UN warns Myanmar against harsh response to protesters Reuters February 16 | Updated on February 16, 2021 × UN envoy tells deputy chief of junta heavy-handed response likely to bring ‘severe consequences’; Army says people welcome security patrols; Suu Kyi being held on remand until Wednesday The United Nations special envoy has warned Myanmar’s army of "severe consequences" for any harsh response to protesters demonstrating against this month's coup in a call with the military leadership, a UN spokesman said. Despite the deployment of armoured vehicles and soldiers to some major cities at the weekend, protesters have kept up demonstrations to denounce the February 1 takeover and demand the release of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others.