At least thirty-eight democracy demonstrators were killed and several wounded Wednesday in Burma by security forces who continue to fire live ammunition, defying the concert of international protests.
Read also: Burma: how an ultraconnected youth is overtaking the military
The UN envoy for Burma, the Swiss Christine Schraner Burgener, called on the UN members to take “
strong
”
sanctions
.
"
I had a discussion with the army and warned it that member states and the Security Council could take important, strong measures,
" she said during a press video conference.
The protesters were still numerous.
STRINGER / REUTERS
Wednesday was "
the bloodiest
" in Burma since the coup of February 1 with "
38 dead
", said the envoy.
Security forces opened fire with live ammunition in several towns to disperse the gatherings.
"
We now have more than 50 dead since the start of the coup, and multiple wounded,
" added Christine Schraner Burgener from Switzerland where she lives.
Asked about the conditions imposed by the military on a visit on his part to Burma, requested for a month by the UN, she replied that they had told her that she was welcome, but "
not now
".
Read also: Burma: the dangerous showdown between the junta and the street
The junta seems more determined than ever to put down the wind of rebellion that has been blowing over this country since the February 1 coup against the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
In Yangon, the economic capital, at least six demonstrators were killed, according to a rescuer and a local journalist.
In four towns in the center, at least eleven protesters were killed, including two in Mandalay and seven a hundred kilometers away in Monywa, medical sources have learned.
The junta seems more determined than ever to put out the wind of sling.
STR / AFP
Despite fear of reprisals, protesters continue to take to the streets to demand the departure of the putschist generals and the release of the hundreds of detainees imprisoned in recent weeks.
Internet shutdowns, strengthening of the legislative arsenal, waves of arrests, recourse to lethal weapons: faced with the pro-democracy mobilization, the junta has continued to intensify its response.
Sunday had already been particularly deadly with at least 18 demonstrators killed, according to the United Nations.
Six journalists charged
The repression also continues in the judicial field.
The former President of the Republic, Win Myint, already indicted for not respecting restrictions linked to the coronavirus, is now accused of having violated the Constitution, lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP.
Aung San Suu Kyi, still held in secrecy, is targeted by four counts, including "
incitement to public disturbances
".
Tear gas canisters were fired.
STR / AFP
Six Burmese journalists, including Thein Zaw, a photographer for the American agency Associated Press (AP), have been charged.
They are being prosecuted for "
causing fear among the population, spreading false information (...) or inciting government employees to disobedience
", according to their lawyer.
According to this text amended by the junta in an attempt to put an end to the campaign of civil disobedience launched in the hours following the coup, they face up to three years of detention.
The six men are held in the infamous Insein prison in Rangoon where many political prisoners served heavy sentences under previous dictatorships.
Read also: Coup d'état in Burma: China's delicate pas de deux
"
Independent journalists should be allowed to report information freely and securely without fear of reprisal,
" said Ian Philips, vice president of international news at AP.
The agency calls for the immediate release of Thein Zaw, violently arrested on Saturday in Rangoon while he was photographing the police charging.
Imbroglio at the UN
The army is still turning a deaf ear to international condemnations.
Even Burmese Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun dramatically broke with the generals last week, calling for "
an end to the coup
".
Since then, the junta has appointed a replacement for him at the United Nations, while Kyaw Moe Tun continues to represent the country - a legal imbroglio that will have to be resolved by the UN.
Demonstrators protest against the junta.
PRAKASH SINGH / AFP
The UK called for a new Security Council meeting on Friday.
In early February, its 15 members issued a joint statement expressing their concern without, however, condemning the coup, with Beijing and Moscow, traditional allies of the Burmese army, opposing such a formulation.
The last popular uprisings of 1988 and 2007 were bloodily suppressed by the military. The army, which is contesting the outcome of the November elections, which Aung San Suu Kyi's party won overwhelmingly, has promised a new ballot.