ND Burma
ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.
Recent Posts
- INTERVIEW: Why an Argentine court filed a warrant for Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest
- Myanmar junta bombs rebel wedding, at least 10 killed
- Press Statement: Argentine Court’s arrest warrants are welcome progress towards justice
- OPEN LETTER: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL MUST TAKE CONCRETE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE MYANMAR PEOPLE’S EFFORTS TO BUILD A RIGHTS-PROTECTING FUTURE
- Human rights and transitional justice
Call for international investigation after airstrikes on Karenni schools
/in NewsFROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Four children and three adults, including an elderly man, were killed, and another 23 were injured, in airstrikes and artillery attacks allegedly carried out by the military on two schools in Daw See Ei and Loi Nam Hpa villages of Demoso Township in Karenni State on Feb. 5.
“Two boys were killed at that [school]. Two more died later [due to injuries],” said a Daw See Ei resident. Nearly 200 students were in class when the airstrikes occurred. The two schools, a clinic, and a church were reportedly destroyed.
The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) claimed that at least 10 attacks occurred in Demoso Township. It called on the international community to take immediate action against the military for violating international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which states that “every child has an inherent right to life.”
“It is a war crime against humanity by the Burma Army. It did this on purpose,” said Banyar Khung Aung, the IEC second secretary. He requested assistance from the National Unity Government (NUG).
Regime media published a denial on Feb. 5 after DVB reported that the Burma Air Force carried out airstrikes on Karenni villages. It accused DVB of spreading false information.
The DVB Fact Check program followed up this accusation with a report that pro-military groups on the social media platform Telegram confirmed airstrikes were carried out on the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Karenni State. It accused the PDF and members of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) of hiding out in the two villages and called for more attacks on them.
The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF), a group monitoring military atrocities, stated that 475 civilians have been killed in Karenni State over the last three years since the 2021 coup. It added that about 2,375 homes, 48 religious buildings, 22 schools and 14 hospitals and clinics have been destroyed.
DVB News
Human Rights Situation weekly update (January 22 to 31, 2024)
/in HR Situation, NewsHuman Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Jan 22 to 31, 2024
Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region, Chin State, Rakhine State, and Shan State from January 22nd to 31st. Military Junta arrested a civilian from the Mandalay Region and 5 from the Sagaing Region and used them as human shields. 8 civilians died by the arresting and killing of Military Junta troops within a week. A female political prisoner from Magway Prison died from the lack of medical treatment and care.
Over 50 civilians died and about 50 were injured by the Military’s heavy and light artillery attacks within a week. 3 underaged children were injured and 1 died when the Military Junta committed abuses. Civilians left their places 6 times because of the Military Junta Troop’s marching and raiding within a week. 4 civilians were injured by the landmines of the Military Junta.
Infogram
Momeik Incinerated as Myanmar Junta Reoccupies Shan Town
/in NewsMyanmar junta troops have retaken Momeik (Mongmit) in northern Shan State after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied resistance forces retreated from the town. At least eight residents were reportedly killed and houses were torched as junta soldiers reoccupied the town.
A combined force of the KIA, All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and People’s Defense Force attacked the town on Jan. 18. They announced that they had taken control of the town on Jan. 25 after defeating junta positions including the police station. They retreated the same evening, however, and junta troops returned to torch houses in the town, said residents who had fled.
“Junta troops are now in the town and burning houses. They have arrested residents who stayed behind. They also arrested about five residents who returned to check their houses on Sunday. Those who went back to feed animals have also been arrested,” said one resident.
Regime troops are seeking to sow division in the town by forcing Muslim detainees to burn houses in Momeik, according to a volunteer helping displaced people.
“An escapee reported that junta soldiers told detainees to burn houses. They told Muslims to set fire to houses with torches, threatening to kill them if they refused. They took photographs. I believe the regime will use the photos to spread propaganda and stir religious hatred by claiming Muslims are torching houses and religious buildings,” the volunteer said.
Junta troops blockaded the town and killed some eight residents, including Muslims, said a town resident helping displaced people. Many residents had fled before the fighting. Those who stayed found themselves trapped and were either killed or arrested by junta soldiers, he said.
