Weekly Updates on Current Situation in Myanmar
(06-11-2022)
Over twenty-one months ago, on 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military attempted an illegal coup, toppled the civilian government, and unlawfully and unjustly 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 Myanmar military has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made the people suffer with inhumane and disproportionate actions.
As of 4 November 2022, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), 2,413 people have been ruthlessly killed by the military, whereas 16,089 people have been arrested and a total of 128 individuals have been sentenced to death, of which 86 (including two children) are detained and 42 in absentia since 1 February 2021, when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians. Four democracy activists who were given to death sentence were executed by the military junta in July 2022.
Atrocities committed by the military
Raiding, Looting, Abducting, Killing and Torching in Sagaing Region
On 2 November 2022, around 150 junta soldiers arrived in southern Budalin Township and proceeded to raid multiple villages in that area. According to the news, Wai Phyo Aung, the leader of the Kan Swei Village defence team who had been scouting the area at the time of the raids, was captured by the junta forces. On the following day, he was found dead on a rubber farm from a gunshot wound to the chest. The same junta unit went on to loot homes in Tayaw Taw and Kokkosu Villages. There, they captured eight locals, including two five-year-old children, and held them in a local monastery while questioning them about local defence forces. According to an officer from the local Byattwi-Byatta resistance group, the junta soldiers threatened to torch one house for every gunshot that they heard. The resistance group did not attack the junta troops as they did not want the military to harm the hostages. Most of the villagers were released after a day, but two men in their 30s were reportedly forced to accompany the troops as they continued their advance.
According to locals, on 3 November 2022, junta soldiers stationed in Koe Taung Boet Village, Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, fired shells at neighbouring Zee Ka Nar Village after resistance forces ambushed 50 advancing junta troops. It was reported that the military had previously occupied Zee Ka Nar Village for two nights. Initially, the villagers were forced to flee when the village was torched, but when the villagers cautiously started to return, the shelling reportedly began. According to the residents, twelve-year-old boy Paing Shin Mu and his 68-year-old grandmother were killed after being hit with shrapnel from the artillery in the head and to the abdomen, respectively. Their home was also destroyed, and Paing Shin Mu’s younger sister, seven-year-old Thoon Yati, was reportedly wounded. More than 10 locals were also detained by the military unit in Kanbalu Township, arrested from farms where they sought refuge after their villages were targeted, according to an officer from the People’s Administration Team for the Koe Taung Boet region, which includes more than 20 communities. Some 500 homes in 13 villages in the area have been destroyed by the junta since the February 2021 coup, with residents of at least eight such sites having been displaced.
According to the news, at least seventeen people were killed during and after a series of military raids within the third week of October in and around Hpalanpin Village, Pale Township, Sagaing Region. On 25 October 2022, the junta’s attacks began in the area. Those attacks were reportedly part of a rescue mission to free prisoners held by anti-regime forces active in the area. However, according to the chair of the Pale Township People’s Administration Team, most of those who were killed were among those being detained by the resistance forces. According to him, some victims were found with their throats slit, and some were shot in the head. The wounds on the deceased showed that they were captured and tortured before being killed. Among the deceased victims, ten were prisoners, including two police privates; three were resistance fighters and the others were civilians, including a grade-nine student, and an unidentified individual believed to be a junta soldier. It was reported that most of the prisoners were criminal suspects facing a variety of charges, including theft and rape. According to a local defence team member, all of the bodies except one were found near the local administration office where the prisoners were held. According to the local residents, the regime forces burned down six houses in Hpalanpin and another four in the neighbouring Thae Pyin Kyel Village during the three days that they were in the area.
Killing innocent civilians
On 30 October 2022, a junta column of around 100 soldiers, launched an offensive into Ywar Thar Ywar Village, Indaw Township, Sagaing Region. Then, they beat and killed 17-year-old Aung Myo Min, accusing him of being a graduate trainee of the People’s Defense Force. The troops left his body on the side of a road. He was arrested because he ran into the junta column in the village, after which they discovered pictures of him graduating from the PDF training on his phone.
