Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar
(1-11-2024 to 15-11-2024)
(45) months ago, on 1 February 2021, the military junta attempted an illegal coup, toppled the civilian government, and unlawfully detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior members of the civilian government, parliamentarians and activists. Since then, the military junta has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made people suffer tremendously as a result of its inhumane and disproportionate acts.
As of 15 November 2024, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the military has ruthlessly killed 5,945 people and arrested another 27,751 people. 21,189 people remain in detention and 170 people have been sentenced to death, including 119 post-coup death row prisoners and 44 in absentia since 1 February 2021, when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians. Four democracy activists who were sentenced to death were executed by the military junta in July 2022. Moreover, Over 100,000 homes were destroyed or burnt down. Over 3.4 million people are being displaced and more than 18.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Crimes committed Across Myanmar by the Junta Troops and its affiliates
Crimes perpetrated by the junta troops and its associates, militias across Myanmar include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of civilians, including children. These atrocities have led to widespread displacement, destruction of civilian properties, and a climate of fear and insecurity among the civilian population. The junta's widespread and systematic tactics of brutality are aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining its grip on power, regardless of the human cost and violations of international law.
According to the data collected by the AAPP, from 1 to 15 November 2024, (20) people in total; (7) women and (13) men, were killed by the junta across the country. The identities of these victims have been verified. Among them, Sagaing Region recorded the highest number of deaths, totalling (8) people, followed by (6) in Rakhine State. Among the (20) fatalities, (12) people were killed by the junta’s airstrikes, marking the highest number of deaths.
Mass Murders, War Crimes, and Crimes against Humanity Committed by the Military Junta
Military Junta Intensifies Drone Attacks in Central Sagaing Region, Targeting Civilians and Religious Sites
According to the report of the Myanmar Now, military junta conducted extensive indiscriminative drone operations across central Sagaing Region in late October, destroying civilian infrastructure and religious buildings while detaining dozens of civilians, demonstrating an escalation in its violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
On 30 October, approximately 150 military junta soldiers from Kanbalu initiated attacks on villages along the Mu River across Kanbalu, Ye-U, and Khin-U townships. The offensive began in Kar Boe Village, located 25 miles south of Kanbalu, before expanding to Kyi Su and Kyauk Taing villages. The attacks resulted in the destruction of approximately 400 houses and two monasteries. A local resistance group information officer reported the complete destruction of two monasteries in Kyi Su Village. The northern monastery, previously serving as a meditation center, was demolished except for its dining hall, while the southern monastery suffered total destruction.
Military junta soldiers, along with their affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militia, proceeded to Aing Paung Chaung Village, east of Kar Boe. At a monastery sheltering displaced civilians, they detained 37 civilians, including 34 men and three women, transferring them to Tank Battalion 6006 Base in Kanbalu. A local resistance member reported the detainees were accused of having connections to resistance forces. The military junta extended its drone attacks to Pin Sein Khin Village in Ye-U Township and Mone Hla in Khin-U Township. In Mone Hla, the birthplace of Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Catholic Archbishop of Yangon, St. Michael's Church sustained significant damage, with its bell tower and main worship hall ceiling impacted by junta drone-delivered explosives
Local resistance sources indicate the military junta has increased its reliance on drone warfare, particularly utilizing hexacopter drones capable of carrying two 60mm bombs. This tactical shift has resulted in civilian casualties and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
These actions represent clear violations of international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilian populations and religious sites, and illustrate military junta's continued disregard for civilian protection obligations under international law.
Airstrikes and Shelling Kill Six Civilians, including a Child, in Karenni State
According to the Karenni Human Rights Group (KHRG), military junta attacks killed at least six people, including a 10-year-old girl, near the Karenni (Kayah) State capital Loikaw on 8 November 2024.
KHRG reported that four victims lost their lives due to shelling in Loikaw Township, while two others perished in airstrikes in neighbouring Pekhon Township, southern Shan State. KHRG director Banyar Khun Aung stated that three people died in Noe Koe and one in Tha Yet Pin at around 3:30 pm on 8 November. Both villages are located a few miles northwest of Loikaw.
