Myanmar’s security forces opened fire on protesters today, killing 38 people in what U.N. Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener said was the “bloodiest” day since the military’s coup last month.
The military overthrew the government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and detained her on Feb. 1, ending Burma’s decade-long experiment in democracy. The ensuing social unrest in Burma has been marked by large daily protests.
Countries are now stepping up pressure, with Western powers repeatedly imposing sanctions on Myanmar’s generals and the UK calling for a UN Security Council meeting on the 5th. However, the military government has ignored global condemnation and instead responded with greater force to the people’s protests.
“Thirty-eight people have died today alone,” U.N. Special Envoy for Burma Bachirina told reporters today.
She added that since the military took over the government, the death toll has exceeded 50, with many more injured.
“Today is the bloodiest day since the coup,” Berchner noted. But she did not provide further details such as the number of deaths in various locations.
Berkina called for the UN to take “very tough measures” against Myanmar’s military generals, adding that the military did not heed the threat of sanctions when she communicated with them.
AFP earlier recorded at least 17 deaths across Myanmar today, including at least seven in Monywa township in Sagaing.
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