Fortify Rights accuses regime of war crimes in Sagaing Region
Regional human rights group Fortify Rights reported on Tuesday that military personnel killed six civilians in Sipar village of Budalin Township, Sagaing Region, on Oct. 17. The soldiers then allegedly decapitated three of the dead in an apparent attempt to instill fear among others. It accused the regime of committing war crimes under international law and called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the attack.
“These horrific violations demonstrate how the junta continues to terrorize the Myanmar people with impunity,” said Sai Arkar, a human rights associate at Fortify Rights. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing in November. The regime leader is accused of forced deportation of the Rohingya to Bangladesh during 2016-17 military operations in northern Arakan State.
A 2019 case brought by The Gambia against Burma for genocide against the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is still ongoing. “If the U.N.’s highest judicial organ has found [the military] guilty of genocide, it will be that much harder for them to find international recognition,” Chris Gunness, the director of the Myanmar Accountability Project, told DVB.
Democratic Karen Benevolent Army ‘closes’ gambling rings
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) has announced a closure of over 60 gambling and gaming centers under its management in Myawaddy Township of Karen State on Jan. 31. It added that these centers have been supporting the ethnic armed group financially. Myawaddy is located along the Burma-Thai border 80 miles (128 km) east of the Karen State capital of Hpa-An.
The township is reportedly home to over 120 gambling and gaming operations. “They closed temporarily due to upcoming exams and complex political issues,” a source in the DKBA told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The source added that the DKBA relies on gambling rings as its main source of income. “I think only around a third of the centers have been closed,” a Myawaddy resident told DVB.
The DKBA and the Karen Border Guard Force, which was renamed as the Karen National Army (BGF/KNA), along with the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, said that they had shut down gambling rings in December during the Karen New Year. DVB was unable to contact the BGF/KNA, or the KNU/KNLA PC, for comment on gambling centers in areas of Myawaddy under their control.
Thailand cuts power to Myanmar cyber scam centers
Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) stated on Tuesday that it will halt the supply of power to towns on the Burma side of its 1,501 mile (2,416 km) long shared border, where cyber scam centers are reportedly operating. This includes Karen State’s Shwe Kokko and Payathonzu (aka Three Pagodas Pass), as well as Shan State’s Tachilek.
“We must take action to cut off the electricity immediately,” Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, told Thai media. Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy Township is located across the border from Mae Sot, Tak Province of Thailand. Payathonzu in Kyain Seikgyi Township is adjacent to Nong Lu in Kanchanaburi Province. Tachileik Township is next to Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province.
The regime in Naypyidaw accused “other countries” of providing electricity to cyber scam operations in Burma on Jan. 20. This was a veiled reference to Thailand’s involvement in powering scam centers in these towns. The Chinese Embassy announced on Jan. 21 that “Operation SEAGULL,” a multinational law enforcement initiative, will target transnational crime along Burma’s border with China and Thailand.
News by Region
YANGON—Yangon ranked second on IQAir’s list of the most polluted major cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 183, which is categorized as “unhealthy” on Monday. IQAir, an air quality technology company, ranked the city 13th on the same list with an AQI of 154, which is considered unhealthy for breathing, on Wednesday.
“The updraft is weak due to colder air during the cold season, causing PM2.5, PM10, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide to remain closer to the ground,” Win Naing, an independent meteorologist, told DVB. He added that particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometers or smaller can cause respiratory problems.
The Rangoon Scout Network and Mandalay Strike Group, pro-democracy groups based in the country’s two largest cities: Yangon and Mandalay, announced on Tuesday that more than 700 youth were arrested in January. Among them were 475 youths from seven townships in Yangon. Fifty-eight were later released.
“Forty-eight of them were arrested after their names were on a list for [military] conscription,” a member of the Rangoon Scout Network told DVB. At least 237 youth from seven townships in Mandalay were also arrested. Among them were women and LGBTQ+. The groups told DVB that they expect more arrests.
SHAN—The Pa-O National Defence Force – Kham Kaung (PNDF-KK) claimed that it provided medical attention to more than 230 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from three remote villages in Pinlaung, Pekon and Paunglaung towns of southern Shan State from Jan. 23-25. IDPs from southern Shan and neighbouring Karenni State have taken refuge there.
“The main challenge is transportation,” said Khun Aik Naung, the PNDF-KK spokesperson. “Unlike before we couldn’t take our time treating patients because of the risk of airstrikes and artillery attacks.” He added that the PNDF-KK will provide medical care for IDPs once per month despite the challenge with logistics and shortage of medicine.
ARAKAN—Mrauk-U Township residents told DVB that the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) under the Arakan Army (AA) has conducted surprise checks for alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. All of which have been banned in townships under AA control since December. Mrauk-U is located 88 miles (142 km) northeast of the Arakan State capital Sittwe.
“The AA inspected some stores and restaurants that sell those products,” a Mrauk-U resident told DVB. The AA stated that it will take action against individuals selling banned substances. It now has control of 14 out of Arakan’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chinland. The AA has begun administering territories under its control with a judiciary and public services available in certain townships.
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