THE Myanmar junta’s move to impose death sentences on four people, including two prominent activists, marks the start of what may be a spate of capital punishments, warned United Nations (UN) experts today.

UN special rapporteurs in Myanmar Morris Tidball-Binz and Thomas Andrews called for increased “international pressure on the brutal military regime”, according to Anadolu Agency.

“The illegitimate military junta is providing the international community with further evidence of its disregard for human rights as it prepares to hang pro-democracy activists.

“These death sentences, handed down by an illegitimate court of an illegitimate junta, are a vile attempt at instilling fear among the people of Myanmar.”

One of the four people is an ex-National League for Democracy MP, while another is a leader of the 88 Generation activist group that stood up to the regime of ex-dictator Ne Win.

The condemned individuals were reportedly tried and convicted in military tribunals, and left without access to legal counsel during their appeals, which were rejected.

They were sentenced to death on charges of treason and terrorism in January. If the executions proceed, they will be the first judicial executions in Myanmar since 1988.

The experts urged the international community to exert greater pressure on the junta in the face of increasing human rights violations, reported Anadolu Agency.

“Without imposing serious costs on the junta for its attacks on fundamental rights, we should expect increasing numbers of these death penalty pronouncements.”

The international community – chiefly UN member states and its security council – needs to demonstrate that these actions will not go unpunished, they added.

They also said more needs to be done to target the junta’s needs for money, weapons and legitimacy.

“The junta-announced decision to execute the activists illustrates how the junta seeks to use all state apparatuses to persecute those who oppose its attempt to return Myanmar to military authoritarian rule.”

The experts pointed out that the death penalty pronouncements are taking place alongside the extrajudicial killings of civilians, estimated to stand at almost 2,000.

The Martial Law Order 3/2021, illegitimately decreed by the Myanmar junta in March last year, provides for the application of the death penalty for 23 vague and broadly defined offenses. – Bernama, June 10, 2022.