DVB English News Weekly Briefing for Aug. 16, 2024. In this week’s briefing: Aung San Suu Kyi home auction fails again to attract any bids; China officially endorses regime election plan; Freed Japanese executive returns to Tokyo; And the UN laments ‘incredible brutality’ since the 2021 military coup; Plus, a seminar on Canada’s policy engagements in Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi home auction fails again to attract bids; China officially endorses military regime election plan
Aung San Suu Kyi home auction fails again to attract bids
The second auction of Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside villa at 54 University Avenue in Yangon’s Bahan Township did not receive any bids on Thursday. The auction took place in front of the home on University Avenue, which has been part of a legal dispute between Aung San Suu Kyi and her brother Aung San Oo, for a second time.
The starting bid was set at 300 billion kyat ($46 million USD). The first auction was held on March 20 with a starting price of 315 billion kyat, but it failed to attract any bidders. A Yangon court announced that the property at 54 University Avenue would be auctioned off in January after Aung San Oo successfully appealed to the Supreme Court in 2022, which led to the two auction attempts so far this year.
The famed address is where Aung San Suu Kyi spent 15 years under house arrest until she was freed in 2010. The National Unity Government (NUG) has designated it as a national cultural heritage site and has warned that legal action would be taken if the property is sold. Aung San Suu Kyi has been held incommunicado since her arrest during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
China officially endorses regime election plan
China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said that Beijing backs the regime’s plan to stage an election. Min Aung Hlaing has stated to regime officials that he wants to hold it next year, in 2025. Wang Yi made the remarks after he met with Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Wednesday.
Chinese state media reported that Wang Yi “reaffirmed China’s support for Myanmar’s efforts to achieve domestic political reconciliation under the constitutional framework, hold national elections and restart the democratic transition process.” He added that China opposes “external interference” in Burma’s political affairs.
These visits from Chinese diplomats, including Beijing’s Special Enjoy Deng Xijun on Aug. 8, have come after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) took control of the Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Lashio, Shan State, on Aug. 3.
Freed Japanese executive returns to Tokyo
Hiroshi Kasamatsu, the director of the AEON Orange supermarket chain in Yangon, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Wednesday, Japanese media reported. The regime released him from prison in Yangon on Monday.
Kasamatsu was convicted of selling rice up to 70 percent higher than the rate set by the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and sentenced to one-year in prison on July 11. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he is in good health following his release by the regime.
Tokyo continued to demand his release throughout the ordeal. Kasamatsu was among 11 business leaders who were arrested for selling rice at prices higher than those set by the regime. Two other Japanese nationals have been jailed since the 2021 military coup, but have also been released by the regime.
News by Region
SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on Wednesday that 11 civilians were killed and 12 were injured by airstrikes and an artillery attack carried out by the military on Hsipaw Township, located in northern Shan State, Aug. 9-13.
Hsipaw residents have fled to neighboring Kyaukme, Namlang and Pinlon towns due to the retaliatory attacks. The TNLA claimed that the military is targeting civilians in response to its losses to the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the TNLA and the MNDAA, in northern Shan State.
ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) took control of Kyeintali town but fighting continued in Kalapyin village of Gwa Township, located in southern Arakan State, on Tuesday. “They withdrew after suffering many losses,” said a Kyeintali resident.
The military has blocked the transportation of goods into the township. “The prices of commodities and medicines have doubled,” said a Gwa resident. Tens of thousands of southern Arakan residents have fled to Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions since fighting between AA and the military began in the township on Aug. 8.
SAGAING—Zaw Tuseng, the founder and president of the Myanmar Policy Institute (MPI), told DVB that the NUG is holding talks with key stakeholders in the resistance to form a political roadmap for Sagaing Region. Resistance groups there have been trying to form a federal unit.
“These three key stakeholders, the NUG, [the] Sagaing Forum, and ethnic communities and NLD lawmakers, have to come together and they are having ongoing discussions. Mostly, informal discussions about how they can work together,” said Zaw Tuseng. He noted the challenge faced in replicating bottom up federalism in Sagaing due to its diversity.
