Myanmar Crackdown on Protests, Widely Filmed, Sparks Outrage

U.S News

Associated Press, 

Wire Service Content 

March 4, 2021, 

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar Thursday, March 4, 2021. Demonstrators in Myanmar protesting last month's military coup returned to the streets Thursday, undaunted by the killing of at least 38 people the previous day by security forces. (AP Photo) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

YANGON, MYANMAR (AP) — Footage of a brutal crackdown on protests against a coup in Myanmar unleashed outrage and calls for a stronger international response Thursday, a day after 38 people were killed. Videos showed security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators.

U.S. Slams ‘Repulsive’ Myanmar Crackdown as Death Toll

Bloomberg
Philip Heijmans

4 March 2021,

A protest in Yangon on March 3. 38 people were killed across the country on Wednesday. Photographer: AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. criticized Myanmar’s security forces for using deadly force against anti-coup protesters as the United Nations said another 38 protesters were killed across the country on Wednesday.

State Department spokesman Ned Price called the loss of life “repulsive” and reiterated that the U.S. was considering additional measures aimed at holding the military accountable. The fresh violence also comes after the junta told security forces to avoid using live bullets.

“We are always looking a policy options that are available to us and that are appropriate given the circumstances,” he said at a press briefing. “The loss of life, especially the loss of life in recent days, is abhorrent.”

Myanmar crackdown: Lessons from recent history

THE ASEAN POST
Sheith Khidhir

29 June 2019 

In this file photo taken on 27 March, 2019, Myanmar's soldiers march in a formation during a parade to mark the country's 74th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw. (AFP Photo)

On 21 June, the government of Myanmar ordered mobile phone operators in the country to shut down all Internet data across at least eight townships in Rakhine and one in neighbouring Chin state. United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur to Myanmar, Yanghee Lee expressed serious concern regarding the blackout, saying that it could be cover for "gross human rights violations" in an area where a brutal army crackdown has already forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee.

The military is locked in a battle with the Arakan Army (AA), insurgents fighting for more autonomy for the region's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.