Sunday, 25 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Widespread condemnation of Myanmar’s execution of prisoners
World

Widespread condemnation of Myanmar’s execution of prisoners

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Widespread condemnation of Myanmar’s execution of prisoners
SHARE

BANGKOK (AP) — International outrage over Myanmar’s execution of four political prisoners intensified Tuesday with strong condemnation from world governments and grassroots protests.

Myanmar’s military-led government that seized power from elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 has been accused of thousands of extrajudicial killings since then, but the hangings announced Monday were the country’s first official executions in decades.

“We feel that this is a crime against humanity,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, speaking at the side of the U.N.’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the executions would be a focus of the upcoming meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers, which begin in Cambodia in a week.

Myanmar is a member of the influential ASEAN group, which has been trying to implement a five-point consensus it reached on Myanmar last year calling for dialogue among all concerned parties, provision of humanitarian assistance, an immediate cessation of violence and a visit by a special envoy to meet all parties.

With the executions, he said, “we look at it as if the junta is making a mockery of the five point process.”

In Bangkok, hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators protested outside neighboring Myanmar’s embassy, waving flags and chanting slogans amid a heavy downpour.

“The dictators used their power arbitrarily,” yelled a young man through a bullhorn to the crowd, some of whom waved pictures of Suu Kyi or the four executed men. “We can’t tolerate this any more.”

Among the four executed was Phyo Zeya Thaw, a 41-year-old former lawmaker from Suu Kyi’s party, and Kyaw Min Yu, a 53-year-old democracy activist better known as Ko Jimmy. All were tried, convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal with no possibility of appeal.

The execution of the four activists prompted immediate calls from around the world for a moratorium on carrying out any further sentences, and condemnation for what was broadly seen as a politically motivated move.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, announced in June that it was going to resume executing prisoners and has 113 others who have been sentenced to death, although 41 of those were convicted in absentia, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a non-governmental organization that tracks killing and arrests. At the same time, 2,120 civilians have been killed by security forces since the military takeover.

“This was a barbaric act by Myanmar’s military regime,” said New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta of the four executions carried out. “New Zealand condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “appalled” by the executions.

“Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances for all people,” she said.

Earlier, Australia and New Zealand had joined the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Norway and South Korea in a joint statement condemning the executions.

ASEAN denounced the executions as “highly reprehensible.”

It said the move represented a setback to the group’s efforts to facilitate a dialogue between the military leadership and opponents.

“We strongly and urgently call on all parties concerned to desist from taking actions that would only further aggravate the crisis, hinder peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned, and endanger peace, security and stability, not only in Myanmar, but the whole region,” the group said in a statement.

The military’s seizure of power from Suu Kyi’s elected government triggered peaceful protests that soon escalated to armed resistance and then to widespread fighting that some U.N. experts characterize as a civil war.

Some resistance groups have engaged in assassinations, drive-by shootings and bombings in urban areas. Mainstream opposition organizations generally disavow such activities, while supporting armed resistance in rural areas that are more often subject to brutal military attacks.

News of the executions prompted a flash-demonstration Monday in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, where about a dozen protesters took to the streets marching behind a banner saying “we are never afraid,” then quickly slipping away before authorities could confront them.

The last judicial execution to be carried out in Myanmar is generally believed to have been of another political offender, student leader Salai Tin Maung Oo, in 1976 under a previous military government led by dictator Ne Win.

All four executed men had been accused of violent anti-government acts, charges which were denied by their defenders.

___

Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok contributed to this report.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Biden’s Drug Czar Is Leading the Charge for a ‘Harm Reduction’ Approach Biden’s Drug Czar Is Leading the Charge for a ‘Harm Reduction’ Approach
Next Article Israel demolishes homes of suspected Palestinian attackers Israel demolishes homes of suspected Palestinian attackers

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

R. Kelly to be sentenced in sex-trafficking case: The Refresh

U.S.The Daily BeastMurdaugh Saga Gets Even Weirder With New Drug Trafficking ChargesJoshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

The right way to watch Navarro vs. Swiatek on-line totally free

TL;DR: Dwell stream Navarro vs. Swiatek within the 2025 Australian Open totally free on 9Now.…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

‘Eric LaRue’ evaluate: Judy Greer devastates in Michael Shannon’s shifting directorial debut

Michael Shannon's directorial debut Eric LaRue is not a ghost story, but it surely looks…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Leaders foresee alternative in fee go well with wake

Flip up the quantity in your actual property success at Inman On Tour: Nashville! Join…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

‘A heifer came into the bedroom’: Kevin survived the NSW floods – however his dairy farm won’t
World

‘A heifer came into the bedroom’: Kevin survived the NSW floods – however his dairy farm won’t

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
‘There was panic’: Northland procuring centre locked down after battle allegedly involving ‘rival groups’ and a machete
World

‘There was panic’: Northland procuring centre locked down after battle allegedly involving ‘rival groups’ and a machete

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Irish pro-Palestine activists embrace ‘Paddystinian’ time period as badge of honour
World

Irish pro-Palestine activists embrace ‘Paddystinian’ time period as badge of honour

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Littleproud says ‘I don’t care’ about doubtlessly shedding Nationals management as Canavan insists internet zero not settled
World

Littleproud says ‘I don’t care’ about doubtlessly shedding Nationals management as Canavan insists internet zero not settled

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?