The previously disbanded United Democratic Party changed its name to the Union Democracy Party (UDP) and re-registered as a nationwide political party, according to its party’s members. The UDP was disbanded on Oct. 17, 2020 before the election as it broke the Political Parties Registration Law and its leader Michael Kyaw Myint was arrested and imprisoned. The new party re-registered with the junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) in order to compete in the upcoming planned election. The UDP stated that it currently has over 350,000 members and is planning to open offices in over half of the townships across Burma, in accordance with the new Political Parties Registration Law. So far, only the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and UDP have registered with the UEC in order to be allowed to contest the next election.
High-ranking Burma Army officers in Tanintharyi Region detained for refusing orders
Three senior-level officers from the Burma Army’s southeast headquarters have been investigated by a military tribunal for disobeying the orders of superiors, according to a source close to the military. The officers are identified as Lt. Col. Pyae Phyo Maung from the No. 904 Battlefield Engineer Battalion, Major Than Naing Aye from the No. 5 Battlefield Medical Battalion, and Major Naing Naing Zaw from the No. 102 Infantry Battalion. According to the source, they were detained and interrogated for refusing orders to recapture the Burma Army outpost Maethalauk, which was taken by coalition forces led by the Karen National Union (KNU). “They were arrested for a considerable time, and charged for rebellion under Article 36(c), which can carry the death penalty. They were also charged for disobeying superiors under Section 40(1), which carries a 14-year prison sentence,” the source told DVB. Since the coup, fighting between the Burma Army and the KNU has intensified in Karen state. The Burma Army has sustained significant losses, according to the KNU. The three senior Burma Army officers are being detained at No. 403 Infantry Battalion in Thayetchaung Township, Tanintharyi Region.
Hkalam Samson receives additional charge of terrorism for alleged meeting with NUG
Kachin religious leader Dr. Hkalam Samson, 65, has received an additional charge under Section 52 (a) of Burma’s Counter-Terrorism law, Myanmar Now reported. Citing Samson’s lawyer, the report said the charge was filed during a court hearing inside Kachin’s Myitkyina Prison on Feb. 14, accusing him of meeting with National Unity Government (NUG) officials. Samson is the former chair of the Kachin Baptist Convention. He has already faced two charges of incitement under both the Unlawful Associations Act Section 17(1) and Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. Samson was arrested upon his return to Myitkyina after being stopped from boarding a flight from Mandalay to Bangkok for a medical appointment in December 2022.
The NUG criticizes UNOCHA aid efforts in Burma; Mae Sot refugees suspend protests after online threats
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
The NUG criticizes UNOCHA aid efforts in Burma
The National Unity Government (NUG) stated that the United Nations’ humanitarian assistance to Burma has been ineffective, RFA reported. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated that 17.6 million people in Burma are in need of humanitarian assistance since 2021. But UNOCHA has been able to assist four million people in the country so far this year. It stated that Burma’s conflict has made providing aid more difficult. “We have seen that its programs are mainly concentrated in the Yangon Region and they cannot provide aid effectively to other regions where the need for humanitarian aid is urgent,” said Win Myat Aye, the NUG Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
Mae Sot refugees suspend protests after online threats
Burmese nationals who have conducted protests for refugee rights in Mae Sot have suspended their protests after receiving online threats, a group called Maesot Refugee Voice told DVB. Maesot Refugee Voice has staged demonstrations at least six times in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office and other key offices in Mae Sot, Thailand. The protests were held in silence, with people holding placards with slogans like “Save Myanmar Refugee” and “Recognize and Accept Burmese Refugee.”
The group said it would suspend its protests after receiving threatening messages on Feb. 14. “We have received warning messages from two fake Facebook accounts saying to end the protests,” a spokesperson of Maesot Refugee Voice told DVB. The protesters urged Thai authorities to stop “extorting money” and demanded the release of detained refugees. The group added that it would continue to advocate for the rights of refugees online. According to refugee rights groups in Mae Sot, approximately 200,000 Burmese refugees have arrived to the Thai-Burma border town since the coup, and approximately 300 refugees are currently being held in Bangkok and Mae Sot detention centers.
