Myanmar's ruling military announced on Monday it had executed four democracy activists accused of aiding ‘terror acts’, sparking widespread condemnation of the country's first executions in decades.
Among those executed were democracy campaigner Kyaw Min Yu, better known as Jimmy, and former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw, an ally of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The two others executed were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw.
State media said "the punishment has been conducted", but did not say when, or by what method. Previous executions in Myanmar have been by hanging.
According to Reuters, United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called the executions a "cruel and regressive step" by the military that would "only deepen its entanglement in the crisis it has itself created."
Human Rights Watch’s acting Asia director Elaine Pearson said it was "an act of utter cruelty."
"The junta's barbarity and callous disregard for human life aims to chill the anti-coup protest movement," Pearson said.
The United States on Monday vowed to work with regional allies to hold the military accountable and called for a cessation of violence and release of political detainees.
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the Burmese military regime's heinous execution of pro-democracy activists and elected leaders," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), last month sent a letter of appeal to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing not to carry out the executions, relaying deep concern among Myanmar's neighbours.
France condemned the executions and called for dialogue among all parties, while Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said the executions would further isolate Myanmar.
China's foreign ministry urged all parties in Myanmar to properly resolve conflicts within its constitutional framework.
Richard Horsey, analyst of the International Crisis Group, said the executions will close off any chance of ending the unrest across Myanmar.
"This is the regime demonstrating that it will do what it wants and listen to no one," Horsey said.
"It sees this as a demonstration of strength, but it may be a serious miscalculation."