“As of 2 May, 765 people are now confirmed killed by this junta coup. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) compiled and documented 6 fallen heroes today. 2 from Hsipaw Town and Nawngcho Town in Shan State, 1 from Hpakant Town in Kachin State and 2 from Wetlet Town in Sagaing Region died on 2 May. 1 from Kutkai Town in Shan State was killed yesterday and documented today. This is the number verified by AAPP, the actual number of fatalities is likely much higher. We will continue adding as and when,” said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an independent non-profit organization founded by Burmese former political prisoners living in exile.

“As of May 2, a total of 3555 people are currently under detention; of them, 82 are sentenced. 1396 have been issued arrest warrants; of them, 20 were sentenced to death and 14 to three years imprisonment with hard labor, who are evading arrest. We are verifying the recently released detainees and continuing to document,” it added.

A coup d'état began in Myanmar on the morning of 1 February when democratically elected members of Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy, were deposed by the Tatmadaw—Myanmar's military—which vested power in a stratocracy.

The Tatmadaw proclaimed a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been vested in Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing. It declared the results of the November 2020 general election invalid and stated its intent to hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency.

The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected at the 2020 election, thereby preventing this from occurring.

President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers, their deputies, and members of Parliament.

Civil resistance efforts have emerged within the country, in opposition to the coup, in numerous forms, including acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes, a military boycott campaign, a pot-banging movement, a red ribbon campaign, public protests, and formal recognition of the election results by elected representatives. (ILKHA)