Reports indicated that military junta personnel have taken positions in Htay Ngha Hlar, a village on the western outskirts of Loikaw near Loikaw University, which came under the control of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in November 2023. A source close to the KNDF informed that military junta forces based in and around Loikaw continuously fire on nearby villages, even in the absence of active conflict in the area.
KHRG's Banyar Khun Aung confirmed that the attack in Pekhon Township occurred without provocation. Banyar Khun Aung, who also serves as secretary of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council administering ethnic Karenni areas under resistance control, reported that four houses and two vehicles were damaged in the strikes.
Military Junta Forces Continue Civilian Killings and Village Burnings in Budalin Township
Myanmar Now reported that a military junta column that has been raiding villages in Budalin Township, Sagaing Region for the past month killed another civilian and torched more homes on 6 November 2024.
The column of approximately 100 military junta personnel is responsible for killing at least 24 civilians and holding dozens more hostage since beginning its campaign in the township on 11 October 2024. According to local sources, on 6 November, they killed a man in his 60s as he attempted to flee an attack on Thar Hpan Village, located just east of Budalin town.
A member of a local defence team informed Myanmar Now that they shot him in the temple when they saw him with a backpack. The source emphasized that there are no elderly people in the resistance force, confirming he was an ordinary civilian.
Local sources reported that at least 32 houses were destroyed by fire during the raid on the village. Most residents of Thar Hpan and the surrounding area managed to escape after receiving advance warning of the military junta's approach, avoiding arrests and killings. According to a member of Budalin Township's civilian administration, citing information from recently released hostages, many captives are women and girls, aged between 14 to 40 years. They are used as human shields and forced to cook when the troops stop in villages at night.
Budalin Township, situated just 20 miles north of Monywa, the capital of Sagaing Region, is almost completely under resistance forces' control, with the military junta holding only Budalin town and Ku Taw Village, approximately 13 miles to the northwest.
Data for Myanmar reported that military junta forces have destroyed more than 100,000 homes since February 2021. Over 70 percent of these destructions occurred in Sagaing Region, where they have faced strong resistance to their control.
Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Four during Buddhist Festival in Sagaing Region
Military junta airstrikes killed four civilians on 5 November 2024 during a Buddhist festival in Aing Ma Village, Pale Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar Now stated. According to Pale Township People's Administration Team member Zaw Htet, the attack occurred as villagers gathered at their monastery for the annual Kahtein festival, marking the end of the Buddhist rains retreat. The airstrikes hit homes near the monastery, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Pale Town.
Two victims died immediately, one passed away at the hospital, and an elderly woman suffered a fatal heart attack during the airstrikes. Five others, including a one-year-old boy, sustained injuries. The attacks also damaged at least six houses. Local sources confirmed no fighting occurred in the area during the attack, and no resistance forces were present in the village. On the same day, military junta conducted airstrikes in Taze Township, targeting a monastery and high school in Zee Pauk village, approximately 10 miles west of the township center.
In Indaw Township, military junta forces struck a hospital in the resistance-held town of Maw Luu near the Kachin State border. Nyan Linn Thit Analytica, an independent research group, documented that military junta air raids killed at least 455 civilians nationwide between May and August 2024. Their research indicates that aerial bombings have damaged or destroyed at least 142 schools and 258 religious buildings since February 2021.
Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Child, Injure Three in Mandalay Region
Myanmar Now reported that military junta air force raids in Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region on 13 November 2024 killed a six-year-old girl and wounded three other civilians. According to residents, a Y-12 transport aircraft, believed to have departed from Meiktila Air Force Base, conducted at least six strikes on Myay Taing Village—also known as Sin Hpyu Kone—and surrounding areas, injuring two men and a woman.
A Ngazun Township resident informed Myanmar Now that no fighting had occurred within a three to four-mile radius of Sin Hpyu Kone. The airstrikes damaged homes and killed livestock, including cattle essential for local farming operations.
