Myanmar Military to Execute Five Democracy Activists

A prominent Southeast Asian rights group has reported that Myanmar’s ruling military junta plans to execute five democracy activists on September 24, VOA reported yesterday.

This follows their conviction in May 2023 for alleged involvement in a deadly shooting on a train in Yangon. The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the executions, which were ordered after a closed-door trial in Insein Prison.

The activists faced charges including murder and illegal weapons possession. The group condemned the use of capital punishment to suppress dissent and called for their immediate release.

This marks the first death sentences from a civilian court since the military coup in February 2021, raising alarms about judicial integrity in Myanmar. International responses have been critical, with previous executions in July 2022 drawing widespread condemnation.