Death penalty given to 151 civilians by the military in Myanmar

19-04-2023

Aysu Amaha Öztürk

Myanmar and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

Since the beginning of the coup, the junta in Myanmar has already sentenced 151 civilians to death. According to the data of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an association recording human rights violations in Myanmar since the early 2000s. Most of those who were sentenced to death are young and male. The Association has emphasised the fact that young people were being targeted as they actively support the democracy movement across the country. Student union members and student activists are being sentenced to death (“151 civilians sentenced to death”, 2023). 

It is also important to note that these numbers are what the AAPP could find independently. When the AAPP contacted the regime spokesman, there was no response regarding the death sentences (“151 civilians sentenced to death”, 2023). It is possible that there may be many more deaths that are being hidden. Perhaps, they are recorded as natural deaths or those caused by conflict. The regime is prosecuting and imposing the death penalty on people who interfere with how they want to govern Myanmar (“151 civilians sentenced to death”, 2023). 

Myanmar has not ratified any specific treaties regarding the death penalty nor the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that provides the right to life (Ratification Status for Myanmar, 2023). However, it is still obliged to respect the right to life as it is customary international law (Gormley, 1987). Other scholars have also argued that the death penalty is not the norm and that states must take steps to abolish it (Heyns and Probert, 2016). Myanmar should immediately cease this action of putting civilians on death row as this is a breach of international customary law. 

Sources and further reading:

Human Rights Bodies. Ratification Status for Myanmar. United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies Database. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx?CountryID=119&Lang=EN

Heyns, C. and Probert, T. (2016, May 11). Securing the Right to Life: A cornerstone of the human rights system. Blog of the European Journal of International Law. https://www.ejiltalk.org/securing-the-right-to-life-a-cornerstone-of-the-human-rights-system

Gormley, P. (1987). The Right to Life in International Law. Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, 16(1), 191-197. 

151 civilians sentenced to death since coup, says Myanmar human rights group. (2023, April 18). BNI. https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/151-civilians-sentenced-death-coup-says-myanmar-human-rights-group