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.
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Two More Anti-Myanmar Regime Protesters Die in Mandalay
/in NewsBy THE IRRAWADDY 25 February 2021
Yangon – Six anti-regime protesters have now died since the Feb. 1 coup after two activists in Mandalay died days after being injured.
On Saturday, a raid on government personnel taking part in the civil disobedience movement (CDM) at a dock in Mandalay was carried out by police and military personnel using live ammunition, rubber bullet, tear gas and slingshots.
Demonstrators had appeared in the street to protect government staff from being forced to return to work.
Two protesters were killed immediately and more than 25 others were injured.
About 83 people, including some seriously injured protesters, were arrested without being treated.
On Wednesday, Ko Yarzar Aung, a 26-year-old protester, who was shot in the leg, has reportedly died at Mandalay’s military hospital amid questions about that the quality of medical care he received.
Dr. Aye Nyein Thu from a charity in Mandalay who tried to treat Ko Yarzar Aung told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that, except from some minor treatment, the military authorities did not allow her to attend to detainees before they were taken away.
She said that Ko Yarzar Aung would not have died from his leg injuries if he was treated properly.
On Sunday the authorities handed the body of Ko Kyi Soe, 48, who suffered from a head injury, to his family.
Ma Su Latt Win of Mandalay told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that her detained 22-year-old husband, Ko Tin Tun Aung, had not received proper treatment at the military hospital, despite being shot in the hand.
He is now reportedly being held in a prison. “I want him back home. I want to treat his injury,” said Ma Su Latt Win.
On Saturday, Ko Wai Yan Tun, 16, and Ko Thet Naing Win, 36, were shot dead by the security forces.
That evening a civilian vigilante, Ko Tin Htut Hein, was allegedly shot dead by police in a civilian van in Yangon’s Shwepyithar Township while he asked why the vehicle was breaking the nighttime curfew.
On Feb. 19, Ma Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, a student who was shot by the police at a protest in Naypyitaw more than a week earlier, died in hospital.
After the Feb.1 coup, crackdowns have been held against peaceful anti-regime demonstrations in Mandalay, Myitkyina, Bago, Myawaddy, Thandwe, Naypyitaw, Mawlamyine and Myaungmya.
Police and military personnel have used water cannon, tear gas, slingshots, rubber bullets, live ammunition and air guns firing lead pullets.
Several journalists covering protests have been hit with batons and slingshots.
More than 100 people, including a pregnant woman and a five-year-old, have been injured by police and military personnel.
On Feb. 23, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and US and the European Union’s representative condemned the military’s violence against the peaceful protests.
A joint statement said the use of live ammunition against unarmed people is unacceptable.
It said the military and police must respect human rights and international law.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said by Thursday at least 728 people, including officials, leaders and National League for Democracy MPs, political activists, artists, monks, writers, protesters and striking government staff, have been detained.
Ko Aung Myo Kyaw of the AAPP said on Wednesday the regime is detaining increasing numbers and amending several laws illegally.
“The military is completely violating human rights. It must stop” he said.
You may also like these stories:
Myanmar Anti-Coup Protestors Get Creative with Thanakha in Fresh Protests
World Bank Halts Payments to Myanmar After Coup
Lawyer for Myanmar’s Detained Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Says He Has Not Been Able to Meet Her
Irrawaddy News
25 Feb 2021 Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup
/in NewsUpdated 25 February 2021
Prior to today, blockades had been set up at Sule Pagoda Road in Yangon to try and disrupt peaceful protests and demonstrations. However on February 25 these blockades had been removed for when pro-military supporters arrived. Over 100 pro-military supporters gathered at Yangon railway station. When they descended and began a procession, residents in the area began drumming in defiance of the pro-military march. When the military supporters entered the housing quarters of the railway station close to Theinbyu market they attacked residents using sharp objects, knives, heavy sticks and slingshots. 4 people had serious head injuries, 8 others had injuries to the hand, legs, and arms. Military supporters continued with verbal insults, a peaceful protestor singing democracy songs was stabbed by this violent mob. The pro-military supporters attacked residents and journalists, violently grabbing phones and attacking cars.