Arbitrary arrests
In the evening of 30 October 2022, four members of the Mandalay Strike Committee, Paing Nway Oo, Kaung Khant Zaw, Nay Ye and Hein Maung, and a leader of the Mandalay Monks’ Union: Ven. Kalyana (aka Yaw Gyi), were arrested during a junta’s raid at the May Ga Wun monastery in Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay Region. According to news reports, the four university students were rammed by a junta vehicle and also physically assaulted in the attack. In a statement released on that day, the Monks’ Association said that Ven. Kalyana was in perfect health at the time of his arrest and that his captors would bear full responsibility for any harm that befalls him. News reported that a hostel in Maha Aungmyay Township, Mandalay Region, was also raided at around 3am on 31 October 2022. News reports noted that at least nine monks, including Ven. Kalyana, are currently in regime custody in Mandalay.
Arresting CDM Staff
On 29 October 2022, during a raid on a bus station in Mandalay, Dr. Min Zaw Oo, a surgical lecturer at University of Medicine, Mandalay’s Department of Surgery; Zin Mar Win, a CDM nurse at Mandalay General Hospital; Poe Thandar Aung, a CDM midwife from Mandalay Central Women’s Hospital; and CDM nurse Yoon Nanda Tun were arrested by junta forces. All four were said to be taking part in a nationwide strike by healthcare workers against the regime that overthrew Myanmar’s elected civilian government in February 2021. They were arrested after being accused of supplying medicine to the PDF. In the junta’s statement dated 31 October 2022, the junta said it detained several people, including a doctor, two nurses, and a midwife, during a raid on a bus station in Mandalay’s Aungmyay Thazan Township on 29 October 2022. The statement also added that a large quantity of medical supplies, which the junta accused the apprehended individuals of planning to send to members of the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF), were also seized. The statement mentioned that a woman named Kyi Thadar Phyu and three bus station employees were also detained in the raid, and it named more than a dozen other doctors and nurses described as being “still at large.” News reported that according to a source within Mandalay’s healthcare community, at least nine other medical workers, including Dr. Moe Thidar Linn of Mandalay’s Otorhinolaryngology Specialist Hospital, have been arrested in the city in recent days.
On 1 November 2022, a CDM worker called Aung Kyaw Kyaw was arrested near Poppa Village in Sagaing by junta forces. Aung Kyaw Kyaw was an assistant factory officer of Ywa Htaung Diesel Locomotive Maintenance Center in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region.
Actions taken against NLD Party members and anti-military activists
On 31 October 2022, Win Myint Hlaing, Regional Hluttaw Representative of the NLD party, Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Region, was sentenced by Magway District Court to serve 148 years in prison. He was sentenced under charges of the Counter-Terrorism Law Sections 50(a), 51(c), 52(a), and 54. He had already been sentenced to serve 25 years in prison on five other charges, including Penal Code Section 505A. Win Myint Hlaing was arrested at the entrance of Lawksawk Town, Shan State, on 8 November 2021.
The junta arrested locals from southern Rakhine State, including two members of the general administration department, accusing them of having links to the Arakan Army (AA). The individuals were charged with violating Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, while some were also charged with incitement under Section 505A of the Penal Code. According to an October 28 report in the Rakhine Daily newspaper, among those nine individuals, Win Maung Maung, a senior clerk within the Thandwe District administration, was accused of allegedly providing funding support to the AA and alerting them of military and police activities in the region. Hlaing Win Htut, a regional clerk was also charged with having affiliations with the armed group. Five men from four Thandwe Township villages were singled out and arrested. According to the news, they are Nyi Pyu and Nay Myo Aung from Singaung Village, Kyaw Kyaw Naing from Indaing Gyi Village, and Maung Maht from Leli Village. In Taungup Township, three locals: Phyo Min Zaw from Yan Khaw Village, Khin Hla from Mahn Ni Village, and Kyaw Kyaw Naing from Thin Pan Shwe Village, were also arrested and charged under Article 17(1). More than 30 civilians were also detained from Yanbye Town in Ramree and from Kyaukphyu Township during the first half of October. According to the locals, among those arrested was a land registry officer.
