By Oluwaseun Sonde
The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, and the High Representative of the European Union, has strongly condemned the four executions by the military junta in Myanmar.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, while these executions, is the first in Myanmar in over thirty years, and the absence of fair trials show the junta’s contempt for the unwavering democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar.
Those executed were prominent members of the democratic opposition, democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu (known as “Ko Jimmy”), former Member of Parliament Phyo Zeyar Thaw, as well as Aung Thura Zaw and Hla Myo Aung.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the four victims and with those of the many others who have been killed, arrested or tortured in Myanmar since the military illegitimately took over power in February 2021.
"We continue to condemn in the strongest terms the military coup in Myanmar and express deep concern about the political, economic, social, humanitarian and human rights situation in the country".
The G7 Foreign Ministers called on the military regime to immediately end the use of violence, to refrain from further arbitrary executions, to free all political prisoners and those arbitrarily detained and to return the country to a democratic path.
"We continue to support efforts by ASEAN, and call for the military to meaningfully implement all aspects of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. This includes an inclusive process of dialogue with a broad range of democratic opposition.
"We also continue to support efforts by the United Nations, and encourage effective coordination between the ASEAN Special Envoy and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar".
UN Security Council condemns Myanmar military junta's executions
In another vein, members of the United Nations Security Council condemned the Myanmar military’s execution of opposition activists over the weekend.
The UN Security Council recalled the Secretary-General’s statement of 25 July 2022 and echoed his call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
While members of the Security Council called for the pursuance of dialogue with all parties concerned and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar and also called for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence.
Comments