Death sentences handed down by secret Myanmar courts shock UN rights chief

Latest convictions bring total number of people sentenced to death to 139

Police stand guard as they wait for more protests against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Reuters

The UN's human rights chief on Friday expressed his shock that almost 140 people have been sentenced to death by closed-door tribunals in Myanmar since last year's military coup, with fresh convictions handed down this week.

“The military continues to hold proceedings in secretive courts in violation of basic principles of fair trial and contrary to core judicial guarantees of independence and impartiality,” Volker Turk said, calling for the suspension of all executions and a return to a moratorium on the death penalty in the country.

“Military courts have consistently failed to uphold any degree of transparency, contrary to the most basic due process or fair trial guarantees.”

On November 30, Myanmar’s military government handed down death sentences against seven students in Yangon for taking part in anti-regime protests and participating in the resistance against the junta’s rule.

Last February, democratically elected members of Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy were deposed by the military, returning the country to rule by junta after a brief experiment with democracy.

A demonstrator gestures near a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar. Reuters

A man carries a sandbag to erect a makeshift barricade, as security forces stage a crackdown on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Demonstrators are seen behind barricades during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Residents release balloons with messages relating to "R2P", or the "Responsibility to Protect" principle that the international community is justified in taking action against a state that is deemed to have failed to protect its population from atrocities, in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP

A resident receives medical attention after being injured during a crackdown by security forces on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Anti-coup protesters flash three-fingered gesture, a symbol of resistance, during a rally outside their homes in downtown Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo

A demonstrator looks on along burning debris during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA

Medical volunteers carry an injured protester who was shot during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters with flags take part in a demonstration against the military coup as they ride scooters through a rural part of Launglone township in Myanmar's Dawei district. AFP

The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters in Yangon. Getty Images

Mourners hold up the three-finger salute as they carry the coffin during the funeral of teenage protester Aung Kaung Htet in Yangon. AFP

Protesters take cover during clashes with security forces in Monywa. Reuters

Medical staff and students take part in an early morning protest against the military coup and crackdown by security forces on demonstrations in Mandalay. AFP

Tens of thousands took to the streets to protest against the military's actions. Thousands were killed in the ensuing crackdown and many more were detained.

About 1,700 of the 16,500 people arrested for opposing the coup have been tried and convicted in secret by ad hoc tribunals.

The latest convictions bring the total number of people sentenced to death to 139.

The UN has received reports of at least four additional death sentences that have been issued for youth activists.

Mr Turk said the actions of the military are not in keeping with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' “five-point consensus” that the body recently recommitted to upholding at a summit in November.