More than 900 people killed since Myanmar coup: NGO
Bangkok Desk, Jul 13 (EFE).- More than 900 people have been killed in Myanmar as a result of the crackdown by security forces since the military coup on Feb. 1.
The Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners (AAPP) on Tuesday documented three new deaths in recent days to bring the total to 902 – one shot by security forces in Mandalay Region, one tortured in detention in Sagaing Region, and another due to “beatings consistent with torture” after arrest in Yangon Region, it said.
“This is the number verified by AAPP, the actual number of fatalities is likely much higher,” the organization said in a statement.
In addition, the non-governmental organization counted 6,640 people arrested since the coup, of which more than 5,200 are still detained, including the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and more than 1,960 arrest warrants have been issued.
Despite the violence and persecution carried out by security forces against dissent, protests in rejection of the military junta continue throughout the country and despite the localized lockdowns decreed by the regime to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing pledged on Apr. 24 to stop the violence against civilians during a meeting in Indonesia with political leaders of Southeast Asia, among other promises that seek to resolve Myanmar’s political crisis unleashed by the seizure of power.
However, he backtracked on his word days after the meeting, indicating that he will prioritize maintaining law and order.
Since that meeting, more than 150 people have died at the hands of the security forces, who have shot to kill peaceful protesters on numerous occasions.
Some civilians have taken up arms against the military, tired of the little progress made by the protests, while fighting between the armed forces and rebel groups have began or intensified throughout the country.
The military justifies its coup by alleging electoral fraud in the November election, in which Suu Kyi’s party won again by a landslide and were considered legitimate by international observers. EFE
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