A group of South East Asian politicians have condemned Myanmar’s military government after the execution of two people, saying it followed an unfair trial and breached human rights.
Married couple Kaung Htet and Chan Myae Thu were executed early Monday morning over their alleged involvement in a 2022 prison bombing.
Now, South East Asian Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) have urged the international community to “break the silence” around the military’s execution policy.
It said another 120 detainees will be executed in the “coming weeks”.
Myanmar
Following a military coup in 1962, Myanmar was ruled by decades of totalitarian control. The regime was marked by violent crackdowns against anti-government protesters and mass killings.
A parliament was established in 2011. At the November 2020 election, a military-aligned political party was defeated. Myanmar’s military then violently overthrew the government before the new parliament could meet.
Its leaders have been accused of killings, unlawful arrests, torture, and sexual violence.
Executions
Kaung Htet and Chan Myae Thu were executed on Monday for their alleged involvement in a 2022 bombing at a Myanmar prison.
Several political prisoners were housed at the jail after the military overthrow.
Authorities alleged two bombs concealed as parcels were detonated in the prison’s mail room, killing eight people and injuring 18 others.
Chan Myae Thu allegedly confessed to her husband’s responsibility during an interrogation, leading to his arrest.
Authorities said they found loaded guns, explosive materials, two detonators, and burner phones when they arrested Kaung Htet.
The military accused the couple of coordinating the attack.
The two were also accused of being affiliated with the Special Task Agency of Burma (STA), a militant group opposed to the Government that later claimed responsibility for the attack.
APHR says the couple were executed, “without due process and fair trial” — in breach of human rights laws.
Train shooting
APHR said it’s received reports five more pro-democracy activists will be executed this week, over a 2021 train shooting.
It claimed the accused were denied a fair trial, tortured, sexually assaulted, and denied access to legal support.
APHR member Arlene Brosas said she fears death sentences are being used to “silence persons with dissenting views in Myanmar”.
Human rights
In 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Council established a working group — to gather evidence of human rights breaches committed in Myanmar since 2011.
The UN group said it’s aware executions “may be imminent” for several more individuals who have been unfairly tried and detained.
The head of the group, Nicholas Koumjian, said: “Imposing a prison or death sentence in such circumstances could constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes.”
