FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Kyaw Moe Tun and NUCC on PRIO shortlist for Nobel Peace Prize

Henrik Urdal, the director of Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) announced that Kyaw Moe Tun, Burma’s permanent representative to the U.N., and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) have been shortlisted by PRIO for the Nobel Peace Prize. The list of five included the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG). 

The PRIO states that Kyaw Moe Tun and the NUCC efforts in working for peace and democracy makes them worthy recipients. The Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to individuals or organizations for their efforts to promote peace. The 2023 winner will be announced in Oslo on Oct. 6. 

Regime delegation travels to the Hague 

Regime media reported that its officials returned to Yangon on Sept. 28 after a visit to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands. The regime Minister of International Cooperation Ko Ko Hlaing met with ICJ President Joan Donoghue to discuss the procedures of The Gambia v. Myanmar on Sept. 26. 

In November 2019, The Gambia filed a case under the Genocide Convention against Burma. It alleged that the Burma Army’s clearance operations against the Rohingya in northern Arakan State in 2017 was genocide. Nearly one million Rohingya have fled their homes in Burma to Bangladesh to escape genocide and ethnic cleansing. 

Most Rohingya relocated to Bhasan Char unemployed 

The unemployment rate for Rohingya relocated to the Bhasan Char refugee camp last November was 77 percent, states the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Ninety-two percent of women and 59 percent of men in the camp were unemployed. The unemployment rate for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar was 36 percent in 2019. 

Over 30,000 Rohingya that were staying at refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar were moved to Bhasan Char. Forty-seven of women and 32 percent of men who were unemployed did not search for work. The Rohingya that were moved to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar only received 5,000 BDT ($45.47 USD) as a relocation support grant.

News by Region

KAREN—At least 40,000 students who attended regime-run schools in Karen National Union (KNU) territories have been relocated to study at KNU-run schools. Most have closed due to fighting between the KNU and Burma Army. “As more students return to education, they require increasing levels of support,” said Saw Kolo Htoo, the assistant director of the Karen Teacher Working Group. 

Around 2,000 additional educational facilities are needed to accommodate over 40,000 students. Since 2021, the number of schools has increased by 400. More than 120,000 students are enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year at KNU-run schools. 

KACHIN—An Arakan Army (AA) captain was killed and others were injured by artillery at an AA outpost near Laiza on Sept. 28. “The artillery shell landed inside the AA Mu Laing Kham camp, wounding soldiers, including the captain who later succumbed to his injuries,” Khaing Thukha told DVB. 

The AA spokesperson added that it was not fighting with the Burma Army in the area at the time of the incident and accused it of intentionally attacking the outpost. 

AYEYARWADY—Three men were handed the death sentence by the Pyapon District Court on Sept. 28. They were accused of affiliation with the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and charged with murder and possessing firearms. “[Two of the three men] faced allegations of being part of the PDF and were charged with the murder of a village administrator and his wife,”  a local told DVB. Another man received the death penalty for alleged murder as well as aiding and abetting the PDF.

The same court sentenced four young men to death on Sept. 13 for their alleged involvement in the killing of a woman. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) states that 110 people have been sentenced to death in the country. 

BAGO—At least 1,000 residents from five villages in Minhla Township have been displaced from their homes due to artillery. The Burma Army summoned the village leaders on Sept. 27, ordering them to evacuate within three days. 

“The army convened meetings with Buddhist monks and village leaders, during which they ordered the relocation,” said a Minhla resident. Resistance groups claimed that the military forced villagers to flee because they were suspected of providing information about troop movements. 

MON—Around 100 residents were evacuated from their homes in Thanbyuzayat Township. “There was damage at the coast and around 110 people lost their houses,” said a rescue team member. 

Another 23 houses were destroyed in Kalakuk island of Ye Township. The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned that more rains are expected and waves along the coast may reach from eight to eleven feet high.  

NAYPYIDAW—Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing invited Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), including both signatories and non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), to attend the 8th anniversary of the signing of the NCA on Oct. 15. 

Min Aung Hlaing expressed that non-signatories “interested in peace” should consider attending. The NCA was initially signed in 2015. The New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed it in 2018.