Burma experienced a “Bloody Saturday” when the military police shot and killed a large number of people during the military government’s “Soldiers’ Day” celebration on Saturday (27), killing at least 114 people in a single day, the most since the coup in Burma. Anti-junta activists mourned those killed on Sunday (28), vowing to fight to the end until the fall of the junta. The defense ministers of 12 countries, including the United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea, issued a joint statement condemning the Burmese junta. UN investigators described the actions of the Burmese military government as a “mass murder.
Myanmar’s independent English-language media, Myanmar Now, reported that 40 people were killed in Mandalay, including a 13-year-old girl. In Yangon, the largest city, at least 27 people were killed. Nearly two months into the coup in Myanmar, more than 440 people have died.
The U.N. ambassador to Myanmar, Thomas Vajda, said in a social media post, “The bloodshed is shocking and the Burmese people have made it clear: they do not want to live under a military government.”
The EU representative in Burma said Saturday that “March 27 will forever be marked by horror and shame.”
The defense ministers of 12 countries – the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea, Australia (Australia), Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand – issued a joint statement condemning the massacre of people by the Burmese military government. The statement said, “A professional military must adhere to international standards of conduct and protect, not harm, the people it serves.”
UN Commissioner: International Summit Sanctions Burma
UN Human Rights Council investigator Tom Andrews said that “it is Time for the world to act, and if it cannot be dealt with by the UN Security Council, an international emergency summit can be held,” Andrews continued that the junta’s funding sources should be cut off, interrupting the junta’s revenue from oil and gas and banning the import of weapons Myanmar. Andrews said, “Words of condemnation and concern are frankly useless to the Burmese people, who are now in a situation where the military government is carrying out a massacre against them.” Andrews also said, “The people of Burma need the support of the world, words alone are not enough, strong and coordinated action is long overdue.”
Russia, China and 6 diplomats attend junta parade
Despite Western condemnation, Burma’s military government still has the support of friendly nations. The military’s “Military Day” parade on Saturday was attended by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, as well as diplomats from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
The Burmese Embassy in London, which is still presided over by pre-coup officials, said the authorities had met with Aung San Suu Kyi’s son, Gan. Kim Aris, the embassy said Aung San Suu Kyi’s son hoped the authorities could arrange a phone call with his mother to ask about her health, and he was very worried about her current situation.
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