Weekly Updates on Current Situation in Myanmar
(17-10-2021)
Almost nine months have reached since the coup; the Myanmar military group is still ignoring the will of the people, putting the country into turmoil with disproportionate actions when the people are facing the nationwide health crisis under the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of 16 October 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of 1,178 people were ruthlessly killed by the military, whereas 9,028 people have been arrested, 7,355 people have still been detained, and 1,989 people have been issued with warrants since 1 February 2021 when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians.
Burning down Church and Houses in Chin State by the Military
According to a local news agency, the military deployment has entered northern Chin State and south of the mountainous state. The military conducted brutal and disproportionate actions of torching houses and forcing the residents from their homes. It is reported that the military troops coming by more than 40 trucks arrived in the Falam Township on 13 October 2021, and they burned down houses and a church along the Falam-Hakha road.
On the same day, the military troops further torched at least six houses, and a church in a village, 15 km from Falam, and two more houses were burned down in another village in the following day. Following these incidents, all the residents in these places have fled their homes.
Continuous Disproportionate Actions by the Military against the Civilians
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Zaw Myo Tun, 25-year-old, was reportedly arrested on October 8 at Htigyaing Township in Sagaing Region on suspicion of being from a local PDF. He then died from torture during interrogation on the same day, at around 8 pm.
On 9 October 2021, it was reported that around 20 soldiers raided a monastic school in King Village in Mandalay. Pyin Nya Wuntha, who is in charge of a monastic school, was forcibly defrocked as a monk by the soldiers, and he was then arrested. Two men at the school who are disciples of Pyin Nyar Wuntha were also beaten and arrested.
On 10 October 2021, the soldiers raided a rubber workshop at Lone Phaw Village in Kawthaung Township of Tanintharyi Region and opened fire. During the incident, Thiha Aung, 11 years old, who helped his father at the workshop, was shot in the stomach and died on the spot. His father, Mr. Linn Tun, also got injured, and other 20 villagers who worked at the rubber workshop were also arrested.
On 11 October 2021, a 29-year-old, Pa Thawng Lun Mang, and 34-year-old Salai Thawng Nei Mawi, living in Tuphei Khua Village in Falam Township, Chin State, were reportedly killed by the soldiers. Their bodies were found on the roadside on 13 October 2021. According to the residents, Pa Thawing Lun Mang was shot in his eyes, and Salai Thawng Nei Mawi had five gunshot injuries on his stomach.
On 11 October 2021, it was reported that Zin Ko Hlaing living in Ohnsi Village in Tabayin Township of Sagaing Region, was hit by the military while he was farming. He was then killed by artillery shells, which were fired by military troops.
On 13 October 2021, as the military troops raided Long Pyae Village in Minkin Township of Sagaing Region, the residents ran to the outskirts due to the fear of the military’s acts. Five villagers were shot dead when the military left the village.
On 16 October 2021, Myo Swe from Shweku Talsu Village in Khin-U Township of Sagaing Region was arrested by the military, and armed Phy Saw Htee members in the early morning. He was taken to Pyin Htaung Village, where the military troops were stationed, and then he was tortured the whole day. Afterward, it is reported that he was shot dead the same day.
On the afternoon of 16 October 2021, a six-year-old girl was killed due to an artillery shell exploding in a hut, which was fired by the military troops. Moreover, it was also reported that while Ling Choi was going to a farm, he stepped on a landmine set by the military and then died on 16 October.
Actions against the CDM-Staff and family members by the SAC
It is reported that Htay Htay Wai, living in Sagaing Town, Sagaing Region, who is involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment under Section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law on 15 October 2021. She had been involved in the CDM as well as other anti-dictatorship movements. She has been arrested at home since 12 April 2021.
On 11 October 2021, the SAC’s security forces arrested the family of Sergeant Hing Lian Pian from North-Western Command, who was involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), on October 9. A 60-year-old mother, a 10-year-old niece, a university student niece, and disabled- two sisters were all arrested.
On 14 October 2021, the military troops reportedly raided Seik Khun Village in Shwebo Township in Sagaing Region. They arrested Dr. Aye Min Oo, involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement and eight other locals, who were accused of being in the PDF.
Activities of the National Unity Government
Declaration on Relations with Neighbouring Countries and Border Security: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government of Myanmar issued a declaration dated 14 October 2021 on Relations with Neighbouring Countries and Border Security. It stressed that the NUG adheres to an independent and active foreign policy alongside our vision to establish a people-centered and values-driven federal democratic union and maintain friendly relations with the neighboring countries to ensure close cooperation in promoting bilateral interests. It also highlighted that some foreign Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) had been set inside Myanmar territory with the help of the military junta. The military junta takes advantage of these groups and uses them to fight the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). The NUG reiterated its commitment to the neighbors in setting-up cross border mechanisms, policies, and infrastructures to maintain border stability and security and declared that the NUG would not allow entities considered by its neighbors as a threat to their national security to settle inside Myanmar’s territory.
Myanmar’s Representation at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits: On 17 October 2021, the National Unity Government of Myanmar issued a statement on Myanmar’s Representation at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits. In the statement, the NUG appreciates the decision of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 15 October 2021 to invite a non-political representation from Myanmar to the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summit and other related Summits to be held from 26 to 28 October 2021. The NUG welcomes ASEAN’s recognition of the Military Junta’s insufficient progress in implementing the Five-Point Consensus. The NUG urges the ASEAN to prevent not only the participation of the SAC officials but also any individuals and organizations associated with them. The NUG commits to provide recommendations for the non-political representative for ASEAN’s evaluation and consideration.
During the week from 11 to 17 October 2021, U Kyaw Moe Tun, Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, delivered statements at the Third Committee and Sixth Committee of the ongoing 76th UN General Assembly in both in-person and virtual format. During his statements, the Ambassador has apprised the international community of the real situation in Myanmar where the Myanmar military committed crimes against humanity, including massacre, and the efforts of the National Unity Government for the people of Myanmar.
Actions and Remarks by the International Community in response to the Military Coup d’état
On 15 October 2021, the Governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on behalf of the European Union, issued a joint statement, supporting the visit of the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar to conduct facilitation on Myanmar’s full and urgent implementation of the Five‑Point Consensus. The statement also expresses deep concern on the dire situation in Myanmar and its worsening implications for regional stability, as well as calls on Myanmar to engage constructively with the ASEAN Special Envoy in order to implement the Five-Point Consensus completely and swiftly.
Following the virtual emergency meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers held on 15 October 2021, ASEAN current chair Brunei issued a statement on 16 October 2021 that no consensus was reached for a political representative from Myanmar to attend the ASEAN summit to be held from 26 to 28 October, and thereafter, the meeting decided to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to the upcoming ASEAN summits. The statement mentioned that there had been insufficient progress in the implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus by Myanmar, as well as the member states have concerns on the commitments of Myanmar on establishing constructive dialogue among all concerned parties. It also underlined that some ASEAN member states had received the request of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) to be invited to the upcoming ASEAN summit.
The decision of ASEAN to exclude the military leader of Myanmar from the summit is the most significant rebuke for Myanmar so far since the military coup, as well as marks a rare bold step for ASEAN – a consensus-driven bloc, which upholds a policy of non-interference.
*****
Date: 17 October 2021
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York