“We offered to transport them out of the town but they were unwilling to leave their homes. They thought the military would not harm them if they stayed indoors. After what happened, we can only feel sorry for them. We learned that around eight people, including four Muslims, were killed,” he said.
Junta newspapers claimed that the regime had retaken the town on Saturday after launching a counteroffensive against the KIA, TNLA and PDF groups.
However, that claim is disputed.
“KIA troops were not defeated but rather retreated, allowing regime soldiers to retake the town. Momeik has been battered by junta air and artillery strikes. Residents are furious that the KIA retreated from the town,” said one Momeik resident.
Junta media have accused the KIA and its allies of torching religious buildings, schools, houses and healthcare facilities while they were in Momeik.
The Irrawaddy was unable to reach the resistance groups for comment.
Some two-thirds of Momeik have been destroyed while over 40 civilians trapped in the fighting were killed, according to local community organizations that cremated their remains on a football pitch.
The major market in the town was incinerated by junta bombing raids.
Momeik is bordered by Kachin State’s Mansi Township to the north, Mandalay Region’s Mogoke Township to the south, and Thabbeikyin Township to the west. Several ethnic armed groups are active in Momeik.
Irrawaddy News
Myanmar junta sentences nearly 400 women in 3 years since coup
/in NewsOf 20,000 people arrested, more than 5,000 are women suspected of political offenses.
Updated on Jan. 30, 2024 at 10:27 a.m. ET
Nearly 400 women in Myanmar have been sentenced to prison, some for more than 20 years – or even death – for political offenses in the three years since the coup, a report by the Burmese Women’s Union said.
The report included high-profile women including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe among the 398 women sentenced by the junta, which took control of the country on Feb. 1, 2021.
The most recent high profile sentencing occurred on Jan. 10, when journalist and film director Shin Daewe, 50, got life in prison for ordering a drone online. When she went to pick up the drone on Oct. 15, junta soldiers arrested her on terrorism charges.
“She is a filmmaker, and she makes films. She bought the things she needed. I can’t understand how it was connected to terrorism,” her brother, Myint Thu, told RFA Burmese.
Being shut up in prison will keep her from family and from making more films. “It will be a loss for her, the family and the community,” he said. “I just want my sister to come back home.”
Most of the women were convicted under two laws: Section 50 (j), a counter-terrorism law, and Section 505 (a), a Burmese Woman’s Union, or BWU, official told RFA. The latter law was added to the penal code to the junta after the coup, and it can be used to punish comments or implications that the coup or the military is illegitimate, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch.
“Some were sentenced to 40 years in prison for contacting and donating to the resistance forces,” the official said, asking not to to be identified for fear of reprisal.
The junta also used Section 121 on high treason, the most popular legal provision being used to charge politicians; and section 124 on incitement to riot to charge the 398 women.
The junta also outlawed bail after taking charge and has arrested more than 20,000 people, including more than 5,000 women since, mostly for political offenses.
According to the records compiled by the BWU, of those arrested women, 39 were sentenced to life in prison and 16 face the death penalty.
Additionally, two received sentences between 45 to 65 years, seven between 30 and 45 years, 27 between 20 and 30 years, 105 between 10 and 20 years, 205 between five to 10 years, 315 between one and five years, and two under one year.
Martial law
The junta has imposed a number of martial law areas throughout the country, and most of those arrested were tried and sentenced in military courts.
According to martial law, political offenses can be given the death penalty, indefinite imprisonment with hard labor, or maximum punishment under the respective charges.
An official from the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, or AAPP, commented that the military council has purposely cracked down on women who had been participating in anti-regime peaceful protests that have been ongoing since just after the coup.
“Why are political prisoners sentenced to long-term prison terms? The main reason is hatred,” the official said. “It’s quite clear about the junta. To be frank, they want to kill the people who are against them.”
Though many of the people arrested and unfairly sentenced are men, women are participating in anti-junta movements at a very high rate, he said.
“We see women side-by-side with men and against the regime in all ways. The regime hates it very much,” the official said. “They crack down on women unjustly because they hate them so much. It seems like they are taking revenge.”
He added that the junta filed charges as they pleased, and when imposing sentences, the judges themselves were only making orders according to the instructions from the junta.
