Over 1,000 people ‘killed by this junta coup,’ says AAPP

By DMG 18 Aug 2021

DMG Newsroom
18 August 2021, Sittwe

More than 1,000 people in Myanmar have been killed by security forces since the military coup on February 1, according to data compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

The AAPP has been documenting the death toll from security forces since the putsch more than six months ago.  

According to a Reuters report on Wednesday: “The military authorities have previously said the AAPP figures, widely cited by international organisations, are exaggerated.” The news organisation noted that a “spokesman for the ruling junta did not respond to a call to request comment.” 

The Myanmar military says several security personnel have been killed in clashes with protesters since the February 1 coup. The number of casualties compiled by the AAPP does not include any deaths of security forces. 

As of August 18, a total of 1,006 “are now confirmed killed by this junta coup,” an AAPP statement said. 

Semantically sensitive, the Myanmar military does not even accept the term “coup,” saying it took power in accordance with the 2008 Constitution. 

At least 7,338 people have been arrested by security forces and 5,730 are still detained, the AAPP said of the period from February 1 to August 18. 

Myanmar’s former civilian government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown by the military on February 1. Since then, there have been regular protests across the country against the junta that replaced Suu Kyi’s administration. Security forces have cracked down on the demonstrators, often brutally, and the protest movement has gradually transformed into a more organised and armed resistance.  

Local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have been formed in many areas and there have been several retaliatory attacks on junta troops. 

Meanwhile renewed fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Tatmadaw has plagued Myanmar’s border areas, and the nation’s economy has been plunged into crisis amid the political turmoil. 

A National Unity Government (NUG) was formed on April 16 by a group of activists, including members of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), which is composed mostly of ousted MPs-elect from the National League for Democracy (NLD), Suu Kyi’s political party.  

The NUG on May 5 announced the formation of an overarching, anti-junta PDF to protect regime opponents from harm, and as a precursor to an eventual federal army.