UN: Violence up in Myanmar ahead of military-controlled elections

GENEVA (dpa): Violence is on the rise in war-torn Myanmar ahead of planned "military-controlled" elections in the country later this week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned.

"The military authorities in Myanmar must stop using brutal violence to compel people to vote, and stop arresting people for expressing any dissenting views," Volker Türk said in a statement.

Civilians are also facing threats from armed rebel groups opposing the election set to take place on Sunday, Türk said.

Myanmar has been mired in violence and chaos since a military coup in February 2021 that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.

UN special rapporteur for Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has described the election as neither free nor fair.

Three youths were sentenced to prison terms of 42 to 49 years after attempting to put up election posters near the port city of Yangon, Türk reported.

A director, an actor and a comedian were sentenced to several years in prison for criticizing an election propaganda film made by the junta, according to the UN.