But the junta’s spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told RFA in 2022 that only those who are guilty are punished in accordance with law.
However, he also said that a person who just donated a single kyat to any anti-junta cause could face imprisonment of at least 10 years or even the death penalty under the counter-terrorism laws.
According to Aung Myo Min, the human rights minister for the shadow National Unity Government, made up of former lawmakers ousted by the coup, the military courts deprive people of their right to defend themselves.
“Does a person get his or her legal rights during this kind of legal process, court hearings and passing judgements? I’m sure they won’t get it,” he said. “The military courts have no independence. You don’t have the right to call witnesses or the right to defend. If you look at it, if a person is unjustly arrested, his or her legal rights are denied.”
RFA News
Human Rights Situation weekly update (January 15 to 21, 2024)
/in HR Situation, NewsHuman Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Jan 15 to 21, 2024
Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Shan State, Mon State, Rakhine State, and Chin State from January 15th to 21st. Military Junta arrested over 10 civilians and used them as human shields in Sagaing Region. They cut off phone and internet data connections in Rakhine State. A political prisoner from Kyaikmaraw Prison died because of the lack of medical treatment in Mon State.
Over30 civilians died and about 40 were injured by the Military’s heavy and light artillery attacks within a week. 3 underaged children were injured and 4 died when the Military Junta committed abuses. Civilians left their places 6 times because of the Military Junta Troop’s marching and raiding within a week.
Infogram
Battle For Myanmar’s Rakhine State Set to Escalate, Brotherhood Alliance Says
/in NewsFighting between the Arakan Army and junta troops will intensify in Rakhine State within a few days as the regime sends in a large number of reinforcements as well as weapons and ammunition, the Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement late Sunday.
The Arakan Army (AA) is one of the three powerful ethnic armies that comprise the alliance, which launched a major anti-regime offensive across northern Shan State in late October.
The Brotherhood Alliance said AA troops have been on the offensive in the western state and have seized junta bases despite heavy attacks from land, sea and air.
Most of the 400 troops who fled to India after recent clashes with AA troops in Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State have been re-deployed to Rakhine State, the Brotherhood Alliance said, adding that Myanmar’s military is sending reinforcements and military supplies to the western state by sea.
The junta’s move to reinforce its positions in Rakhine State follows a halt in attacks by the Brotherhood Alliance against its targets in northern Shan State more than a week after a China-brokered ceasefire was signed between the alliance and the junta.
On Sunday, intense fighting continued in six townships of northern Rakhine State – Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U, Pauktaw, Ramree and Rathedaung – as AA troops attacked regime bases and attempted to seize towns from the junta, according to the Brotherhood Alliance and local media reports.
On Monday morning, AA troops attacked regime targets in Kyauktaw town. The fighting in the town follows the capture of junta Artillery Battalion 377 and Light Infantry Battalion 539 in Kyauktaw Township on Jan 14 and 16, respectively.
About 300 junta troops from Battalion 539, and their family members, surrendered to the AA, which also detained junta tactical commander Lt-Colonel Nyi Nyi Win who had sustained injuries.
AA troops also reportedly launched rocket attacks on the junta naval headquarters of Danyawaddy, one of the largest naval bases in the country. It is located in an area of Kyaukphyu Township where a China-invested project is being built. After the attack by the AA, a junta gunboat randomly shelled nearby areas, Rakhine media outlet Nainjara reported, citing residents.
The Brotherhood Alliance said the junta bombed the town of Minbya on Sunday night with a Harbin Y-12 airplane and that civilian homes were destroyed.
An estimated 800 reinforcements from the state capital Sittwe arrived in a village in Minbya Township on four military barges on Sunday, Rakhine media outlet Narinjara reported, citing residents.
The Arakan Army has taken control of Pauktaw Town near Sittwe after junta troops vacated the town following two months of attacks, local media reported.
Intense fighting resumed in northern Rakhine State on Nov. 13 last year after the AA widened the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 1027 to the state. It has seized Paletwa town in neighboring Chin State and over 160 junta bases, outposts and battalion headquarters across northern Rakhine and Paletwa Township.
The junta has responded to its losses on the battlefield with a wave of bombings of villages and residential areas of towns, killing dozens of civilians.
Irrawaddy News