Condemns Execution Of Four Democracy Activists, UN Secretary General Urges Myanmar Military Regime To Immediately Release Aung San Suu Kyi And President Win Myint

UN Secretary Antonio Gutteres. (Wikimedia Commons/US Mission/Eric Bridiers)

JAKARTA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the execution of four democracy activists by Myanmar's ruling military, a UN spokesman said.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the immediate release of all detainees arbitrarily detained, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi," deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.

The spokesman added that the UN Secretary-General opposes the death penalty "under all circumstances."

As previously reported, Myanmar's military regime has executed four democracy activists accused of helping carry out acts of terror, the country's first executions in decades, state media said on Monday.

Sentenced to death in January in closed-door trials, the four men are accused of helping militias to fight soldiers who seized power in last year's coup and launched a bloody crackdown on opponents.

The sentences drew international condemnation, with two UN experts calling them a "heinous attempt to instill fear" among people.

Among those executed were democracy figure Kyaw Min Yu, better known as Jimmy, and former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

Kyaw Min Yu, 53, and Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41-year-old allies of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, lost their appeal against sentencing in June. The other two people executed were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw.

The four have been charged under the counter-terrorism and criminal code laws and the sentences were carried out in accordance with prison procedures, the newspaper said, without elaborating. Previous executions in Myanmar were carried out by hanging.

A military spokesman did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment. Last month military spokesman Zaw Min Tun defended the death penalty, saying it was used in many countries.

"At least 50 innocent civilians, not including security forces, died because of them," he told a televised news conference.

"How can you say this isn't justice?" He asked. "Necessary action needs to be taken at the time of need."

An activist group, the Political Prisoners Assistance Association (AAPP), says Myanmar's last judicial executions took place in the late 1980s.

The Myanmar Coup. VOI editors continue to unify the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continue to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by tapping this link.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.