The All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) stated that it has been able to train and mobilize “a new generation of comrades” and is fighting the junta alongside pro-democracy coalition forces in Burma. The ABSDF marked the 34th anniversary of its founding on Nov. 1. It was formed by students who fled to Burma’s borderlands to fight against a previous junta known ominously as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). This followed a brutal military crackdown on protests during the country’s 1988 pro-democracy uprising, which led to the establishment of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The ABSDF stated that a total of 764 ABSDF members were killed and 401 were injured over the last three decades of combat against the Burma Army. This figure includes those killed since last year’s coup. Pro-democracy forces including the National Unity Government (NUG), Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP Burma), and General Strike Collaboration Committee (GSCC) congratulated the ABSDF for its continued struggle against tyranny and dictatorship.
Monk arrested with activists in Mandalay, Magway MP sentenced to 173 years
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Pro-democracy monk arrested with activists in Mandalay
A leading Buddhist monk from the Sangha Union Mandalay, and four other anti-coup activists, from the Mandalay Revolution Strike (MRS) were arrested by the Burma Army on Oct. 30. The MRS is a group based in Mandalay that has conducted flash mob-style protests to denounce last year’s coup and to call for a return to democracy. The monk and activists were in good health prior to being arrested. The MRS stated that it will hold the Burma Army accountable if it mistreats the detained activists and will continue its efforts to “destroy the dictatorship.”
The Magway District Court sentenced Win Myint Hlaing, a member of parliament from Taungdwingyi Township, to a total of 148 years in prison on Oct.31. He was previously sentenced by a court in Daung Nay Prison to 25 years for violating Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code. His most recent charge under the Anti-Terrorism Act has brought his total prison sentence to 173 years.
Report details the human toll of the coup across southeast Burma
In southeast Burma, since the coup, a total of 160 people have been killed and 570 have been injured. More than 2,950 have been arrested in Mon, Karen and Tanintharyi, according to the new report by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM). Read the report here.
News by Region
BAGO—A National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson in Padaung Township, and his daughter, a member of parliament, were released from Pyay prison on Nov. 1. Ye Din and Zin Moe Htike were sentenced to two years each under Section 25 of the Natural Disaster Law. His eldest daughter remains in prison. “He and his daughters were arrested in February, 2021. The oldest daughter was not involved with politics but she argued with police officers when they arrested her sister and father. She was released after being detained for five or six months, but was later re-arrested again under Section 505 (A) and has not been released yet,” a source in Pyay told DVB. Ye Din was hospitalized several times in prison due to heart disease.
RAKHINE—A family was killed by artillery fired by the Burma Army at Pisei village in Kyauktaw Township on Oct. 31. Locals said the heavy shells landed on houses inside the village around 11 p.m. and the family – a man, woman and their 13-year-old daughter – was killed instantly. Artillery shells fired by the Burma Army also destroyed two houses and injured a 15-year-old student in Saimakyaw village in Kyauktaw Township. The Burma Army continues to shell and bomb villages in Kyauktaw Township, according to locals.
MANDALAY—An explosion occurred at a ward administration office in Mandalay’s Pyigyidagun Township on Oct. 31, injuring five. Three resistance groups – Anonymous Force MDY, Mandalay Youngs Force (MYF) and Truth Keeping Force-AMA claimed responsibility for the attack.
SAGAING—Local defense force, the Golden Eagle Force Monywa claimed to have carried out an attack on a police station, located in an industrial zone on Oct. 31. The group states that three policemen were killed. It conducted the attack with two other resistance forces, Black Dragon Special Task Force, and Monywa Ranger Army.
A man was killed by Pyu Saw Htee militiamen in Monywa. “He was shot dead while driving a tractor in a field. I don’t know why,” a local told DVB. The motive behind the killing is unknown. The military council has provided basic military training and arms to pro-regime militias, and often accompany them as local guides in raids and offensives in the area.
YANGON—A train station ticket sales office in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township was held up by armed men on Nov. 1. They made off with more than K2 million ($948 USD). “Under these circumstances [military coup], you can never guess who is good or bad,” a resident living near the train station told DVB.
Buddhist monk laid to rest on Thai-Burma border, Regime revokes publication license of The Irrawaddy
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Buddhist monk laid to rest in exile on Thai-Burma border
A funeral for Buddhist monk and interfaith leader Myawaddy Sayadaw, 71, was held in Mae Sot, Thailand on Oct. 31. The Spring Revolution Sangha Network expressed its sadness, stating that it is “a huge and irreplaceable loss for the country, the Spring Revolution and the religion.” Myawaddy Mingyi Sayadaw was a critic of what he called “the evil system of the military dictatorship” in Burma and its affiliated religious leaders.
Regime revokes the publication license of The Irrawaddy
The junta’s Ministry of Information announced that it had officially revoked the publication license of The Irrawaddy. It accused the independent media outlet of damaging state security, rule of law and public tranquility for its news coverage. This follows charges of violating the Telecommunications and News laws, along with BBC Burmese, for its reporting on junta forces opening fire and killing three visitors to Mon State’s Golden Rock Pagoda. The Irrawaddy is the only media outlet charged after last year’s coup with violating Section 505 (a) of the penal code.
Junta threatens to prosecute anyone helping Hpakant airstrike victims
The junta threatened to prosecute anyone providing medical treatment to the injured at A Nang Pa under the Unlawful Associations Act. Junta airstrikes on Oct. 23 killed 62 and injured 60 gathered to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). “The day after the airstrike, the entrance and exit of Hpakant town were blocked off since the morning. Rescue teams cannot go to help them or send emergency medicine. People who were seriously injured bled to death,” a local told DVB. Residents said that the Burma Army is still blocking access to A Nang Pa, Hpakant Township, Kachin State.