A man who announced he was Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township USPD Chairman came with many police, he put pressure on the people to release an alleged Party Secretary and Party members the residents had arrested. But the residents explained they had already released the detained to another police force not accompanied by the so-called Chairman. When the media asked why supporters were being violent, the apparent USPD Chairman responded angrily, and some of his followers were violent towards the reporters, breaking two camera equipment of the reporters and throwing verbal insults. Police did nothing towards these violent acts, they stood by and brought the Chairman and his followers back.
During pro-military rallies in the days leading up to the military coup, bamboo poles were sharpened and slingshots crafted. Military supporters carried these to make threatening gestures in the streets. On January 30, in Bahan Township, Yangon outside a Kyay Thun Statute, protesters clashed with some civilians at a pro-military demonstration. Some people who were there got into a verbal altercation. Then some bystanders were beaten, while others were hit on the head, and one’s NLD-branded shirt ripped off. In the aftermath of the coup, similar mobs marched in groups with vehicles in a show of force and demonstrative will to commit violence. They threatened cars with the image of the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi, and car windows were smashed in a clear intimidation towards the general public to stop peacefully protesting in Bahan Township.
This morning, during a meeting of the Rangoon University Students Union, the police deployed security vehicles to occupy the campus. Outside of the university, 2 police vehicles, 8 military trucks and 2 water cannons were deployed which quickly escalated tensions among the people.
At the Magway Region Hluttaw Office 4 deputy officers, 6 senior clerks, 15 junior clerks, three drivers, one janitor and a gardener, a total of 30 employees were suspended from their jobs on February 23 because of their involvement in CDM. This was in addition to 48 civil servants, including an officer and deputy director of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw who were fired on February 23 for their involvement in CDM. The Kayah State General Administration Department also announced the dismissal of 40 of their employees on 24 February according to Section 171 of Civil Servant Code, for http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/446423their involvement in CDM. 26 staff from the Kayah State Hluttaw were also temporarily dismissed for involvement in CDM.
On 24 February in Taungtha Township of Mandalay Region the military raided the UEC regional office and took some documents and materials.Chairman and Secretary of Taungtha Township election sub-commision have also been detained, their whereabouts are still unknown.
Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr Zaw Myint Maung’s wife Dr Yu Yu May and family members were released from house arrest on the evening of February 24. Dr Zaw Myint Maung has been charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code by the coup regime in Aung Myay Thar San Township Court, Mandalay.
In Dawei, Tanintharyi Region, Daw Moet, the wife of Deputy Director of the Department of Mines Thar Myat Kyaw, who lives in Byaw Tawwa Ward, was violently arrested by police on February 24 and charged under Penal Code Section 505(a) for posting social media posts criticizing the military coup. Also in Dawei, four persons, Moe Thu Aung and Tu Tu, Chan Myae Naing and Ye Kyaw Phyo of the Student Union, were arrested in the early morning of February 25 for leading a protest against the military coup. This is in addition to many more who were fined for participation.
The coup regime is intentionally trying to instigate riots and create instability by promoting violent thugs to march and crush peaceful protesters. The military is changing its crackdown tactics on the peaceful protestors, trying to create anarchy and riots against residents in order to take a position of authority amidst the instability. The military is creating violence and a climate of fear. The junta will step in to claim it is restoring security and order from a disorder of riots they created. In a democracy the police should be protecting peaceful protesters, but in Burma the police violently supress them, and the police support acts of pro-junta terrorism. These violent events are considerably similar to those during the 88 uprising. Yet the events today are even more stark than during the 88 uprising, captured on video and photographs.
As of February 25, a total of (748) people have been arrested, charged or sentenced in relation to the military coup on February 1. Of them, (4) were convicted; (2) to two years imprisonment, (1) to three months and (1) to seven days. (56) have been charged with a warrant and are evading arrest, (62) were released. A total of (686) are still under detention or have outstanding charges/evading arrest, including the (4) sentenced. From February 1 to February 25, a total of (8) people have died from violence including at peaceful protests.
