A girl who was just 6 years and 3 months old was shot dead in her home in Myanmar on March 23, becoming the youngest victim among 320 killed by the military regime’s forces in 53 days.
The little girl’s death came just a day after a 14-year-old boy was also shot dead at his home. The killing of two children in their homes in as many days left the whole country horrified.
As of Thursday, the death toll has reached 320, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Since the military coup on Feb. 1, more than 20 children have been killed in Myanmar during deadly crackdowns by the regime’s forces on opponents of the coup. Some died during protests, others lost their lives in random shootings and raids on residences. The death toll of minors could climb higher as the ages of several victims could not be confirmed.
“We are horrified that children continue to be among the targets of these fatal attacks on peaceful protesters,” Save The Children said in an official statement, calling on security forces to end deadly attacks against protesters immediately.
“The death of these children is especially concerning given that they reportedly were killed while being at home, where they should have been safe from harm. The fact that so many children are being killed on an almost daily basis now shows a complete disregard for human life by security forces,” it added.
Here are brief profiles of 21 of the children slain by the regime’s troops during their violent assaults against protesters since February
Pho Htee, 16
March 24, Mandalay Region
He was shot dead when soldiers and police entered his neighborhood and opened fire indiscriminately in retaliation for residents’ banging of pots and pans, which has become a popular nightly form of protest against the military regime that citizens across the country engage in simultaneously.
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Khin Myo Chit, 6 years and 3 months old
March 23, Mandalay Region
The little girl ran into her father’s arms when soldiers and police kicked in the door and broke into her family home during a raid in their neighborhood in Chanmyathazi Township of Mandalay region. She said, “Ah Pa, I am scared,” as she sat frightened on her dad’s lap. Her sister said the junta’s troops told the girl, “This is not scared,” then shot her. Her father ran to seek medical treatment, but the child died on the way before she could reach a clinic. Her father said her last words were “It’s too painful.” Her 19-year-old brother was also hit and taken away from home during the raid.
Soldiers later returned in an attempt to take away the child’s body, but the family had already gone into hiding in fear of exactly that. Khin Myo Chit was buried at a Muslim cemetery with close relatives present on March 24.
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Tun Tun Aung, 14
March 22, Mandalay Region
The boy was fatally shot in the chest by the regime’s forces when he strayed out of the house to fill up water in front of the house while helping his mom with household chores. The killing came during an attack near a low-cost housing complex in Chanmyathazi Township of Mandalay Region. At the time of the shooting, no protests were taking place anywhere near the area. His family had to hold his funeral urgently because troops tried to seize the body.
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Moe Htet Wyne, 15
March 23, Mandalay Region
He was shot dead. No further details are yet known.
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Zaw Myo Htet, 16
March 21, Mandalay Region
A high school student, he was shot dead on the night of March 22 by security forces when he was looking around outside a tea shop where he worked in Chanayethazan Township of Mandalay Region. The native of Bago Region came to work as a waiter at the tea shop just two days before his death. He was working to earn money for his family while waiting for school to reopen. His body was taken forcibly the next day by the regime’s forces, claiming they needed to conduct an autopsy. Like many others, he was shot in the head.
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Aung Kaung Htet, 15
March 20, Yangon Region
His neighbors remembered the high school student as a “very active boy” who had taken part in every anti-regime protest in the area since February. He was shot by soldiers and police in Yangon’s Thaketa Township when they opened fire on anti-regime protesters in the area who were already dispersing. A bullet pierced Aung Kaung Htet’s cheek before exiting through his neck. Despite being rushed to a hospital, the boy didn’t make it.
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Thida Aye, 16
March 15, Mandalay Region
The teenager was shot dead in a house in the village of Chaunggyi, Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, at midday on March 15. The teenager had gone to stay at a friend’s home after hearing gunshots in the village. But while in the house, the girl was shot twice by a sniper who was on a hill some 1,000 feet from the village, her father said. She died soon afterwards. She was taken to a hospital in Singu Village and buried there as her family feared soldiers would grab the body if they brought it back to Chaunggyi.
