Resistance groups to abide by arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing
The National Unity Government (NUG), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF), stated on Saturday that they would abide by an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant and detain Min Aung Hlaing to be transferred to The Hague, if necessary. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for the regime leader on Nov. 27.
“This is the first time in the Burmese military’s history that an international court has applied for an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity. It means that there is an urgent need to reform the political and legal system in the country, including the Burma Army,” said the joint statement by resistance groups on Nov. 30.
The ICC arrest warrant refers to crimes against humanity committed by Min Aung Hlaing for the alleged forced deportation of the Rohingya from northern Arakan State into Bangladesh in 2016-17. The resistance groups vowed to speed up justice and accountability under international law for the other crimes committed by Min Aung Hlaing since the 2021 military coup.
Talks on Myanmar crisis to be held in Thailand
An Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “informal consultation” to discuss the crisis in Burma, which has engulfed the nation since 2021, is tentatively scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 20. A senior Laos official told the 8th ASEAN Media Forum in the Lao capital Vientiane that it could help to support the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.
“I think the five-point consensus can help Myanmar find a peaceful solution by having a ‘Myanmar led, Myanmar-owned’ solution. Having this non-political representative attend the ASEAN summit in Laos reflects this view on the consensus,” said Chatoulong Bouasisavath, Laos’ ASEAN Department director-general.
The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus was adopted in April 2021 and agreed to by Min Aung Hlaing. It calls for an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties, and the release of all political prisoners, including detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Laos is the current ASEAN chair. It proposes to hold talks in Bangkok with the previous chair, Indonesia, and next year’s chair, Malaysia, known as the Troika.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced on Friday that its newly-established Department of Justice has solved a total of 80 cases during its one-year of operations since Nov. 29, 2023. Half of all the cases solved were related to drug smuggling. It has granted an amnesty to 105 prisoners in total, added the IEC.
“There are many needs due to the security challenges and shortages of human resources for the department but we will prioritize law enforcement and [human] rights,” stated the IEC. Legal workshops were organized with the assistance of the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Justice to provide training to the IEC Department of Justice staff.
CHINLAND—The Chin National Front (CNF/CNA) claimed that nearly 30 military personnel, including two battalion commanders, were killed and 20 were arrested after it seized three military camps, including the LIB 266 and 222, located between the Chinland capital Hakha and Thantlang townships on Saturday.
“Over 50 guns, ammunition, drones and anti-drone jammers were seized during the clashes,” Salai Htet Ni, the CNF/CNA spokesperson, told DVB. He added that three members of the Chin resistance have been killed and nine others have been injured since CNF-led forces launched its attack on the three military outposts on Nov. 22.
ARAKAN—Taungup residents told DVB that two people, displaced from their homes due to fighting between the military and the Arakan Army (AA), were killed and 19 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Khayai village of Taungup Township, 284 miles (457 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, on Sunday.
“Since the military is losing the war and unable to provide reinforcements, it is targeting civilians and launching air attacks,” said a Taungup resident on the condition of anonymity. The AA launched an offensive against the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 544, 346 and No. 5 Operation Command headquarters last month. It took full control of Taungup town on Nov. 24.
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