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Soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militiamen murder four, burn hundreds of homes in Sagaing

February 7, 2022/in News

The mob also looted several villages and carried the stolen goods away on several trucks, locals said Junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militiamen murdered four people, burned hundreds of homes, and looted villages during a three-day rampage through Sagaing Region’s Pale Township last week, local residents have told Myanmar Now. The mob of about […]

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS REJECT UN SPECIAL ENVOY’S PROPOSAL OF “POWER SHARING”

February 3, 2022/in Press Releases and Statements

Raise alarm at her misinterpretation that the “military are in control” 247 civil society organizations reject UN Special Envoy, Dr Noeleen Heyzer’s, proposal that those defying the military must negotiate a power sharing as a solution to the current political, human rights and humanitarian crisis created by the terrorist military junta. In an interview with Channel News […]

Soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militiamen murder four, burn hundreds of homes in Sagaing

February 7, 2022/in News

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS REJECT UN SPECIAL ENVOY’S PROPOSAL OF “POWER SHARING”

February 3, 2022/in Press Releases and Statements

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Soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militiamen murder four, burn hundreds of homes in Sagaing

February 7, 2022/in News

The mob also looted several villages and carried the stolen goods away on several trucks, locals said

Junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militiamen murdered four people, burned hundreds of homes, and looted villages during a three-day rampage through Sagaing Region’s Pale Township last week, local residents have told Myanmar Now.

The mob of about 100 members of the junta’s forces entered the village of Min Taing Pin firing their guns at around 11am on Thursday, bringing with them and then killing four captives who had their hands tied, two residents there said.

They then raided homes and detained around 100 people, including 15 who were elderly, inside a local school. One woman named Htay Kyi was reportedly beaten while being detained.

The soldiers then ransacked and looted houses, a jewellery store and mobile phone shops. “It was nothing more than a massive robbery,” one of the residents said.

“They started firing shots even before they entered the village,” he added. “Some people started running but others didn’t because the other junta forces that came into the village before didn’t cause much trouble. It’s just so bad this time.”

The second villager said that the soldiers and militiamen stole around 700 million kyat ($393,000) worth of cash and gold from the jewellery store and around 45 million kyat in cash and phone top-up cards from a money exchanger.

The soldiers broke down doors to enter houses, the second villager said. “They took rice, oil and food supplies for the most part. They also broke into three mobile phone shops and took every single phone, set of earphones and power bank. They even broke open the safes.”

After the robberies, the junta forces loaded the stolen goods into seven military trucks and carried them away.

“Nothing is left in Min Taing Pin,” said a person who is helping residents who fled the village. “They ransacked all the jewellery shops and garment shops. The village is nothing but a huge pile of garbage now. They took all the valuables.”

Residents did not know the names of the four captives who were killed, but recognised them and said they were from the nearby villages of Inn Kan and Ohn Hnauk. Soldiers shot the four of them to death and burned their faces before leaving the bodies outside of Min Taing Pin.

“They burned the bodies before they left the village so we wouldn’t be able to identify them,” the man helping the displaced villagers said.

Both he and the two Min Taing Pin villagers said the junta’s forces detained five women in their early 20s, and that others they spoke to believe the women were raped because they heard them screaming.

“The girls were hiding when the military arrived but they were found and taken by the military,” he said. “I don’t want to say their names for their own safety. Some said they heard the girls screaming. I didn’t hear them though as I was trying to flee.”

Myanmar Now was unable to gather further information about the women or verify what happened after they were detained.

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Locals found bodies on the side of the road after the military left Min Taing Pin village on February 3 (Supplied)

Houses torched

After spending the night in Min Taing Pin, the junta forces marched to the nearby villages of Kaing Twin and Hlaw Kar on Friday evening. All three villages lie along the road connecting Pale to the Magway Region township of Gangaw.

As in Min Taing Pin, they robbed houses and businesses in Kaing Twin and some of them carried the loot away on ten military vehicles to a village called In Pin Htee, where Pyu Saw Htee is known to be active.

The soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee members then began setting fire to houses.

“Almost the entire village of Kaing Twin is lost,” said a man who lives in Pale Township. “We are trying to get there to investigate. We still don’t know the exact number of casualties or amount of damage.”

It was a similar story when the junta’s mob later marched a mile north to the village Hlaw Kar. Hlaw Kar has 800 houses, while Kaing Twin has 400– and a total of 800 houses were burned down across the two villages, a Hlaw Kar resident said.

The fires began in Hlaw Kar village at around 1:30am on Saturday morning and soldiers set fires again at 7am, he added. “The village burned the whole night. All the pigs and cows died in the fire. Even when we went back to check after the military left, three houses were still burning.”

He and others found remnants from bottles used for molotov cocktails and wooden torches used to start the fires, he said. “I think they used the torches to spread the fire from one house to another. It’s just so cruel.”

Another Hlaw Kar local said that Pyu Saw Htee members started fires and the soldiers took pictures of themselves pretending to put out the flames before torching more houses. They did the same thing in Kaing Twin, he added.

“The Pyu Saw Htee came into our village first and then they started torching the houses. Then, the junta forces arrived, took photos and torched more houses,” he said.

On Saturday, the soldiers and militiamen travelled to nearby Ingyin Su village, which has a population of around 1,000.

Myanmar Now News

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS REJECT UN SPECIAL ENVOY’S PROPOSAL OF “POWER SHARING”

February 3, 2022/in Press Releases and Statements

Raise alarm at her misinterpretation that the “military are in control”

247 civil society organizations reject UN Special Envoy, Dr Noeleen Heyzer’s, proposal that those defying the military must negotiate a power sharing as a solution to the current political, human rights and humanitarian crisis created by the terrorist military junta.

In an interview with Channel News Asia, the Special Envoy discusses finding “commonalities”, a political transformation requiring process and a “need to negotiate what this power sharing could look like”. Her comments have been met with strong reactions.

We further raise alarm at the comments she made during her interview in which she claims that “The military is in control at this particular time”.

These statements could set a dangerous precedent, that those who take control through brutal means – massacring, killing, raping, arresting, torturing, burning villages and people, targeting civilians using airstrikes and shelling – be welcomed to share power. Such suggestions send a signal to the military that the UN is willing to act as a broker for their power despite the grave crimes they have committed, and further embolden them to commit atrocities with total impunity.

The youth who are continuing to call for an end to the military’s terror are not being unrealistic in their efforts to see their human rights and fundamental freedoms protected. Their calls reflect the principles laid out in the UN Charter and deserve the full support and respect of UN mandate holders.

In addition, it is not required of revolutionary movements to end in a power sharing agreement with those that have committed genocide and continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity. History has shown us that coups around the world have failed, and revolutions have succeeded. Those who have committed grave international crimes must be held accountable, not offered more power, a seat at the table and legitimacy by the international community. This will only embolden them to continue to commit grave crimes with total impunity.

It has been over a decade since the military initiated their political process of power sharing. This consisted of unelected military officials holding 25% of the seats in parliament and control over key ministries that were integral to the governance of Myanmar, under a military-drafted 2008 Constitution that undemocratically ensured their place in the corridors of power.

They stole the wealth of the people of Myanmar for decades during the military dictatorship and throughout the military orchestrated political process of the past decade. They exploited natural resources, while continuing to commit war crimes against people who live in resource-rich ethnic areas.

For over 70 years the military has waged a fierce war against ethnic peoples, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. While sharing limited power with the National League for Democracy, they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against ethnic people and genocide against the Rohingya.

The Special Envoy should advise the UN Security Council to immediately refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court so that these grave crimes committed by the Myanmar military can be investigated and prosecuted. Offering them a seat at the negotiating table is not in accordance with the “will and interests of the people of Myanmar” as adopted in resolutions at the UN General Assembly.

