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Regime announces Min Aung Hlaing president of Burma; Commemoration for four activists executed in 2022

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Min Aung Hlaing met with regime officials in Meiktila, Mandalay Region, on June 15. (Credit: Regime media)

The military regime announced on Monday that Min Aung Hlaing assumed the role of president after Myint Swe took medical leave to receive treatment for “neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy” at his home in Naypyidaw on July 18. 

Myint Swe, 73, became Burma’s acting president following the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup. He had previously served as vice-president under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government from 2016 to 2021. 

Min Aung Hlaing, 68, takes on the role of president and executive of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) as the state of emergency, renewed every six months since the 2021 coup, is set to expire. The NDSC  meets July 31 to decide whether to extend it a seventh time.

Under the military’s 2008 constitution, elections must be held within six months of the lifting of the state of emergency. Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to hold an election in 2025.

“We are preparing to conduct a census of the population and households in October, [while] preparations are also being made to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election next year,” Min Aung Hlaing told regime officials on June 15.

A banner in Yangon reads: ‘There will be no end as long as the world lasts’ to commemorate the 2022 execution of four democracy activists on July 23. (Credit: Sanchaung Strike Group)

Commemoration for four democracy activists executed in 2022

Anti-coup groups unfurled a banner off of a bridge near Yangon Central Railway Station on Tuesday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the execution of four pro-democracy activists; Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Kyaw Min Yu “Ko Jimmy,” Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw who were killed by the regime’s prison authorities on July 23, 2022. 

The Sanchaung Strike Group and the Yangon Revolution Force stated that its members hung a banner on the Pansodan Street overpass which read: “There will be no end as long as the world lasts”, which is an expression used by anti-coup protesters to commemorate those killed since the 2021 military coup. 

The U.S. Embassy in Burma shared photos of its Chargé d’Affaires Susan Stevenson laying flowers at the Fallen Heroes Memorial, located in the embassy compound near Inya Lake. It contains over 4,500 stones laid for each person killed by the military since 2021. Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Ko Jimmy, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw were accused of “terror acts” and became the first political prisoners to be executed in Burma since 1988. 

News by Region

BAGO—Around 600 inmates, including political prisoners, were transferred from Yangon’s Insein Prison to Daik-U Prison (Kyaiksakaw) on Sunday. The transfer came after prison authorities discovered that the prisoners had commemorated Martyrs’ Day without approval from prison authorities on July 19.

“They were transferred in six cars. They held a Martyrs’ Day event in Insein on July 19 and were planning to hold an [Aug. 8, 1988 commemorative] event. Those who were actively involved in activism were selected and moved,” a Kyaiksakaw resident who has a relative at Daik-U prison told DVB.

CHINLAND—The Chin Brotherhood claimed that six of its members were killed and 120 military personnel, including family members, were detained after it seized control of Matupi town on June 29. Police officers, soldiers and children are among the detainees. 

“We rescued some of them from the forest after they fled. We are providing food, medical assistance and shelter,” said a Chinland Defense Force (CDF) Matupi spokesperson. “Some of the children, including infants, lost their parents. We will take care of them until we find someone who can adopt them,” he added.

MANDALAY—The annual Taungbyone Festival has been canceled by organizers this year due to the fighting between the military and the Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF) in Madaya, Singu and Mogok townships. “We are unable to arrange everything as the roads are blocked,” said Htay Aung, the chairperson of the Taungbyone Festival committee. 

It announced in June that the festival would be held Aug. 12-19 in Madaya Township. Regime authorities allowed it to take place last year despite security threats. The Taungbyone Festival is in honor of two prominent spirits from Burmese animism and it attracts both worshippers and spirit mediums.

SHAN—Two civilians were killed and at least three were injured in retaliatory airstrikes carried out by the military on Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan on Tuesday, the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) reported. 

“A hotel and many buildings were destroyed,” said a Laukkai resident. One civilian was killed and another was injured by airstrikes on July 14 before the Brotherhood Alliance’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) announced a temporary ceasefire at China’s request.

Chargé d’Affaires Susan Stevenson lays flowers among the over 4,500 stones commemorating those killed since the 2021 coup at the Fallen Heroes Memorial, located in the US Embassy compound in Yangon. (Credit: US Embassy in Rangoon)

Human Rights Lens – Episode 2: Myanmar’s conscription law

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English Editor
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DVB TV News presenter D July hosts Human Rights Lens, a show investigating human rights violations in Myanmar. (Credit: DVB)

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. The program is presented by DVB TV News host Nweni Tinmaung. Episode two investigates Myanmar’s conscription law.

Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing assumes role of president after Myint Swe’s medical leave

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English Editor
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The leader of Myanmar's 2021 military coup turned regime leader, Min Aung Hlaing, takes on the role of president after Myint Swe goes on medical leave to receive treatment at his home in Naypyidaw. (Credit: Reuters)

All the duties included in the role of Myanmar’s president have been transferred from Myint Swe to regime leader Min Aung Hlaing, after the acting president was placed on medical leave to receive treatment at his home in Naypyidaw, regime media reported on Tuesday.

Myanmar’s military staged a coup on Feb. 1, 2021 when Min Aung Hlaing ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government, arresting her and President Win Myint. This action triggered nationwide anti-coup protests that were violently suppressed and led to armed resistance to the military.

Myint Swe, 73, was made acting president after the 2021 coup. Min Aung Hlaing, 68, relied on him to sign regime decrees and extend the state of emergency every six months, which has been used to continually delay elections promised by the regime leader.

Myint Swe, a former army officer, is suffering from “neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy”, regime media reported on July 18. It added that he was no longer able to carry out the basic duties of acting president.

Min Aung Hlaing is in his weakest position since deposing the NLD government. He faces questions about his leadership following a series of battlefield defeats faced by his military since Oct. 27 when the Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 and seized control of over 300 military outposts and 13 towns located along the China-Myanmar border.

At least 46 civilians killed in northern Shan State since June; Indian citizens freed from cyber scam compounds

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Several buildings in Kyaukme, located in northern Shan State, were damaged by artillery shells reportedly fired by the military on July 1. (Credit: CJ)

At least 46 civilians killed in northern Shan State since June

The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) has documented that 46 civilians have been killed and 35 have been injured by airstrikes and artillery attacks in Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, and Hsipaw townships of northern Shan State since June 19. Over 150 buildings have also been damaged. 

“Similar to the first phase of Operation 1027, [military] artillery and air attacks – including the use of deadly 500 pound bombs — have been concentrated on towns and villages along China’s oil and gas pipelines in these townships,” its report stated. 

The SHRF added that the death toll is likely to be higher as a local charity group recovered the bodies of 60 people in civilian clothes in Kyaukme town earlier this month. Fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance and the military resumed in northern Shan State after a Chinese-brokered ceasefire – signed between the two on Jan. 11 –  broke down on June 25.

Arakan Army accuses Rohingya armed groups of killing civilians

The Arakan Army (AA) claimed that Buthidaung Township residents discovered the bodies of seven ethnic Khami people who were killed by Rohingya armed groups at the Gandayi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on July 18. 

The AA added that the seven bodies it recovered had knife and gunshot wounds. It warned residents to be careful around other armed groups in Arakan State. “They arrest and [demand] money from civilians and sometimes kill them,” the AA posted on its social media account.

The AA has accused Rohingya armed groups of planting landmines on roads and setting fire to civilian homes. Over 7,500 homes and at least six mosques were destroyed by arson in Buthidaung after the AA took control of the town on May 18. Human rights groups have accused Rohingya armed groups of forcefully recruiting Rohingya at IDP camps to fight for the military against the AA.

Indians rescued from a cyber scam compound in Karen State were handed over to regime authorities on July 20. (Credit: Indian Embassy in Burma)

Indian citizens freed from cyber scam compounds

The Embassy of India in Burma stated that 19 of its citizens were rescued from cyber scam compounds in Myawaddy Township of Karen State since Friday. Eleven were rescued from Shwe Kokko and eight were freed from a scam center in Hpa Lu. All were handed over to regime authorities on Saturday.  

“In the last two days, 19 Indian nationals were rescued from scam compounds in Myawaddy. Due to ongoing armed conflict in the area, further complicated by crime syndicates, we strongly advise all to guard against their job offers,” the embassy posted on its social media account on Sunday. 

The Indian embassy added that the victims from Hpa Lu had been trafficked through Thailand. Thai media reported that at least 1,843 foreigners have fled from cyber scam compounds in Myawaddy Township since October 2023. This includes 12 who were rescued with the help of the military regime in Naypyidaw and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) on July 5. 

News by Region

AYEYARWADY—More than 900 residents of Kyangin Township are in need of assistance due to flooding caused by heavy rain since July 17. Civilians have been sheltering at monasteries and other buildings due to the rising levels of the Irrawaddy River. Flooding in Kachin State, Mandalay, Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions began earlier this month.

“Water levels dropped slowly on Monday but it will only stay that way for a while. The number of people that have been affected continues to increase,” said a member of a local rescue group. Nine schools in the township have been closed since July 18.