News by Region
BAGO—At least 20 people have been arrested on accusations of being connected to explosions in Bago town. Three blasts occurred across the town on Feb. 7-8. “A 17-year-old man was among those arrested, but he was not included on the junta’s arrested list. He is missing,” a spokesperson of Bago People’s Defense Force (PDF) told DVB. A resident said that security has been tightened at the entrances to the town and young people are being arrested.
KACHIN—The Burma Army raided a house hosting a funeral reception in Nan Mar town, Mohnyin Township. They arrested at least 20 people at the funeral and seized the body. “I heard the Burma Army took his body because it claimed he was killed when making an explosive device at home,” a local said.
KAREN—The number of displaced people in Karen National Union (KNU) territory has reached nearly 400,000 since the coup, the KNU announced. The displaced are still in need of assistance as their number continues to rise. UNOCHA expressed concern over the security and humanitarian conditions in Karen State due to the fighting.
MAGWAY—The NUG Ministry of Defense claimed resistance forces have killed 31 pro-regime forces in 19 separate attacks carried out in Magway Region on Feb. 8-9. Attacks were carried out on the air force base headquarters, general administration offices, the police stations, weapons factories, and militia outposts. There were reports of fighters being injured in the attacks. The DVB could not independently verify the claims made by the NUG.
MON—A leader of a pro-regime militia was killed in Yin Nyein village, Paung Township on Feb.15, locals told DVB. The resistance group claimed the man was an ex-military personnel who arrested and threatened civilians. The Burma Army set up a roadblock outside of the village, and along the Yangon-Mawlamyine highway.
SHAN—Air force planes bombed the Battalion 9 headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Brigade 6, located in northern Shan State, according to sources. Fighting broke out when regime forces launched an offensive on the KIA Brigade 6 on Feb. 13, a KIA source told DVB. “There were five clashes that day and it continued the next day,” he said. The bombings occurred during the offensive. Fighting continued on Feb. 15. The KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said that fighting between the Burma Army and KIA continued in Kutkai town, northern Shan State. “We think they are trying to extend their territory for their upcoming election,” he said.
TANINTHARYI—Over 100 houses have been destroyed in arson attacks committed by regime forces in To village, Pulaw Township between Feb. 10-13, according to the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Houses of their family members, as well as those belonging to family members of striking civil servants in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) were attacked by arsonists “We have no home to go back to. This is an outrageous and inhumane action,” a local said. Last December, over 4,000 residents fled To village.
A local People’s Defense Force (PDF) has started training villagers on how to stay safe during possible airstrikes on Tanintharyi Township. The PDF told DVB that it conducted the training to mitigate the impact of the air strikes as they are mostly likely to occur in the NUG-controlled areas of the township. Locals have also been urged to make bomb shelters. “An aviation attack warning has been announced in the villages, so we want to prepare in advance,” a PDF member told DVB. Tanintharyi Township is one of 37 townships placed under martial law.
A couple was placed under investigation by the regime on Feb. 13 after giving a donation in honor of General Aung San’s birthday in Myeik town. “The couple were arrested in a tea shop, but were released on the same day,” a local told DVB. Feb. 13 was the birthday of General Aung San, who is called the “Father of the Nation” by many in Burma. He was the father of Burma’s jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s son, Kim Aris, is raising funds for the CDM and IDPs – families displaced by violence in Burma. Aris is hosting a live draw on Feb. 28 and has already raised $350,000. DVB English is on-demand via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Substack.
Video: Aung San Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris raises funds for people in Burma
DVB REPORTS
Aung San Suu Kyi’s youngest son, Kim Aris, is raising funds for striking civil servants who refuse to work since the 2021 military coup, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Aris will host a live draw on Feb. 28. He has raised over $35,000 USD so far. All proceeds will go to the CDM and to assist families displaced from their homes due to the violence perpetrated by the military.
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US official attends NUG office opening in DC; Junta court adds more years to student activist’s prison sentence
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
US official attends opening of an NUG office in Washington D.C.
The U.S. State Department Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, said the U.S. government will stand as a partner of the National Unity Government (NUG). She attended the opening ceremony of the NUG Department of Foreign Affairs office in Washington D.C. on Feb. 13. The NUG’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zin Mar Aung, Vice-Minister Moe Zaw Oo, and Burma’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Kyaw Moe Tun, were in attendance. Several other NUG officials and democracy activists from Burma attended the ceremony.
