Myanmar security forces kill dozens of demonstrators, and a UN envoy denounces the bloodbath

Activists confirmed that 39 people were killed Sunday by bullets by security forces in Myanmar during their suppression of new demonstrations condemning the military coup, and while martial law was imposed in two regions of the country's largest cities, the UN envoy described what happened as a bloodbath.

Reuters news agency denied that the Association of Political Prisoners Assistance announced the death toll among the demonstrators, noting that 22 of the victims were killed in the Hyling Thariar region of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar.

This toll is equivalent to the death toll who were killed during a similar crackdown carried out by the army and security forces on 3 March, and brings the total number to about 120.

For his part, state television stated that one of the policemen was killed in the confrontations and two others were wounded.

After the bloody confrontations that occurred on Sunday and left dozens of protesters dead and wounded, the ruling military council declared martial law in the Hlaing Thariyar and Shwipitha regions, which are located within the city limits of Yangon, and the army had previously imposed martial law in several cities 3 weeks after the coup that took place on February 1 / Last February.

In addition to Yangon, clashes took place in other cities on Sunday to condemn the leaders of the military council.

On Saturday, at least 13 people were shot dead by security forces, including 4 people who died in Mandalay, central Myanmar.

Since the coup, there have been almost daily demonstrations calling for the restoration of the civilian government, as protesters have resorted to civil disobedience and strikes, and protests have been met with violent repression by the security forces, including the widespread use of live bullets and the arrest of thousands.

The military toppled the civilian government led by Chancellor (Prime Minister) Aung San Sochi before the newly elected parliament meeting, claiming that there had been fraud in the elections in which the National League for Democracy party won a big victory, and later the chancellor, the president and other officials were brought to court on various charges.

Security forces block a road in an area witnessing clashes in Yangon (Reuters)

self-defense

As the crackdown escalated, the disappeared civilian leader of the Myanmar government appeared in a video posted on the Internet in which he pledged to continue supporting a revolution to topple the army that seized power in a coup.

Wen Kheng Than added that his government was seeking to give people the legal right to defend themselves after the number of protesters had increased.

The official - who was chosen by the deposed deputies of Myanmar as acting deputy counselor of the detained state, Aung San Sochi - added that the country is living its worst era, but it is an opportunity to unite efforts to form a federal democracy and eliminate all forms of dictatorial persecution.

The leader of the parallel government had fled with most of the top officials in the National League party after the military coup.

In turn, the French Press Agency reported that the members of Parliament opposed to the ruling junta in Myanmar - who formed a "shadow parliament" - called on Sunday the demonstrators to continue the mobilization until the revolutionaries were defeated.

The Military Council warned that the formation of a "shadow parliament" is "high treason," which carries a maximum penalty of 22 years in prison.

A call to confront repression

Meanwhile, the United Nations special envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgner, strongly condemned what she called a bloodbath after dozens of people were killed in Sunday's demonstrations.

The UN envoy said in a statement that the international community - especially regional players - should close ranks in solidarity with the Burmese riots and its democratic aspirations.

The United States and other Western countries imposed sanctions on the leaders of the military coup in Myanmar.

These countries and the United Nations demanded the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, and the release of the elected leaders who were arrested after the coup.

But the leaders of the Military Council in Myanmar did not respond to all these calls, and they sought through public relations companies to justify the coup, reiterating their promise to organize new elections.