Demonstrators fill the streets in Yangon
WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is “deeply concerned” by reports that Myanmar security forces have fired on protesters and continue to detain and harass demonstrators and others, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in tweet.
“We stand with the people of Burma,” Price tweeted. Myanmar is also known as Burma.
Two people, including a boy shot in the head, were killed in Myanmar’s second city Mandalay on Saturday when police and soldiers fired to disperse protests against a Feb 1 military coup, emergency workers said, the bloodiest day in more than two weeks of demonstrations.
Price on Friday reiterated the US’ calls on the Myanmar military to “refrain from violence against peaceful protesters”.
“We will work with partners and allies to press the Burmese military to reverse its actions,” he told reporters.
The United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand have announced limited sanctions since the coup, with a focus on military leaders.
Britain said it would consider further action against those involved in violence against protesters, and the French foreign ministry called the violence “unacceptable.”
“The shooting of peaceful protesters in Myanmar is beyond the pale,” British foreign minister Dominic Raab said in tweet. “We will consider further action, with our international partners, against those crushing democracy & choking dissent.”
In BRUSSELS, the EU’s foreign policy chief condemned increasingly deadly violence in Myanmar, after two protesters were killed as security forces fired live rounds, and said the bloc will “take appropriate decisions”.
“I strongly condemn the violence against peaceful civilian protestors by the military. I urge the military and all security forces in Myanmar to immediately stop violence against civilians,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative and vice president, tweeted.
He said a meeting in Brussels of EU foreign ministers on Monday “will discuss … the latest events in Myanmar to take appropriate decisions”.
The European Commission on Friday had already reacted to the death of another protester, Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, 20, fatally shot in the head with a live round during a demonstration on Feb 9.
A spokeswoman called for a “transparent” investigation into that death so that “those responsible answer for their acts”. — NNN-AGENCIES