Human Rights Lens is brought to you by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights. It features NUG Minister of Human Rights Aung Myo Min. Episode seven investigates how the military’s crimes are documented and shared with international organizations.
Human Rights Lens – Episode 7: Documenting military crimes
In memory of Htet Wai: A light behind the lens
Shoon Naing for Medium
“You were kind, you were light, always carrying joy like a gentle breeze.”
These are the words that echo when I think of you, my brother.
In the hardest of times, you were a beacon
A heart full of care, a soul full of laughter.
We met when life was uncertain, yet you became a steady friend,
Trustworthy, unshaken, never speaking ill of anyone.
You had no room for complaints, only humor,
Quick to turn any moment, any insult, any trouble,
Into something that made us all laugh.
That’s the part of you I’ll carry with me always.
But it wasn’t just your kindness that stood out.
You had a gift — your eye for stories, for truth.
Through your lens, the world saw Myanmar,
Its beauty, its pain, its resilience.
You captured moments that spoke louder than words,
Pictures that told the stories of those who could not speak.
You had a talent for seeing the unseen,
And through your photographs, your legacy will live on.
You were there for me in ways words can’t describe.
When I was alone , you were my company,
My good brother, the friend I need.
I remember the jokes, the endless laughter,
And the day you passed your immigration language test —
Not with words from a Thai textbook,
But by naming the bottles of alcohol we shared.
Regency — our inside joke, our bond.
I’m sorry I didn’t reach out more.
I’m sorry I didn’t care for you as you did for me.
You were my friend, my brother,
And I can only imagine the fear you felt in your last moments.
But you were never alone,
We came as soon as we could,
To say goodbye, to send you off to the skies you always dreamed of.
I hope now you’ve escaped the weight of this world,
Rising to the clouds,
Where you can rest in peace, free from all the sorrow.
Twenty regime personnel killed during census data collection nationwide
An estimated 20 military personnel and police officers have been killed by anti-coup resistance forces while collecting data for the regime census this week. The Oct. 1-15 census is underway in order to compile voter lists for regime elections tentatively scheduled for November 2025.
Fifteen soldiers were killed by homemade bombs – en route to collect census data – detonated by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Yamethin Township, which is located around 125 miles (201 km) south of Mandalay and 54 miles (87 km) north of the capital Naypyidaw, on Thursday.
“We detonated explosives in two different locations along their route,” a Yamethin PDF spokesperson told DVB. Three soldiers were killed and three others were injured by the PDF and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), while guarding a census team near the Karen State capital of Hpa-An in southeastern Myanmar, on Oct. 10.
“They had been conducting the census for two or three days. The [military] vehicle guarding the team was attacked,” a Hpa-An resident told DVB. The military increased security in the township the following day and continued its census data collection.
Two police officers were killed and four others were injured in a similar attack in Monywa, the Sagaing Region capital in northwest Myanmar. “The officials were heading toward villages to collect census data. We planted five bombs along [their route],” a resistance fighter in Monywa told DVB.
Residents of Meiktila, which is located 86 miles (138 km) south of Mandalay, said that unknown assailants attacked census workers and stole their phones and tablets on the morning of Oct. 8. “It’s worse that the military didn’t even provide proper security for them. Fortunately, there were no major casualties,” a Meiktila resident told DVB.
Four census workers were also arrested by the PDF in Launglon Township, which is also located in southeastern Myanmar, on Oct. 6. Another census worker was detained by resistance groups in Chinland’s Tedim Township in western Myanmar. The military regime denounced the arrests in the townships as “terrorism.”
Pro-democracy activists have called on citizens to boycott the census, warning that it’s an attempt by the regime to gather personal information. Resistance groups have warned that they will take action against anyone who assists the regime to collect census data. The U.N. states that over 3.3 million people have been displaced from their homes. Myanmar’s previous census was conducted in 2014.
Myanmar’s military regime in Naypyidaw hosts regional navy chiefs’ meeting
The regime in Naypyidaw hosted the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Navy Chief’s Meeting on Thursday. Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing met with the navy chiefs of ASEAN members – which includes Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines – ahead of the meeting.
“ASEAN navies should exchange expertise in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation for natural disaster response, enhancing cooperation and mutual support to address loss and damage during crises,” said Min Aung Hlaing.
