UK calls for ‘immediate end’ to Myanmar military repression

LONDON

Britain on Thursday urged for an “immediate end to military repression” in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that he was “horrified by the escalation of violence in Myanmar and the killing of pro-democracy protesters.”

Johnson’s remarks came after tens of people were killed in Myanmar during anti-coup protests.

“We stand with the people of Myanmar in calling for an immediate end to military repression, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others, and the restoration of democracy,” Johnson said.

More than 50 people have been killed in protests in Myanmar since Feb. 1, when the junta took power.

Of the 54 cases documented, at least 30 people were killed in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, and Mon by security forces on Wednesday, according to the UN.

Britain has sanctioned a number of generals from the Myanmar army because of their roles in the coup.

The coup took place hours before the country’s new parliament was set to convene following November elections in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) made sweeping gains.

The military claimed it launched the coup due to “election fraud” resulting in the NLD’s dominance.

Shortly after the Feb. 1 coup, the junta declared martial law imposing a nightly curfew and a ban on gatherings of five or more people.

However, it has failed to quell popular protests by the people and a civil disobedience campaign initiated by government officials against military rule.