Use of Violence in Myanmar Unacceptable: Foreign Affairs Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Myanmar military's use of violence against anti-coup protesters is unacceptable, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has said.

She made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu in Tokyo on Monday, where they discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern.

"Indonesia strongly rejects the (Myanmar) security force's use of violence, which led to the death of more than 100 people on March 27, 2021," Marsudi said in an online press statement on Tuesday.

Stating that Japan shared Indonesia’s concerns on the latest developments in Myanmar, she called for an immediate halt to the use of violence to avoid further tragedy and appealed to the conflicting parties to hold dialogs.

"Only by holding dialogs can Myanmar resolve its problem," Marsudi remarked.

Meanwhile, in a written statement released by the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Motegi strongly denounced the situation in Myanmar, which has claimed several lives.

He said he warmly welcomed ASEAN's efforts to help resolve the situation in Myanmar, adding he respected Indonesia's chairmanship in the effort.

"By always respecting the non-interference principle, since the beginning ASEAN has offered assistance to Myanmar," Marsudi said.

"Dialogs must be revived to restore democracy, peace and stability in Myanmar," she added.

At least 510 civilians have lost their lives during the two months of anti-coup demonstrations in Myanmar, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

The association also noted that Saturday (March 27, 2021) was the bloodiest day of the anti-coup demonstrations, marked by the death of 141 demonstrators.

Of the 14 fatalities in Myanmar on Monday (March 29, 2021), at least eight deaths were reported in South Dagon district, Yangon, where security forces reportedly used caliber weapons, which are far heavier than the regular weapons used to remove barricades of sandbags, according to eyewitness accounts.

Read: Troops Fire at Funeral as Myanmar Mourns Bloodiest Day Since Coup

ANTARA