Tue 16 March 2021:
Security forces have killed 183 people in weeks of protests, with at least 20 fatalities on Monday, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said. On Sunday, 74 people died, marking the bloodiest day to date.
Myanmar security forces killed at least 38 people on Sunday, 22 of them in the Hlaingtharyar district of Yangon, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group said.
“Casualties are drastically increasing,” said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in its report.
As of March 15, a total of 2,175 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced by authorities in relation to the coup on Feb. 1, according to AAPP.
While the victims were mostly anti-coup protesters, the AAPP said it had also documented killings of others not involved in the demonstrations.
It reported that the junta had also shut down mobile internet connections across the country since last night, cutting off electricity in some townships.
“These human rights violations and violence could be worse during the darkness of night without online communication, it also intends to weaken the people coordinating to strike,” it said.
Myanmar’s coup regime imposed martial law in nine more townships in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay on Monday, a day after security forces shot nearly 40 protesters demanding the restoration of civilian rule.
State-run TV channels MRTV and Myawaddy announced that the junta proclaimed martial law in the townships of Aungmyay Thazan, Chan Aye Thazan, Maha Aung Myay, Pyi Gyi Tagon, and Chan Mya Thazi in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city.
Martial law was also declared in Yangon’s North Dagon, North Okalapa, South Dagon, and Dagon Seik Kan townships, according to the state-run television.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is appalled by the escalating violence in Myanmar at the hands of the country’s military,” according to a statement by his spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General urges the international community to work collectively and bilaterally to help bring an end to the repression by the military,” according to the statement. “He urges the military to allow a visit by his Special Envoy as an important element in calming down the situation and setting the stage for dialogue and return to democracy.”
The U.K.’s ambassador in Myanmar has issued a statement on the latest violence in Yangon and other parts of the country.
“The British Government is appalled by the security forces’ use of deadly force against innocent people,” Dan Chugg says in the statement. “We call for an immediate cessation of this violence and for the military regime to hand back power to those democratically elected by the people of Myanmar,” the ambassador says.
“The British Government is appalled by the security forces’ use of deadly force against innocent people”. Statement from the British Ambassador following violence in Hlaing Thar Yar and elsewhere in #Myanmar today.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/ucuj1rMjzK
— UK in Myanmar 🇬🇧 (@ukinmyanmar) March 14, 2021
China urged Myanmar to stop violence and protect Chinese companies and personnel after saying two Chinese-financed garment factories were set ablaze by unknown attackers. “China urges Myanmar to take further effective measures to stop all acts of violence, punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law and ensure the safety of life and property of Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar,” China’s state-run CGTN said, quoting a Chinese embassy statement.
