Karen National Union requests embassies take foreign nationals
The Karen National Union (KNU) announced on Tuesday that embassies must retrieve 741 foreign nationals its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), detained from a raid on a cyber scam center allegedly operated by the pro-regime Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in Minletpan village, located in southern Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Nov. 21.
The KNU statement on Nov. 25 claimed that at least 230 DKBA members surrendered to KNLA-led forces during the cyber scam raid on Nov. 21. It added that it has handed over 28 Thai and 36 Chinese nationals to the Thai authorities. The 741 foreign nationals detained from the cyber scam center raid are from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and China, according to the KNU.
It added that the scam center could host at least 2,000 workers, and that it is in the process of identifying everyone who was employed there. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on four DKBA leaders over allegations of involvement in cyber scams on Nov. 12. The DKBA has denied all accusations. Myawaddy is located 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
Crisis Group report on ethnic tension in Shan State
The International Crisis Group (ICG) released a report today called Fractured Heartland: Shan Politics and Conflict in Post-coup Myanmar highlights Shan State’s shifting political landscape after the 2021 military coup. It claims that two ethnic armed groups based in northern Shan are causing tensions with residents due to “arbitrary taxation, forced recruitment, and abusive administration.”
“With the military weakened by its disastrous coup, non-Shan armed groups have expanded into Shan heartlands, deepening grievances among local communities.” stated Richard Horsey, ICG Senior Adviser on Myanmar. “They tax us, and they also take our sons,” a social worker living in Kyaukme Township told ICG. Kyaukme was recaptured by regime forces from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Oct. 1.
Residents were cited in the report, stating that they had been excluded from newly-established administrations in Hsenwi, which is under ethnic Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) control, as well as Namhkam, which is under ethnic Palaung TNLA control. The report identified the MNDAA and the TNLA’s renaming towns, as well as language and cultural differences, as challenges to its local administrations.
Myanmar re‑engagement ‘difficult’ after polls, Thai minister says
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 11-member regional bloc will find it difficult to re-engage with Burma even after its upcoming election, the Thai foreign minister said on Tuesday, calling for the release of the country’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burma’s regime has scheduled a phased general election starting on Dec. 28 amid a raging civil war, an exercise that critics have derided as a sham to extend the control of the military that took power in a 2021 coup. Many pro-democracy parties have either been banned or are refusing to take part in the polls, which regime leader Min Aung Hlaing has acknowledged will not be held nationwide.
“I think under the present circumstances and the fact that the elections will be held when they haven’t had the needed inclusive dialogue yet, it will be difficult for us to re-engage with Myanmar,” Sihasak Phuangketkeow said at an event at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). “I hope that we can maintain unity in this position.” Read more
News by Region
KARENNI—The Karenni Political Prisoners Association reported that inmates at Loikaw Prison are being forced to cast early votes in the regime elections. The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that polls will be held in Bawlakhe, Demoso, Hpruso, and the state capital Loikaw.
The group’s spokesperson told DVB that the regime has been forcing prisoners to vote since September. It called on residents to boycott the regime elections. The UEC has scheduled polls to begin in the state capital Loikaw on Dec. 28.
NAYPYIDAW—Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that the U.S. decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma nationals is a “positive move” citing Washington’s stated “improvements” by the regime due to the lifting of the state of emergency in July.
He added that all Burma nationals are “welcome to return” and vote in the regime elections beginning on Dec. 28. The regime urged all Burma nationals overseas to return and help rebuild the nation, while those accused of “serious crimes” while living abroad were threatened with prosecution.
YANGON—The Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM) stated that one of its 10 members charged under the Law Concerning Recidivism, Hay Man Oo, was sentenced by the Insein Prison court to a fine of 20 million MMK ($4,932 USD) and three years of house arrest on Tuesday.
The STUM said that it will appeal the verdict. STUM founder Myo Myo Aye was released from prison on Oct. 20. A total of 10 STUM members were charged under the Law Concerning Recidivism and the Organization Registration Law. Eight of them still remain in detention.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,055 MMK)