Sin Hpyu Kone is situated approximately 12 miles west of Ngazun, over 30 miles west of Mandalay, and two miles south of the Ayeyarwady River's southwest bank. Local sources emphasized that limited medical supplies and inadequate treatment access in rural areas make injuries from bombing, shelling, or fighting potentially fatal outside urban centers. On the same day, military junta conducted airstrikes in Myaung Township and Myingyan Township Mandalay Region, Pale Township in Sagaing Region, and Mindat and Falam townships, Chin State.
Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Three Civilians, Including New Mother, in Northern Shan State
Many sources reported that military junta continued its pattern of indiscriminate attacks on civilians with deadly airstrikes in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State, resulting in multiple civilian casualties and injuries, including vulnerable individuals protected under international humanitarian law.
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported that on 1 November 2024, military junta conducted three airstrikes targeting Hsam Ma Hse village, approximately 14 miles south of Nawnghkio. The attacks killed three civilians, including a woman who had given birth just days prior, demonstrating a clear violation of civilian protection principles. Six others sustained injuries in the attack, including two Buddhist monks, further highlighting military junta's disregard for protected persons and religious personnel under international law.
The Military junta has escalated its air campaign in the region over recent weeks. On 27 October, an airstrike on Tha Pyay Village claimed the life of a man in his sixties. Subsequent attacks on Hokho Village over the following two days resulted in at least twelve fatalities, predominantly prisoners of war, and approximately 60 injuries.
Another Military Junta Airstrike Kills Eleven Civilians at Teashop in Northern Shan State
Myanmar Now reported that eleven civilians lost their lives when military junta conducted an airstrike on a teashop in the northern Shan State town of Nawnghkhio on 12 November 2024.
According to Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) spokesperson Lway Yay Oo, the attack occurred shortly before 3pm, killing civilians who were sitting at the teashop. At least four civilians sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
Local media confirmed the death toll of eleven people and reported numerous others were wounded in the airstrike on the teashop. The airstrike is part of a pattern where military junta forces have employed air and artillery strikes against civilian areas amid widespread armed opposition to their illegal seizure of power in February 2021. These continued attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and demonstrate military junta's systematic use of disproportionate force against civilian populations.
Human Rights Abuses
Military Junta and its Allied Forces Detain 200 Civilians in Southern Shan State
Myanmar Now reported that military junta forces detained approximately 200 civilians in Pekhon Township, southern Shan State, near Karenni (Kayah) State border.
Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) spokesperson Tar Eh Soe informed Myanmar Now that a column of around 500 military junta personnel advanced from Pinlaung Township and detained about 200 local people as they returned from harvesting. The civilians were transported to Pinlaung Township. KNDF sources indicated the detained villagers are being held at a sports stadium in Pinlaung, which remains under military junta control.
The advancing column included both military junta personnel and members of the Pa-O National Army (PNA), which operates as a pro-military junta militia in the area. After the mass detention in Pu Chei, located two miles northwest of Pekhon, the column proceeded to Pekhon to join the stationed forces there. According to KNDF Central Information, the combined forces in the area number between 500 to 1,000 personnel, including PNA troops.
A source connected to the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO) confirmed to Myanmar Now that military junta forces and PNA are conducting joint operations against resistance groups in both Pinlaung and Pekhon townships. KNDF reported that the joint forces have destroyed houses in villages along their route in Pinlaung and Pekhon Townships, including Nam Hpar Mu, Loi Keng, and Kone Paw. The KNDF also stated that six civilians, including an eight-year-old, were killed by military junta airstrikes and drone attacks in Pekhon Township during the first eight days of November 2024.
The PNO and its armed wing have faced criticism from Pa-O ethnic organizations for their alleged forced recruitment of civilians in their claimed territory.
Military Junta Plans to Recall Overseas Workers for Forced Conscription
Employment agencies reported that the military junta is preparing to recall overseas workers for mandatory military service. A new contractual clause requires workers to return to Myanmar when called for military service after their two-year work permit expires.
