Protesters continue to take to the streets, Thursday, March 4, in Burma, but fear is on everyone's mind in the aftermath of the deadliest day of repression since the coup.

At least 38 protesters were killed according to the UN.

In Yangon, the economic capital, small gatherings have formed.

"We are united," chant the protesters, protected behind makeshift barricades built with old tires, bricks, sandbags, bamboo and barbed wire.

Not far from there, traders hurry to sell some of their merchandise.

"It's dangerous to stay here. The police and the army are also shooting in the streets. It is better to go home and come back in the evening," a food vendor told AFP.

"Yesterday was a horrible day ... It is very sad that the Burmese army has not changed" for 60 years, activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi told AFP, adding that she would continue to protest in San Chaung, a residential area of ​​Yangon.

More than 50 civilians killed since the putsch

Security forces fired live ammunition in several towns on Wednesday to disperse pro-democracy rallies, with images posted on social media showing protesters covered in blood and gunshot wounds to the head.

Assessment, at least 38 dead, according to the UN envoy for Burma, the Swiss Christine Schraner Burgener.

More than 50 civilians have been killed and dozens injured since the putsch.

Among the victims, four minors, including a 14-year-old teenager, according to the NGO Save the Children.

The army for its part reported a police officer who died while dispersing a demonstration.

Asked, she did not respond to multiple requests from AFP.

A large crowd gathered on Thursday in Mandalay, the country's second city, for the funeral of a 19-year-old girl, who died the day before.

"There will be no forgiveness for you until the end of the world," sang the assembly, gathered before their coffin surrounded by flowers.

Washington "horrified and repulsed"

Wednesday's violence sparked yet another round of international protests.

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged "an immediate end to the crackdown" and the US State Department said it was "horrified and repelled", calling on China to "use its influence" with the generals. 

Beijing and Moscow, traditional allies of the Burmese army at the United Nations, have not formally condemned the coup, considering the crisis as "an internal affair" in the country.

Christine Schraner Burgener spoke to the junta, warning them that the United Nations "could take important steps" to try to put an end to the violence.

She also offered to go to Burma, the army telling her that she was welcome, but "not now".

And the repression also continues in the judicial field.

Aung San Suu Kyi, still held incommunicado by the army, is now targeted by four charges, including "incitement to public disturbance".

Former President Win Myint is notably accused of having violated the Constitution.

Six Burmese journalists, including Thein Zaw, a photographer for the American agency Associated Press (AP), are prosecuted for having "caused fear among the population, spread false information (...) or incited government employees to the desobedience".

They face three years in prison.

In total, nearly 1,500 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced since February 1, according to an NGO assisting political prisoners, a number which is undoubtedly largely underestimated.

With AFP

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