At least 655 Burma nationals held at an immigration detention center (IDC) in Thailand’s southern Ranong province have staged protests inside the IDC against what they call a “violation of human rights.” The protests by IDC detainees from Burma began on Jan. 28. They claim they are in poor health, and that there are pregnant women and senior citizens being held in substandard and overcrowded conditions at the IDC. They’ve also complained that they have not been provided with sufficient food or health care.
Burma’s COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 military coup have forced many to seek work in Thailand. Despite the fact that there is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries for migrant workers in Burma to legally apply to work in Thailand, the number of workers choosing to do it illegally has increased dramatically in the last two years. The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation suggested that the number would rise even more as a result of the passport office closures and resulting suspension of new passports being issued. There have been almost daily reports in Thai media of Burma nationals being arrested for illegal entry into Thailand.
“You can just imagine that more than 150 people were crammed into a room with a capacity of 80 people. The CCTV [closed circuit cameras] are everywhere, [even] in the restrooms. The men watched the women shower from downstairs on the CCTV camera. Since we are not allowed to leave the center, we have to purchase supplies inside at expensive prices, such as phone cards and food. There is a water shortage. As a result, we became itchy. Since drinking water is also limited, we have to share,” said a Burma national being detained at the Ranong IDC on the condition of anonymity.
The IDC is where Burma nationals are held to await repatriation from Thailand. According to official procedures, there is no charge for repatriation to Burma, but those who pay a bribe are told they will be included on the priority list, according to Burma nationals held at the Ranong IDC. They claimed they had to pay bribes of 12,000 Baht ($ 366.75 USD) per person just to be included on a repatriation list. Or else they’ll be stuck even longer at the IDC. Many have already spent the last six months in detention there.
“What I can’t stand is that those who arrived later than us were included in the list of those who were sent back with priority by paying the bribe. People who have been waiting for their turn for six or seven months without being able to pay are still not on the list. It’s gone too far, so we conducted the protest,” added the Burma national being held at the Ranong IDC. Following Thai media reports of the protest at the Ranong IDC, Burma Embassy in Thailand officials visited its nationals being held there on Jan. 29. They were told by embassy staff that they will be repatriated to Burma next month. On Jan. 30, another 100 Burma national detainees arrived at the IDC.
Burma’s deteriorating economic situation has slashed the incomes of Burmese households.
World Bank forecasts Burma’s economy to grow by 3 percent in 2023
Burma’s economy is expected to grow three percent in 2023, leaving the economy still smaller than it was in 2020, Nikkei Asia reported, citing the World Bank. The Burmese economy also grew three percent in 2022 but it is believed to have shrunk by almost 20 percent in 2021 due to the economic fallout after the military coup. “This would imply that per capita GDP remains about 13 percent below its pre-COVID-19 level,” the World Bank stated. High inflation, unemployment, and shrinking household incomes have also plagued Burma since the coup. Many international businesses and investors have pulled out of the country or have put projects on hold. The military’s haphazard economic policies have added further woes to Burma’s already precarious economic outlook. The World Bank forecasted that the country’s escalating civil war and electricity shortages will continue to disrupt the economy.
Detained Burma nationals at Thai IDC protest to demand repatriation
At least 655 Burma nationals held at an immigration detention center (IDC) in Thailand’s Ranong province have staged protests against substandard living conditions at the center since Jan. 28. They claim they’ve been waiting for at least six months to be repatriated to Burma since they had completed their sentences. They claimed they had to pay bribes of 12,000 Baht ($ 366.75 USD) per person to be included on a repatriation list. According to Thai media, Burma’s military junta will not accept its nationals despite Thailand’s desire to send all those who’ve completed their sentences home as soon as possible.
More Burma nationals arrested near Thai-Burma border
A total of 94 undocumented Burma nationals were arrested on Jan. 29 in Kanchanaburi district in western Thailand, Naewna Thai News reported. They are said to have paid brokers 20,000 to 30,000 baht ($613 to 917 USD) per person for transportation and other related expenses.
News by Region
KACHIN—Four jade scavengers were killed in a landslide at a jade mining site in Nam Maw village, Hpakant Township on Jan. 30, according to a rescue worker. “The four were killed while they were searching for stones in an old jade mine,” the rescue worker told DVB. Every year, jade workers lose their lives in landslide disasters in Hpakant. In December 2021, around 100 were killed. In 2020, at least 160 were killed in landslides.
SHAN—There were no reported casualties as the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) resumed fighting in Lashio Township on Jan. 29. “Fighting is occurring frequently. The most serious one was the battle in Namsan Township’s Kone Tha Village in December. We are defending ourselves and I don’t know what the motive behind the Burma Army’s shooting and offensive is yet,” Tar Aik Kyaw, a TNLA spokesperson, told DVB. Regime media has not yet reported on the fighting.
YANGON—The deputy general manager of the Shwewar Soap factory was killed in Hlaing Township on Jan. 30. “He was shot while he was buying food at a street shop,” a local said. Seven people have been killed, and 10 people have been injured, in at least 29 shootings and explosions in Yangon so far this month. This includes the high profile killing of four military personnel, including two intelligence (MI) officers, on Jan. 22. Local administrators, military officers, and alleged informants were reportedly targeted. “At the moment, the main targets of attacks are working in immigration and administration offices, as well as police stations,” said a source with the police on the condition of anonymity. Last year, 235 people were killed and 361 were injured in Yangon Region. This includes the murder of retired Burma Army Brigadier General Ohn Thwin. A total of 916 shootings and bombings occurred in 2022.