Torturing anti-military activists in prison
According to the news, on 30 October 2022, prison officials in Yangon’s Insein Prison cracked down hard on twenty-one political prisoners who offered alms in memory of four executed activists. Since monks are not allowed to perform ceremonies inside Myanmar’s prisons, inmates usually make offerings to detained monks who continue to follow monastic rules despite being forcibly disrobed. It was reported that all 21 prisoners were severely beaten for marking this three-month anniversary of Myanmar’s first executions in decades. The four leaders of the group, Yeyint Ko, Yeyint Bo, Wathone San and Hanthar were shackled and sent to solitary confinements with little light or ventilation. They were also forced to do hard labour, and if they didn’t work fast enough, they were beaten. The other prisoners were identified as Thet Koko Htwe, Kyawkyaw Khant, Soe Koko, Aung Pyaesone Oo, Kyaw Thet Paing, Ye Lin Aung, Zaw Zaw Han, Zayar Phyo, Phoe Kaunt, Nat Soe, Ye Kyaw, J Nyi, Nyi Zin Latt, Chanmyae Koko Zin, Aung Min Khant, Naing Htarwara and Aung Ko Min. Reportedly, the shouting and wailing of the prisoners while being beaten could be heard by other prisoners. Those 17 prisoners who were not placed in solitary confinement were also forced to recite the prison’s rules for three hours straight. It was also reported that a number of the prisoners, most of whom are facing charges of incitement or weapons possession, were expected to appear in court on the following week but they did not appear.
According to the news, a political prisoner Hlaing Nyi (also known as Kyaw Thut Myint), being held in Yangon’s Insein Prison, had to have his jaw wired shut after it was shattered during a beating by criminal convicts. The date and time of the incident could not be confirmed, and now he is still being treated at the prison hospital for his injuries. News reported that Hlaing Nyi has been detained in prison since his arrest on 27 March 2021, for allegedly attacking junta personnel with a bomb. In the prison, he reportedly got involved in a dispute with another inmate while they were hanging their clothes out to dry. When he went to ask another prisoner regarded as the leader of the prison’s criminal convicts to resolve the issue, he was accused of being disrespectful towards that person. Then, a number of prisoners started punching and kicking him. Later, Hlaing Nyi was moved to another cell, and when several of his friends reported that he was complaining of dizziness and disorientation, he was admitted to the prison hospital. According to prison sources, his mouth is now wrapped in wires, and he cannot eat solid food and has to rely on fluids. He was expected to remain in this condition for around 45 days. News reported that Hlaing Nyi was also one of 89 Insein prisoners who were brutally beaten for taking part in a Silent Strike protest against military rule in late 2021.
Airstrikes and heavy artillery targeting civilian areas
According to the news, the Myanmar military has been firing heavy artillery during the clashes with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Momauk Township, Kachin State, for several days. According to KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu, the junta began firing heavy artillery at Kachin forces during clashes on 22 October 2022 and dropped bombs from aircraft for three consecutive days around Lonja Hill—the site of the fighting—one mile east of Momauk. According to locals, the military’s Infantry Battalion 437, positioned four miles west of Momauk, also fired artillery in the direction of the fighting. On 29 October 2022, one of the shells reportedly detonated in Momauk town, and two local women were injured.
Due to the fighting between the junta and the KIA, starting from 25 October people from the villages of Lonja, Wa Wun and Nawng Pawng fled their homes. During the fighting on 30 October 2022, a military artillery shell struck the compound of the Lonja Baptist Church in Wa Wun Village, making the Church and the village unsafe for those who sought refuge. According to the news report, at the time of reporting around 200 civilians had sought refuge in Momauk town, with more expected to arrive in the coming days. Reportedly, the town’s own residents have left for safer areas due to the proximity of the fighting.
On 28 October 2022, at night, junta troops opened fire with heavy weaponry into Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region. Some of the artillery shells landed and exploded in a pasture of Thit Cha Seik Village in Kyaukkyi Township. As a result, a local villager Ye Min, who was working in the farm, died on the spot while his younger brother was injured.
On 29 October 2022, junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 539, stationed in Kan Sauk Village, Rakhine State, fired artillery that detonated in Sin Ma Kyaw Village. A girl was injured and two homes were destroyed, according to locals.
On 31 October 2022, at around 11 PM, junta Operations Control Command-9 (OCC-9) situated in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, indiscriminately opened fire with heavy weaponry. According to the news, one of the six artillery shells shot into Pi Si Village landed and exploded near a household. Three family members who were sleeping in the housing complex: Soe Win, Than Than Wai (aka Pu Kay) and their 14-year-old daughter Phyo Phyo Wai, were fatally hit by shrapnel from the blasts. Four of their cattle were also killed. Due to the shelling, a 50-year-old man named Tun Tin was also reportedly injured, two houses completely destroyed and two others damaged. According to the locals from Pi Si Village, the junta forces reportedly fired more than ten artillery shells that night and several the next morning.
