Amnesty International calls out junta for ‘escalating repression’, More Burmese arrested in Thailand
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
A Heinous and Cowardly Act Committed by Junta Against Kachin
The horrific airstrike that killed dozens in Kachin State was widely condemned domestically and internationally. Regime media denied the accusations and called verified reports that civilians were killed “a rumor.” Read more here.
Amnesty International calls out junta for ‘escalating repression’
Amnesty International released a statement regarding the junta airstrike. Hana Young, Amnesty’s deputy regional director, demands immediate access be given to medics and humanitarian responders to Kachin civilians in need.
Burma Civil Society Calls to Scrap ASEAN 5-PC and recognize NUG
A letter signed by 457 civil society organizations in Burma calls on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to scrap its Five-Point Consensus and exclude the junta from all meetings indefinitely. It requests ASEAN to revise the mandate of the Special Envoy and publicly recognize the National Unity Government (NUG). ASEAN meets Thursday at its Secretariat in Jakarta. The junta has been barred from ASEAN meetings over its refusal to adhere to the 5-PC. Read more here.
More Burmese workers arrested in Thailand
Nearly 100 undocumented Burma nationals were arrested by Thai authorites. The arrests took place over two days from Oct. 22 to 23 in two separate provinces along the Thai-Burma border, according to the Royal Thai Army.
News by Region
AYEYARWADDY—Fifty-eight Rohingya, including a pregnant woman, were arrested in Maubin Township on Oct. 21. According to police, 37 men, 13 women, four children, and four drivers, were detained from a boat on the river. Rohingya arrested in Burma will be jailed and not be allowed to return home to Rakhine State, according to rights activists. The Rohingya have been stripped of their citizenship and identity documents under previous military regimes. They have no freedom of movement and are confined to villages and camps. Last August marked five years since a genocide was perpetrated by the Burma Army against the Rohingya. There has yet to be any accountability or justice for them. “The Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State face systematic abuses that amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid, persecution, and deprivation of liberty,” states Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Three traffic police officers were killed in a bombing at a traffic checkpoint in Hinthada Township on Oct. 23. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Locals state that the attack was conducted by resistance forces. Police have been demanding bribes and making arrests at this checkpoint. It has been reported that more than 10 people have been arrested. Police allege they were behind the attack.
The military council has banned deliveries of parcels to prisoners inside Pathein Prison since the bombing at Insein Prison on Oct. 20. “Health conditions are bad inside prisons. Anyone who has been in prison realizes this. The food quality is poor. If you don’t get enough medicine and your nutritional needs are not met, you may have more health issues,” an activist said. Political prisoners’ families have to deliver food and other essential items to ensure needs are met. There are more than 370 political prisoners held at Pathein Prison.
KARENNI—A couple was killed and their children were injured in Loikaw Township on Oct. 23. An artillery shell fired by Burma Army troops landed at a shelter where the family was taking refuge. The father was killed immediately. His wife died the next day. The children survived the attack.
KACHIN—The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) advised all of its members to “participate vigorously” in a new political movement, according to Kachinwaves, a local media outlet. Gen N’Ban La, the KIO Chairperson, marked the 62nd anniversary of the KIO on Oct. 25. He said that the KIO must build a better future in Burma. The Burma Army killed dozens of people gathered to commemorate the KIO in an airstrike the previous day.
SAGAING—The Burma Army arrested 45 residents in Nyaung Pin Thar village in Monywa Township on Oct.24. The Burma Army entered Nyaung Pin Thar, Lin Po and Lin Pin Wa villages to make arrests. “Most of them were between ages 15 to 20 and their mobile phones were seized during their arrests. A villager who drove a motorcycle into the village was also shot and arrested and was later killed,” a local told DVB. Family members of those arrested are concerned for their loved ones safety and security. The Burma Army set fire to three houses, a warehouse, and two vehicles.
YANGON—A Shwe Pyi Thar Township administrator was shot and his wife was killed on Oct. 25. “The gunmen entered the office and fired at noon. Around ten shots were fired. The admin and his wife were hit. There were casualties,” a resident told DVB. A person living close to the office said that the administrator is in critical condition at the hospital. Another explosion was reported in the township earlier that day. Two people were injured.
Burma Civil Society Calls to Scrap ASEAN 5-PC and recognize NUG
A letter signed by 457 civil society organizations in Burma calls on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to scrap its Five-Point Consensus and exclude the junta from all meetings indefinitely. It requests ASEAN to revise the mandate of the Special Envoy and publicly recognize the National Unity Government (NUG). ASEAN meets Thursday at its Secretariat in Jakarta. The junta has been barred from ASEAN meetings over its refusal to adhere to the 5-PC. Read the letter here.
A Heinous and Cowardly Act Committed by Junta Against Kachin, state EAOs
Following yesterday’s airstrike against a peaceful Kachin ceremony in Hpakant that killed 50, the junta’s media machine went into spin mode. It stated that the attack did not violate the Geneva Conventions and called verified reports that civilians were killed “a rumor.” The junta claimed its attack targeted Kachin Independence Army (KIA) members and its associated People’s Defense Force (PDF). It went on to state that the site targeted by the airstrikes in Hpakant was a place where only gem businessmen conducted “illegal business” with Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and KIA protection and financial support. Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA Information Officer, told DVB that the junta airstrike was a “heinous act.” He confirmed that at least 50 people, including artists, businessmen, and KIA officers, were killed.
The Kachin News Group (KNG) reports that up to 80 dead have been recovered from the scene of the attack. It also states that the Burma Army was blocking access to the area until 7:30 p.m on Oct. 24. This prevented more than 100 injured people from receiving medical treatment. KNG states this means the death toll may continue to increase if urgent medical care is not given to those who attended the Kachin ceremony in Hpakant. Human Rights Watch condemned the junta attack on the Kachin.
“The Myanmar military’s airstrike on hundreds of concertgoers in Kachin State is an apparent violation of the laws of war, which prohibit attacks causing indiscriminate or disproportionate civilian harm. Myanmar military operations in ethnic minority areas have long been characterized by a near total disregard for civilian lives and property and a failure to abide by international law. The military’s entrenched impunity underlines the need for an international investigation of those responsible for this attack and the many others committed by security forces since the February 2021 military coup,” said Elaine Pearson, the Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.
The United Nations and international missions have issued statements condemning the junta attack. The UN requested emergency medical care be given to the injured. The National Unity Government (NUG) expressed its “great sadness” for its Kachin brothers and sisters. It urged the international community, including the UN, to take effective action immediately.
Three allied Ethnic Armed Organizations — the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) — issued condolences to the victims’ families and claimed the attack was a “cowardly act.” The allied EAOs stated that the junta continues to carry out attacks against innocent people every day in states, regions and communities across Burma. It urged the international community to take rapid action. The Karenni National Progresive Party (KNPP) and the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) also expressed condolences and condemned the attack.
