Protests Continue in Myanmar streets after more than 100 killed

A day after security forces killed, on Sunday, protesters in Myanmar returned to the streets to press their demands for a return to democracy, more than 100 people on the bloodiest day since last month's military coup. Protests were held in the country's two biggest cities, Yangon and Mandalay and nearby cities, resulting only to meet the police force again.

According to the online news service Myanmar Now on Saturday, at least 114 people were killed as security forces cracked down on protests against the February 1 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Furthermore, the casualties report included children under 16 years old. Additionally, the number of killings since the coup is now more than 420, according to multiple counts.

After five decades of military rule, the coup reversed years of progress toward democracy and has again made Myanmar the focus of international scrutiny.

In fact, the Saturday killings by police and soldiers took place in Myanmar as the country's military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade in the country's capital, Naypyidaw. This conflict immediately drew international condemnation, both from diplomatic missions, within the country and from abroad.

Shocked by the killings of civilians including children, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response”.

“Horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few” he continued. Additionally, the defence chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States have declared a joint statement condemning the use of force against unarmed people.

The statement issued by the 12 nations military chiefs declares “We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

Amnesty International, the human rights group, revived criticism that the international community was not doing enough to end the state violence in Myanmar. “UN Security Council member states' continued refusal to meaningfully act against this never-ending horror is contemptible,” proclaims the organisation's deputy regional director for campaigns, Ming Yu Hah.

The Security Council has rebuked the violence but not upheld collective action against the junta, such as a ban on selling it arms. It is known that Myanmar's military receives the major arms supply from China and Russia and are politically sympathetic, which signifies that members of the council would almost certainly veto any such move.