According to Myanmar Now, military junta-controlled Ministry of Labour instructed agencies in early November 2024 to ensure workers' return. The agencies bear responsibility for recalling their workers. An employment agency official stated that while the clause applies to both new and existing workers, it only becomes applicable upon issuance of a draft notice. A Yangon-based employment agency staff member highlighted implementation challenges, noting that agencies already struggle to enforce the mandatory transfer of 25 percent of workers' wages through Myanmar banks, resulting in fines and license suspensions.
While no official directives currently mandate worker recalls for military service, some agencies have suspended operations due to military junta pressure and declining numbers of workers willing to use official channels. Workers abroad have expressed resistance to the recall. One young man in Thailand told Myanmar Now he would remain illegally if his visa and work permit expired rather than return for military service.
The junta’s forced conscription has driven an increase in youth leaving the country, with many seeking refuge in resistance-controlled areas or joining armed resistance movements.
Reports indicate the military junta has conducted arbitrary arrests of young people for forced military conscription, including those deported from Thailand. The forced conscription law requires eligible citizens to serve up to two years, or five years during emergencies, with refusal punishable by up to three years imprisonment.
The military junta plans to commence its seventh batch of military service training in November 2024, targeting approximately 5,000 trainees per batch. However, employees of military junta-affiliated businesses, including private banks and companies owned by the military or its associates, remain exempt from mandatory service.
Military Junta Detains Hindu Social Activist Over Film Criticism
Military junta further demonstrated its ongoing suppression of fundamental freedoms by detaining Shein Htet Aung, a Hindu philanthropist and social welfare advocate, after he expressed concerns about discriminatory content in a film poster.
The arrest occurred on 27 October 2024 when Shein Htet Aung, also known as Vee Htet Kumar, was at the Khaweichan School for the Blind in Mayangone Township recording an audiobook. His family lost contact with him after his visit to the school. The family was unable to obtain any information about his detention despite inquiring at the nearby police stations. They only learned about the charges through a newspaper.
Military junta announced in a statement that Shein Htet Aung had been detained for allegedly destabilizing communications and charged at the Hlaing Township Police Station. A family friend, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that family members are now permitted to see him.
In his social media post that led to his detention, he addressed concerns about a film scheduled for release on 1 November 2024, during Diwali. He highlighted that the title, costumes, and poster contained derogatory elements that demeaned generations of Hindu adherents. His post received approximately 6,200 shares on social media. The Myanmar Hindu Union subsequently issued a statement on 29 October objecting to the film's content as an insult to Hindu traditions, cultural practices, and traditional dress. Following the criticism, the film's director Ko Zaw (Aryone Oo) removed the controversial portion from the film's title.
According to the data, between February 2022 and July 2024, the military junta detained nearly 1,700 internet users for expressing dissenting views or supporting resistance on social media. In early 2022, the military junta announced that individuals deemed to be inciting instability, disseminating propaganda, or issuing threats on social media would face prosecution under various laws, including those related to incitement and terrorism.
Actions of Resistance Forces against the Junta
Anti-Junta Forces Capture Military Base, Intercept Retreating Column in Karen State
Myanmar Now reported that a coalition of resistance forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) successfully intercepted military junta forces in Hpapun Township, Karen State on 3 November 2024 resulting in significant military junta casualties and captures.
The interception occurred as military junta personnel attempted to retreat from their camp near Khaw Poke Village along the Thai-Myanmar border following its capture on 31 October. The operation resulted in 14 military junta personnel killed and 17 captured, including three company commanders holding the rank of captain.
Documentation shared online showed resistance forces providing medical care to injured military junta personnel, while affirming their commitment to upholding international humanitarian law by protecting prisoners of war. This demonstration of adherence to international humanitarian law standards contrasts sharply with military junta's documented violations.
The operation also resulted in the capture of six additional military junta personnel during the initial taking of the Khaw Poke camp. Sources indicate military junta maintains 11 positions in Hpapun Township, all currently under resistance force blockade. This successful operation represents a significant advancement in resistance forces' capabilities and their commitment to conducting operations in accordance with international humanitarian law standards
AA Forces Advance on Western Command Headquarters in Ann Township
Myanmar Now reported that the Arakan Army (AA) is advancing towards the Western Command Headquarters in Ann Township, Rakhine State, after capturing multiple strategic positions in the area. Local sources said the AA seized control of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 371 base and a weapons depot on 6 November 2024.
