New Zealand's government has condemned the execution of four political activists by Myanmar's military regime as a "barbaric act".
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Phyo Zeya Thaw, Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were all executed yesterday, accused in a closed-doors trial of helping militias fight the army which seized power in a coup last year.
They are Myanmar's first executions since 1988.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand had a long-standing opposition to the death penalty under all circumstances.
"This was a barbaric act by Myanmar's military regime. New Zealand condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms," she said in a statement.
"Our sympathies are with the families and loved ones of the victims."
She told reporters she had been "absolutely disturbed" to hear about the executions.
"We put out a statement of condemnation because this is an action that we cannot tolerate ... it's tragic that things have gotten to this point."
She said New Zealand favoured a de-escalation of violence and a return to democracy, and called for Myanmar's military regime to put an end to violence, release all political prisoners, and adhere to the five-point consensus laid out by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) group.
Diplomatic efforts have also included contact with Myanmar's embassy in Australia, and raising the topic at the UN Human Rights Council session in June.
"Aotearoa New Zealand condemns the military coup in Myanmar and the on-going violence against civilians."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also strongly condemned the executions, saying they mark a further deterioration "of the already dire human rights environment in Myanmar.
Guterres also called for all "arbitrarily detained prisoners" to be immediately released, including former President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.