YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Footage of brutal crackdowns on protests against the uprising in Myanmar erupted on Thursday, a day after 38 people were killed, calling for a strong international response. Videos show security forces shooting a man at a point-blank range and chasing and brutally beating protesters.
Despite the shocking violence the day before, protesters took to the streets on Thursday to denounce the army’s February 1 takeover – and again met with tear gas.
The international response to the uprising has so far been fair, but security forces have called for more action than a flood of online videos showing protesters and other civilians being brutally targeted. The United Nations has called the images “horrific”, with the UN human rights chief saying “it is time to end the military alliance over democracy in Myanmar,” and the country’s independent human rights expert urged the Security Council to watch the video first. Friday meeting to discuss the crisis.
The uprising overturned years of slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar, which had lasted five decades under strict military rule, leading to international isolation and sanctions. The international community has lifted most sanctions and increased investment in recent years as commanders have loosened their grip.
The UN special envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner-Berzner, described Wednesday as a “bloody day” after the military’s ouster of leader Aung San Suu Kyi. More than 50 civilians, mostly peaceful protesters, have since been confirmed killed by police and soldiers, including 38 who died on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at the UN in New York via video link from Switzerland, Shrinerge Bergener said, “I’ve seen very disturbing video clips today.” “A policeman beat up a volunteer medical crew. They were not armed. Another video clip showed a protester being picked up by police and shot at close range, probably just a meter away. He did not resist his arrest, and it appears he died on the street. “
She was spotted referring to a video shared on social media, starting with a group of security forces following a civilian, as if they had walked out of the building. A shirt is attached, and the person falls. After the man briefly raises his head, two men from the army pull the man down the street with a weapon.
In other footage, about two dozen security forces, some drawn their weapons, chase two men wearing construction helmets donated by several protesters across a street. When they reached the people they beat them with sticks and kicked them. An officer is filming the scene on his cell phone.
In yet another video, several police officers repeatedly kicked and hit a man with a rod, while the man was scared to the ground, holding hands over his head. Officers keep going in and out of the frame, getting a little kick and then accidentally walking away.
While some countries have threatened or imposed sanctions in the wake of the uprising, people, including neighboring Myanmar, have been more reluctant to respond. The sharp volume of violent images shared on Wednesday, along with the high death toll, raised hopes that the dynamics could change.
On Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged all those with “information and influence” to take military leaders into account.
“The moment is to turn to the tables of justice and end the military’s pride in democracy in Myanmar,” he said.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. There was “panic” over the “horrific violence”, and Tom Andrews, an independent UN human rights expert in Myanmar, said “the systematic brutality of the military junta is once again on a horrific display.”
“I urge the members of the UN Security Council to look at the photos / videos of shocking violence against peaceful protesters before the meeting,” he said on Twitter.
The Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s ongoing inspections in Iran, that it monitor Iran’s compliance with “the steps required by the IAEA Board”.
But Justin Chambers, associate director of the Myanmar Research Center at the Australian Australian National University, said that while graphic images would lead to definite condemnation – action against Myanmar would be tougher.
“Unfortunately I don’t think the brutality captured on camera will change much.” “I think given the current state of the epidemic and the economic issues associated with it, local audiences around the world are no longer hungry for strong action, ie intervention.”
U.N. But any concerted action would be difficult, as the two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, would almost certainly veto it.
Even if the council did take action, UN Ambassador Sharan Bergener warned that it might not make much difference. He said he had warned Myanmar’s military that the world’s nations and the Security Council would “probably take drastic action.”
“And the answer was, ‘We’re used to sanctions and we’ve survived those sanctions in the past.’ When she also warned that Myanmar would be left alone, Shriner Bergener said, “The answer was, ‘We just have to learn to walk with a few friends.’
The highest death toll on Wednesday was in the country’s largest city, Yangon, where an estimated 18 people were killed. A video at a city hospital showed mourners collecting blood-soaked bodies of family members as some relatives were uncontrollably surrounded, while others were spotted in shock at a nearby location.
Protesters gathered again in Yangon on Thursday. Police had to disperse the crowd using tear gas again, when demonstrators was raised badhao on the big roads again.
Protests also continued in Mandalay, where three people were reported killed on Wednesday. The formation of five fighter jets flew over the city on Thursday morning, which was seen to be a demonstration of force.
Protesters in the city saluted the three-fingered salute, a symbol of disgrace, as they rode a motorcycle to attend the funeral for Kyle Sin, also known as Deng Jia Ile, a Chinese university student who was shot dead. Was. Demonstration a day ago.
As part of the crackdown, security forces have arrested more than a thousand people, including journalists, according to the Independent Aid for Political Prisoners. On Saturday, at least eight reporters, including Than Zhou of the Associated Press, Was detained. He and several other members of the media have been charged with violating public safety laws that could land him in prison for up to three years.
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