The Three Brotherhood Alliance has criticised the execution of four political prisoners by the military regime, which threatens to further isolate them.

“It is also totally against the ASEAN 5-point proposal...It is also against the path of national reconciliation proposed by the (ruling) State Administration Council (SAC),” said a 27 July joint statement by member groups, Palaung State Liberation Army/Ta'ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), United League of Arakan/Arakan Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.

“They want to send a message that they will show no tolerance and kill activists if they oppose them,” said PSLF/TNLA spokesperson Lt Col Mai Aik Kyaw, but if they may cause more resistance with this action and the armed groups will attack them. They will also be isolated even more by the international community.

The executions of Jimmy, Phyo Zayar Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw have shocked the nation. Many people did not expect that the regime would actually go through with it.

Jimmy, a veteran of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, and Phyo Zayar Thaw, a former National League for Democracy MP, were sentenced to death for allegedly plotting to attack regime targets and have been in prison since their arrest last year.

“The execution of the political prisoners may have an impact on the ongoing civil war. SAC must be ready to bear full responsibility for whatever the consequences are,” said the Three Brotherhood Alliance, offering condolences to the family members of the deceased.

Alliance members are also part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee, which includes the United Wa State Army, the Kachin Independence Organisation, the Shan State Progress Party, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army.