YANGON—Regime officials are investigating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have relocated to Yangon from conflict-affected areas of the country. Immigration officers and ward administrators have been reportedly taking photos of the IDPs and sending them to township offices and military bases for further investigation.
“They checked our phones and even asked if we were involved in welcoming the [People’s Defense Force] with flowers. They took three photos [of us],” said an IDP from Shan State who recently relocated to Yangon. The Yangon RMC instructed officials to conduct a census of the IDPs, according to a source close to the regime.
See our photo essay: Canadian policy engagements on Myanmar. DVB English News is on X, FB, IG, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube. Find us on YouTube Music.
Harmony Fest a blend of Myanmar and Lanna Thai jazz music
Harmony Fest featured the Myanmar Jazz Club and the Lanna Music Band at Bamboo Family Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Aug. 10. It was a celebration of music, heritage, unity and “good vibes” according to organizers from the Myanmar Jazz Club, which performed alongside the Lanna Music Band. See our photo essay here.
Canadian policy engagements on Myanmar in 2024 seminar
A seminar was held at the School of Public Policy called “New Potential Canadian Policy Engagements on Myanmar in 2024” at Chiang Mai University (CMU) on Aug. 14. Napas Thein, a research fellow from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, currently based at the CMU School of Public Policy in northern Thailand, presented the policy brief.
“[The] seminar was a presentation of the work that I did over the past month-and-a-half, interviewing people on the ground [about] what they think Canada’s next involvement in Myanmar should be,” Napas Thein told DVB.
“The key points of my policy brief are that Canada’s engagement into Myanmar should renew in the upcoming cycle, and should include some developments in Myanmar that are not yet considered by the Canadian government,” he added.
Chinese Foreign Minister visits Naypyidaw; UN laments ‘incredible brutality’ since 2021 military coup
Chinese Foreign Minister visits Naypyidaw
China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. Regime media reported that Wang Yi also met with Than Shwe and Thein Sein, who have led two previous military regimes prior to the 2021 coup, during his visit.
Lin Jian, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said that Wang Yi will travel to Thailand following his visit to Burma to co-chair the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chiang Mai on Aug. 16. Regime officials will also attend the gathering in northern Thailand.
The visit comes after the military lost even more territory in northern Shan State near the China border. China’s Special Envoy Deng Xijun held talks with Min Aung Hlaing on Aug. 8. Regime media reported that the two discussed diplomatic relations, peace and stability along its shared border, as well as how to eradicate online gambling and cyber scams.
UN laments ‘incredible brutality’ since 2021 military coup
The U.N. Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released a report on Tuesday stating that there is substantial evidence that human rights abuses committed by the military against civilians have escalated over the past year.
“We have collected substantial evidence showing horrific levels of brutality and inhumanity across Myanmar. Many crimes have been committed with an intent to punish and induce terror in the civilian population,” said Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the IIMM.
It found that the military was responsible for airstrikes against civilian targets, extrajudicial killings, the torture of detainees, and sexual violence. The IIMM report added that resistance forces have also committed crimes, including the execution of civilians accused of being military informants. Read more here.
Regime dismisses rumor of internal coup
A statement made by the regime in Naypyidaw on Wednesday dismissed allegations as “rumors” spread by “traitors” that Min Aung Hlaing was detained by military generals in an internal coup. It added that those rumored to have carried out the coup are “fulfilling their national duties together.”
“The rumors were false propaganda aimed at disrupting the peace and stability of the country,” stated Naypyidaw. Daung, a popular actor involved in the pro-democracy movement, posted on social media: “Even if the rumors are true, I don’t trust any change would come from this dictatorship.”
Two military defectors posted on social media that Min Aung Hlaing was arrested on Tuesday. The regime leader has been increasingly criticized by pro-military supporters after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) took control of the Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Lashio, Shan State, on Aug. 3.
