Canadian photojournalist Bryan Dickie discusses his new book “People’s Defence Force.” All proceeds from the book go to support Burma’s armed resistance to military rule: www.bryandickie.com/store/peoples-d…ence-force-book
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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Burmese and Thai youths held a rally at the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Dec. 6 against the military council’s planned execution of seven student activists. Read more here.
Rohingya stranded at sea
A human rights activist is pleading with the Thai government to assist 160 Rohingya stranded on a boat off-shore. Ten people on the boat have died from starvation, according to sources. Rohingya human right activist Ko Zarni said he has been asking the Thai government for assistance. The National Unity Government Advisor to the Ministry of Human Rights, Aung Kyaw Moe, told DVB that he has requested help from the governments of Thailand and Malaysia. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that there has been an increase of people from Bangladesh and Burma attempting to escape by boat.
Dancer and songwriter detained
Burmese traditional dancer Poe Chit, songwriter Shaun Tun, and two other performers were detained on Nov. 30. Poe Chit was arrested at a housing complex for the Burmese theatrical community in Yangon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township. “It is confirmed that Phoe Chit was arrested. His whereabouts are unknown. We are still investigating,” a source said. Phoe Chit resigned as the chairperson of Myanmar Theatrical Association on Feb. 5, 2021 just after the coup and participated in anti-coup protests. Junta media have reported that Phoe Chit was arrested for supporting the People’s Defense Force (PDF).
CDM teacher sentenced to 10 years
A teacher involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor on Dec. 2. Htet Myat Aung was arrested at his home in Yangon Region’s Kayan Township last January and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Act, according to the Kayan Basic Education Workers Union. “We condemn the CDMer being unjustly accused and charged. I think they [the military] violated human rights and continually conducted the actions to try to cause the non-violent CDM movement to fail,” a spokesperson told DVB.
News by Region
CHIN—The Chinland Defense Force (CDF) Senthang announced that three Burma Army troops from the 266th Battalion in Hakha defected. “We’re welcoming those who defected from the Burma Army as this revolution is fighting against the dictatorship,” said a CDF Senthang spokesperson. The defectors have been sent to a safe area, according to the spokesperson.
MAGWAY—A member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) was killed in Pwintbyu Township’s Thayetkone village on Dec. 4. Win Htay was found dead in a forest. “Since the coup, the lives of the people have not been safe. We condemn the inhumane killings of each other,” a local said. In March 2021, two NLD members were killed by pro-military supporters in the township, according to locals.
SAGAING—One child was killed and another was injured in a firefight on the Monywa-Mandalay Road on Dec. 5. “An armed group attacked a gate where over 20 military personnel were stationed at around 10.30 a.m.,” a local said. The Burma Army set up a checkpoint and arrested one man. Two members of a resistance group called Operation Mo Mo were killed near Do Wine Chaung village in Kalay town on Dec. 5.
YANGON—A man was injured in an explosion in Kyimyindaing Township on Dec. 5. The bomb went off in front of School for the Blind on Pan Pin Gyi Road, according to locals. “A man was injured in his head and legs. I saw him being sent to the hospital in an ambulance,” a resident said. Six explosions have occurred in Yangon since Dec. 1.
Authorities in Hlaing Thar Yar Township have banned the use of motorcycles since Dec. 6. According to a letter issued to residents, riding motorcycles in the township is no longer allowed due to reported incidents of armed motorcyclists killing civilians and officials. “As there are a lot of riders in the township, I am worried that civilians will be shot at because of it [riding motorcycles],” a local said. The junta enacted motorcycle bans in Khayan, Thanlyin, Twantay and Dala townships last month.
DVB PICKS—Doh Athan features the story of a photographer who was arrested during the 2021 anti-coup protests. He faced horrific abuse and mistreatment because he is a Muslim, the photographer recounts. Stay tuned for the best on Burma in English every week.
Burmese and Thai youths held a rally at the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Dec. 6 against the military council’s planned execution of seven student activists. Organizers gave speeches condemning the military council in Burmese, Thai, and English. “We the young Thai and Myanmar students and activists seriously requests to stop the violence and oppression of the Burmese people in the name of the death penalty,” one of the organizers said. A prayer and minute of silence was held at the end of the rally for the students. The student activists were handed death sentences on Nov. 30 on accusations of being involved in the killing of Lt. Colonel Saw Moe Win.
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Prominent Kachin leader detained in Mandalay and Myitkyina
Hkalam Samson, the chairperson of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly (also known as Wunpawng Amyusha Mungbawng Rapdaw), was detained at Myitkyina Airport on Dec. 5. “We knew he was flying back from Mandalay. His name was on the passenger list. But he wasn’t there. Passengers said he was taken away,” a source told DVB. Earlier the same day, Samson was detained at Mandalay International Airport trying to board a flight to Bangkok, on his way to a medical appointment, according to family members. “He returned to Myitkyina. Then he was arrested [again] at the airport for questioning. We have lost contact with him. He has not arrived at home yet,” the source added. It has been reported that Samson was detained because he is not allowed to leave Burma. Samson is an advisor to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC).