A resident of Ann told Myanmar Now that buildings at the Western Command Headquarters were observed to be on fire due to heavy artillery strikes by the AA. Concurrent fighting was reported near the township airfield. Following a two-month pause, the AA resumed operations in Ann Township in late September, beginning with the capture of a tactical base on Mae hill, approximately 10 miles west of the township center, by 7 October. Local sources confirmed AA’s subsequent capture of several strategic positions, including a field engineering base, LIB 373 and 371 bases, and a security affairs base, as they advanced toward the Western Command headquarters.
In related developments, resistance forces allied with the AA engaged in operations along the Ann-Padan Road in Ngape Township, Magway Region, a crucial supply route. People's Revolution Alliance (PRA) commander Naung Thurein confirmed that resistance forces attacked two outposts housing approximately 30 personnel on 5 November.
The potential capture of Ann, a town of 120,000 residents, and its Western Command would mark the second such loss this year, following the Brotherhood Alliance's capture of Lashio and the Northeastern Command in northern Shan State in August. The AA now controls 10 of Rakhine State's 17 townships: Thandwe, Ramree (Yanbye), Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, and Pauktaw, along with Paletwa Township in Chin State.
Activities of the National Unity Government and Ethnic Groups
NUG Prime Minister Calls for Strategic Resource Management at Union-level Meeting
The National Unity Government's Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann addressed the Union-level Resource Management Committee meeting on 1 November, emphasizing the need for adaptive policies in response to increased natural resource dependency amid employment challenges.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the critical importance of developing clear, region-specific resource management policies. He highlighted that effective resource management requires careful consideration and ongoing assessment to ensure sustainable practices.
The Prime Minister called for regular policy evaluations to identify and address potential gaps, emphasizing the necessity of implementing reforms when needed. He outlined the dual objectives of advancing administrative and socio-economic progress in controlled areas while safeguarding natural resources and protecting the environment. This meeting reflects the NUG's commitment to establishing sustainable resource management practices that support Myanmar's long-term development and environmental conservation goals.
NUG Calls for Global Action to End Impunity for Crimes Against Myanmar Journalists
On 2 November, marking the UN's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the National Unity Government (NUG) urged international partners to support accountability for ongoing violence against journalists in Myanmar. The NUG detailed the severe conditions facing Myanmar's press since the military takeover in February 2021, with at least seven journalists killed and over 150 detained, many experiencing torture. As of 30 October 2024, 64 journalists remain in arbitrary detention.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Myanmar ranks 171st out of 180 countries in press freedom, highlighting the severe restrictions and dangers journalists face while reporting. The ranking reflects the systematic suppression of press freedom and the ongoing threats to media professionals in the country.
The NUG emphasized that international solidarity and awareness are essential elements in ending impunity, ensuring accountability for violations against journalists, and reestablishing press freedom in Myanmar. The government called on global media organizations, governments, and citizens to advocate for Myanmar's journalists who continue to face life-threatening conditions while carrying out their professional duties. This statement reinforces the NUG's commitment to protecting press freedom and seeking justice for crimes committed against media professionals as part of broader efforts to restore democratic rights in Myanmar.
NUG Minister Warns China-Myanmar Relations May Strain over Min Aung Hlaing’s Visit
National Unity Government (NUG) Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, Daw Zin Mar Aung, expressed concern that the recent visit of the terrorist military council leader Min Aung Hlaing to China could strain relations between China and the Myanmar public. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF) on 5 November 2024, the Union Minister stated that the visit may cause more division than support for China among the Myanmar people. “This meeting, this type of invitation, and this visit may become a bump in the relationship between China and the Myanmar people rather than helping them. We are concerned that the relationship is favouring the military council, and we have already voiced our concerns,” she said. The Union Minister added that the NUG has raised questions about China’s closure of border towns and has urged the Chinese government to consider local perspectives. Additionally, Daw Zin Mar Aung noted that the Northern Alliance remains focused on its goals despite pressure from China, as demonstrated by Operation 1027.
