Protests in Myanmar: Military chiefs condemn violence in Myanmar

Status: 03/28/2021 5:01 am

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In a joint statement, the military chiefs of twelve countries condemned the violence by the military junta in Myanmar. Yesterday, more than 100 people were killed in nationwide protests, according to media reports.

The military chiefs of twelve countries have unanimously condemned the violence perpetrated against demonstrators by the military junta in Myanmar. On the side of the US Department of Defense it is said that the General Staff of the US Armed Forces, Mark Milley, has signed a joint declaration of the countries for the US.

In addition to the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Greece, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and Great Britain also joined the declaration. The letter says:

A professional military man adheres to international standards of conduct and has a responsibility to protect, not harm, the people it serves.

The military chiefs called on the Myanmar junta to end the violence and “restore to the people of Myanmar the respect and credibility that their actions have lost”.

Blinken: Junta wants to “sacrifice the life of the people”

Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had expressed “appalled” at the increasingly violent crackdown on demonstrators by the military junta. The junta wants to “sacrifice the lives of the people” in the interests of a few, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. But “the courageous people of Myanmar reject the terror regime of the military”.

Because of the violent actions of the military, the USA had already imposed sanctions on members of the junta at the beginning of February and a few days ago extended the punitive measures to other high-ranking members of the military government installed after the coup on February 1.

Hundreds killed, thousands arrested

Since the military coup, the junta in Myanmar has faced massive and brutal protests. The demonstrators are demanding, among other things, the release of the deposed former de facto head of government Aung San Suu Kyi and a return to the democratic process.

According to human rights activists, almost 420 people have been killed and more than 2,600 protesters arrested since the protests began.

The media reported more than 100 dead on Saturday

According to media reports, more than 100 people were killed across the country on Saturday alone when so-called security forces opened fire in various cities. The news site Myanmar Now reported 114 deaths in the evening.

According to the United Nations, children were also among the victims. “We have received reports of dozens of deaths, including children, hundreds of injuries in 40 locations and mass arrests,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Twitter.

A day of “terror and dishonor”

Diplomatic representatives reacted with horror. The European Union spoke on social media of a day of “terror and dishonor”. Killing unarmed civilians and children is inexcusable. The US ambassador also condemned the military’s actions: “The bloodshed is horrific,” wrote Thomas Vajda on Twitter.

The Myanmar military has brought shame on itself by shooting at “unarmed civilians”, wrote the British Ambassador Dan Chugg on Twitter. “The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, marks a new low,” tweeted British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

The military want to show their own strength with a parade

The military in Myanmar held a large parade in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday on the occasion of “Army Day” to demonstrate their own strength. Soldiers with torches and flags marched through the streets flanked by military vehicles.

The head of the military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, again defended the military coup of February 1st and promised to hand over power to a new government after new elections. At the same time, the general issued a warning to the junta opponents. “Terrorism, which can be harmful to the peace and security of the state,” is unacceptable, he said. “The democracy we want would be undisciplined if we don’t respect it and break the law.”

With “Army Day”, Myanmar commemorates the beginning of the resistance against the Japanese occupation. Foreign government officials usually also take part in the military parade on the occasion. The military junta is not recognized by many states, so that only eight foreign delegations took part, including representatives from China and Russia.