World condemns Myanmar military for \`cruel\` execution of activists
Myanmar's ruling junta government announced on Monday it had executed 4 democracy activists accused of aiding 'terror acts'_ sparking widespread condemnation of the country's first executions in decades.
Sentenced to death in secretive trials in January and April_ the activists were accused of helping a civilian resistance movement that has fought the military since previous year's coup and bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.
Among those executed were democracy campaigner Kyaw Min Yu_ better known as Jimmy_ and former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw_ an ally of ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The 2 others executed were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw.
Myanmar's State media said 'the punishment has been conducted'_ but did not say when_ or by what method.
'The international community must punish their cruelty_' said Kyaw Zaw_ a spokesman for the National Unity Government (NUG) president's office.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the executions and called again for the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners_ including Aung San Suu Kyi.
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called the executions a 'cruel and regressive step.'
In a joint statement_ the European Union_ Canada_ Australia_ Japan_ South Korea_ New Zealand_ Norway_ United Kingdom and the United States described the executions as 'reprehensible acts of violence that further exemplify the regime's disregard for human rights and the rule of law.'
Amnesty International's death penalty adviser Chiara Sangiorgio said the executions were 'an enormous setback' and that the junta is 'not going to stop there.'
Human Rights Watch acting Asia director Elaine Pearson said it was 'an act of utter cruelty' that 'aims to chill the anti-coup protest movement.'
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