FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah stated that ASEAN must engage with the National Unity Government (NUG) and National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and other stakeholders. “To improve humanitarian efforts, Malaysia recommended ASEAN to consider the Inclusive Humanitarian Donor Forum proposed by the NUG to support ASEAN’s efforts on humanitarian assistance.” ASEAN leaders will meet to discuss these recommendations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Nov. 11.
International Justice mechanisms must hold Burma accountable
Kyaw Moe Tun, Burma’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring justice to Burma. He made these remarks at the 21st Plenary Meeting of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 27. He stated that the junta continues to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The National Unity Government (NUG) welcomes the ICJ case brought by The Gambia against Burma for the genocide committed by the Burma Army against the Rohingya. Kyaw Moe Tun said that the NUG has informed the ICJ that it would accept any ruling made by the court and, if in power, it would hold perpetrators accountable.
CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia Calls for Immediate Sanctions
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw/National Unity Government (CRPH/NUG) Support Group Australia has urged the Australian government to enact sanctions against Burma’s junta. CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia visited the Australian Parliament House and met with 16 MPs and senators from all political parties. The group met with seven out of 16 senators and discussed the detention of Australian economist Sean Turnell in Burma, along with the junta’s planned election, and economic sanctions. “It needs to be said clearly that the Australia Labor Party has stood for the truth,” Dr. Hla Yin Chaw from the CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia told DVB. Australia is scheduled to co-host the ADMM-plus conference on military medicine in Brunei on Nov. 2. The junta is scheduled to attend.
News by Region
KAREN—The 17th Congress of the Karen National Union (KNU) that was planned to be held on Oct. 24 has been postponed indefinitely due to escalating clashes and airstrikes. The congress is typically held every four years and was originally scheduled to be held at the end of 2020 but was repeatedly delayed due to the military coup and COVID-19. Read more here.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) seized Kyaik Don Myoma police station in Kyainseikgyi Township on Oct. 29. A shootout occurred and a police officer was killed, according to the KNLA.
KACHIN—Two political prisoners, including one journalist, were released from Hpakant Prison on Oct. 28, according to locals. In Hpakant Township, 44 anti-coup protesters have been charged under Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code.
MANDALAY—The Burma Army tried to intimidate people participating in a “blackout strike” from 8:30 to 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 28. “Before dark, security forces are everywhere. They put their soldiers around the moat, Sein Pan and Myo Thit wards. They patrolled in the town with the vehicles,” a resident told DVB. Residents of Yangon and other cities also joined the strike by turning off every light, staying in the dark, and praying for those killed during the junta’s airstrike that killed 60 in Hpakant, Kachin State on Oct.23.
SAGAING—People living in Paraima village have been trapped for the last 24 hours as the Burma Army conducted its offensive in Myaung Township on Oct. 28. “I don’t know exactly why they attacked the village or if they were fighting with the People’s Defense Force (PDF). People who could run were able to flee as the attack occurred at night time,” a villager said. The Burma Army also set fire to houses. “They are fighting with the PDFs. Around 7 a.m. a jet fighter attacked the village and after 15 minutes another jet opened fire. Later, they deployed soldiers inside the village school. Some villagers were injured due to those attacks but no PDF members were harmed,” Bo Tauk Tun, leader of Myaung PDF told DVB.
Three civilians were killed in an attack by an unidentified group on a garage located in Monywa’s Nadawon ward on Oct. 29. “Three dead bodies with gunshot wounds were sent to Monywa Hospital. I don’t know why and how,” a source told DVB. There have been six killed in Monywa over the last 30 days, according to locals.
SHAN/WA—The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) sent its condolences to those killed at A Nong Pa, in Hpakant Township, on Oct. 23. The two Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) are based in eastern Shan and Wa States. Both are calling for ethnic reconciliation and a peaceful solution to Burma’s political crisis.
