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It was the largest single-day toll since the protests began after the Feb. 1 coup, which ousted the civilian government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s most popular politician.
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Before Sunday, just three deaths at the hands of the security forces had been widely reported, though two other deaths recently came to light in interviews with bereaved family members.
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At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured in Myanmar on Sunday as police and military forces “confronted peaceful demonstrations,” the UN Human Rights Office said.
The reported casualties make Sunday the deadliest day since the military seized power on February 1.
As demonstrations against the military coup which ousted the democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi entered their fourth week on Saturday, security forces began a violent crackdown on protesters in towns and cities across the country.
Related: More and more Myanmar protesters killed by police fire amid foreign concerns
The UN Human Rights Office said it had received “credible information” about the use of deadly force against peaceful protesters in “several locations” in Myanmar on Sunday.
“Deaths reportedly occurred as a result of live ammunition fired into crowds in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku,” a statement from spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. It also noted reports about the use of tear gas, flash-bang and stun grenades. Reporter has been unable to independently verify those claims.
The statement condemned the “escalating violence” and urged the military to “immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” noting that “the people of Myanmar have the right to assemble peacefully and demand the restoration of democracy.”
“These fundamental rights must be respected by the military and police, not met with violent and bloody repression,” Shamdasani said.
The office also said police had detained at least 85 medical professionals and students, along with seven journalists during the demonstrations on Sunday, noting that more than 1,000 people had been “arbitrarily arrested and detained” in February, including “members of the democratically elected government.”
Also read: Protests break out in Myanmar in defiance of military coup despite attacks, internet cut
The statement repeated the UN’s call for the release of anyone detained arbitrarily. “The international community must stand in solidarity with the protesters and all those seeking a return to democracy in Myanmar,” it said.
In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned violence in the country. “We condemn the Burmese security forces’ abhorrent violence against the people of Burma & will continue to promote accountability for those responsible. We stand firmly with the courageous people of Burma & encourage all countries to speak with one voice in support of their will,” he said.
Shots heard
Reuters earlier reported that Myanmar police had shot dead at least seven protesters Sunday and wounded several others, citing political and medical sources, as well as local media.
In the biggest city, Yangon, a protester was fatally shot when police opened fire on demonstrators, according to Reuters, citing a hospital doctor. The doctor, who asked not to be identified, said the protester was brought into hospital with a bullet wound in the chest. Local media outlet Mizzima also reported the death in Yangon’s Thingangyun township.
Also in Yangon, a woman died of a suspected heart attack after police broke up a teachers’ protest with stun grenades, according to Reuters who cited the woman’s daughter and a colleague.
In the south of the country, three people were killed and more than a dozen were wounded when police opened fire on protesters in the town of Dawei, according to media outlet the Dawei Watch. Local politician Kyaw Min Htike confirmed police had shot protesters in Dawei.
Local media outlet Myanmar Now reported two people had been killed in a protest in the second-largest city of Mandalay, according to Reuters.
Police and the spokesman for the ruling military council did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.
Videos posted to social media captured the escalating confrontations between protesters and security forces.
In footage from the Hledan district of Yangon, shots could be heard. Local media reported that at least five people were injured in those clashes. Shots could also be heard in a live stream posted on social media by local media from Yangon’s Tamwe township, in which crowds of protesters could be seen fleeing from police. At least five students were arrested at protests elsewhere in downtown Yangon on Sunday.
Also read: Why Myanmar’s State Counsellor and President detained?
Sunday marks the second day of the military’s intensified crackdown on anti-coup protesters, in which hundreds of people have reportedly been detained, including journalists. In towns and cities across Myanmar on Saturday, security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannon and shot their guns into the air to disperse protesters.
An activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), said that as of Saturday, it had documented 854 people who have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the February 1 coup. The group noted, however, that “hundreds of people” were arrested in Yangon and other places on Saturday.
One police officer has been killed since the coup, according to Reuters.
By Helen Regan, Radina Gigova and Reuters, CNN
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Source: Vietnam Insider