Responding to the news of the death of Age 20 Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing, Shot on the head while wearing a motorcycle helmet by Myanmar police during protests in Nay Pyi Jackdaw on February 9, Amnesty International Crisis Response Director Joanne Marinersaid:
"This is the devastating consequence of security forces' reckless use of lethal weapons against peaceful protesters.
"Instead of issuing blanket denials, the Myanmar Army should launch an immediate, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into his murder and the excessive use of force by security forces ."
" As the protests continue to grow, Myanmar's security forces must stop carrying lethal weapons and must respect people's right to peacefully express their grievances . It is only a matter of time before the same brutal and abusive policing leads to more death and suffering."
Background
Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing 's family confirmed her passing on February 19, 2021.
On February 11, 2021, Amnesty International's crisis evidence experts analyzed social media footage of the February 9 protests during which he was shot, confirming that he was shot by police and identifying a model of submachine gun manufactured in Myanmar that was carried by police at the protest . Authorities deny that any lethal weapons were present.
The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials state that security forces must exhaust all non-violent means before using force as a last resort.