On the night of 31 October 2022, the junta forces fired three artillery shells at Htee To Lo Village, Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region. One of the shells landed in the village, near the house of a 78-year-old villager, who died on the spot from shrapnel injuries in her head and stomach.
On 1 November 2022, at around 9 PM, junta forces, situated in Ywa Ma Village, Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, indiscriminately fired heavy weaponry. One of the artillery shells landed on a house in San Tao Ya Kone Village and killed a husband and wife.
According to the news, on 3 November 2022, the Myanmar military reportedly fired a series of artilleries in the surrounding area of western Kutkai Town, Shan State, even though they were not reportedly engaged in any ongoing battles with resistance forces. One of the artilleries hit a Kachin Baptist-run Bible school in Kutkai Town. Due to the attack, four men, in their 20s, living in the nearby dormitory, were wounded.
Activities of the National Unity Government
On 31 October 2022, the National Unity Government issued Weekly Newsletter No. 27/2022, which contained articles relating to the NUG’s activities. Those articles included the NUG urging the UN and international community to take action against the SAC; the statement delivered by Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun at the 77th UNGA regarding the weapons shipments to the SAC, cyber dictatorship, and the ICC; and the NUG urging the community to send evidence, including videos and photos regarding the junta’s air-attack to the music concert in Hpakant.
On 31 October 2022, H.E. Mr. Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations delivered a statement on Agenda Item 71: Report of the International Criminal Court, at the Plenary of the Seventy-Seventh session of UN General Assembly. In his statement, he shared the view that respect for human rights, the UN Charter and international law has been becoming extremely fragile, and thereby the subsequent ill factors are imposing serious threats for the maintenance of international peace and security, including strengthening of international justice system. He expressed that the Myanmar delegation is encouraged to see the continued enhanced relationship between the United Nations and the ICC. Recalling the lodging of an article 12(3) Declaration with the Registrar of the International Criminal Court accepting the Court’s jurisdiction over crimes committed in our territory since July 1, 2002, on 17 July 2022, he mentioned that the people of Myanmar have high hope that the Court will open a preliminary examination or expand the scope of its current investigation. He reaffirmed the National Unity Government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and ending impunity for all human rights violations. He also reiterated Myanmar’s support on the further extension of the relations between the UN and the ICC based on respect for each other’s status and mandates and aim to promote the effective discharge of each organization’s respective responsibilities in a mutually beneficial manner.
On 1 November 2022, H.E. Mr. Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, made an intervention at the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on Refugee under Agenda item 57: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions at Third Committee of the 77th UNGA. In his statement, he remarked that the military’s atrocities following the illegal coup in February 2021 has created an enormous increase in the number of displaced persons, and then exporting refugees to neighbouring countries. He underlined that there are many refugees and displaced person in Cox’s Bazar as well as in other neighbouring countries such as India, Thailand and Malaysia. Especially for those who fled after the illegal military coup, these individuals are in seriously precarious situations whereby they are in danger in Myanmar of death, torture and arrest, and in danger in neighbouring countries of arrest and deportation. He stressed that if there is no protection in time, they are likely to become victims of human trafficking or sexual exploitation. Highlighting that transparency is vital and making relevant information public and accessibility are important, he asked how the UNHCR office can protect and provide those who are seeking UNHCR protection with predictable assistance in an effective and urgent manner.
On 1 and 2 November 2022, H.E. Mr. Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations delivered statements on Agenda Item 63: Report of the Human Rights Council, at General Discussion of the Third Committee and the plenary of the Seventy-seventh session of UN General Assembly respectively. In his statements, he thanked the members of the HRC regarding the adoption of two resolutions, on 1 April 2022 and 7 July 2022 respectively, regarding Myanmar without a vote. He stressed that the draft resolution on Myanmar tabled by EU at the Third Committee of this UN General Assembly should contain provisions rightly reflecting the current situation on the ground especially the illegal military coup and subsequent heinous crimes committed by the military against the people of Myanmar. Therefore, the title of the draft resolution should be adjusted. He underlined that it is high time for the Human Right Council through its mandate to use effectively and urgently such evidence received by the IIMM and to urge all relevant UN mechanisms and beyond to utilize that evidence. He urged the HRC to explore ways to transmit those millions of pieces of evidence to the UN Security Council in order to enable the UN Security Council to refer the situation of Myanmar to the ICC. He also urged the Human Rights Council to listen attentively and seriously to the voices of the people of Myanmar and allow the representative of the people of Myanmar to participate in the meetings of the Human Rights Council.