NUG and ICNCC Hold Strategic Meetings on Education Development
The Ministry of Education of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) conducted an online meeting on 4 November to address educational developments and challenges across townships.
ICNCC rotating Chairperson Dr. Kenton Linn provided opening remarks, followed by an address from NUG Union Minister of Education Dr. Zaw Wai Soe. The meeting focused on assessing current educational activities and addressing implementation challenges faced by the Ministry of Human Rights.
The gathering brought together 73 participants, including Ministry of Education officials, ICNCC Education Committee members, the Chairman of the Chin State Education Board, and Township Education Board members. They explored opportunities for strengthening cooperation between the NUG and ICNCC, with commitments made to maintain regular consultations moving forward. The meeting demonstrated ongoing efforts to enhance educational coordination and development despite current challenges in Myanmar.
Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun Makes Series of Statement at 79th UN General Assembly
Statement on Report of the Human Rights Council - Plenary Meeting (5 November 2024)
Addressing the UN General Assembly's plenary meeting, Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun welcomed the Human Rights Council's adoption of Resolution 55/20 on Myanmar's human rights situation and Resolution 56/1 on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities. He emphasized deteriorating conditions in Myanmar, detailing how the military junta continues to commit atrocities amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity while losing territorial control. The Ambassador rejected the junta's planned elections as neither free nor fair, calling for the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar's situation to the International Criminal Court. He urged member states to impose coordinated sanctions, halt arms and jet fuel supplies to the junta, and support unhindered humanitarian assistance delivery through parallel mechanisms.
Statement on Questions Relating to Information - Special Political and Decolonization Committee (6 November 2024)
Speaking at the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun detailed how the military junta has compromised and weaponized Myanmar's information ecosystem since the illegal coup. He reported that the junta has forced shutdown of independent medias, arbitrarily detained and killed journalists, enforced widespread internet blackouts in conflict areas, and conducted random phone checks to instill fear on the population. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists' Global Impunity Index, Myanmar ranks among the lowest for accountability in journalist murders, while Freedom House's 2024 Report ranked Myanmar at the bottom for internet freedom. The Ambassador emphasized that the junta's planned election represents a coordinated disinformation campaign and called on the international community to reject it while supporting efforts to end military dictatorship and build a federal democratic union.
Statement on Refugee Crisis - Third Committee Interactive Dialogue (6 November 2024)
During the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Refugees, Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun reported that over 3.4 million people are internally displaced in Myanmar due to the military junta's aerial attacks, arbitrary arrests, and forced conscription. He highlighted how refugees from various backgrounds are seeking asylum and temporary protected status in third countries, with many stranded in neighboring countries facing security challenges and uncertainties about resettlement. The Ambassador asked the High Commissioner about support messages for Myanmar people stranded in neighboring countries regarding their safety, health, and future. He emphasized that resolving the refugee crisis, including Rohingya repatriation, requires holding perpetrators accountable and ending the military dictatorship.
Statement on UNHCR Report - Third Committee (7 November 2024)
During the General Discussion on the UNHCR Report, Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun reported that internally displaced persons in Myanmar have doubled since 2023, reaching over 3.4 million. He highlighted that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya remain refugees in Bangladesh and other regional countries, while women, girls, children, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ people face discrimination, exploitation, and gender-based violence. The Ambassador emphasized that the HRC Resolution 55/20 identified the military coup and human rights violations as major threats to the safe return of displaced persons. He called for ending the junta's impunity and military dictatorship as key steps to resolving the refugee crisis, including Rohingya repatriation.