AAPP will continue to keep you informed of verified daily arrests, charges and sentences in relation to coup, and update our lists to the details of these alleged offences.
If you receive any information about arrests/detentions of CSO leaders, activists, journalists, civilians and workers who have joined in CDM in relation to the military and police crackdown on dissent. Please submit to the following addresses:
Email : info@aappb.org
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/burmapoliticalprisoners/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/aapp_burma
In Solidarity,
AAPP
Download link for Recent Arrests List (Last Updated on 25 Feb 21)
Myanmar Anti-Coup Protestors Get Creative with Thanakha in Fresh Protests
/in NewsBy THE IRRAWADDY 25 February 2021
Myanmar’s anti-coup protesters on Thursday are getting creative with thanakha — the country’s traditional facial cosmetic paste — to accelerate the civil disobedience movement (CDM), in which civil servants are encouraged to strike.
The latest campaign, popularly known as “the battle of thanakha” kicked off the day before Myanmar’s designated Thanakha Day. Protesters have put the yellow paste on their faces in Yangon, Mandalay and several other cities.
Myanmar has designated the Tabodwe full moon, the 11th of Myanmar’s lunar calendar, as Thanakha Day to promote the cosmetic paste.
Protesters on Thursday painted “CDM” or three-finger salutes in thanakha, which is made from ground bark, on their foreheads.
Young protesters are helping to paint other demonstrators and to restore messages washed away by sweat during the day.
A young protester in Myaynigone, Yangon, said the use of thanakha was part of the process of holding fresh protests against the regime and to give moral support to protesters. The paste is recognized as a symbol of a mother’s affection and protection. Many children go to school with thanakha smeared on their faces by their mothers.
“Wearing thanakha equals a mother’s love, affection and protection. We will continue to fight until we achieve our goal,” he said.
Anti-coup protests have sparked a violent crackdown from the security forces with several fatalities. Protesters are demanding the military regime step down, free the elected leaders and hand over power to the party, the National League for Democracy, they voted for in the November general election.
According to the Assistance of Association of Political Prisoners, more than 720 individuals have been detained by the military since Feb. 1.
A teenager with “CDM” on his forehead in Yangon told The Irrawaddy he wanted to encourage more public servants to join the strike.
“We have lost lives. I urge every civil servant to take part in the CDM,” he said.
Launched on Feb. 3, the CDM has gained momentum across the country and the regime has increased arrests of protesters and civil servants taking part in the movement.
Residents have prevented some arrests of striking civil servants in their neighborhoods by people in plainclothes claiming to be police officers. But more than 40 protesters have been detained across the country. Civilians have formed groups to assist striking civil servants in need.
Irrawaddy News
JOINT CALL FOR A GLOBAL ARMS EMBARGO ON MYANMAR: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL AND INDIVIDUAL UN MEMBER STATES
/in Member statementsWe, the undersigned organizations, call on the United Nations Security Council and UN member states to urgently institute a coordinated, global arms embargo on Myanmar in response to the February 1, 2021 military coup that has deprived the people of Myanmar of the right to democratically elect their government. Our concerns are heightened by ongoing violations of human rights and the security forces’ history of grave abuses against peaceful critics of military rule, as well as against the Rohingya and other ethnic minority groups.
Under the commander-in-chief, Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the Myanmar military has detained the elected civilian leaders of the country, nullified the results of the November 2020 democratic elections, and installed a junta, the State Administration Council, under a manufactured “state of emergency.” Since February 1, the junta has increasingly used excessive and at times lethal force at demonstrations; threatened and arbitrarily detained activists, journalists, students, and civil servants; and imposed rolling internet shutdowns that put lives at risk.
