BurmA: EU Condemns “indiscriminate Violence” By Military Junta

The old continent is booming. The European Union, through the voice of its head of diplomacy, in fact condemned, Sunday March 28, 2021 in the evening, “an unacceptable escalation of violence”, “a senseless path” chosen by the Burmese military junta, the day after the bloodiest day of repression since the February 1 coup. In a statement, EU High Representative Josep Borrell called Saturday a “day of horror and shame”, when at least 107 people were killed in protests, including seven children.

“I reiterate the EU’s condemnation of the indiscriminate violence against the people of Myanmar and urge the military leaders to abandon this senseless path. This tragedy must end, ”writes the Spanish official. “We will continue to use EU mechanisms, including sanctions, to target the perpetrators of this violence and those responsible for backtracking on the path to democracy and peace” in this Asian country, adds. he does. “The perpetrators of these serious human rights violations must be held accountable for their blatant acts.” “It’s terrible,” US President Joe Biden told reporters on Sunday. “It is absolutely scandalous and according to the information I have received, a lot of people have been killed in a completely unnecessary way.”

Deadly repression

Activists for the restoration of democracy in Burma called for new demonstrations on Saturday, the day when the army organizes a gigantic parade every year in front of the head of the army, now head of the junta, General Min Aung Hlaing. These protests resulted in a deadly crackdown, which sparked international outcry. The United Nations estimated Saturday’s death toll at 107 people – including seven children – but expects the toll to rise further. Local media report 114 dead, while an army-run television channel reported a death toll of 45 and 552 arrests.

On March 22, during a meeting of the heads of diplomacy of the 27 Member States, the EU sanctioned eleven Burmese officials – army and police officers – implicated in the murderous crackdown since the Coup d’Etat. The sanctions are personal, targeted and consist of a visa ban and an asset freeze in the EU. In addition, Burma is under an embargo on arms and materials that can be used for repression and fourteen soldiers and police officers had already been sanctioned by the EU in 2019 for persecution against the Muslim minority of the Rohingya.

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