Statement on Human Rights Council Report - Third Committee (7 November 2024)
During the General Discussion on the Human Rights Council Report, Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun highlighted the Council's findings on escalating human rights violations in Myanmar over the past 45 months, including increased militarization, airstrikes, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and forced conscription. He emphasized how the Human Rights Council's Resolution 55/20 and 56/1 condemned the military coup and its violations while recognizing the National Unity Government's commitments. The Ambassador called for the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar's situation to the ICC and urged countries still supplying weapons to the junta to stop, emphasizing that they are "directly contributing to the deaths of innocent civilians." He stressed that ending arms, weapons, jet fuel, and financial supplies to the junta remains key to ending military dictatorship.
Statement on Rohingya Crisis - Irrawaddy Policy Exchange Event (11 November 2024)
Speaking at the virtual event "Rohingya in Crisis 2017-2024," Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun reported that the military junta controls less than half of Myanmar's territory and continues to commit atrocities amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. He highlighted how Rohingya remain vulnerable to human rights violations and forced recruitment under the junta. The Ambassador urged the international community to maintain coherence in Myanmar's representation at international courts, oppose the junta's sham elections, halt arms and jet fuel supplies, and called for the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar's situation to the ICC. He stressed that addressing the Rohingya crisis requires ending military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union.
Response of the International Community
ILO Takes Strong Stance on Myanmar Crisis, Introduces New Measures for Workers' Representation
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body has adopted a decision addressing the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, expressing grave concerns over continued human rights violations and establishing new mechanisms to ensure representation of Myanmar's workers in international forums.
The decision deplores the absence of progress towards democratic institutions and processes in Myanmar more than three years after the military coup. It calls for immediate cessation of violence, arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of trade unionists and labor activists, including the persecution of the Rohingya people. Highlighting the findings of its 2023 Commission of Inquiry report, the ILO condemned the practice of forced recruitment by military forces, particularly emphasizing concerns over child recruitment. The decision demands immediate action to end these practices, which violate the Forced Labour Convention of 1930. Looking ahead to 2025, the ILO has introduced innovative measures to ensure Myanmar workers' voices continue to be heard internationally. International employers' and workers' organizations will be permitted to nominate Myanmar representatives to speak on their behalf at the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2025.
The ILO Director-General is tasked with monitoring developments in Myanmar, particularly regarding freedom of association and forced labour prohibition. A progress report is expected at the 353rd Session in March 2025, where potential measures under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution will be considered. The decision also addresses practical challenges, calling for unimpeded operation of ILO bank accounts and visa extensions for international staff, despite the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Decent Work Country Programme in September 2022.
Through these measures, the ILO reaffirms its commitment to supporting Myanmar's workers while maintaining pressure for the restoration of democratic processes and fundamental labor rights in the country.
Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Highlights Severe Crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar
During the daily press briefing, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General drew attention to a new UNDP analysis highlighting the worsening crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar, where over 2 million people face the risk of starvation amid a nearly non-functional economy.
The Spokesperson highlighted UNDP findings, based on 2023-2024 data showing key economic sectors including trade, agriculture and construction have come to a standstill. Export-oriented livelihoods are disappearing due to market blockades, while the construction sector faces collapse as cement imports cease, leading to price increases.
He noted UNDP predictions indicating that by March-April 2025, domestic food production will only meet 20 percent of the population's needs. Rice production has declined significantly due to shortages of seeds and fertilizers, severe weather conditions, and increased displacement.
UK Member of Parliament Questions Government Action on Myanmar Human Rights Situation
In a written parliamentary question (UIN 13028) tabled on 6 November 2024, Ian Byrne, Independent Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby, asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs about representations made regarding human rights in Myanmar.
West outlined that the UK has implemented 19 rounds of targeted sanctions, with the most recent in October 2024 focusing on suppliers of aviation fuel and equipment to military forces. As the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) penholder on Myanmar, the UK has convened four UNSC meetings in 2024 to address human rights violations and advocate for humanitarian action, West stated.
West informed Parliament that the UK has co-sponsored a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar in April and coordinated a joint statement with international partners in May calling for an immediate end to violence.
The UK condemns human rights violations by military forces, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, gender and sexual-based violence, and forced recruitment, including of children, West emphasized in her response.
