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The
military has tried to end dissent and impose its authority on a
people largely opposed to the return of rule by the generals
after 10 years of democratic reforms that included a government
led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi.
Despite a relentless crackdown in which at least 759 protesters
have been killed, according to the Assistance Association for
Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, crowds come out day
after day to reject the junta.
"Our cause, democracy, our cause, a federal union. Free arrested
leaders," protesters chanted at one of two rallies in the main
city of Yangon.
Suu Kyi, 75, has been detained since the coup the along with
many other members of her party. The AAPP says more than 3,400
people have been detained for opposing the military.
People also rallied in the second city of Mandalay and the
southern town of Dawei, media reported.
There were no immediate reports of violence.
Media reported several small blasts in different places
including Yangon late on Friday and on Saturday. There were no
immediate reports of casualties and no claims of responsibility.
A spokesman for the junta did not answer calls seeking comment.
The military has accused pro-democracy activists of planting
bombs.
The U.N. special envoy on Myanmar told the Security Council on
Friday that in the absence of a collective international
response to the coup, violence was worsening and the running of
the state risked coming to a standstill, according to diplomats
who attended the private meeting.
Christine Schraner Burgener briefed the 15-member council from
Thailand, where she has been meeting regional leaders. She hopes
to travel to Myanmar but the military has yet to approve a
visit.
"The general administration of the state could risk coming to a
standstill as the pro-democracy movement continues in spite of
the ongoing use of lethal force, arbitrary arrests and torture
as part of the military's repression," Schraner Burgener said,
according to diplomats.
She told diplomats that reports of a continuing crackdown risked
undermining momentum toward ending the crisis following a
meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) on April 25 with the junta leader, Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing.
Schraner Burgener, expressing concern about rising violence,
cited reports of bomb attacks and of civilians, mostly students
from the urban areas, getting weapons training from ethnic
minority insurgents.
U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said Min Aung Hlaing had used the summit
as a "propaganda ploy".
"Indeed, he tried to appear to be what he is not - a legitimate
leader," Andrews said in a post on Twitter.
"The good news: Those who ARE legitimate are ready to engage:
the National Unity Government."
Ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi's party, politicians
representing ethnic minorities and democracy activists set up
the unity government but it has yet to win the international
recognition it says it is due.
The U.N. Security Council reiterated its "deep concern" at the
situation and its support for Myanmar's democratic transition.
The council has issued several statements since the coup but
diplomats say Russia and China are likely to prevent any
stronger council action against Myanmar.
(Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing
by Stephen Coates)
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