Mar 29 (Japan Times) - Defense chiefs from a dozen countries, including Japan, released a statement Sunday condemning the bloodbath in Myanmar a day earlier, when at least 90 people — including several children — were killed after security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters.
Also on Sunday, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the continued use of deadly force by Myanmar's military and police against civilians. Motegi issued a statement saying that the Japanese government "strongly condemns" such action continuing despite repeated calls from the international community to immediately stop resorting to violence against civilians.
"Shooting against civilians, the inhumane treatment of detainees, and the strict crackdown on media activities by the Myanmar military and police are actions that contradict what the Myanmar military officially announced about the importance of democracy," Motegi said.
"The use of live ammunition against peaceful protests can never be tolerated," he said.
Motegi also reiterated Japan's call for the immediate release of State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and others who have been detained since a Feb. 1 coup, and the swift restoration of the democratic political system in the nation.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the generals ousted and detained Suu Kyi, triggering mass protests demanding a return to democracy.
The junta on Saturday staged a major show of might for its annual Armed Forces Day as the death toll since the Feb. 1 coup climbed to at least 423, according to a local monitoring group.
The defense ministers of 12 countries, including the United States, Britain and Australia, condemned the Myanmar military's use of lethal force against civilians.
Source: ANNnewsCH
