The United States condemned Monday in the strongest terms Burma’s regime execution of four of the country’s opposition leaders. “These reprehensible acts of violence further exemplify the regime’s complete disregard for human rights and the rule of law,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement. He noted that the pro-democracy activists and elected leaders Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw were executed by Burma’s military regime for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms. “Since the February 2021 coup, the regime has perpetuated violence against its own people, killing more than 2,100, displacing more than 700,000, and detaining thousands of innocent people, including members of civil society and journalists,” Blinken regretted.

He dismissed the regime’s sham trials and executions as blatant attempts to extinguish democracy. “These actions will never suppress the spirit of the brave people of Burma,” the US top diplomat added. He assured that the United States joined the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and called on the regime to respect the democratic aspirations of the people “who have shown they do not want to live one more day under the tyranny of military rule”.

The European Union on Monday strongly condemned the executions of three prominent democracy activists and an ex-Member of Parliament in Myanmar and expressed its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and friends of the victims.
“These politically motivated executions represent yet another step towards the complete dismantling of the rule of law and a further blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar,” said EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a Declaration on behalf of the 27-member European bloc.

“The executions are reprehensible acts that show that the military authorities have no respect for the life or dignity of the very people they are supposed to protect. “They will only exacerbate the polarization, violence and dramatic humanitarian situation in Myanmar,” warned the EU Declaration.

It stressed that the EU stands unequivocally with the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for freedom, and urged the military regime to end all acts of violence without further delay. Further, the EU called for the unconditional and immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained, as well as to return to a democratic path. (KUNA)