News by Region
KACHIN—One person was killed in an explosion at a general administration office in Myitkyina on Oct. 30. “The sound of the blast was very loud. One person died. He is around 30 years old. It is not known whether he was a civil servant,” a local told DVB. The roof of the office building is said to have been damaged in the blast. No group has yet claimed to respond to the attack.
MAGWAY—Around 40 houses in Saithay village of Yesagyo Township were on Oct. 29, locals said. Another arson attack was reported in the nearby Thanpyachaung village. “Smoke and flames can be seen from a distance. We need to enter the village to put out the fire after they [the Burma Army] leave the village,” a villager told DVB. More than 1,500 residents from the villages have fled.
YANGON—Ten members of the Inya Urban Force (IUF) were arrested last month in different townships, according to junta media. Three women are among the 10 arrested. The IUF confirmed the arrests on Oct. 31. Its leader is reported to have evaded capture.
Around 30 workers from Myanmar Pou Chen factory were fired after they led a protest demanding a pay raise. The workers demanded a wage increase of K8,000 ($3.81 USD) per day from K4,800 ($2.28 USD) per day. “As far as we know, 27 workers have been fired. We do not acknowledge their dismissal since we acted according to the law,” a worker said. The factory management claims that the workers violated the employment contract (EC) and were fired without compensation as a result. The dismissed workers said they will continue to pursue legal methods to dispute the factory’s “unilateral dismissals.” It is said that the factory, located in Yangon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township, mainly manufactures Adidas shoes.
Malaysia FM states ASEAN must engage with NUG. International Justice mechanisms must hold Burma accountable for crimes
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah stated that ASEAN must engage with the National Unity Government (NUG) and National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and other stakeholders. “To improve humanitarian efforts, Malaysia recommended ASEAN to consider the Inclusive Humanitarian Donor Forum proposed by the NUG to support ASEAN’s efforts on humanitarian assistance.” ASEAN leaders will meet to discuss these recommendations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Nov. 11.
International Justice mechanisms must hold Burma accountable
Kyaw Moe Tun, Burma’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring justice to Burma. He made these remarks at the 21st Plenary Meeting of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 27. He stated that the junta continues to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The National Unity Government (NUG) welcomes the ICJ case brought by The Gambia against Burma for the genocide committed by the Burma Army against the Rohingya. Kyaw Moe Tun said that the NUG has informed the ICJ that it would accept any ruling made by the court and, if in power, it would hold perpetrators accountable.
CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia Calls for Immediate Sanctions
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw/National Unity Government (CRPH/NUG) Support Group Australia has urged the Australian government to enact sanctions against Burma’s junta. CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia visited the Australian Parliament House and met with 16 MPs and senators from all political parties. The group met with seven out of 16 senators and discussed the detention of Australian economist Sean Turnell in Burma, along with the junta’s planned election, and economic sanctions. “It needs to be said clearly that the Australia Labor Party has stood for the truth,” Dr. Hla Yin Chaw from the CRPH/NUG Support Group Australia told DVB. Australia is scheduled to co-host the ADMM-plus conference on military medicine in Brunei on Nov. 2. The junta is scheduled to attend.
News by Region
KAREN—The 17th Congress of the Karen National Union (KNU) that was planned to be held on Oct. 24 has been postponed indefinitely due to escalating clashes and airstrikes. The congress is typically held every four years and was originally scheduled to be held at the end of 2020 but was repeatedly delayed due to the military coup and COVID-19. Read more here.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) seized Kyaik Don Myoma police station in Kyainseikgyi Township on Oct. 29. A shootout occurred and a police officer was killed, according to the KNLA.
KACHIN—Two political prisoners, including one journalist, were released from Hpakant Prison on Oct. 28, according to locals. In Hpakant Township, 44 anti-coup protesters have been charged under Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code.
MANDALAY—The Burma Army tried to intimidate people participating in a “blackout strike” from 8:30 to 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 28. “Before dark, security forces are everywhere. They put their soldiers around the moat, Sein Pan and Myo Thit wards. They patrolled in the town with the vehicles,” a resident told DVB. Residents of Yangon and other cities also joined the strike by turning off every light, staying in the dark, and praying for those killed during the junta’s airstrike that killed 60 in Hpakant, Kachin State on Oct.23.
SAGAING—People living in Paraima village have been trapped for the last 24 hours as the Burma Army conducted its offensive in Myaung Township on Oct. 28. “I don’t know exactly why they attacked the village or if they were fighting with the People’s Defense Force (PDF). People who could run were able to flee as the attack occurred at night time,” a villager said. The Burma Army also set fire to houses. “They are fighting with the PDFs. Around 7 a.m. a jet fighter attacked the village and after 15 minutes another jet opened fire. Later, they deployed soldiers inside the village school. Some villagers were injured due to those attacks but no PDF members were harmed,” Bo Tauk Tun, leader of Myaung PDF told DVB.
Three civilians were killed in an attack by an unidentified group on a garage located in Monywa’s Nadawon ward on Oct. 29. “Three dead bodies with gunshot wounds were sent to Monywa Hospital. I don’t know why and how,” a source told DVB. There have been six killed in Monywa over the last 30 days, according to locals.
SHAN/WA—The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) sent its condolences to those killed at A Nong Pa, in Hpakant Township, on Oct. 23. The two Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) are based in eastern Shan and Wa States. Both are calling for ethnic reconciliation and a peaceful solution to Burma’s political crisis.
DVB Reads: Episode 14 (Emma Larkin on “Finding George Orwell in Burma”)
