The international community pleaded for restraint Monday after at least 11 more anti-coup protesters were killed in Myanmar, as demonstrators returned to the streets to demand restored democracy despite an increasingly bloody crackdown by the military.
The United Nations, the United States, China and Britain all condemned the violence, which the UN said has claimed the lives of at least 138 "peaceful protesters" -- including women and children -- since the generals ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
So far Myanmar's generals have shown no signs of heeding calls for restraint.
The deadliest day yet came Sunday, when more than three dozen demonstrators were killed as security forces cracked down on pro-democracy rallies.
But the killings did not stop demonstrators, who came out again Monday only to once again face what witnesses said was lethal force by the junta.
Those killed on Monday were shot dead in several locations in the country's central regions.
"Two men were killed because of gunshots and six others were injured," a witness in Magway region's Aunglan town told AFP, adding that one of the dead was shot in the chest.
"He was right besides me. Another one got shot in his head."
"The junta has responded to call for the restoration of democracy in Burma with bullets," State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters Monday, using another name for Myanmar and labelling the Sunday attacks "another new low."
"The United States continues to call on all countries to take concrete actions to oppose the coup, and escalating violence," she added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for the international community "including regional actors, to come together in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday.
UN envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener also condemned Sunday's bloodshed, while the country's former colonial ruler Britain said it was "appalled" by the use of force "against innocent people".
