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Junta offers cash prize incentives at Independence Day celebrations, Dozens of Rohingya arrested in Yangon

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

A man competes in a pole climbing game in Dala Township during a previous celebration of Burma’s Independence Day. ©2019 Nyein Su

Junta offers cash prize incentives at Independence Day celebrations

The junta is offering cash prizes at sporting events in a bid to attract youth to compete during the 75th Independence Day on Jan. 4. “They were ordered to host festivities and sport events in the wards in some townships. Most wards will host events,” a source told DVB. According to a North Okkalapa resident, many young people will not attend despite the administration office in his ward offering cash prizes to participants, from K5oo,ooo to 1 million ($238 to 476 USD). The junta will stage a parade in Naypyidaw to mark Independence Day. The nationwide festivities usually include sporting events such as greasy pole climbing and ball games.

Passport offices across Burma have temporarily closed

Passport offices in Burma were shut down without further notice on Jan. 2. Many people received appointments at passport offices using QR codes. “This harms us a lot as we spent many months getting a QR code. I went to the office as the appointment I made by QR code was scheduled for this morning, but then found out about the sudden closure. They told us to go home but they did not tell us when it will reopen and what they will do for the people like me,” a local who went to get a passport told DVB. The offices were closed to upgrade the computer systems, according to . Passport brokers estimated that the office closure will last for at least two weeks. Before the coup, the cost of issuing a new passport was around K40,000 ($19 USD). Since the coup, the cost has risen to K1 million ($476 USD) due to the high demand for passports given the economic and political instability in Burma.

Over 46,000 undocumented Burmese arrested in Thailand in 2022

Over 46,000 undocumented Burma nationals were arrested by Thai security forces in 2022, according to the labor rights group Joint Action Committee for Burmese Affairs (JACBA). Moe Kyo is the JACBA chairperson. He said the figures were based on data collected by Thai officials and that most arrests were made near the Burma and Malaysia borders. Sixteen people were killed and another 153 were injured in road accidents due to attempts to avoid immigration or passport checkpoints. Since the coup, the number of people from Burma illegally entering Thailand has increased. A total of 217 brokers and guides were arrested for transporting undocumented Burma nationals. Eighty-three Thai police officers are facing trial for human trafficking.

News by Region

YANGON—The Burma Army arrested nine Rohingya and two brokers at Toekyaungkalay train station in North Dagon Township on Jan. 2. They were waiting to take the train from Yangon to Mawlamyine, a local source said. North Dagon Police station is planning to file charges against the 11 people, a source close to the administration told DVB. At least 1,000 Rohingya were arrested in Yangon, Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, Magway and Rakhine State in 2022.

Seventy-seven Rohingya were arrested at a home in Thanlyin Township on Jan. 3. “They were brought from Taungup to Yangon. I do not know where they will be sent. Military troops are now interrogating them at Thihadipa stadium in Thanlyin,” a source close to the local administration said. The United Nations describes the Rohingya as one of the most persecuted minority groups in the world. Human Rights Watch states that the Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State face systematic abuses that amount to crimes against humanity, including confinement to camps and villages without freedom of movement. Last year, the U.S. government determined that Burma had committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya.

KARENNI—The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) stated that 1,244 Burma Army personnel were killed in Karenni State last year. “The data was collected based on the announcements of ethnic armed organizations [EAO] and local People’s Defense Forces [PDF],” a spokesperson of PKPF told DVB. It reported 544 clashes between resistance groups and the Burma Army in Karenni State since the 2021 coup. In 2022, the Burma Army carried out 182 airstrikes in Karenni State, and at least 170 Karenni resistance fighters were killed, the PKPF added. The PKPF stated that 293 civilians were killed and 280 civilians were arrested, and that 1,309 houses and 27 religious buildings were destroyed by the Burma Army. Anti-junta groups control most of Karenni State but the military council remains in control of its urban areas.

SAGAING—Resistance forces in Shwebo District of Watlet Township stated that they had visited eight villages on Jan. 1 and 2 to provide free medical treatment. “The majority of those displaced are elders and many are homeless during this cold weather. Our forces have created a mobile clinic and are giving many kinds of treatment except eye surgery. We are unable to currently do surgery,” said a medical team member. A group calling itself the Watlet Township Revolutionary Forces Without Borders consists of trained medics and volunteers. It said it would continue to provide on-the-ground medical support in Sagaing. To date, it has provided free medical treatment to 195 people.

