“States must not allow the deadly mistakes of the past in Syria and elsewhere to be repeated.”

Myanmar coup: Aung San Suu Kyi hit with sixth criminal charge

Myanmar is in chaos and its economy paralysed since the military seized power from civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.

A junta crackdown against dissent has resulted in the civilian death toll reaching at least 710 as of late Monday including 50 children, according to a local monitoring group.

Ethnic armed rebel groups have meanwhile stepped up attacks on the military and police in recent weeks, raising fears of Myanmar spiralling into broader civil conflict.

And the military has retaliated with air strikes that have reportedly displaced thousands of civilians.

“The military seems intent on intensifying its pitiless policy of violence against the people of Myanmar, using military-grade and indiscriminate weaponry,” Bachelet said.

“There are clear echoes of Syria in 2011,” she warned, referring to the start of a civil war that over the past decade has killed nearly 400,000 people and forced more than six million to flee the country. There too, we saw peaceful protests met with unnecessary and clearly disproportionate force,” she said.

“The state’s brutal, persistent repression of its own people led to some individuals taking up arms, followed by a downward and rapidly expanding spiral of violence all across the country.”

Russia and China thwarting international response to Myanmar crisis, says EU chief

Bachelet pointed out that her predecessor Navanethem Pillay had warned in 2011 “that the failure of the international community to respond with united resolve could be disastrous for Syria and beyond”.

“The past 10 years have shown just how horrific the consequences have been for millions of civilians,” she said.

Bachelet pointed to “credible reports” indicating that Myanmar’s Tatmadaw military forces opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades, fragmentation grenades and mortar fire in the southern city of Bago late last week.

At least 82 anti-coup protesters were reportedly killed in the brutal crackdown.

Security forces also reportedly prevented medical personnel from helping the wounded and charged relatives a “fine” of around $90 to claim the bodies of those who were killed, the UN rights office said.

At the same time, it said, at least 3,080 people are currently detained across the country, while 23 people have reportedly been sentenced to death following secret trials, including four protesters and 19 others accused of political and criminal offences.

‘I still get nightmares’: Myanmar students traumatised after beatings in jail

Bachelet urged the international community to take action.

“Statements of condemnation, and limited targeted sanctions, are clearly not enough,” the former Chilean president said.

“States with influence need to urgently apply concerted pressure on the military in Myanmar to halt the commission of grave human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity against the people.”

03:04

Myanmar protesters fight military’s internet shutdown with underground newsletter

Myanmar protesters fight military’s internet shutdown with underground newsletter

Meanwhile, opponents of military rule cancelled traditional new year festivities on Tuesday and instead showed their anger with the generals who seized power through low-key displays of defiance and small protests across the country.

Protesters were out again on the first day of the five-day new year holiday, known as Thingyan, which is usually celebrated with prayers, ritual cleaning of Buddha images in temples and high-spirited water-dousing on the streets.

“We do not celebrate Myanmar Thingyan this year since over 700 of our innocent brave souls have been killed,” said one Twitter user named Shwe Ei.

Myanmar junta refuses UN envoy visit as bloodshed continues

Women wearing fine clothes for the most important holiday of the year protested in several towns holding traditional pots containing seven flowers and sprigs that are displayed at this time, media pictures showed. Many people painted the protesters’ three-finger salute on their Thingyan pots.

Activists keen to maintain the momentum of their campaign against the military have called for protests throughout the holiday, which runs until Saturday.

This was the second year in a row the new year festivities were called off. Last year, it was because of Covid-19.

“We cannot enjoy this year. We will celebrate once we get democracy,” said another Twitter user, Su Su Soe.