CHINLAND—A total of 62 prisoners, including political prisoners, were released from Hakha Police Station after Chin resistance forces attacked it on Saturday. “Four of the fifteen policemen in the station were killed,” said a Chinland Defense Force (CDF) Hakha spokesperson. The CDF also seized weapons from the police station.

MANDALAY—The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense stated on Sunday that the People’s Defense Force (PDF) seized control of a military outpost and an inspection gate in Innak village of Thabeikkyin Township on Saturday. Eight soldiers were killed and another eight were arrested by the PDF. 

“The military staged two [retaliatory] airstrikes during the clashes. There has not yet been a response from them after we seized the outposts,” said a PDF spokesperson. Weapons and ammunition were seized at the outpost by the PDF.

YANGON—An unknown number of civilians were injured by an explosion near Black House Bar on 19th Street in Latha Township on Sunday. Residents reported that a bomb was left under a table at the bar. “I heard one was killed and three people were injured. Many tried to flee [the area],” said a Latha resident. 

Many restaurants on 19th Street were shut down after the explosion. Four military trucks blocked entry to 19th Street from Anawrahta and Maha Bandula Roads. Soldiers reportedly inspected restaurants and bars. The area is popular for nightlife and it was a tourist attraction prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 military coup, which effectively halted mass tourism to Burma.

Transgender Rohingya seek refuge and acceptance on Bhasan Char. DVB English News is on X, FB, IG, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube. Find us on YouTube Music (app).

Full moon day of Waso at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda; Funeral for woman from Burma killed in Thailand

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English Editor
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People entering Shwedagon Pagoda via the west stairway on July 20. (Credit: CJ)

Full moon day of Waso at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda

The east and west stairways leading to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Yangon, were reopened for the full moon day of Waso on Saturday, which is a sacred day for Buddhists as it marks the birth of the Buddha and his enlightenment. 

“Public areas were packed with more people than usual. Shopping centers and parks were crowded with visitors,” said a Latha Township resident. 

Sources told DVB that many pilgrims visiting Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda prayed for peace in the country. The number of people visiting Shwedagon Pagoda dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the 2021 military coup. 

Myanmar Witness documents over 170 attacks on schools 

The Center for Information Resilience’s Myanmar Witness documented 174 attacks on schools and universities in Burma since the 2021 military coup. Education facilities were damaged and destroyed by airstrikes, heavy weapons, ground offensives and fire. 

“As the Myanmar military loses ground, we’ve seen airstrikes become an increasing part of their strategy of suppression. We’ve documented the damage to sites with special protections under international law – schools, places of worship, and hospitals,” said Matt Lawrence, the project director at Myanmar Witness.

It also documented reports of 64 fatalities and 106 injuries during all incidents from Feb. 1, 2021 up to April 30, though very few deaths have been verified due to challenges in verifying and geolocating user-generated content from the victims, added Myanmar Witness.

Friends and family of Htet Htet Zaw held a funeral procession in Mae Sot, Thailand on July 19. (Credit: CJ)

Funeral for woman from Burma killed in Thailand

The funeral of Htet Htet Zaw, who was allegedly killed by her husband, was held in Mae Sot, Thailand on Friday. Her body was kept at the Mae Sot Hospital since she died from a brain hemorrhage in April.

“Those who are subjected to domestic violence cannot rely on the [courts] in Burma. Instead, we must rely on the Thai judiciary. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to seek justice,” said Thinzar Shunlei Yi, an executive member of Sisters 2 Sisters – a women’s rights group. 

The funeral ceremony for Htet Htet Zaw was attended by family, friends and human rights activists from Burma living in Thailand. Her husband was transferred from Karen National Union (KNU) custody to the Thai authorities for further investigation on July 7. 

News by Region

ARAKAN—Six civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed by artillery in Abal village of Thandwe Township on Friday. Fighting  between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military continued in Gyaiktaw village. “The naval base helped fire artillery shells, injured and killed civilians,” said an Abal village resident. 

MANDALAY—The military claimed that it had recaptured Singu Township on Saturday after launching an offensive with its Navy and Air Force on Friday. The Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF) spokesperson told DVB that the military was lying. 

“It was not easy for us to seize the town, so we are not going to give it up easily. We will do our best to continue to control it,” added the MPDF spokesperson. He claimed Saturday that no military personnel were left in Singu. The MPDF seized control of the town on July 17. 

MON—At least 30 people, including civilians and resistance force members, were killed during airstrikes on Kyaikmaraw Township on Friday. Most were killed inside a monastery located in Ngapuinn village, but another attack was  reported in Hlwasinkone village. 