Days after the coup, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “We will do everything we can to mobilize all the key actors and international community to put enough pressure on Myanmar to make sure that this coup fails.” The UN special rapporteur on Myanmar has called for targeted UN sanctions on the military and an arms embargo, while the deputy high commissioner for human rights has voiced support for targeted UN sanctions on the coup leaders.
In that spirit, we urge the Security Council to immediately impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar. Such a resolution should bar the direct and indirect supply, sale, or transfer of all weapons, munitions, and other military-related equipment, including dual-use goods such as vehicles and communications and surveillance equipment, as well as the provision of training, intelligence, and other military assistance. The embargo should be accompanied by robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Any sale or transfer of military-related equipment to Myanmar could provide the means to further repress the people of Myanmar in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Until the Council acts, individual UN member states should adopt measures at the national and regional levels to block sales and other transfers of weapons and materiel to Myanmar, with the goal of extending an arms embargo to as close to a global scale as possible.
For decades, the Security Council’s response to crimes by the Myanmar security forces has been inadequate, emboldening the military to continue committing abuses without fear of serious consequences. The current crisis demands a change in course.
On February 4, the Security Council spoke with a single voice to demand the release of all those arbitrarily detained and the protection of the country’s democratic institutions. Council members should use that newfound consensus to take swift and substantive action. An arms embargo would be the centerpiece of a global effort to shield the people of Myanmar from a return to abusive and autocratic rule.
The time to act is now.
Signatories
Download PDF in English.
Download PDF in Burmese.
Two dead as Myanmar police open fire on protesters in deadliest day since military coup
/in NewsMANDALAY: Myanmar’s security forces fired live rounds and rubber bullets at protesters in the country’s second-largest city of Mandalay on Saturday (Feb 20), leaving at least two dead and about 30 injured.
Much of the country has been in an uproar since the military deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on Feb 1, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets to protest against the junta.
On Saturday, hundreds of police and soldiers gathered at Yadanarbon shipyard in Mandalay, by the Irrawaddy river.
Their presence sparked fears among nearby residents that authorities would try to arrest workers for taking part in the anti-coup movement.
Banging pots and pans in what has become a signature gesture of defiance, protesters started yelling at the police to leave and throwing rocks at them.
But officers opened fire with live rounds, rubber bullets and slingshot balls, dispersing the alarmed protesters.
“Two people were killed,” said Hlaing Min Oo, the head of a Mandalay-based volunteer emergency rescue team, adding that one of the victims, who was shot in the head, was a teenager.
“About 30 others were injured – half of the injured people were shot with live rounds.”
The rest were wounded from rubber bullets and slingshots, he said.
The death toll was confirmed by another emergency worker on the scene, who declined to be named for fear of repercussions.
“One under-18 boy got shot in his head,” he told AFP.
A volunteer doctor said of the two deaths: “One shot in the head died at the spot. Another one died later with a bullet wound to the chest.”
READ: Singapore says use of lethal force in Myanmar against unarmed protesters ‘inexcusable’ after deaths reported
The man shot in the chest was identified by relatives as Thet Naing Win, a 36-year-old carpenter.
“They took away the body to the morgue. I cannot bring him back home. Although my husband died, I still have my son,” his wife, Thidar Hnin, told Reuters by phone. “I haven’t been involved in this movement yet but now I am going to … I am not scared now.”
State television MRTV’s evening news broadcast made no mention of the protests or casualties.
Police were not available for comment.
The protests against the coup that overthrew the government of veteran democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi have shown no sign of dying down. Demonstrators are sceptical of the army’s promise to hold a new election and hand power to the winner.
Authorities have arrested hundreds of people since the putsch, many of them civil servants who had been boycotting work as part of a civil disobedience campaign.
READ: Rallies mourn anti-coup protester’s death as US urges Myanmar junta to yield power
“SHOOTING CRUELLY”
Around the Mandalay shipyard and its surrounding neighbourhood, empty bullet cartridges were found on the ground, as well as slingshot ammunition including metal balls.
One woman received a head wound from a rubber bullet and emergency workers quickly administered first aid to her.
