Six people were killed in Yangon’s North Okkalapa Township and at least 18 are in a critical condition after security forces opened fire with live rounds, while deaths were also reported in Mandalay, Monywa and Myingyan.

By FRONTIER

At least 16 people were killed today when security forces fired on pro-democracy protesters with live rounds as multiple rallies across the country descended into brutal violence.

Yangon endured its deadliest day yet since the February 1 coup, with doctors at North Okkalapa Hospital confirming to Frontier that at least six men had been shot dead by security forces. All were aged under 30 and three had died from shots to the head, they said.

In some areas, neighbourhoods held candlelight memorials for the victims. About 100 residents gathered on Baho Road near Shwe Laung Street and lit candles on the ground to honour the fallen protesters before singing the revolutionary anthem “Kabar Ma Kyay Bu”.

The number of gunshot victims in North Okkalapa was so high that striking medical workers decided to return to work to reopen the township hospital. When Frontier visited the hospital, at least 18 people were in a critical condition. Dozens more were injured throughout the day, some of whom sought treatment at the Free Funeral Service Society.

Two of the deaths occurred when police and members of the Tatmadaw’s 77th Light Infantry Division broke up a protest at the North Okkalapa roundabout with teargas, rubber bullets and live rounds at 10:30am.

The rest were killed in the afternoon and evening. Security forces staged a major crackdown on demonstrators around 5pm, firing live rounds. A video on social media shows two men being shot in the middle of Thudhamma Road, and the sound of an automatic weapon can be heard. In the video, fellow protesters carry the limp bodies of the men and put them into a car before building a small memorial around the large pool of blood on the road and singing a revolutionary song.

Many people were also arrested in Yangon and subject to shocking treatment at the hands of police. Frontier witnessed police beating several protesters during the morning crackdown in North Okkalapa. At one point, officers kicked and dragged the limp body of a wounded protester. “This is from military boots,” a man told our reporter, pointing to wounds he said were inflicted by seven police officers and soldiers at the North Okkalapa roundabout.

Security forces also staged deadly crackdowns on peaceful protesters in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. A doctor who treated victims there told Frontier that three people were killed when police and military personnel cracked down on a sit-in protest at the corner of 30th and 84th Streets around 12:45pm.

Thousands had gathered at the spot in Chan Aye Thar Zan Township earlier that morning, including members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, teachers and residents.

At around 10am, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, but there were no reports of injuries. People gathered at the same place shortly afterwards and resumed their sit-in protest. Several hours later, security forces opened fire with live rounds. One of the victims was a 19-year-old woman who had been shot in the head.

The Sagaing Region capital of Monywa registered at least six deaths after security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters that had gathered on Union Road to protest against military rule. A 25-year-old eyewitness said they fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds at protesters.

Four men and two women were killed, including a schoolteacher in her 40s. At least 30 people were injured.

“They shot live rounds and many people were injured,” the man told Frontier.

However, an emergency doctor said the death toll was even higher. “What we can confirm is seven people have died,” said the doctor, who declined to provide his name to AFP.

Multiple medics also said they saw two other individuals being dragged away by security forces, though they could not get close enough to confirm if they had died.

A protest in Myingyan also turned deadly when security forces deployed tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds against protesters carrying red home-made shields emblazoned with the three-finger salute – a symbol of resistance for the anti-coup movement.

Several medics confirmed a young man was gunned down.

“Zin Ko Ko Zaw, a 20-year-old, was shot dead on the spot,” a rescue team member said, adding that his team had treated 17 people from the protest. – Additional reporting by AFP

By NYEIN NYEIN 1 March 2021

The UN, Japan, Canada and the European Union have strongly condemned the Myanmar military’s bloody crackdowns on civilians participating in anti-regime protests on the weekend.

Myanmar police and soldiers shot dead at least 18 people during the Sunday crackdowns against peaceful protesters across the country, according to the OHCHR, the UN’s human rights office. Since the military seized power from the country’s democratically elected government on Feb. 1, exactly a month ago, it has detained more than 1,000 people.

World leaders expressed deep concern about Myanmar’s current situation and called on the military to immediately halt its use of force against civilians and respect their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

They also urged the international community to unite in condemning the military’s violent actions.

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement on Sunday that Guterres “strongly condemns” the violent crackdowns in Myanmar.

“He is deeply disturbed by the increase in deaths and serious injuries. The use of lethal force against peaceful protesters and arbitrary arrests are unacceptable,” Dujarric said.

He said Guterres urged the international community “to come together and send a clear signal to the military that it must respect the will of the people of Myanmar as expressed through the election and stop the repression.”

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement on Sunday that “Use of lethal force against nonviolent demonstrators is never justifiable under international human rights norms. Since the beginning of the coup d’état… the police and security forces have targeted an ever-increasing number of opposition voices and demonstrators by arresting political officials, activists, civil society members, journalists and medical professionals.”

The OHCHR spokesperson urged the military to respect Myanmar people’s right to peaceful assembly in order to call for the restoration of democracy, adding that they must not be “met with violent and bloody repression.”

The UN also reiterated its call for the international community to stand in solidarity with the Myanmar people who are opposing the coup, and to restore democracy in the country.

On Friday, Myanmar’s ambassador to the UN, U Kyaw Moe Tun, denounced the coup at an informal General Assembly meeting in New York, calling on the international community to take the “strongest possible measures” against the military in order to restore civilian rule.

The regime fired him from his post on Saturday. However, the UN does not officially recognize the regime as Myanmar’s new government, according to a Reuters report citing a UN official. The ambassador is still in his position for now, according to Reuters.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group formed by lawmakers elected to Parliament in Myanmar’s Nov. 8 general election, also said U Kyaw Moe Tun is still in his position on behalf of the elected government. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is Myanmar’s Parliament, which was denied the opportunity to meet by the coup.

In Asia, only Japan, Myanmar’s closest friend, has come out to publicly denounce the military’s weekend crackdowns.

Japanese Press Secretary Yoshida Tomoyuki said in a statement on Sunday, “The government of Japan strongly condemns the violence against civilians, which has been continuing despite repeated calls by the international community.”

Sharing the concerns of the UN and Japan, Marc Garneau, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said, “We call on the international community to unite in condemning these violent acts.”

He added, “Those responsible for this violence will be held to account, and Canada will consider additional measures in response. We stand with the people of Myanmar.”

The EU said it stood with the “people of Myanmar, who are defending their democracy,” and vowed that the bloc would “take measures in response to these developments shortly.”

EU High Representative Josep Borrell said, “In shooting against unarmed citizens, the security forces have shown a blatant disregard for international law, and must be held to account.”

The US, the UK and Canada have imposed targeted sanctions against Myanmar’s military leaders, including coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his subordinates.

Following reports of the Bloody Sunday crackdown, the US, Australian and Indian embassies in Yangon expressed sadness at the lives lost in Myanmar.

Irrawaddy