Interim Constitution for Sagaing Region faces criticism
Human Rights Myanmar, a collective of human rights experts in Burma, criticized the fourth draft of the 18 chapter Interim Constitution adopted by the Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw for “lacking civil and political rights and unclear wording which could lead to future violations” on Tuesday. The first draft was published on Oct. 25 and the fourth draft became law eight months later, on June 25.
It criticized the use of terms such as “public safety,” “hatred,” and “dignity”, describing them as “vague and subjective.” It drew parallels to the previous regime’s 2008 Constitution, highlighting that it also included vague wording in order to justify the suppression of dissent. It recommended banning the death penalty, and including comprehensive fair trial rights, the right to vote, and a right to access the internet.
It proposed a definition of emergency powers and judicial review. Sagaing Region was renamed the “Sagaing Federal Unit” after the Interim Constitution was adopted on June 25, retaining the same geographic territory as it had under the 2020 general election, which was overturned in the 2021 military coup. The Interim Constitution promises ethnic nationalities the right to establish Self-Administered Zones.
New pension rule forces seniors to obtain Unique ID
Pensioners told DVB that the regime Ministry of Immigration and Population now requires them to present the Unique Identity (UID), a 10-digit number card issued by the regime since late 2023, to collect their pensions starting this month. They previously only needed to present national registration cards to receive their pensions.
“My mother’s name was entered incorrectly on the application form. After a three week delay, I had to pay a bribe,” one pensioner told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The regime distributes pensions through the Myanma Economic Bank (MEB), which informed pensioners of the new rule at its branches on June 23.
Families of pensioners told DVB that the regime should provide a way for physically challenged senior citizens to complete the process without having to travel to the Immigration Department. Despite being a free service, sources accused regime officials of taking bribes from 5,000 MMK ($1.2 USD) to “speed up the process.”
Bangladesh party asks China to broker Rohingya repatriation
Bangladesh’s largest political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), called on China to mediate between Dhaka and Naypyidaw over the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Cox’s Bazar to Arakan State on Monday. A nine-member BNP delegation visited China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party June 22-27.
“During our recent visit to China, we called for a greater and more effective Chinese role in resolving the Rohingya crisis,” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP secretary general, at the party’s office in Dhaka on June 30. He added that Beijing assured the BNP that it was committed to resolving the issue by convincing Naypyidaw to begin quick repatriation.
Nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees live temporarily in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, an island off the coast of Bangladesh where a refugee camp was established, despite objections, in 2021. Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus met with Min Aung Hlaing to discuss Rohingya repatriation during a regional summit in April.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—A fortified bunker is being built at the Pantaing inspection gate and near Bo Myat Tun Bridge on the Yangon-Pathein highway in Nyaungdon Township, according to residents. Nyaungdon is located 63 miles (101 km) northeast of the region’s capital Pathein.
A source close to the regime administration told DVB on the condition of anonymity that this was due to security concerns. Commuters claimed that a tax of 1,000-3,000 MMK ($0.2-0.6 USD) is being levied on cars and 3,000-8,000 MMK ($0.6-1.7 USD) for trucks at the gates.
BAGO—Residents told DVB that they were on alert as the regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned on June 30 that the Bago River could break its banks in the next 36 hours. The water level is at 845 cm (27.7 ft), just 35 cm (1.1 ft) below the town’s danger level on Tuesday.
“Some neighbours have already reinforced their homes with sandbags,” a resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that Bago has faced floods over the past two years. Taungoo Township residents told DVB that flooding occurred in 10 villages due to heavy rainfall since June 19, forcing many to evacuate their homes.
Aid groups told DVB that five civilians were killed and 70 others were injured in retaliatory airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force during fighting against the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Phyu Township on Sunday. Phyu is located 100 miles (160 km) north of the region’s capital Bago.
Residents claimed that more than 60 civilians have been hospitalized and 15 are in critical condition. At least 10 regime troops and one PDF member were killed during an attack on a military outpost in Walgyi village on June 29. The military has blocked the road in Walgyi village that leads to Phyu town following the fighting.
YANGON—Bahan Township authorities evicted homeless people from informal settlements inside Kandawgyi Park on Saturday after images were shared on social media showing people living outdoors near Kandawgyi Lake, one of two lakes in the city centre.
“There has been crime, such as robberies and murders, reported around the lake,” a worker at Kandawgyi Park told DVB on the condition of anonymity. DVB reported that the bodies of two women were recovered near the lake in 2024, causing fear among Bahan residents.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,560 MMK)
