UN envoy warns of ‘imminent’ bloodbath in Myanmar

The United Nations’s special envoy for Myanmar is warning of an “imminent bloodbath” two months after the nation’s military seized control in a coup.

Christine Schraner Burgener told the U.N. Security Council that it needs to consider “potentially significant action” to avoid an imminent bloodbath amid widespread pro-democracy protests, Reuters reported.

“Consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multi-dimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia,” she said, according to the news service.

Myanmar’s military has killed hundreds of protesters and jailed political opponents since taking over the country on Feb. 1.

Myanmar’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other National League of Democracy party members that won the November election have been detained and face charges.

Charges against Suu Kyi have been raised to violating the official secrets law and could result in 14 years in prison if she is convicted, according to Reuters, which noted that her lawyer has said the charges are trumped up.

The military has also killed more than 500 pro-democracy demonstrators who have been protesting since the coup.

The deadly attacks by the military have increased in recent weeks, with 114 protesters being killed on Saturday. Forces also opened fire on a funeral on Sunday.

Myanmar’s military has been condemned internationally, and is facing sanctions related to the coup and its treatment of protesters.