The UN special envoy on Myanmar has called for the Security Council to hear the nation’s “desperate pleas” and act to restore democracy, after anti-coup demonstrators have faced a brutal crackdown and the death toll stands at more than 50.
International calls and sanctions imposed on the generals by the United States, UK and others have so far had no effect.
Pope Francis appealed for peace and democracy in the country during his general audience on 2 March. Last weekend, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters in the Yangon and the army conducted raids in the city.
They fired live ammunition at protesters on Monday, with two people killed in Myitkyina in front of a Catholic church. Sr Ann Rosa Nu Tawng, whoknelt in the road toplead with security forces not to shoot protesters on 28 February, repeated her brave act on 8 March in Myitkyina.
A local campaigner for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, died in police custody on Sunday. Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition in Mandalay were on the streets caring for wounded demonstrators and visiting relatives of those killed, including the family of a 16-year-old teenager.
Last weekend an important Buddhist monastic order in Myanmar – Shwe Kyin – called on the junta to end the indiscriminate use of force against the Civil Disobedience Movement. Police in Myanmarhave occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of demonstrators, as a coalition of labour unions called a nationwide strike.
The country’s vital sectors have been crippled, with shuttered clinics, empty ministry offices and banks unable to operate. Since the 1 February military coup protesters have called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and respect for November’s election, which her party won in a landslide. “Our revolution must win,” chanted protesters in Loikaw last Saturday. The army claimed it had been restrained with protesters but will not allow them to threaten stability.
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