DVB PICKS—This week, Doh Pyay Doh Myay (Our Land Our Region) Global Episode 20 profiles Naing Aung, a Burmese language teacher living in Sydney, Australia. He’s committed to supporting the Spring Revolution in Burma. Stay tuned.

DVB Peace Documentary 2022 Film “Karenni”; Ayeyarwady Court hands death sentence to teacher

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

DVB Peace Documentary 2022 Finalist: “Karenni”

“Karenni” was one of the finalists of DVB’s Peace Documentary 2022. This film documents those who lost loved ones during the 2021 Christmas Eve massacre that took place in Moso village of Hpruso Township in Kayah (Karenni) State, Burma. It shares the story of the Karenni people who’ve joined the Spring Revolution against the 2021 military coup, and it reflects on those who were killed one year ago in the Karenni region. You can watch it here

Junta leader hands awards to allies

Min Aung Hlaing gave honorary awards to 744 individuals including the Vice-Commander-in-Chief Soe Win at an event in Naypyidaw on Jan. 1. He gave a posthumous award to former dictator Ne Win. “It is a tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence,” said the current coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.

NUG’s acting president gives New Year’s speech

The National Unity Government’s (NUG) Acting President Duwa Lashi La gave a New Year’s speech on Jan. 1. “The key to success depends on resistance forces and the unity of the public and I’m sure we will succeed. 2023 is an important year and will be a turning point for the country. Let us continue to fight together with our NUG, the ethnic armed forces, revolutionary groups and the entire people,” he said. The NUG claimed that a total of 1,500 members of the People Defense Forces (PDF) were killed and more than 20,150 Burma Army personnel were killed since it began its “People’s Defensive War” in September 2021.

Court hands death sentence to teacher 

The Hinthada District Court gave the death sentence to a teacher in Myanaung Township, Ayeyarwady Region on Dec. 30. Kaung Khant Kyaw was convicted by the court of murder and for violating Section 50(J) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. “He has been detained at Hinthada prison for over a year. The court handed him a death sentence on Dec. 30 and he was transferred to Pathein Prison on the same day. It happened so suddenly,” a source close to his family said.

News by Region

AYEYARWADDY—A student leader at Maubin Technological University was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Dec. 30. Shwe Chu Wine is the information officer at the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) in Maubin town. “She was sentenced under Section 50(J) of the Counter-Terrorism Law,” a source said.

KAREN—The Karen National Union (KNU) office of the Commander-in-Chief of Brigade 5 warned military appointed administrators to resign and leave Kamamaung Township, Hpapun District before Jan. 10. “We issued this kind of warning last year to government staff to not collaborate with the military’s administration. At that time, their administration wasn’t able to operate in Hpapun. We issued the warning again this year to make sure they cannot operate there,” said Major Kalel Doh, the spokesperson of KNU Brigade 5. The KNU’s Brigade 5 declared it will continue to fight against the junta and would not recognize any election organized by it.

MANDALAY—Regime media stated that the Burma Army arrested 16 resistance fighters with explosives planning a bombing on Dec. 31 in Mandalay. The report went on to state that two men detained earlier the same day in Aung Chan Mya Tharsi Township tipped off the Burma Army.

RAKHINE—Junta authorities in Kyaukphyu stated that armed groups coming into town will not have to face inspections on Jan. 4. “There will be a stage show and games on January 3 and 4 for Independence Day. They said they will halt inspections then and armed groups in Rakhine State can go anywhere freely,” a local said. The junta is planning to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Burma’s independence.

The junta’s Department of Immigration and Population announced that it will begin to collect voter data in Rakhine state on Jan. 9. This is in order to determine the number of eligible voters for the junta’s upcoming elections in 2023.  

TANINTHARYI—A Burma Army soldier was killed and a police officer was injured after an altercation between the two at Launglon Police station on Jan. 1. “I heard four gunshots and someone was down. They were fighting each other,” a local said. An ambulance transported the injured to Dawei Hospital. Unverified reports claim the police chief was also injured in the altercation.

