Politics

UNSC condemns Myanmar for execution political prisoners

Bangkok, July 28 (EFE).- The United Nations Security Council has condemned the execution of four democracy activists in Myanmar and demanded the release of arbitrarily held prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

During a meeting at the UN headquarters on Wednesday, all 15 members of the council – five permanent and 10 temporary – condemned the executions by the military junta.

They called for the “pursuance of dialogue with all parties concerned and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar,” according to a statement.

The condemnation, endorsed by members close to the Myanmar regime, such as Russia and China, was accompanied by support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which on Monday strongly condemned the executions and said that they endangered peace and stability in the entire region.

The Council members reiterated “strong support” to Asean and echoed its call for actions to implement the Five Points Consensus agreed upon with the Myanmar regime more than a year ago.

The agreement includes an end to violence against civilians and the start of a dialog between all parties involved in the conflict.

The members also called for “the immediate cessation of all forms of violence, including attacks on infrastructure, health and education facilities,” and reiterated their support for “Myanmar’s democratic transition.”

On Monday, the Myanmar military junta that seized power in a coup on Feb.1, 2021, announced the execution of four pro-democracy activists accused of helping carry out “terror acts.”

Those executed included Phyo Zeyar Thaw, a lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party, and former hip-hop artist, and activist Kyaw Min Yu.

They were convicted of terrorism in January for their activities against the junta.

The executions were carried out despite strong internal and external pressure and have sparked concern about the over 100 people who have been sentenced to death in the country since the coup.

The military coup plunged Myanmar into a deep political, social and economic crisis while triggering a spiral of violence with the formation of new civilian militias that have exacerbated decades of guerrilla warfare.

At least 2,131 people have died as a result of violent repression by security forces, according to data collected by the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which does not count those killed during armed clashes or the deaths of those linked to the military regime. EFE

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