On 3 March 2021, large-scale anti-coup protests took place in North Okkalapa, a township in northern Yangon.

According to the UN and multiple media reports, Myanmar security forces deployed lethal force to suppress these protests, resulting in up to 32 deaths, 50 people injured and over 100 people arrested. There were multiple reports of attacks on those providing aid to protesters, including attacks on medical workers and facilities and a charitable organisation. While North Okkalapa was the strongest example of the crackdown on this particular day, it was not the only place this level of violence was witnessed. On the same day in other towns and cities across Myanmar, violent methods were also seen. For example, in Monywa our team verified graphic footage of Myanmar police officers dragging away the bodies of civilians that had been killed during protests.

Our investigation shows that live ammunition was used against protesters, and that there was a widespread effort to kill civilians that took part in pro-democratic protests. This was the start of what was to become a grim period of killings and attacks against the civilian community in Myanmar.

Read Myanmar Witness’ report for more information.