YANGON—A ward administrator was shot dead by armed men at a tea shop in Hlaing Tharyar Township on Jan. 1. “The gunmen came on a motorcycle and shot at them. Everyone, including the injured administrator, ran away. He was killed after being shot in the head,” a source said. The victim was a member of the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP), according to locals.

DVB READS—This week’s episode features U Kyaw Min on his book “Rohingya History: Reality, Devoid of Myth,” and how he wrote it while jailed at Insein Prison. DVB English On-Demand via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or your favorite podcast app.  

Karenni

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DVB Peace Documentary 2022 Finalist “Karenni.” This film documents those who lost loved ones during the 2021 Christmas Eve massacre that took place in Moso village of Hpruso Township in Kayah (Karenni) State, Burma. It shares the story of the Karenni people who’ve joined the Spring Revolution against the 2021 military coup, and it reflects on those who were killed one year ago in the Karenni region.

(c) DVB TV News 01/01/2023

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About DVB
The DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) is a non-profit Burmese media organization committed to independent and responsible journalism. The DVB Foundation is registered in Oslo, Norway since 1992.

Supporting Myanmar’s resistance from Australia

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Naing Aung has lived in Sydney, Australia for 20 years. He teaches Burmese language and culture to children, so they can one day visit Burma and contribute to making it a better society and country. He spends his free time supporting the Spring Revolution and uprising against the 2021 military coup in Burma.

Doh Pyay Doh Myay (DPDM) Global is a DVB travel program, exploring diversity worldwide. Every week Burmese diaspora on another continent are given a voice. #တို့ပြည်တို့မြေ #ကနေဒါ

Roadshow #Australia #OverseasBurmese #DVBTV DVB TV – 01.01.2023

Watch more DPDM: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM…

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Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dvbenglish
Podcast – https://link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish

Doh Pyay Doh Myay (DPDM) Global
On-Demand: https://link.chtbl.com/dpdm
InforMM: https://bit.ly/3v446w3
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ja3a6t
Google: https://bit.ly/3BOFQBJ
Apple: https://apple.co/3W7v1Tw

About DVB
The DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) is a non-profit Burmese media organization committed to independent and responsible journalism. The DVB Foundation is registered in Oslo, Norway since 1992.

DVB Reads: Kyaw Min on “Rohingya History: Reality, Devoid of Myth”

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U Kyaw Min talks about writing his book “Rohingya History: Reality, Devoid of Myth” on toilet paper in prison, only to be released and have difficulties getting it published because of using the word Rohingya in the title. The e-book is available here.

DVB Reads is a digital storytelling project featuring the voices of writers, poets, translators, and bookworms, on why you should read a book, story or poem on Burma (Myanmar). It’s a recommended reading list for your ears. DVB English On-Demand via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or your favourite podcast player: link.chtbl.com/dvb-reads

Civil Disobedience Movement and Civil Society members receive prison sentences

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM


DVB’s Weekly Cartoon: The U.S. government signed the Burma Act into law 

Prison Court gives final sentence to Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint

Detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint received an additional seven years sentence under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption law from a military court in Naypyidaw. Read more here.

Detained Rakhine Chief Minister denied medical treatment

Detained Rakhine State Chief Minister Nyi Pu has still not received medical attention for eye disease, according to his family. “I found out my father’s cataract syndrome has not improved yet. He requested medical treatment at the hospital. And I hope they will give proper treatment,” Kyi Kyi Oo, Nyi Pu’s daughter, told DVB.

Civil society activists receive prison sentences

Members of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society were sentenced to 15 years in prison each by the Kyaikmayaw Prison Court on Dec. 23. Nu Nu Aung, Khet Khet Aung and her son Myat Thu were arrested in April 2022 in Hpa-an, Karen State. All were charged under Section 50(J) and 51(C) of the Counter-Terrorism Act. Nu Nu Aung’s family is concerned about her health in prison due to insufficient healthcare. Nu Nu Aung and Khet Khet Aung were working at the Department of Farmer Affairs and Child Affairs for the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society.

Myanmar Citizens Bank to close five of its branches

Myanmar Citizens Bank (MCB) announced on Dec. 28 that it had closed down five of its branches in Mandalay, Sagaing and Muse. “Two branches in Sagaing were temporarily closed due to the bad political situation. The branches in Mandalay and Shan’s Muse were closed down in 2020,” the MCB office in Yangon told DVB. MCB was founded in 1991. It became a public company and listed on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) in 2016. Until December 2022, MCB operated 48 branches in Burma.

