The seven countries of the bloc, as well as the High Representative of the European Union (EU), reiterated their condemnation of the military coup in Myanmar on 1 February and the increasingly violent repression of coup opponents.
“The use of ammunition against unarmed people is unacceptable. Anyone who responds to peaceful protests with violence must be brought to justice,” the G7 foreign ministers said in a statement.
“We condemn the intimidation and repression of coup opponents. We are concerned about the suppression of freedom of expression, including the disabling of the internet and the draconian changes in laws that suppress freedom of speech.”
The G7 called for an end to systematic attacks on protesters, doctors, civil society and journalists, and for the lifting of the junta’s state of emergency.
“We are united in condemning the coup in Myanmar. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained arbitrarily, including State Counselor Auna San Suu Kyi and President Vin Mining, and we continue to be with the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy and freedom, “said in a statement.
The Myanmar junta, which is facing increasing crackdown on opponents of the coup, is under new pressure from within itself and from the international community.
The US, the EU and the UK have stepped up sanctions, but demonstrations against the junta are becoming more widespread.
So far, three protesters have lost their lives. A man who was patrolling one of the city’s districts was shot dead in Yangon over the weekend to prevent arrests at night.
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