A man shot dead in South Dagon, Yangon on Friday evening around 5pm local time
Photo credit:Nyein Chan Aung@NyeinCh41062124 |Twitter
Yangon/New York/Geneva: At least 18 persons were reportedly killed and three dozen suffered serious injuries in fresh firing by Myanmar’s military on protesters in Aung Ban town in the southern Shan State of Myanmar on the 47th day of the coup, today. Eyewitnesses said the military shot protesters with live ammunitions and dragged them along the street.
In Tharkayta, Yangon, military junta shot two people with real bullets in Tharkayta, Yangon. One was shot in the head and one got injured. Besides, 3 got injured as Security Forces violently cracked down on protesters. At least 5 were brutally beaten and arrested.
Besides, Aung Ko Ko, a 27 years old who was shot in his face of March 15, 2021, passed away today. He was the ninth person to be killed in Myingyan.
Reports quoting a party leader today said that the main spokesperson for the detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League of Democracy (NLD) was detained by the junta. A BBC journalist, Aung Thura, was also kidnapped by unidentified men in capital Nay Pyi Taw today afternoon. The BBC in a statement called on the authorities to locate him and confirm that he was safe.
Besides at Loikaw in Kayah State today, a nurse and a man injured in firing by the security forces.
There are more disturbing photos and videos of gross violation of human rights and military beating up citizen being posted by pro-democracy protestors on twitter from different parts of the country.
In yet another such video today, the police was shown abusing an unarmed civilians by pointing gun and forcing to carry sandbag today in Tamwe, Yangon.They pushed him from behind and when he fell, he was forced to crawl.
#Myanmar 🇲🇲 today: a soldier was filmed as he forced a man he arrested to crawl on the street like an animal. As the man is on his hands and knees another soldiers walks up to kick him while he is down. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Source: https://t.co/r93ewvksej pic.twitter.com/tQXkT6F3EU
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) March 19, 2021
In a statement in Yangon today, the UNICEF said that as of March 19, security forces had reportedly occupied more than 60 schools and university campuses in 13 states and regions. In at least one incident, security forces reportedly beat two teachers while entering premises, and left several others injured. Other public institutions including hospitals have also been occupied.
“The occupation of education facilities across Myanmar by security forces is a serious violation of children’s rights. It will exacerbate the learning crisis for almost 12 million children and youth in Myanmar, which was already under tremendous pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing widespread school closures,” the UNICEF stated. Save the Children, UNESCO and UNICEF jointly called on security forces to vacate occupied premises immediately and ensure that schools and educational facilities are not used by military or security personnel.
In Geneva, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights deplored allegations of forced evictions, arbitrary detention and killings of pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar, saying States should consider applying the principle of universal jurisdiction to prosecute those responsible for acts that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Since last Friday till March 18, it the OHCHR said at least 121 people had been killed by security forces and more than 2,400 people had been detained whereas whereabouts of hundreds were still unknown. “The response of the security forces to the protests is getting more and more violent. We are very troubled by the excessive and deadly use of force and the imposition of martial law in parts of Myanmar. We call on the security forces to cease all violence against peaceful protests, and respect their right to peaceful protest,” the OHCHR quoted human rights experts in its statement.
At the United Nations, the Secretary-General’s special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who at the moment is in Bern, Switzerland, stated it was “not possible yet” to visit Myanmar after she consulted “stakeholders”. The UN Security Council had stated that she should visit Myanmar as soon as possible, to calm the situation and set the stage for dialogue and return to democracy in the country. The UN Secretary-General’s office informed that any visit to the country under the current circumstances was not yet possible, “but she is continuing to evaluate openings”. Burgener stated: “I will continue to evaluate openings through consultations with SC. Now I aim to travel to the region to continue exchange with ASEAN members.”
The Special Envoy will aim to engage Myanmar’s neighbouring countries through a regional visit, and Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in New York no date was set for regional travel, but she would like to travel there as soon as practicable.
– global bihari bureau