On 2 November 2022, H.E. Mr. Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations delivered a statement at General Discussion under Agenda item 57: Report of the UNHCR, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions, of the Third Committee of the 77th session of UNGA. In his statement, Ambassador referred and thanked the report of UNHCR and shared the view of the President of the General Assembly that the issue of refugees, returnees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons due to conflicts is an inevitable living example which poses threats to the maintenance of international peace and security with significant severe consequences if remained unaddressed. While thanking those countries for hosting the Myanmar people seeking international protection, he requested those countries to provide necessary assistance to them. He emphasized that those individuals seeking international protection are in seriously precarious situations as they are in danger in Myanmar of death, torture and arrest, and also in neighbouring countries of arrest and deportation. He added that many are in trauma, some of them are mentally and physically affected; some have continuing concerns for their health and safety. He, therefore, urgently demanded the assistance and protection of their rights. He also urged the UNHCR to extend its utmost assistance in an urgent and effective manner to the IDPs in Myanmar and Myanmar people who are seeking international protection in other countries.
On 4 November 2022, H.E. Mr. Aung Myo Min, Union Minister for Human Rights, virtually attended the ASEAN Civil Society Conference held in Phnom Penh. During the conference, he stated that an urgent humanitarian dialogue which includes China, U.S., Thailand, India, Indonesia, and the UK, must be convened and the ERO-NUG-MoHADM joint humanitarian track must proceed to bring about an urgent and appropriate humanitarian response. He further stressed that ASEAN must publicly reject the military’s upcoming election, making it clear that such an election is without merit and is illegal. He further urged that a process that enables a new federal democratic constitution for Myanmar must be advanced. He also underlined that ASEAN must recognize the NUG as the rightful, legitimate, duly elected representative of the Myanmar people and in so doing, refuse to provide the illegal military junta with diplomatic status. The Minister also remarked that ASEAN must show its support by engaging in a new dialogue inviting a diverse group of Myanmar citizens to be heard as they are routinely ignored stakeholders in the crisis, even though they are the victims of the junta’s violence and torture.
Actions and Remarks by the International Community in response to the Military Coup d’état
On 31 October 2022, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued Humanitarian Update No. 23. In its highlights and key messages on Myanmar, it stated that ongoing hostilities across Myanmar continue to endanger the safety of civilians. It estimated that more than 1.4 million people have been displaced across the country, of whom more than 1.1 million were displaced since February 2021. It added that ongoing conflict and inflation in the costs of basic commodities continue to compromise the food security of Myanmar people. An estimated 15.2 million people are now severely and moderately food insecure. Humanitarian partners continue to respond to the critical needs of affected and displaced people, reaching 3.1 million people in the first half of the year and are continuing to scale- up and expand in newly affected areas. It further mentioned that food security partners have expanded presence and operations in the Northwest and Southeast. As of the end of August, partners had provided food assistance to 626,000 IDPs, exceeding the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) target. It informed that in central Rakhine, WASH partners provided critical WASH supplies to 91 out of 119 sites for IDPs from the previous Arakan Army (AA) - Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) conflict, reaching more than 42,000 IDPs during September 2022. It also underlined that the 2022 HRP remains drastically underfunded with less support received so far in 2022 than at the same time in 2021, despite the dramatic surge in needs and inflation. As of 27 October, the HRP is only 22 per cent funded, leaving a gap of US$643 million (FTS). Consequently, partners are being forced to prioritize assistance to people in most need, and there are shortages of stocks in some parts of the country.
