Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken condemned Myanmar's recent executions of pro-democracy activists in the country, labeling the deaths as “reprehensible acts of violence” that further “extinguish democracy” in the country.
Blinken said the U.S. stands with the people of Burma in their pursuit for freedom, according to July 25 statement.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms the Burma military regime’s executions of pro-democracy activists and elected leaders Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms,” Blinken said in the statement. “These reprehensible acts of violence further exemplify the regime’s complete disregard for human rights and the rule of law.”
Myanmar's military regime announced they had carried out several executions of democracy activists for allegedly aiding in “terror acts,” Reuters reported July 26. The article said the executed men were sentenced to death after secret trials that took place in January and April.
These executions were the country's first death sentences in more than three decades, The Washington Post reported July 25. Additionally, Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), 51, and Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41, were two of the most prominent leaders of the resistance. Ko Jimmy participated in student uprisings in 1988 and had spent years in and out of prison for his activism. Phyo Zeya Thaw was a hip-hop artist who became a member of parliament and was admired by Myanmar's youth.
“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 said in his statement. “The regime’s sham trials and these executions are blatant attempts to extinguish democracy; these actions will never suppress the spirit of the brave people of Burma.
“The United States joins the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and calls 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,” Blinken said in the statement.
