(Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday condemned violence against Myanmar protesters and called on the army to show restraint, but failed to denounce the military takeover as a coup or threaten further action due to opposition from China and Russia.<\/p>\n
More than 60 protesters have been killed and some 2,000 people have been detained by security forces since the Feb. 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group said.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, security forces firing teargas and rubber bullets trapped hundreds of anti-junta protesters late into the night in two districts of Yangon.<\/p>\n
Some protesters who managed to evade blockades set up by police in surrounding streets told of scores of arrests and said that some of those who got caught were beaten.<\/p>\n
In a bid to increase pressure on the military as it continues its crackdown, the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two children of military leader Min Aung Hlaing and six companies they control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe indiscriminate violence by Burma\u2019s security forces against peaceful protesters is unacceptable,\u201d said Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Andrea Gacki.<\/p>\n
Campaign group Justice for Myanmar said in January that Min Aung Hlaing, who has been commander in chief since 2011, had \u201cabused his power to benefit his family, who have profited from their access to state resources and the military\u2019s total impunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UK is also exploring fresh sanctions, foreign minister Dominic Raab said in a tweet.<\/p>\n
In New York, the United Nations Security Council said in a statement that it \u201cstrongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters, including against women, youth and children.<\/p>\n
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