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Yan Myo Aung, 16
March 15, Mandalay Region
He was shot dead when the regime’s forces opened fire with live rounds on anti-coup protesters in Myingyan Township of Mandalay Region. He wrote on his Facebook page that he had to fight as he didn’t want to live in darkness with no future.
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Aung Myo Zaw, 17
March 15, Mandalay Region
He was killed when he was shot in the chest by the regime’s forces. Security forces had opened fire with live rounds on anti-coup protesters in Myingyan Township of Mandalay region.
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Min Min Oo, 16
March 14, Mandalay Region
He received a fatal shot to the head while driving a motorcycle on March 14, and his body was taken away by the junta’s forces after he was killed. A funeral was conducted for him on March 20, even though security forces have not yet returned his body.
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Zue Wint War, 15
March 14, Yangon Region
The high school student died on the spot after she was shot in the head during a nighttime raid in South Dagon Township of Yangon Region. Her family shared her handwritten note, which said, “If I die in a protest, don’t rescue my body and leave it. And Keep Fight. If our revolution [succeeds], I will be happy to die.”
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Hein Htet Aung, 17
March 14, Ayeyarwady Region
The teenager was shot dead by soldiers and police in Pathein Township of Ayeyarwady Region on the night of March 14.
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Khant Nyar Hein, 17
March 14, Yangon Region
The first-year medical student was shot down on the street by the regime’s troops in Tamwe Township while he was taking part in a protest. Another protester tried to save him, but the police dragged his body away. The protester who attempted to save him was also arrested. The body of the teenager, who was an ethnic Chinese, was returned to the family later. “He was shot three times. How could he survive that? I’m so proud of my son. He hadn’t even turned 18 yet,” his grieving mother said at the funeral.
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Kyaw Zayar Htun, 17
March 14, Yangon Region
He was killed after being shot in the eyes and thigh by soldiers and police during a crackdown in front of a high school in Shwe Pyi Thar Township of Yangon Region. He was always on the front lines of the anti-coup protests.
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Hlaing Jack Maung, 16
March 14, Yangon Region
The grade 9 student was shot dead by soldiers and police during a crackdown on a strike in front of a high school in Shwe Pyi Thar Township of Yangon Region.
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Kyal Sin Hein, 16
March 14, Yangon Region
A grade 9 student who was always on the front line of anti-coup protests, he was killed after being shot in the head by soldiers and police during a bloody crackdown in Hlaing Tharyar Township. The boy’s body was taken away by the security forces and was not returned for the funeral.
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Min Khant Kyaw, a.k.a, Phoe Thae, 17
March 3, Sagaing Region
He was shot in the head during a crackdown on an anti-coup protest in Monywa city of Sagaing Region. The teenager had been volunteering in a rescue group, helping other protesters escape the violent crackdowns in previous protests. He posted a message to his parents three days before his death, apologizing for making them worry while he was away from home with the protests. He wrote that he would fight against the regime until the end because he did not want to live under the military’s boot.
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Nay Myo Aung, 16
March 3, Mandalay Region
He was killed when soldiers and police opened fire on residents who had assembled to reject the junta’s opening of a ward administrative office in Pyigyetagon Township of Mandalay region.
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Thiha Zaw, a.k.a Naung Naung, 16
March 2, Magwe Region
He was shot dead when the regime’s troops came into his ward in Taungdwingyi Township and opened fire.
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Sithu Soe, 17
February 28, Bago Region
He was fatally shot in the head by soldiers and police in a violent crackdown on an anti-coup protest in Bago Region.
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Wai Yan Tun, 16
February 20, Mandalay Region
He was shot in the head and died instantly during a crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Mahaaungmyay Township of Mandalay Region. His skull was fractured. Locals reported that he was shot by a military sniper while rescuing wounded protesters who had been shot.
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