Deaths and Arbitrary Arrests
As of 20 June 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of 6,219 people have been arrested whereas 5,033 people are still under detention, 1,950 people been issued with warrants and 871 people ruthlessly murdered by the military since 1 February 2021 when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians.
Nearly 140 days have passed since the coup, the military terrorist group has not stopped its inhumane acts and arbitrary arrests against the unarmed civilians until today.
Military’s Unstoppable Brutal Actions
Violent Crackdowns in Kinma village: The terrorist military forces set on fire Kinma Village in Pauk Township of Magway Region on 15 June 2021, whereby the entire village was burned to the ground. The incident broke out when the plate number of the motorbike of a suspect involved during the shooting at the house of the junta-allied administrator of Deedotekwin village on 12 June 2021. According to the witnesses, 88-year-old U Mya Maung and 82-year-old Daw Kyee Hmain were perished in the fire, 80 percent of the homes in the village were burnt down and the residents fled their homes in order to avoid the raid of the military.
According to the credible reports, there are five pregnant women, two of whom are close to giving birth, are among the hundreds hiding in the forest after burning down Kinma Village by the military. Moreover, there are also about 90 children under the age of five and 27 breastfeeding babies. The fleeing villagers have to sleep roughly under the trees or in tents and they are in desperate need of foods and medical supplies.
Open Fire in Depayin: In Depayin Township in Sagaing Region, it is reported that after a former local administrator and the daughters of a current junta’s administrator were killed by unknowns on 13 June 2021, the military forces stormed and opened fire on residents in Satpyarkyin and Boke villages on 14 June 2021. A 21-year-old man was shot dead and another 22-year-old man was seriously injured due to the violence. Hundreds of soldiers also reportedly stormed the villages Kyi, Inpin, Nyaung Hla and Yin Kyay and shot at locals. According to the information received, there were clashes between military forces and local People’s Defence Force (PDF). On 15 June 2021, around 300 military forces in 22 military trucks reportedly opened fire in Nyang Hla village in Depayin township.
Military’s Inhumane Destruction against Humanitarian Actions
On 13 June 2021, the military and security forces set fire to and destroyed an ambulance and a supply of humanitarian aid in Moe Byae Township, between Southern Shan and Karenni States. Eighty rice bags and medicines, and medical supplies, which were contributed by the people all over the country for internally displaced people, were destroyed. The military forces have been terrorizing and arresting community organizations and individuals who have been providing aid and support to internally displaced people and those affected by the conflict.
During the last week, a six-day-old baby has reportedly died of cold due to a lack of shelter, blankets, and medical supplies at a camp for displaced people in Pekhon in Shan State. The family of the baby was relocated from the Sacred Heart church in Pekhon when it was attacked by the military with artillery shells late last month that led people to seek shelter elsewhere. According to a witness who was among those displaced, other IDP camps in the state are also short of shelters, medicine and drinking water. On 11 June 2021, it is reported that soldiers set fire to food rations, medical supplies, an ambulance and a vehicle in Lwal Yin village where people have fled.
More than 100,000 have already been displaced in Kayah and southern Shan State in recent months and the military has repeatedly attacked civilians in those areas.
Military’s Continuous Arrests
Since the military coup happened on 1 February 2021, the military have never ceased arresting those who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, and taken charges to those who defied the coup and involved in pro-democracy movements.
Targeted to Medical Personnel: On 10 June 2021, Dr. Htar Htar Lin, Director of National Programme on Immunization, together with her husband and her seven-year-old son were arrested. She joined the Civil Disobedience Movement following the coup and was charged under Article 505 (a) of the Penal Code. Dr. Htar Htar Lin was the head of the country’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout and before she joined the CDM, it is reported that there was about 100,000 USD (161 million kyats) allocated for the immunization effort in a government account. She set about distributing the funds to local health departments across the country so that the money would not be in the hands of the military groups. Since then, she was one of the most wanted people by the junta.
Following the arrests of Dr. Htar Htar Lin and her family, the military-controlled newspaper announced on 13 and 14 of June 2021 that 26 doctors including her were charged with high treason for colluding with an illegal organization. The announcement also stated that she failed to clear 161 million kyats balance for COVID-19 vaccine immunization rollout and 22 of the doctors on the list had evaded arrest. It also stressed that she led the Public Health Team on behalf of Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the Health Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), drafted plans for the NUG’s health policy, and helped Dr. Zaw Wai Soe.
Similarly, Dr. Maung Maung Nyein Tun, a professor at Mandalay Medical University and his wife Dr. Swe Zin Oo from Mandalay General Hospital who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement were arrested in Mandalay on 13 June 2021. After the arrests, the military-controlled newspaper published a picture of him with bruises on his face.
On 10 June, two lawyers who are representing political detainees including Karen State Chief Minister Nan Khin Htwe Myint, were arrested in Myawaddy township in Karen State under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.
On 11 June 2021, Ms. Mar Mar Khaing, MP for No.2 constituency in Thaton Township, Mon State and her husband Mr. Nyan Tun, Executive Committee member of NLD of Kyaikmaraw Township, under detention in Kyaikmaraw Prison, were charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.
Unstoppable Anti-Military Resistance Movement
More than 130 days after the military coup, protests and demonstrations against the military throughout the whole country are continuing despite the brutal crackdowns.
On 19 June 2021, pro-democracy supporters across the country wearing flowers to mark the 76th birthday of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is still detained. Flower is a significant style of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and in Burmese saying “still wearing flowers” means to be defiant in the face of adversity.
Announcement by the National Unity Government on the incident in Kinma
The National Unity Government released an announcement on the incident in Kinma Village. It condemned in the strongest ways of the arson committed by the military and local police against the residents of the village on 15 June 2021. It stressed that the junta forces continue to ignore the law, violate human rights and commit crimes against humanity and urged local, national and international stakeholders to continue recording the crimes committed by the junta forces.
International Pressure on the Illegitimate Military Group
On 11 June 2021, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a strong warning that further escalation of violence in Myanmar must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency. For the immediate cessation of violence and ongoing human rights violations, the High Commissioner encouraged the intensification of regional diplomacy, including by ASEAN and other influential States, and remarked that dialogue is urgently needed with the National Unity Government and civil society stakeholders.
In the statement by the Group of Seven (G 7) issued on 13 June 2021, the leaders of G 7 condemned in the strongest terms the military coup in Myanmar and violence by the security forces of Myanmar and called for the immediate release of those detained arbitrarily, as well as urged the swift implementation for Five Point Consensus of ASEAN. G 7 member states also expressed concern for the devastating humanitarian situation and called for humanitarian access to vulnerable and displaced people.
On 17 June 2021, the United Nations in Myanmar issued the statement, expressing alarm over the recent acts of violence and serious human rights violations in Myanmar, particularly in Myawaddy Township in Kayin State and Kinma Village in Pauk Township of Magway Region. The UN in Myanmar reiterates its call on all actors to respect international human rights norms and standards, and calls for those responsible for human rights violations to be held accountable.
At the 83rd Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 June 2021, the Assembly adopted a resolution that calls on the military junta of Myanmar to end the state of emergency, respect all human rights of the people, allow the sustained democratic transition and immediately and unconditionally release all detainees, as well as calls on all member states “to prevent the flow of arms to Myanmar”. The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to 1 against (Belarus), with 36 abstentions.
The Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations expressed his sincere thanks to cosponsors of the resolution and to those delegations who supported the resolutions. He viewed that the resolution will to some extent contribute to put pressure on the military to their inhumane acts against the people and to further consolidate the people’s efforts for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
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Date: 20 June 2021
Permanent Mission of Myanmar, New York