“The bomb tore people into different pieces. I don’t know the exact number of deaths, but there are at least 30,” said a Kyaikmaraw resident. Regime media reported that an attack was carried out on the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) as it held a meeting at the monastery. 

SHAN—At least seven civilians were killed, including Sai Tun Kyi, the secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and another 20 were injured during an airstrike on Hsenwi market Thursday. Hsenwi has been under the control of the Brotherhood Alliance since January.

“Five to six bombs were dropped. There may still be dead and injured among the ruins,” said a Hsenwi resident. The Brotherhood Alliance member the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) inspected the bombing at Hsenwi market on July 18.

The MNDAA stated on Friday that it has extended the duration of its temporary ceasefire with the military until July 31 at Beijing’s request. It added that anyone in Brotherhood Alliance-controlled areas should be prepared for retaliatory airstrikes.

A source from the China-Burma border told DVB on the condition of anonymity that Beijing has threatened a blockade if the fighting along its border doesn’t end. China reportedly shut down the Kyinsankyawt and Chinshwehaw border gates which have been controlled by the MNDAA, according to traders.  

Watch: A brief history of the People’s Defense Force. DVB English News is on X, FB, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube. Find us on YouTube Music.

Transgender Rohingya seek refuge and acceptance on Bhasan Char

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CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
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Members of the Rohingya transgender community on Bhasan Char island in a Bangladesh refugee camp. (Credit: Ro Mojibur)

Guest contributors

Shafiur Rahman and Ro Mojibur

On the isolated island of Bhasan Char, in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Bangladesh, 22 transgender Rohingya have sought refuge. 

Fleeing from the violence and discrimination of the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, these individuals, known as “hijra” or “nakta fuain” in the Rohingya language, hoped to find a more peaceful existence. However, their journey remains fraught with challenges.

Life in Cox’s Bazar was a daily struggle against prejudice and violence. Many transgender faced regular harassment, with some recounting brutal attacks that left lasting physical and emotional scars. 

One woman survived a stabbing, while another endured an assault that broke her nose. Many others had their long hair forcibly cut off, acts of violence often attributed to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and other armed gangs.

Despite these hardships, the transgender community in Cox’s Bazar received crucial financial support from Bandhu, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the welfare of sexual minorities in Bangladesh. 

This aid provided a lifeline, granting them a degree of financial independence and stability. Unfortunately, the move to Bhasan Char severed this vital support, leaving them to navigate their new environment without it.

On Bhasan Char, they face a different set of obstacles. Opportunities to earn a living are scarce, and their transgender identity further complicates their situation. Some resort to begging or sex work, while most attempt to perform at functions and wedding ceremonies, singing and dancing to earn money. 

However, these opportunities are significantly limited compared to the mainland, particularly the Teknaf area, where they could leave the camp to perform and receive financial help from Bandhu.

Exploitation and abuse remain a grim reality for the “nakta fuain” on Bhasan Char. Numerous reports of sexual and physical assaults have emerged, yet reporting these crimes to the authorities remains nearly impossible due to the pervasive stigma and prejudice they face.

This discrimination not only affects their ability to seek justice but also hinders their integration into the community

During interviews about the harassment they face, a sad reality emerged: they are often most chastised by their own family. 

“I can’t even use the same soap as the other members of my family,” said Brishti, one of the 22 on Bhasan Char.

Another, who goes by the name of Happy, lives in fear of her brother who physically assaults her. “Another reason for these beatings is that I can’t earn. If I had income coming in, I think that at least would stop,” she said.

The societal rejection of their identity further complicates their existence. The inability of the Bhasan Char population to accept their way of life often leads to negative perceptions and hostile reactions. 

At a recent funeral prayer for a drowned fisherman on Bhasan Char, some members of the transgender Rohingya community attended. After the prayers, they were subjected to vile names and had stones thrown at them. 

Another poignant example is the case of one who, along with her male partner, sought to live as a couple on the island. The backlash was so intense that they were ultimately forced to leave Bhasan Char. This case exemplifies the severe intolerance and hostility they endure.

The transgender Rohingya on Bhasan Char continue to struggle for acceptance, safety, and dignity. Their journey, marked by displacement and hardship, shows the urgent need for more inclusive and supportive policies and a broader societal shift towards empathy and acceptance.

Shafiur Rahman is a documentary filmmaker working on Rohingya issues. Ro Mojibur is a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh.

DVB publishes a diversity of opinions that does not reflect DVB editorial policy. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our stories: [email protected]

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