Photo/Illutration A Myanmarese national living in Thailand holds photos of the recently executed political prisoners during a protest outside the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on July 26. (AP Photo)

Since seizing power in a February 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military junta has subjected the nation to oppression and bloodshed, the latest manifestation of which was the execution of four democracy activists--a truly egregious act that deserves widespread condemnation.

The junta went ahead with the executions in the face of outraged protests from the United States, Europe and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It was the country’s first use of capital punishment in decades, even during the years under past military dictatorships.

The Myanmar military justified the executions on grounds the condemned “incited violent and inhumane murders and other acts of terror, causing many innocent people to die.”

But this claim should be directed at none other than the Myanmar military, which, since the coup, has continued to ruthlessly open fire on citizens. According to a local human rights organization, more than 2,100 people have been killed by the security forces.

Among the four executed activists was a prominent pro-democracy leader and aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, who is being detained by the military.

Quite clearly, the junta’s intention is to intimidate protesters into submission.

More than 100 citizens are said to be on death row after being handed death sentences after the coup.

No court decision can be deemed legitimate under a military dictatorship that used force to take power. All outstanding orders for execution must be rescinded in Myanmar.

As a regional organ, ASEAN was seeking to intermediate between Myanmar’s military and pro-democracy forces.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose nation is ASEAN’s chair this year and has shown a degree of empathy for Myanmar’s military, sent a letter of warning last month to Myanmar’s senior general, Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Defence Services.

The junta disregarded all protests from the outside because it feels it has the backing of China and Russia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar this month for the first time since the coup, and agreed to strengthen bilateral economic relations. China used to show some consideration for Myanmar’s pro-democracy forces, but has now moved closer to the junta.

Immediately after Wang’s visit, Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia for talks on military cooperation and joint drills. Russia is Myanmar’s main arms supplier.

Myanmar must be feeling the effects of souring relations between two powerful blocs: China and Russia versus Europe and the United States. Myanmar, still a developing country, needs to understand the enormity of the cost of deepening its isolation from the rest of Southeast Asia. Calls for stricter action against Myanmar are bound to grow louder at the imminent ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting and the ASEAN summit this autumn.

Unlike the United States and Europe, Japan has maintained a communication channel with the junta. For example, Japan has a program for inviting Myanmar military members to Japan to study, and the National Defense Academy accepted four students this fiscal year.

But the program’s stated goal, to “enable (students) to understand democracy and civilian control,” is no longer valid.

It is time for Japan to change its attitude that has come under repeated criticism from pro-democracy activists and human rights organizations.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27

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