ICRC urges security forces to refrain from use of lethal force after weekend of bloodshed

By DMG 29 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
29 March 2021, Yangon

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Myanmar has urged security forces “to take all possible measures to ensure that the use of force and firearms is strictly controlled,” following a weekend in which scores of people were reportedly killed by police and military personnel. 

“Law enforcement officials may only use force when this is absolutely necessary and when all feasible precautions have been taken to ensure respect for human life,” the ICRC’s Myanmar office said in a statement on March 28.

“The lethal use of firearms must be avoided — unless this is strictly necessary to protect people against an imminent threat to life and when all other less extreme measures are insufficient,” the statement added.

The ICRC also emphasised the need to give injured people unimpeded access to prompt and adequate medical care.

“The ICRC reiterates that all those arrested or detained must be treated humanely: their lives, physical integrity and dignity must be respected and protected in all circumstances,” said the statement.

Saturday was reportedly the bloodiest day since the Myanmar military staged a coup on February 1, prompting mass street protests and subsequent violent crackdowns on demonstrators in cities across the country. Several estimates put the number of fatalities nationwide on March 27 at greater than 100. 

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 510 people were “confirmed killed by this junta coup” since February 1.