On 1 November 2022, at the United Nations’ daily press briefing, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said that the UN team in Myanmar is concerned that ongoing hostilities continue to endanger the safety of civilians. Haq said that more than 1.1 million people have now been newly displaced by conflict and insecurity since the military took over in February 2021, bringing the total number of internally displaced people to more than 1.4 million. He said that in the States of Rakhine and southern Chin, indiscriminate attacks impacting civilians, the use of landmines and mortar shelling and new access restrictions since the renewed fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army are putting people’s lives in danger and preventing life-saving assistance from reaching people in need. He mentioned that in addition to the conflict, the costs of basic commodities continue to compromise food security, and an estimated 15.2 million people are now severely and moderately food insecure. He said that as of last week, the Humanitarian Response Plan was only 22 per cent funded, leaving a gap of $643 million. He added that consequently, partners are being forced to prioritize assistance to people in most need and there are shortages of stocks in some parts of the country.
On 1 November 2022, Save the Children issued a news statement titled “Number of Children Forced From Homes in Myanmar Crosses Half Million Mark”. In the statement, it said that the number of children forced to flee their homes to escape violence in Myanmar has surpassed half a million with a rapid escalation in displacements this year. It stated that more than 1.4 million people have been displaced by conflict in Myanmar – including 520,000 children – with 1.1 million forced to flee since the beginning of the political crisis and escalation of violence in February 2021. It underlined that of the total 407,000 children displaced since then, about 63%, or 257,000, have been displaced in the past nine months. It also added that the figures do not include the half a million Rohingya children who have been living in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh for more than five years. It warned that despite the enormous level of need, the Myanmar crisis is one of the most underfunded humanitarian crises globally, and urged the international community to do more to protect Myanmar children.
On 2 November 2022, during a trip to Thailand, Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Australia is considering imposing sanctions on Myanmar as the security and human rights situation there deteriorates. While speaking to journalists during the trip, Wong called for an end to violence against civilians in Myanmar and for its military to allow access for humanitarian aid. She said Australia would support efforts by ASEAN to achieve peace in Myanmar. Although she added that Australia was considering sanctions, she did not elaborate on the nature or timing of any such measures. She also rejected a Myanmar court ruling against Sean Turnell, and underlined that the case remains a top priority.
On 2 November 2022, UNICEF Myanmar issued a Humanitarian Situation Report No. 9 for 1 to 31 October 2022. In its highlight, it informed that as of 31 October, the number of internally displaced people has reached 1,443,400 nationally, including 1,113,000 people who have been displaced since February 2021 and 330,400 living in protracted displacement prior to the coup. UNICEF estimated that approximately 4.5 million children have restricted access to learning or are not being taught at all. It stated that from January to September 2022, a total of 290 cases of casualties were reported nationally as a result of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Of all these casualties, 35 per cent are children. UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) has a funding gap of 77 per cent by end of October, which significantly impacts the provision of humanitarian assistance and services to the targeted populations, especially children in need.
On 3 November 2022, Amnesty International released a report titled “Deadly Cargo: Exposing the Supply Chain that Fuels War Crimes in Myanmar”. The report found companies involved in supplying aviation fuel were then linked to alleged war crimes and deadly air strikes. Among the companies named in the report are oil and gas companies Chevron, ExxonMobil, Rosneft, PetroChina, and Thai Oil, as well as Korean shipping company Pan Ocean and Norwegian maritime group Wilhelmsen. The report documented that it is impossible to ensure separate civilian and military aviation fuel supplies in Myanmar. In its report, Amnesty also details the impact of air strikes carried out by Myanmar’s military since February 2021. The report called on the international community to "urgently prevent shipments of aviation fuel from reaching the Myanmar military". The full report can be read at https://www.amnesty.org/en/ documents/asa16/6147/2022/en/.
On 4 November 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations issued a Response overview on Myanmar for October 2022. In the overview, it stated that humanitarian needs in Myanmar continue to rise sharply since February 2021 as a result of political and economic upheaval and increased conflict. It underlined that Myanmar is facing a rapidly growing food security crisis, and nearly one in four people are already food insecure. Ongoing violence, economic crisis, recurrent climate-induced shocks, population displacement and COVID- 19, among other factors, are disrupting the entire national food system. It informed that protecting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers to enable them to feed themselves and their communities is a frontline humanitarian response. It highlighted that FAO is responding to the crisis through providing smallholder farmers across Myanmar with access to agricultural production inputs along with the implementation of cash-based interventions. The full report is available at https://www.fao.org/3/cc2783en/cc2783en.pdf.
*****
Date: 6 November 2022
Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York