robust, international response in support of those under siege,” the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, warned.

The rapporteur lamented that not enough was being done to stem the crisis.

He urged the European Union, the United States, and China to convene an emergency summit of all stakeholders, including duly elected “illegally deposed” parliamentarians, who have formed a civilian government in hiding, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).

On Friday, the CPRH hailed the sanctions by the US and the United Kingdom against the business interests of the Myanmar military.

“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the USA and the UK, who have taken a stand for the people of Myanmar who have suffered so much and for so long,” Sasa, appointed special envoy to the UN by the CPRH, said in a statement.

As part of the global response to the junta’s brutality, the US and the UK announced new sanctions Thursday against two business conglomerates controlled by Myanmar’s senior military officials.

“These sanctions target the source of wealth and income of military generals,” added Sasa, urging the international community to impose “stronger and tougher” economic and diplomatic sanctions against the military.

Protests take place daily across Myanmar despite deadly repression by police and soldiers, who use tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber and live bullets.

Protesters demand that the military restore democracy, recognize the results of the November election, and release all political detainees, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

At night, when the authorities cut off the internet, soldiers and police conduct raids and attacks, including one against the Yangon headquarters of Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), early Friday.

According to CCTV cameras, some unknown people threw an explosive at the offices but neighbors were able to quell the fire before it could cause major damage. EFE-EPA

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