Demonstrators in Myanmar’s struggle for democracy defied the military’s crackdown, returning to the streets on Saturday, vowing to fight the violent crackdown by the Burmese military to the end.
AFP news agency said Myanmar protesters held another demonstration on Saturday to protest against the military government’s crackdown. In the capital Yangon’s Thaketa, police fired at demonstrators who threw Molotov cocktails at them. A local resident said a teenager was shot in the head.
AFP cited a video taken when showing Burmese security forces deploying on local streets and firing at protesters.
In the city of Mongwa, about 100 kilometers away from Yangon town, hundreds of people marched and protesters and burned the constitution, which guarantees the rights of the military regime. “We will fight to the end,” said one protester. “We will overthrow the dictatorship of the military regime.”
The Burma Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group, said 237 people have died since the Feb. 1 coup by the junta.
But the military’s bloody crackdown has failed to quell the demonstrations, and the protests continue, with some of the leaders who instigated them saying they must adjust their tactics. Kyaw Min Htike, a demonstration leader in the southern city of Tuva (Dawei), said, “We started the protests where there were no military or police, and then when we heard they were coming, we rushed to disband. “
Asian neighbors, who have for years adhered to the principle of not criticizing each other’s internal affairs, have also continued to speak out calling for an end to the violence.
Indonesian President Joko said he would ask the ASEAN chairman, Sultan Hassanabauchia of Brunei, to call an emergency meeting. Joko issued a video message saying, “Indonesia calls on Myanmar to immediately stop the violence before more people lose their lives.”
Malaysia’s prime minister said Mulyutin supported the call for an ASEAN meeting, saying he was appalled by the continued use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
The Philippine foreign minister also said it was important for ASEAN to take action.
Singapore also condemned the coup and crackdown by the Burmese military and called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
U.N. Secretary General Guterres, who previously condemned the ongoing violent crackdown by the Burmese military, said the situation in Myanmar urgently requires a concerted international response.
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