In the latest episode of DVB Reads, Mandy Sadan continues to discuss the book “War and Peace in the Borderlands of Myanmar” and mentions her 2013 book “Being and Becoming Kachin.” DVB English Podcasts are on-demand on all podcast apps: https://link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish
An anti-coup rally at Times Square in New York City on Jan 28.
“Silent Strike” to be held in Burma to mark anniversary of coup
A nationwide “Silent Strike” is set to take place on Feb. 1, 2023 – the second anniversary of the military coup that ousted the National League for Democracy (NLD) government and plunged Burma back into the abyss. People have been asked to stay home as a way to denounce the military’s attempted takeover and arrest of its elected leaders, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. The previous three silent strikes in Burma since the 2021 coup have put the spotlight back on the country. Anti-coup protest leader Tayzar San urged everyone to join the Silent Strike on Feb. 1. “Boycott the illegal [junta’s] elections. Show silence as evidence.”
Regime claims that immigration offices have been destroyed since coup
Regime media reported that nine immigration offices have been destroyed by arson attacks since the 2021 coup. Three in Chin State, four in Sagaing Region and two in Magway Region. “Those offices have to do everything that every government asks for. They have to do their jobs under this military council as well. It is okay to burn those buildings down but I think the documents shouldn’t be destroyed as they are important information for the people,” said an anti-coup leader on the condition of anonymity. So far this month, immigration offices in Myaing, Salingyi, Yesagyo and Myinmu townships have been attacked by arsonists. According to data collected by DVB, 21 arson attacks have occurred at immigration offices since 2021.
Political parties face stricter regulations under amended Political Parties Registration Law
Min Aung Hlaing amended Burma’s Political Parties Registration Law on Jan. 26 to require all political parties to have at least 100,000 members. It also states that they need to have at least K100 million ($47,564 USD) deposited at the Myanma Economic Bank (MEB) to be able to compete nationwide. Min Aung Hlaing claimed that there were too many political parties in Burma that do not adequately represent the people. The political parties allowed to contest elections must maintain a presence in at least half of Burma’s townships. If the party contests at the state or region level, it needs to recruit at least 1,000 members and have at least five offices. State and regional parties must also have at least K10 million ($4,756 USD) deposited at the MEB.
News by Region
KACHIN—A 19-year-old man was killed and his mother injured after a shell fired from the military base in Hopin Township landed in nearby Nant Yin village on the morning of Jan. 27. “They went to the farm that morning. It happened near the Nant Yin creek and killed the son at that place. His mother’s leg was injured,” a local said.
KAREN—Nine Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps have been established at monasteries as thousands of residents from 20 villages near Kyondoe town, Kawkareik district have fled their homes. “We’re still collecting data on the IDPs as we are placing them in nine different locations. We do not dare to put them together in one place as they might become a military target,” said a person assisting the IDPs. Fighting between coalition forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Burma Army 546th Battalion near Mingalon village has been intensifying in Kyondoe town since Jan. 20. Residents of Kan Ni, Thayattaw and Migalon villages were forced to flee to safety due to arson attacks on Jan. 23. “The military’s air force dropped bombs over houses. Its infantry also torched the homes,” a local said. Residents of Kyondoe town, and 20 nearby villages, were forced to flee their homes. A local resistance force recently claimed that more than 90 Burma Army troops were killed and 50 were injured from Jan. 20 to 26. More than 10 airstrikes have been carried out on Kan Ni village. Three members of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) were killed.
MANDALAY —A captain-level officer and his wife were shot dead by a local resistance group in Myingyan on Jan. 26, the group claimed in a release. The group also warned that anyone who cooperates with the military council and provides information will face similar action in the future.
RAKHINE—A man was killed after a landmine was activated near a military outpost in Phar Pyo village, Minbya Township on Jan. 27. The 52-year-old victim stepped on a landmine while searching for wood on the mountainside. “There is a military outpost near the mountain. He was killed there and was wounded in the abdomen. His body was later brought to the village,” a local said. On Jan. 26, one child was killed and three others were injured by a landmine in Phoe Khaung Chaung village, Buthidaung Township.
A bridge that was built by the Arakan Army (AA) with the assistance of locals to connect two villages in Rathedaung Township was opened on Jan. 25. “It was the very first bridge built by the AA with the locals. I hope this kind of action for regional development will be continued in the future,” a resident said. The bridge ‘Lai Gwin Chay’ cost about K34 million ($16,182 USD). The bridge opening was hosted by the United League of Arakan (ULA). It included a football match and theatrical performances.
SHAN—Kyaw Zayyar, the editor in chief of the Kanbawza Times News based in Taunggyi, was sentenced to one year in prison on Jan. 9. He was arrested in Gyobingauk town, Bago Region, on Dec. 25, and charged with incitement on Jan. 9. The junta arrested four journalists from Kanbawza Time News on March 24, 2021 and sentenced them to three years each for incitement. All four were later released in an amnesty. A total of ten journalists have been arrested in Shan State. Five of them remain in detention.
Watch the latest DVB Reports, featuring the story of three people stuck at the border since the 2021 military coup. They had to seek asylum and refuge temporarily in Thailand. DVB English is on-demand via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Mandy Sadan continues to discuss her books “Being and Becoming Kachin” and “War and Peace in the Borderlands of Myanmar: The Kachin Ceasefire 1994-2011”
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