This handout photo taken and released by Dawei Watch on April 2, 2021 shows a protester holding an overturned alms bowl during a demonstration against the military coup in Dawei. - AFP
YANGON, April 2 (dpa): Hundreds of people in Myanmar laid flowers in public places on Friday in memory of the victims of the violent military clampdown following the February coup.
Organisers called for a "flower strike" saying these should be laid in places such as parks and bus stops in remembrance of "heroes who can't come back home."
Many people in Yangon went to parks and bus stops to lay flowers in tribute.
The words "Myanmar bleeds" were written in flowers on a large sign in Yangon.
"Fallen, but not forgotten. Rest in power to all our sisters and brothers," one protester wrote on social media, sharing images of flowers at a bus stop.
The flowers are being placed in honour of fallen souls across the country, protester Kyaw Zin told dpa. He said further protests against the junta were planned.
AFP also reported that Myanmar's junta faced fresh international criticism Friday over the deaths of more than 40 children and the "forced disappearance" of hundreds of people in its crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
The military's ruthless suppression of demonstrations against its February 1 power grab has left 543 civilians dead, including 44 children, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a local monitoring organisation.
As well as breaking up protests with tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds, security forces have detained some 2,700 people.
Violence has ramped up in recent weeks, with Save the Children saying the death toll of youngsters had more than doubled in the past 12 days.
"We are shocked that children continue to be among the targets of these fatal attacks, despite repeated calls to protect children from harm," the charity said in a statement.
"It is especially horrifying that several of these children were reportedly killed at home, where they should have been safe from harm."
The authorities have made numerous arrests during night raids on the homes of people suspected of supporting the rallies or the civil disobedience movement that has sprung up aimed at stopping the military from running the country.
Human Rights Watch said the junta had "forcibly disappeared" hundreds of people, refusing to confirm their location or allow access to lawyers.
"The military junta's widespread use of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances appears designed to strike fear in the hearts of anti-coup protesters," said HRW's Asia director Brad Adams.
"Concerned governments should demand the release of everyone disappeared and impose targeted economic sanctions against junta leaders to finally hold this abusive military to account."
After civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a clear majority in elections last November, the military staged a coup, arguing the election had been rigged.
Suu Kyi was arrested and has since then been imprisoned.
The military junta has brought an additional charge against the ousted leader, Suu Kyi's lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told dpa on Friday.
The charge is based on a colonial-era law against violating state secrets, but the exact accusation against her remains unclear.
"Anyone convicted of this law can be punished with up to 14 years in prison," the lawyer said.
The military has violently cracked down on protesters and according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a non-profit, at least 543 people have been killed by military forces since the coup.
The victims include more than 40 children, according to Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation.
Telecommunications companies reported that the military had further restricted the internet, with access having largely been blocked on a nightly basis for the past weeks. There have also recently been restrictions during the day.
Activists have circulated apps allowing people to keep following developments offline.
Peaceful protests continue in cities throughout the country including in the regions of Mandalay, Magway, Bago and Sagaing and Kayah state.
Political analyst Richard Horsey said there was a risk of state collapse, in a comment for International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organisation
"Regime shows no sign of wanting to get out of crisis. Outside world has limited leverage, but must impose arms embargoes, sanctions on military, and prepare for huge humanitarian/development needs," he tweeted.
Earlier, the UN Security Council (UNSC) condemned the use of violence against protesters amid ongoing violence in Myanmar.
"The Members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation, and strongly condemned the use of violence against peaceful protestors and the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including women and children," said the most powerful United Nations body on Thursday.
The council reiterated a call for the Myanmar military to "exercise utmost restraint" and for the release of Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
The opinion of the 15-member committee is unlikely to affect the escalating situation in Myanmar.
According to diplomats, China in particular resisted stronger wording.
The UNSC has met several times in light of the excessive use of force against protesters across Myanmar.
Violence at the hands of the military junta reached a peak last weekend with nationwide protests resulting in more than 100 people dead. -dpa