News by Region

AYEYARWADDY—Five members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) received lengthy prison sentences on Dec. 21 for taking part in anti-coup protests in Kyaiklat town. They have been detained since they were arrested in May 2021. “The five of them were charged under Section 52(i) and 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. The punishments are unfair for the charges of protesting and communicating with the illegal groups. However, they all received long-term prison sentences,” a family member said. A Pyapon district court sentenced Pyae Phyo Aung, Chan Myat Thu to 20 years in prison each while Hein Ko received 30 years, Myo Ko received 35 years and Htut Naung Oo received 40 years imprisonment, respectively. They were arrested in May 2021. | BURMESE 

CHIN—The Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP-Myanmar) stated that since the 2021 coup nearly 100,000 people in Chin state have been internally displaced. And at least 40,000 fled to safety across the border to Mizoram, India. Up to November 2022, at least 592 clashes occurred in nine townships of Chin state, 125 of these occurred in Mindat Township. There were at least 33 air strikes, 27 took place in Paletwa Township. Arson attacks destroyed 1,175 houses and buildings, 1,011 of them were located in Thantlang Township.

KACHIN—The Kachin People Defense Force (PDF) seized a prison in Ma Zut Yan village in Hpakant Township on Dec. 23. The prison was attacked and a shootout occurred. “I don’t know much about it as it happened inside the prison. But after the fighting, the military [based in] Hpakant Byuu Har Kone shelled the village,” a local said. The Burma Army opened fire on a church in Sahkha village. A 16-year-old was injured, according to locals.

MANDALAY—A member of the Amarapura Township Student Union was sentenced to 15 years by the Obo Prison Court. Aung Kyaw Khant, a second-year student at Mandalay’s Nursing Training School was convicted of violating Section 50 (J) of the Counter-Terrorism Act on Dec. 26. He was arrested in June 2022.

MON—Twenty-four Rohingya were arrested in a five-story building in Mawlamyine on Dec. 25. “Now the immigration is under investigation. It is still not clear where they came from,” a resident told DVB. Since the 2021 coup, nearly 1,000 Rohingya have been arrested in Yangon, Ayeyarwaddy, Bago and Magway regions. Human Rights Watch states that the Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State face systematic abuses that amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid, persecution, and deprivation of liberty. They are confined to camps and villages without freedom of movement, cut off from access to adequate food, health care, education, and livelihoods.

TANINTHARYI—Sixteen people were injured in an explosion at a wedding reception in Waidi village of Longlon Township on Dec.29. “Two people dropped a black plastic bag. At first, I thought it was trash. There were two explosions. We ran toward the house after the first explosion and then another went off,” a witness told DVB. The 16 injured people were later sent to Dawei Hospital. No one is in critical condition, according to witnesses. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Dawei Township Court sentenced two Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) members to five years in prison on Dec. 29. Wai Yar Soe and Aung Lwin were charged under Sec.52 (A) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. “The judge said he ordered them with his own assumption. He said they can appeal at the district or regional courts if they’re not satisfied,” a friend of the two told DVB. Aung Lwin was arrested near a check-point gate in Dawei in April 2022. Wai Yar Soe was arrested at a house in Dawei the following day.

YANGON—Over 73 percent of students at Yangon Technological University (YTU) are taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the CDM group University Council of YTU announced. The students have been on strike since the 2021 coup. Ninety-five students have been “blacklisted” for attending university classes. The 95 students need to appeal to be removed from the CDM group’s blacklist. There were more than 5,000 students attending classes since the start of the academic year. | BURMESE 

The Insein Prison Court sentenced Yarzar, aka Soe Yarzar Tun, to three years in prison on Dec. 28. A lawyer said he was sentenced under Sec.52 (C) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Yarzar runs the NCA HIV/AIDS center in East Dagon Township. He was arrested in March 2022 and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law at East Dagon Police Station.

On Dec. 27, the court also sentenced seven people charged under Sections 3, 5, and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. “Six of them received 12 years imprisonment. And a taxi driver was sentenced to seven years in prison,” a lawyer told DVB. The seven were arrested on 44th Street in Botataung Township in August 2021. Two members of this group jumped from the fourth floor to their deaths trying to evade arrest by junta forces.

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