The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), more commonly known as the United Nations Human Rights Office, has condemned the ‘escalating violence’ in Myanmar after 18 were killed during an anti-coup protest on Sunday (February 28).

In a statement, Secretary-General António Guterres said he is “deeply disturbed by the increase in deaths and serious injuries.”

“The use of lethal force against peaceful protestors and arbitrary arrests are unacceptable,” he added.

Guterres also urged the international community “to come together and send a clear signal to the military that it must respect the will of the people of Myanmar as expressed through the election and stop the repression.” -AAC

The United Nations (UN) has warned Myanmar’s military for its harsh treatment of protesters, saying that the “world is watching closely.”

In a press briefing, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said that UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener has called on the Myanmar military to refrain from using violence and respect human rights.

“The right of peaceful assembly must fully be respected, and that demonstrators are not subjected to reprisals. She has conveyed to the Myanmar military that the world is watching closely, and any form of heavy-handed response is likely to have severe consequences,” she said.

The Secretary-General calls on the military authorities urgently to allow his Special Envoy, Christine Schraner Burgener, to visit #Myanmar to assess the situation first-hand, the @UN_Spokesperson said today.https://t.co/vy43IT56Kb pic.twitter.com/iQW4GCN3UJ

— UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (@UNDPPA) February 15, 2021

Protests across Myanmar have grown after the military takeover on February 1 where top political leaders were arrested.

Several of the high officials detained include State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.  

There are also reports that the military use excessive force against the demonstrators.

According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), as of February 12, more than 350 political and state officials, activists, and civil society members have been taken into custody. Several members of the media, monks, and students were also detained

“Several face criminal charges on dubious grounds, and most have received no form of due process or permitted legal representation, family visitations or communication,” according to the UN.

Burgener also reiterated UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s statement and called for a visit to Myanmar under agreeable conditions. -AAC

The United Nations (UN) condemned the military takeover in Myanmar and the detention of top political leaders and government officials.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the developments in Myanmar “represent a serious blow to democratic reforms” in the country. Among those detained include State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

The detentions and the seizure of power took place on the eve of the opening session of Myanmar’s new parliament.

The coup followed brewing tensions between the government and the military in the aftermath of last November’s general elections.

The Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD) claimed an overwhelming victory in the polls, securing over 80% of the seats. However, the military and several political parties disputed the results and alleged that the polls were marred with irregularities.

Guterres reiterated that the November 8, 2020 general elections “provide the clear will of the people of Myanmar to continue on the hard-won path of democratic reform.”

“The Secretary-General urges the military leadership to respect the will of the people of Myanmar and adhere to democratic norms,” the statement reads.AAC