Protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar on Wednesday (February 10) after the most violent day yet in demonstrations against the military coup that halted a tentative transition to democracy under elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the country.
GENEVA – The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) said it is to hold a special session on Myanmar on Friday, on the day the UN office there voiced strong concerns over Tuesday’s reported use of violence by security forces against demonstrators.
“I call on the security forces to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, said in a statement.
“The use of disproportionate force against demonstrators is unacceptable,” he noted.
The military takeover on February 1 followed escalating tensions between the military and the government after the November 2020 elections, won by the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD).
The United States on Thursday slapped sanctions on the leaders of Myanmar's junta, warning that more punishment could come even as the generals in Yangon ordered demonstrators to get back to work or face "effective actions". - Back to work . or else - General Hlaing late Thursday called for civil servants to return to work after days of nationwide strikes supporting the protests.
Myanmar Christians appeal for release of detained leaders
Bishops issue a directive urging the faithful not to display Catholic symbols during anti-coup protests UCA News reporter Updated: February 10, 2021 05:46 AM GMT
Trending
Priests, nuns and seminarians take part in a procession in Loikaw, capital of Kayah state, to pray for peace and show solidarity with the people of Myanmar on Feb. 9. (Photo: Aung Nge Philip)
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) and the Myanmar Council of Churches have appealed to the military for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained leaders while urging them to act in a peaceful way.