Global Union Files Complaints Against Major Clothing Brands for Continued Myanmar Sourcing
The Switzerland-based Industrial Global Union announced on 14 November 2024 that it had filed complaints against three major clothing brands—Next, New Yorker and LPP—over their alleged continued sourcing of garments from Myanmar under military junta control.
Global Union, along with the Myanmar unions CTUM and IWFM, filed complaints against these brands for allegedly breaching Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines for responsible business conduct. The OECD guidelines require multinational companies to operate ethically and responsibly regarding human and labor rights. IndustriALL emphasized this is impossible in Myanmar, where conditions have deteriorated since the military junta's illegal seizure of power in February 2021.
The Union representing approximately 50 million workers through more than 600 trade union affiliates, warned that the textile and garment industry has become a significant source of foreign currency for the military junta to sustain their failing economy. The Union highlighted that the military junta has prohibited unions and arrested union leaders, eliminating freedom of association and preventing workers' organizations from functioning.
The complaints were filed at OECD national contact points in Britain, Germany and Poland, where the three companies are headquartered, as well as in the Netherlands. The Union cited reports of serious workers' rights violations and declining wages. Union’s general secretary Atle Hoie emphasized that brands maintaining operations in Myanmar are profiting from an environment of fear, forced labor, and exploitation. He noted that human rights due diligence requires worker involvement and independent verification, which is impossible under current conditions.
The global union is advocating for brands to withdraw from Myanmar. In 2022, discussions with several large garment brands resulted in an agreement on responsible disengagement from Myanmar, which has been implemented by companies including H&M, Primark and Lidl.
Myanmar Spring Revolution Health Workers Honored with Edward Barsky Award by American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association presented the Edward Barsky Award to the health workers of Myanmar’s Spring Revolution and the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Health at its 2024 conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Accepting the award on behalf of the Myanmar health workers, Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe delivered a speech on 27 October, paying tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of healthcare professionals during the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar. Dr. Zaw Wai Soe highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare workers under Myanmar’s military council, acknowledging those who have been detained, tortured, or continued to serve on the front lines despite threats and hardship. He emphasized the critical importance of supporting health workers and protecting health rights amidst the wider struggle for human rights in Myanmar, urging the global community not to stay silent. The Union Minister also called on international health organizations and global leaders to protect healthcare workers in conflict zones worldwide, including Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and Israel, stressing that healthcare should remain a protected right rather than be used as a tool of war. The Edward Barsky Award, a respected recognition in public health, honors contributions to health, social justice, and human rights. This year’s award underlines the global community’s acknowledgment of Myanmar’s healthcare heroes and their pivotal role in protecting public welfare.
HRW Reports Thailand's Continued Forced Returns of Refugees Despite Risk of Torture
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Thai authorities continue to put refugees and asylum seekers at risk by forcibly returning them to countries with documented records of torture, including China, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
These actions violate Thailand's obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which Thailand ratified in 2007. The convention explicitly prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they face torture risks.
According to HRW's May report, over the past decade, Thai authorities have assisted other countries in taking unlawful actions against their nationals seeking protection in Thailand. This has made Thailand increasingly unsafe for human rights defenders, dissidents, and persecuted minority communities.
Recent cases highlight these concerns, including the planned extradition of prominent Montagnard activist and refugee Y Quynh Bdap to Vietnam, where he faces risks of torture. Additionally, over 40 Uyghur Muslims remain in Thai detention, facing potential deportation to China where they could face torture, arbitrary detention, and execution. Thai authorities have also conducted pushbacks of Myanmar refugees at the border, despite consistent reports of torture by the military.
HRW noted that these actions contradict Thailand's 2021 Convention report commitment to respect non-refoulement principles and protect conflict refugees and asylum seekers according to international standards. The actions also disregard Thailand's 2023 Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, which prohibits deportations when substantial grounds exist to believe individuals would face torture or cruel treatment.
The UN Committee against Torture's review of Thailand's compliance this week presents an opportunity to address these violations and press for adherence to international legal obligations, HRW emphasized.
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Date: 15 November 2024
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York