NUG Ministry of Education accredits 14 online schools
The NUG announced that it had recognized 14 interim online basic education public schools which follow the information, security, and policy guidelines of its Ministry of Education. It said it will allow online schools that are currently under review to operate and also issue certifications to public education schools. The NUG opened Myanmar Nway-Oo University in October 2022 which offers higher education to students from Burma.
Military court sentences activist to life imprisonment
A military court sentenced Hein Htet (aka Po Po Ko), a student activist in North Okkalapa Students Union to life imprisonment on Feb. 9. According to All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), he was charged for incitement and under the Counter-Terrorism Law. North Okkalapa Township is one of the townships in Yangon that the junta has imposed martial law in since the coup.
Junta court sentences prominent student activist to more years in prison
The Botahtaung Township prison court sentenced Ko James (aka Lin Htet Naing) to an additional five years in prison under the Counter-Terrorism Law on Feb. 13. Ko James, an anti-regime activist and former vice-chair of All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), has been sentenced to a total of eight years in prison. He was arrested by regime forces in June 2022. His mother was killed during a visit to Insein Prison on Oct. 19, 2022. The Insein court sentenced him to his first three years in prison under incitement charges on Dec. 7, 2022.
Burmese in Thailand demand better treatment for refugees
Burma nationals continued a protest demanding for the rights of refugees who fled Burma to Thailand in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Mae Sot on Feb. 14. The protest began on Feb. 13. Burma nationals held a demonstration in front of a prison and the chief district officer’s house in Mae Sot on Feb. 6.
News by Region
BAGO—Three civilians were killed and nine others were injured in a blast that occurred in Nyaung Lay Pin train station on Feb. 13. A bomb detonated on the platform while passengers were waiting for the train. “We sent two vehicles from our team after receiving the call. Twelve civilians were injured at that time and two of them bled to death. One died on the way to hospital. Another three civilians were in critical condition and are now in Bago hospital. The rest are in Nyaung Lay Pin hospital,” a rescue team worker said. Three victims were from Taung Twin Gyi town and commuted by train to work in Nyaung Lay Pin. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
KAREN—The Karen National Union (KNU) announced that at least 30,000 students have been unable to attend school as over 100 schools in Kler Lwee Htoo district, KNU territory, have been shut down since the 2021 coup. Children displaced from their homes due to the conflict between the KNU and the Burma Army held a Children’s Day ceremony in Kler Lwee Htoo district on Feb. 13. The KNU stated that this year’s Children’s Day event raised awareness about the violation of children’s rights in Burma.
NAYPYIDAW—The New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the junta’s National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiate Committee (NSPNC) discussed amending the 2008 Constitution and the peace process in Naypyidaw on Feb. 13 and 14. A delegation led by Lt. Gen Yar Pyae – chairperson of NSPNC – and the vice-chair of the NMSP held talks during the first day of the meeting. Previously, the NMSP told DVB that it has been attending the junta’s “peace talks” to ‘solve political problems in political ways.’ However, Mon activists criticized the meetings and said the NMSP was avoiding conflict with the junta for its self-interests. The NMSP signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2018 and this is the fourth time that it has attended peace talks with the junta in Naypyidaw.
Locals have been paid K100,000 ($47.86 USD) to attend military training in Naypyidaw. According to locals, the military proxy party Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is the main sponsor of the training. “They also said that they would provide a salary in the future. I heard that some people in villages have registered to attend,” a local told DVB. There have been reports of pro-regime forces providing basic military training across Burma. The junta recently made guns more accessible to its supporters.
SAGAING— A resistance group in Kalay town claimed that it shot and killed an ex-captain from the Kalay Regional Military Command also serving as an assistant director of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. “One of our watermelons [military personnel that covertly work with resistance groups] in the military informed us about him long ago. We investigated and eliminated him once the time was right. His wife was also at the scene but we let her go and seized the vehicle and the weapons,” a spokesperson of the resistance group said.
The Burmese-Australian community hosted a fundraising concert tour by singer Chan Chan. All proceeds went to support the Spring Revolution, and to assist displaced people (IDPs) in Burma. DVB English is on-demand via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & Substack.
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