He added that ASEAN navies should cooperate during natural disasters, as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam continue to be affected by floods and landslides caused by record rains since Typhoon Yagi made landfall in the region last month.
Min Aung Hlaing claimed that his regime seeks to maintain “friendly relations” with all members of ASEAN and will follow the regional bloc’s charter. Singapore was the only ASEAN member that did not send a delegation to Naypyidaw.
Regime officials and ASEAN representatives later met at a hotel in Naypyidaw for the Navy Chief’s Meeting. The Myanmar military’s Chief of General Staff Maung Maung Aye said that ASEAN must ensure “non-interference from external factors” in order to achieve “peace, stability, security and prosperity.”
The military regime has increasingly accused foreign governments of backing anti-military coup resistance groups since the Brotherhood Alliance – which includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA) – launched “Operation 1027” in northern Shan State on Oct. 27, 2023.
The gathering in Naypyidaw comes as foreign ministers and delegates from ASEAN gathered in Vientiane, Laos this week to discuss Myanmar’s crisis, as well as other regional issues. The regime sent its Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Aung Kyaw Moe to the summit. The 17th ASEAN Navy Chief’s Meeting was held in Manila, Philippines in May 2023. A regime official attended online.
Briefing: Regional bloc discusses Myanmar crisis; Former Thai diplomat calls for ASEAN engagement with NUG
DVB English News Weekly Briefing for Oct. 11, 2024. Regional bloc discusses Myanmar crisis at summit; Former Thai diplomat calls for ASEAN engagement with the National Unity Government (NUG); U.N. Ambassador’s mandate is deferred for another year by credentials committee; Plus, a report on how record flooding in Chiang Mai, Thailand impacted the Myanmar community.
Introducing the DVB Peacock Film Festival Dec. 8-10
We’re proud to announce the DVB Peacock Film Festival 2024, an event dedicated to showcasing the high-quality work of Myanmar’s documentary filmmakers. It will shine a spotlight on under-reported stories in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup. It will amplify the voices of the people of Myanmar who stand up to the military regime and share their stories of survival.
“We warmly welcome you to join our first-ever DVB Peacock Film Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is a great honor to screen these films from storytellers, journalists and filmmakers from inside Myanmar and from exile, where many have had to seek sanctuary from the military, which suppresses freedom of expression and stories about life inside Myanmar since 2021,” said DVB Chief Editor Aye Chan Naing.
“These courageous filmmakers deserve to have their stories shared with an international audience, given that they’ve risked their own lives to document life under a brutal military regime, which wages war against the people in an attempt to spread fear and terror,” he added.
The DVB Peacock Film Festival 2024 seeks to bring global attention to Myanmar’s crisis since the 2021 coup, documenting the resilience, bravery, and unwavering spirit of its people through a wide array of films. The festival will feature screenings of DVB Short Docs (DSDC), Citizen Journalist (CJ) Shorts, and special news feature documentaries, along with other critically acclaimed films.
Key Details of the DVB Peacock Film Festival 2024:
- Dates: December 8, 9, and 10, 2024
- Location: Chiang Mai University Faculty of Mass Comms – Communication Innovation Center (CIC) https://g.co/kgs/dpLnueU
- Categories:
- Special Screening
- DVB Short Docs (DSDC)
- Citizen Journalist (CJ) Shorts
- Feature News Documentaries post-2021 coup
- Activities:
- Food Court featuring local and international cuisine
- Film Workshops hosted by industry professionals
- Panel Discussion on filmmaking amidst a crisis
This year’s festival is not just about film screenings; it is a call to action. By bringing Myanmar’s stories into the spotlight, the DVB Peacock Film Festival 2024 seeks to empower professional journalists, aspiring filmmakers, and media enthusiasts alike to push the boundaries of storytelling during turbulent times.
Stay Updated:
We encourage all interested participants to follow DVB TV News and DVB English News official Facebook pages, where real-time updates about the festival, ticketing, and special announcements will be posted.
Together, let’s make Myanmar’s voice heard loud and clear across the globe.
For media inquiries, interviews, and more information, please contact:
Email : [email protected], [email protected]
Instagram : @dvb_peacock_filmfestival
Facebook : @dvbpeacockfilmfestival
