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Myanmar: Commission urges charges against Sagaing police

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Police bullets killed a local resident who died in a protest that turned violent last month, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission has found.


Police bullets killed a local resident who died in a protest that turned violent last month, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission has announced.

Daw Khin Win, 57, was shot dead and nine Chinese workers and 11 villagers wounded in clashes that broke out as local villagers pursued their long-running protest against the Letpadaung copper mine project.

The Commission's 14 January 2015 investigation report urged the government to take effective action against the police for failing to abide by approved security procedures in suppressing the December 22 protest, which erupted as workers for the China-backed Wanbao company tried to fence off farmland in preparation for an expansion of the project.

The report cited medical evidence that Daw Khin Win died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The police told the Commission they were forced to resort to the use of firearms during the protest because they had inadequate equipment, such as water cannon, to disperse the crowds.

The investigation by the Commission commenced on 29 December 2014 and was conducted by U Zaw Win, U Nyan Zaw and U Soe Phone Myint.

Their report concludes that the police action violated international human rights provisions governing the right to life, liberty and security of the person

The full report is available on the Commission's website.

Date: 19 January 2015

Source: Myanmar Times