Prior to the military coup of 2021 Myanmar was regarded as "abolitionist in practice" by both Amnesty International and Death Penalty Watch. This was jeopardised on 1 February 2021 when the military overthrew the democratic government in a coup. On 14 March, the military declared martial law in selected regions of two largest cities (Yangon and Mandalay) and furthermore announced the introduction of a suite of new laws and penalties for insurrection and protest, including capital punishment. On 9 April 2021 state broadcaster Myawaddy TV announced that 23 protesters had been charged with murder, and pursuant to s496 of the criminal code, would face execution. The date of the execution was not announced, and it currently (as of 10 April) is unknown whether or how the sentences will be carried out. At least 17 of the convicted were tried in absentia and it is unclear how many have since been apprehended.
Prior to the military coup of 2021 Myanmar was regarded as "abolitionist in practice" by both Amnesty International and Death Penalty Watch. This was jeopardised on 1 February 2021 when the military overthrew the democratic government in a coup. On 14 March, the military declared martial law in selected regions of two largest cities (Yangon and Mandalay) and furthermore announced the introduction of a suite of new laws and penalties for insurrection and protest, including capital punishment. On 9 April 2021 state broadcaster Myawaddy TV announced that 23 protesters had been charged with murder, and pursuant to s496 of the criminal code would face execution. The date of the execution was not announced, and it currently (as of 10 April) is unknown whether or how the sentences, will be carried out. At least 17 of the convicted were tried in absentia and it is unclear how many have since been apprehended.