Undocumented Burmese migrants arrested in western Thailand
At least 53 undocumented Burma nationals were arrested by police at a checkpoint in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi province of Thailand, according to the Bangkok Post. The 53 undocumented Burma nationals were charged with illegally entering Thailand. Thai authorities say that they had paid 35,000-50,000 baht ($1,000 to 1,150 USD) each to brokers to obtain jobs in Malaysia. Sai Yok police will begin legal proceedings against the 53 arrested.
Activists to rally in support of students on death row
Burmese activists in Chiang Mai will hold a rally today in support of seven students that the junta will reportedly execute on Dec. 7. The demonstration will take place at Three Kings Monument from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
News by Region
YANGON—The bodies of thirteen Rohingya men and teenagers were discovered in Barlar village, located in Hlegu Township, on Dec. 5. “Administration officials said they were dead without injuries. I am not sure why [they died] since I am not a doctor,” a local said. At least 66 Rohingya were arrested in the township on Nov. 28. In Yangon Region, nearly 500 Rohingya have been arrested in recent months and are now being prosecuted under immigration law.
Six locals were injured in Hlaing Tharyar Township on Dec. 4. An improvised explosive device went off in front of a football stadium, injuring four. “It is not known whether the injured are civilians or admins,” a resident told DVB. A second explosion in a nearby ward injured two. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Two bomb blasts occurred at bars and restaurants in North Dagon Township on Dec. 4. Two local resistance groups claimed that the bars are affiliated with the military. “The explosion was very loud,” a resident told DVB. No serious injuries were reported. One of the restaurants was raided by the Burma Army on Jan. 25. “The restaurants were reported to the army on claims that our restaurant was selling drugs and connected to the PDF. But now, we have been accused of being a military-affiliated group,” a staff member told DVB.
MON—A military tribunal in Paung Township sentenced labor leader Thet Hinn Aung to two years in prison and fined K20,000 ($9.53 USD) on Dec. 5. He was convicted under the Unlawful Association Act. “It is an unjust accusation. It is unknown if there are any other counts he faces,” a source told DVB. The regime has arrested around 200 labor activists and many more have warrants out for their arrest.
SAGAING—A local man was killed when he stepped on a landmine in a village of Kanbalu Township on Dec. 3. “There are Pyu Saw Htee militias based in the village. They are afraid of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and claimed they planted the landmines for security reasons. However, locals were killed by the landmines,” a local told DVB. The landmines are reported to have been planted along the village’s fence and a total of four villagers have been killed in similar incidents.
DVB READS—Canadian photojournalist Bryan Dickie discusses his book “People’s Defence Force” Portraits of Burma’s Resistance Fighters. All proceeds from the book go to support Burma’s armed resistance. DVB English On-Demand. Stream on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or via your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish
It has been just over six months since the military coup d’état in Myanmar, and in that time the junta’s forces have killed more than 900 people and arrested more than 7,000. As the junta continues its attack on the country’s 50 million people, the world appears to be re-watching the bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters that took place 33 years ago, on August 8, 1988 — or what became known as the “8888” uprising.
Myint Wai, a 62-year-old former Myanmar soldier, fought for democracy during the 8888 uprising and continues the fight today as the Director of the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma.
“I was enlisted in the air force, but I left [the military] to join the ’88 protests,” Myint Wai told Fortify Rights.
Growing up in Kawa township in Bago, Myint Wai’s childhood dream was to become a soldier. “I wanted to be a soldier since I was in grade 5. I had a postcard of the Military Defense Service Academy hanging on my bookshelf.”
At 19, after six months of training, he fulfilled his dream by joining the air force as a technician.
After ten years in the air force, Myint Wai shifted paths when he learned about the brutal acts of the Myanmar military against protesters on August 8, 1988.
“The army suppressed people on August 8, and they took airplanes from our military camp to kill people the next day,” he said. “We couldn’t stand that. So, we joined the people.”
Following the arrest of other military deserters and protesters, Myint Wai fled to Thailand.
“I didn’t want to leave Myanmar,” Myint Wai told Fortify Rights. “I wanted to fight in Yangon. I didn’t want to go, but three chief [military] officers were arrested. Everyone told me that I couldn’t stay there. Students also left.”
Now, 33 years after the 8888 uprising, Myint Wai continues to support an unfinished fight for democracy, providing humanitarian aid to those fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar. “We send them some money. We buy medicines and food for them,” he said.
Despite the return to military rule in Myanmar, Myint Wai believes in the power of people.
“People help each other. There’s a saying in Thai that Thai people won’t leave each other. We have the same in Myanmar,” he said. “In the future, I want to see a democratic, federal government in Myanmar, and I hope that people from different ethnicities can come together to talk; this is what I hope for.”
Tanyalak Thongyoojaroen is a Communications Associate at Fortify Rights. Follow her on Twitter @tanyalak_th.
© Democratic Voice of Burma 2024.