A Facebook video streamed live by a resident on the scene appeared to carry non-stop sounds of gunshots.
“They are shooting cruelly,” said the resident, who appeared to be taking shelter on a nearby construction site.
“We have to find a safer place.”
READ: Diverse Myanmar protesters united in opposition to coup
Since the nationwide protests started two weeks ago, authorities in some cities have deployed tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against demonstrators.
There have been isolated incidents of live rounds in the capital Naypyidaw.
An anti-coup protester who was shot in the head during a Feb 9 demonstration in Naypyidaw died on Friday.
Source: Reuters/AFP/dv
Channel News Asia
Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup
/in NewsUpdated 19 February 2021
Ma Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a 19-year-old and eleventh grade student, who was shot in the head with a bullet while protesting against the coup, passed away today. We honour Ma Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing as the first fallen martyr struggling for democracy and fighting against the military dictatorship in 2021.
As the anti-coup protests across states and regions continued to engulf the country on February 19, so have violent crackdowns and arrests by the junta.
teacher Daw Aye Aye Kyi Sein’s arm was broken
This morning, the police forces beat and forcibly arrested two female teachers who were gathering in front of Myitkyina Education College, Kachin State to take part in the civil disobedience movement. Protestors were blocked by the police nearby Myitkyina Myoma market and 11 civilians were detained. In addition, the police directed slingshots towards the public who took photographs as record. The detained two female teachers and 11 civilians were reportedly released this evening. Upon their release, those two teachers who were arrested in Myitkyina were beaten and one teacher Daw Aye Aye Kyi Sein’s arm was broken.
Another incident in Myitkyina was when anti-coup protestors were intimidated and threatened at gunpoint and sling-shot by the police and the military yesterday. As a result, two protesting youths and a monk from Mandalay Monastery were arrested. The student strike leaders living in Kyat Sar Pyin quarter, Dawei town, Tanintharyi Region, were abducted by the police at around 10:30pm last night, therefore, the residents stood with the students by banging pots and pans. But the police then shot some six gunshots at the crowd; causing three male residents to be injured. Also, this evening, Ko Aung Thet Paing from Pathein Student Union was arrested.
In Yangon Region 11 people who protected staff participating in CDM from the fertilizer factory in Myaung Taka Industrial Zone, Hmawbi were charged, they are currently evading arrest.
Sa Aung Moe Hein who lives in 8th Quarter, Hlaingbwe town, Kayin State was sentenced to seven days in prison for banging the pots and pans at his home in opposition to the military dictatorship.
Yesterday, Dr.Zaw Myint Maung who is the Chief Minister of Mandalay, had his court hearing at the Aung Myay Tharzan Township Court, Mandalay via video conferencing, charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. Zaw Myint Maung was arrested at the outset of the coup in the early hours of 1 February and is currently detained at Obo Prison. His lawyer said they have not been given visitation rights. Lack of trial rights for lawyers has become a signature of this military coup’s attempts to prosecute government officials. It is a clear violation of the international standards of the rule of law and exemplifies the judiciary’s compliance to the military coup.
As of February 19, a total of (546) people have been arrested, charged or sentenced in relation to the military coup on February 1. Of them, (4) were convicted; (2) to two years imprisonment, (1) to three months and (1) to seven days. (32) have been charged with a warrant but are evading arrest, (3) others have been charged but not detained, and (46) were released. A total of (500) are still under detention or have outstanding charges/evading arrest, including the (4) sentenced.
AAPP will continue to keep you informed of verified daily arrests, charges and sentences in relation to coup, and update our lists to the details of these alleged offences.
If you receive any information about arrests/detentions of CSO leaders, teachers, activists, journalists, civilians, in relation to the military and police crackdown on dissent. Please submit to the following addresses:
Email : info@aappb.org
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/burmapoliticalprisoners/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/aapp_burma
In Solidarity,
AAPP
Download link for Recent Arrests List (Last Updated on 19 Feb 21)