Weekly Updates on Current Situation in Myanmar
(28-11-2021)
Almost ten months have passed 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 27 November 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of1,295 people were ruthlessly killed by the military, whereas 10,517 people have been arrested, 7,595 people have still been detained, and 1,954people have been issued with warrants since 1 February 2021 when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians.
Arson Attacks of Military against Thantlang of Chin State
According to local news agencies, the military forces torched another 49 houses in Thantlang township in Chin State on 24 November 2021, in which the military began setting the fire and shelling the town in the afternoon of that day following an hour-long clash between the military troops and anti-coup resistance fighters from Chinland Defense Force (CDF).
It is reported that 49 houses in the town, including 36 houses on Bogyoke Bogyoke road in the town’s Zone Hmon ward, ten more homes near a police station in the same ward, and another three houses in Site Pyoyay ward were burned down on this day. Local residents said that Thantlang town has suffered from eight fires, and around 254 homes have been lost in two months.
People Displacement in Sagaing Region and Kayah State
According to Myanmar Now news updated on 26 November 2021, after hundreds of military troops controlled the area to attack resistance forces, more than 5,000 people have fled their villages in theSagaing Region’s Taze Township in recent days. It is reported that residents of 11 villages, particularly Kar Paung Kya, Leik Chan, Pakar, Taung Kyaung, and Nwarku, are now sheltering in woodlands following the 500 troops set up camp in police stations.
According to a local news agency, due to the raids of the military troops against the civilian resistance groups, several thousand people in Kayah State in southeastern Myanmar have been forced to flee their villages. It is reported that the random bombardments of the military against the villages along the Demoso-Loikaw Highway since 17 November, and these incidents resulted in the displacement of several thousand residents from around 30 villages between Demoso and Loikaw towns.
Arrests, Slaughter, and taking Family Members as Hostages by the Military
According to AAPP, on 22 November 2021, a civilian named Bhone Myint Aung and his father from Botahtaung Township of Yangon Region were arrested. It is reported that the father was released on that night. The next day, Bhone Myint Aung died from wounds because of torture during the interrogation.
A civilian named Min Naing in Thalalbar Village in Ayadaw Township of Sagaing Region was arrested on the morning of 23 November 2021 for he participated in the previous NLD Campaign. On this day, it was found out that he was shot dead by the military forces at the riverbank near Kyauk Kone Village. His death was accused of jumping into Mu River and running away.
In Kani Village in Myine Township of Magway Region, a teacher named Kyaw Khaing Win was involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). The other two villagers were arrested by the plain-clothed military forces on 25 November 2021.
On the morning of 25 November 2021, in Chan Mya Tharsis Township of Mandalay Region, the military forces arrested the mother and 12-year-old sister of an engineering student named Hein Htet, who is accused of being part of the People Defence Force (PDF), when the military could not find him. It is reported that their house was seized and sealed off, and the 12-year-old girl was released this evening.
On the night of 25 November, as the military did not find Kyaw Soe Naing, an MP in Mandalay’s Regional Hluttaw and from the NLD in Nganzun Township, his younger brother was arrested. The arrested one is the Secretary of Kayunarshin Charity Organization.
Activities of the National Unity Government
On 24 November 2021, the Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management of the National Unity Government issued a statement regarding the recent increase of war crimes that violates human rights, in particular the International Humanitarian Law.
In the statement, the Ministry firstly referred to one of the provisions of the IHL, which stated that the ordering state institution is responsible for all the violations of IHL by the armed forces. The statement explained in detail the crimes committed by the military forces at villages of YeOo township, Sagaing Division on 19 November 2021, at Nan Ti village, Taung Thar township, Mandalay Division, at Loikaw Township, Kayah State, and at Botahtaung township, Yangon Division on 22 November 2021. The statement further explained the continued arrests, detentions, tortures, killings, and threatening against the medical doctors and health staff across the country. Referring to the responsibility to protect the unarmed civilians who are not part of the armedconflict stated in the IHL, the statement highlighted that the military junta had been ignoring the rights of the civilians and violating human rights IHL. From the report, the ministry has urged the United Nations and the international organizations to do necessary investigations in timely manner and prosecute the military junta for all their war crimes as soon as possible.
Actions and Remarks by the International Community in response to the Military Coup d’état
At the United Nations daily press briefing on 22 November 2021,Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, remarked on Myanmar that according to the recent reports, the arbitrary arrests targeting of the members of theNational League for Democracy, affiliates, and others involved in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement are intensifying. In addition, the creditable reports show the increase in crackdown and treatment in detainees, including sexual violence. The Secretary-General's spokesperson reiterates the call of the United Nations for the release of all detainees & cessation of violence on all sides.
On the international day of elimination of violence against women on 25 November 2021, United Nations Women and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as the co-chairs of the UN Gender Theme Group (UNGTG) in Myanmar, issued the joint statement on 16 days of Activism against the gender-based violence in Myanmar. It stressed that as the compounded crisis in Myanmar has disproportionally affected women and intensified the vulnerabilities of women and girls, particularly those living in conflicted areas, experiencing internal displacement, and women migrant workers, an urgent need is required to take specific measures to ensure the protection of women and girls, including health care, justice, safety, protection, and social services, regardless of the political and security situation. The statement re-affirmed the commitment of the UN Country team to continue to support and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and respond to the needs of women and girls, including the provision of essential services to survivors of violence.
On 26 November 2021, the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint statement on Myanmar, reiterating the grave concerns over reports of ongoing human rights violations and abuse by the military across the country, including the credible reports of sexual violence and torture in Chin State, Sagaing Region, and Magway Region, as well as the reports of internet shutdown. It further expresses concern over the allegations of weapons stockpiling and attacks by the military, including shelling and airstrikes, use of heavy weapons, and the deployment of thousands of troops, disproportionately impacting civilians.
Welcoming the Press Statement by the UN Security Council on 10 November, this statement called for the respect of human rights and the immediate cessation of all human rights violations and abuses in Myanmar. It urged the international community to work together to prevent future atrocities in the country by supporting justice and accountability for those responsible for atrocities. It also reiterated their support for the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, calling on the Myanmar security forces to immediately ending violence.
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Date: 28 November 2021
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York