News by Region
CHINLAND—Two civilians, including a three-year-old child, were killed and four others were injured during an airstrike on Satchauk village, Kanpetlet Township, on Tuesday. The Kanpetlet People’s Administration, which is affiliated with Chin resistance groups, claimed that the military targeted the school. Six homes were destroyed by the airstrike.
MANDALAY—Sembcorp, a Singaporean company, announced on Monday that it has temporarily closed down one of its natural gas power plants, which generates 225 megawatts of electricity, located in southern Mandalay Region’s Myingyan Township.
Fighting between the military and People’s Defense Force (PDF) has caused two power plants to close temporarily since Monday. The regime’s Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC) stated that this will cause more power outages in 14 townships located in eastern Yangon Region.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense stated on Tuesday that 64 military personnel and two PDF members were killed since fighting began in Tagaung, Thabeikkyin Township, on Sunday. The PDF seized control of the town and captured military weapons and ammunition.
“The military mainly relies on its air force as its infantry forces are diminishing. So, we would like our people to stay strong and we will come to you,” said a PDF spokesperson. A total of three towns in Mandalay Region, including Mogok and Singu, have been seized by resistance forces since fighting there began on June 25.
SAGAING—Ten civilians were killed and 11 others were injured due to an artillery attack carried out by the military on Htanaungtaw and Aungtha villages of Monywa Township on Tuesday. “We don’t know where the victims are from but nine were killed instantly. One died at the hospital,” said a Htanaungtaw resident.
Residents said that soldiers deployed near Ma-U village in Monywa Township fired artillery shells at the two villages despite there being no fighting between the military and the PDF in the area. A PDF spokesperson contacted by DVB said that he is collecting more information about the attack before a comment can be made.
YANGON—Fuel shortages have persisted nationwide since the last week of July. “We don’t even have time to work because we have to line up [for fuel],” a Yangon resident told DVB. Motorists have formed long queues outside of petrol stations and some are unable to purchase the amount needed. These shortages come as the foreign exchange rates reached another record with $1 USD now at 7,000 kyat.
Myanmar conflict increasing in intensity and brutality, UN states
The U.N. Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) released a report on Tuesday that has documented evidence that human rights abuses committed by the military against civilians have escalated over the past year.
“We have collected substantial evidence showing horrific levels of brutality and inhumanity across Myanmar. Many crimes have been committed with an intent to punish and induce terror in the civilian population,” said Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the IIMM.
“No one has been held accountable for any crimes, which emboldens perpetrators and deepens the culture of impunity in the country. We are trying to break this cycle. I believe the [IIMM] has made considerable progress in building criminal cases against those most responsible for these crimes,” he added.
Koumjian highlighted the use of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and arson attacks in Myanmar since the 2021 coup. The military has carried out airstrikes on civilian buildings more in the past year than in the previous three years, according to IIMM records.
Its report was based on photographs, videos, eyewitness accounts, social media posts, audio, and other pieces of evidence that were collected between July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Violence has substantially escalated across the country since the Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27.
One of the human rights abuses that the IMM investigated was a video that was posted on social media that showed two resistance fighters burned alive by pro-military forces in a village located in Magway Region last year.
While the IIMM found that the vast majority of violence against civilians was committed by the military and its allies, resistance forces are also suspected of committing human rights violations. This includes the summary execution of civilians accused of collaborating with the military.
Investigators also saw a video that showed resistance fighters beheading two regime soldiers that were captured during fighting in Loikaw, the capital of Karenni State, late last year.
Koumjian called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member state, to respond to these alleged war crimes committed by the military by applying pressure on the regime in Naypyidaw.
ASEAN and regime leader Min Aung Hlaing signed the Five-Point Consensus, which called for an immediate end to all violence, the release of all political prisoners, and dialogue among parties to Myanmar’s conflict, in April 2021.
“It’s time for ASEAN to put some bite into its consensus. It’s not enough simply to say we support ending the violence, there have to be steps taken to ensure that, in fact, the violence has ended,” added Koumjian.
The IIMM was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2018 to investigate international crimes committed by the military against Rohingya in northern Arakan State, but it was later expanded to include all human rights abuses that are being committed in Myanmar.
