Eight pro-democracy activists sentenced to 37 years
The Yadanabon University Students’ Union (YUSU) stated on Tuesday that its former chairperson, Htet Myat Aung, and seven other pro-democracy activists were sentenced to 30 years under the Election Protection Law and seven years under the Counter-Terrorism Law by a regime court on Monday.
“Protesting a fraudulent election is an act of courage, not a crime, and no 37-year sentence from an illegitimate junta can silence the fundamental right to speak out,” said Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a pro-democracy activist and Advocacy Coordinator for the Action Committee for Democracy Development (ACDD). The YUSU statement on July 28 condemned their “unfair” prison sentences.
The names of the seven others convicted haven’t been disclosed. Regime media has not yet reported on the sentencing of the eight student activists. Htet Myat Aung is one of 10 prominent democracy activists who were charged under the Election Protection Law for protesting against the regime’s 2025-26 elections in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township on Dec. 3. Read more on our website
Myanmar military escalates civilian killings, ACLED warns
Myanmar’s military has sharply escalated attacks on civilians since a new pro-military administration took office in Naypyidaw, a conflict monitor The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) Project reported on Monday, It added that the onslaught was a result of the tactics deployed by Burma’s new Commander-in-Chief Ye Win Oo, who took over on March 30–11 days before Min Aung Hlaing was inaugurated as president.
“Since the ruling junta in Myanmar reconfigured its military command structure in March, civilians have been subject to the military’s worsening repression and intensified aerial bombing campaign,” ACLED stated in its report published on July 27. “These adjustments included the regular deployment of specialised groups of two to five jet fighters executing sustained airstrikes against single targets.”
Under Ye Win Oo’s command, the military has launched renewed offensives into several regions, including a frontier area with critical rare earth deposits and other vital trade routes. “Reprieve for civilians is unlikely as the junta focuses its efforts on consolidating control following coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s transition from commander of the military to civilian president in April,” ACLED added. Read more on our website
Malaysia foreign minister calls for review of UNHCR
Malaysia should reconsider whether to allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to operate in the country unless it imposes stricter controls on issuing refugee documents, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Tuesday after authorities detained more than 100 Rohingya asylum seekers in Kuala Lumpur outside the agency’s office after being evicted from their homes in Penang state.
He said the government, through the home ministry, was currently working to ensure that the screening process for refugees was carried out jointly by the UNHCR and local authorities when issuing documentation. “We want cooperation and strict screening. If they do not want to cooperate, in my opinion, it is time for us to reconsider the presence of UNHCR in the country,” Hasan was quoted in state media.
The UNHCR office was attracting more refugees to Malaysia, including Rohingya from Burma, he added. The UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the minister’s remarks. The agency said in an earlier statement on Tuesday that it was working with authorities to protect the detained Rohingya and verify their documentation. Read more on our website
News by Region
ARAKAN—Residents in Minbya and Pauktaw townships told DVB that the Arakan Army (AA) unveiled new town entrance signs and held renaming ceremonies in the two towns on Tuesday. But the AA has not released any statement confirming that it has renamed Minbya and Pauktaw.
A resident living in Minbya, which was seized by the AA in 2024, told DVB on the condition of anonymity that nobody objected to the renaming. Minbya is located 38 miles (61 km) east of the state capital Sittwe. A renaming ceremony was also held by the AA in Pauktaw, located 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Minbya.
MANDALAY—Residents of Taungtha Township told DVB that unidentified armed men abducted the regime’s township immigration officer from her home in Thit Kone village on Tuesday. Taungtha is located 82 miles (132 km) southwest of the region’s capital. Resistance forces have seized partial control of Taungtha.
Residents claimed that the regime immigration officer was widely known for accepting bribes in connection with the issuance of the National Registration Card (NRC). They added that four armed men entered her home. Regime authorities are reportedly investigating the abduction.
SHAN—Residents in Mabein Township are in terror following two airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force that struck an urban ward on Tuesday, causing an unconfirmed number of civilian fatalities. A regime fighter jet targeted the town despite the absence of fighting in the area.
Mabein, located 217 miles (349 km) northwest of the regional capital Lashio and 149 miles (239 km) south of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters in Laiza, has been under KIA administrative control since it was seized in January 2024. Read more on our website
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