The Special Envoy’s misinterpretation that “the military is in control” could not be farther from the truth. Over the past year, Myanmar people’s revolutionary movement has successfully prevented the military from grabbing power over the country, despite all its brutal efforts. The military are, however, conducting fierce airstrikes in ethnic areas where they are losing territorial control; shooting and shelling people forcing them to flee across the border into neighboring countries, threatening international peace and security; burning bodies including children and staff of international organizations in an attempt to instill terror. These are not acts of a military who are in control.

International experts on Myanmar have previously stated in response to UN officials inaccurately suggesting that military has “taken over” or that it has an “iron grip on power”, that “Misinterpretation leads to misrepresentation, misrepresentation leads to misunderstanding, and misunderstanding leads to mistakes”. We could not agree more.

Such mistakes have been a persistent problem for the UN in Myanmar as outlined in the Rosenthal report, which found that systemic and structural failures rendered the UN impotent in the face of the Rohingya genocide. The UN must not make the same mistakes, and once again, fail the people of Myanmar.

If the Special Envoy is genuinely committed to a “Myanmar-led process” and engaging “directly with and listen carefully to all those affected by the ongoing crisis”, she must understand the root causes of the current crisis and genuinely listen to the calls of the people of Myanmar. Their calls have been clear. The military must never rule.

The UN Special Envoy and other mandate holders, as well as UN agencies, funds programs and entities, must support the calls of the people of Myanmar and their efforts towards a future federal democratic Myanmar. They must respect their will and work to ensure that the military is never again allowed to have power.

For further information, please contact:

Khin Ohmar, Progressive Voice, info@progressive-voice.org
Naw Hser Hser, Women’s League of Burma, secretariat@womenofburma.org
Mu Angela, Union of Karenni State Youth, angel.moe1990@gmail.com

Signed by Myanmar CSOs and Supported by Regional and International CSOs:

Action Committee for Democracy Development
Ah Nah Podcast – Conversation with Myanmar
Albany Karen community, Albany, NY
All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress
Alternative Solutions for Rural Communities (ASORCOM)
ALTSEAN-Burma
American Rohingya Advocacy/ Arakan Institute for Peace and Development
Arizona Kachin Community
Asia Democracy Network
Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition
Asian Dignity Initiative
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
Blood Money Campaign
Boat People SOS
Burma Action Ireland
Burma Campaign UK
Burma Canadian Association Ontario (BCAO)
Burma Human Rights Network
Burma Task Force
Burmese American Community Institute (BACI), IN
Burmese American Millennials
Burmese Democratic Forces
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
Burmese Women’s Union
C&D Corporation
Calgary Karen Community Association (CKCA)
California Kachin Community
Cambodian Americans and Friends for Democracy and Human Rights Advocates
Campaign for a New Myanmar
Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative
Chin Leaders of Tomorrow (CLT)
CIVICIS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Coalition to Abolish Modern-day Slavery in Asia (CAMSA)
Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam
CRPH & NUG Supporters Ireland
CRPH Funding Ireland
Dallas Kachin Community
DEEKU, the Karenni Community of TX
Democracy for Ethnic Minorities Organization
Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization -DPW
Dhanu Women Organization
Dhanu Youth Organization
Edmonton Karen Community Youth Organization
Educational Initiatives Myanmar (Czech Republic)
Equality Myanmar
European Karen Network
European Rohingya Council
Federal FM Mandalay
Florida Kachin Community
Foundation of Khmer Samaki (FKSamaki)
Free Burma Action Bay/USA/Global
Free Myanmar Campaign USA
Freedom for Burma
Freedom, Justice, Equality for Myanmar
Future Light Center
Future Light Women and Child Protection Organization
Future Thanlwin
Generation Wave
Georgia Kachin Community
Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)
Global Myanmar Spring Revolution (GMSR)
Global Neighbors Canada
Global Neighbors Thailand Foundation
Houston Kachin Community
Human Rights Action Center
Human Rights Foundation of Monland
Info Birmanie
Initiatives for International Dialogue
Institute for Asian Democracy
Inter Pares
International Campaign for the Rohingya
International Karen Organisation
Iowa Kachin Community
Justice for Myanmar
Kachin American Community (Portland – Vancouver)
Kachin Community of Indiana
Kachin Community of USA
Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
Kansas Karenni Community, KS
Karen American Association of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Karen Association of Huron, SD
Karen Community Association UK
Karen Community in Syracuse, NY
Karen Community in the Netherlands (KCNL)
Karen Community of Akron, OH
Karen Community of Canada (KCC)
Karen Community of Czech Republic
Karen Community of Finland
Karen Community of Hamilton
Karen Community of Iowa, IA
Karen Community of Ireland
Karen Community of Israel
Karen Community of Kansas City, KS & MO
Karen Community of Kitchener & Waterloo
Karen Community of Leamington K
Karen Community of Lethbridge
Karen Community of London
Karen Community of Minnesota, MN
Karen Community of North Carolina, NC
Karen Community of Ottawa
Karen Community of Regina
Karen Community of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Karen Community of Saskatoon
Karen Community of Thunderbay
Karen Community of Toronto
Karen Community of Windsor
Karen Community of Winnipeg
Karen Community Society of British Columbia (KCSBC)
Karen Environmental and Social Action Network
Karen Finland Culture Association
Karen Human Rights Group
Karen Organization of America
Karen Organization of Illinois, IL
Karen Peace Support Network
Karen Rivers Watch
Karen Swedish Community (KSC)
Karen Thai Group
Karen Women’s Organization
Karen Youth Education Pathways
Karen Youth Networks
Karen Youth of Norway
Karen Youth of Toronto
Karen Youth Organization
Karen Youth UK (KYUK)
Karenni Baptist Convention of America
Karenni Civil Society Network
Karenni Community of Amarillo, TX
Karenni Community of Arizona
Karenni Community of Arkansas,
Karenni Community of Austin, TX
Karenni Community of Bowling Green, KY
Karenni Community of Buffalo, NY
Karenni Community of Chicago, IL
Karenni Community of Colorado, CO
Karenni Community of Connecticut, CT
Karenni Community of Dallas, TX
Karenni Community of Des Moines, IA
Karenni Community of Florida, FL
Karenni Community of Fort Wayne, IN
Karenni Community of Fort Worth, TX
Karenni Community of Georgia, GA
Karenni Community of Grand Rapid, MI
Karenni Community of Houston, TX
Karenni Community of Idaho, ID
Karenni Community of Indianapolis, IN
Karenni Community of Lansing, MI
Karenni Community of Lousiville, KY
Karenni Community of Massachusetts, MA
Karenni Community of Minnesota, MN
Karenni Community of Missouri, MO
Karenni Community of New Jersey, NJ
Karenni Community of North Carolina, NC
Karenni Community of Portland, OR
Karenni Community of Rockford, IL
Karenni Community of San Antonio, TX
Karenni Community of Sioux Falls, SD
Karenni Community of Utah, UT
Karenni Community of Utica, NY
Karenni Community of Washington, WA
Karenni Community of Wisconsin, WI
Karenni Federation of Australia
Karenni National Women’s Organization
Karenni Society of Canada
Karenni Society of Omaha, NE
Karenni Talkshow-KTS, USA
Karenni Youth of Minnesota, MN
Karenni-American Association
Karenni-American Catholic Association
Kayahlilaykloe, Austin, MN
Kayahliphu Youth – KLY
Kayaw Women Association
Keng Tung Youth
Kentucky Kachin Community
KnA-Kay Phoe Du prgm
Korea Karen Organization
Korea Karen Youth Organization
Kyaukpadaung Youth Network
Kyaukse University Interim Administrative Council
Kyaukse University Students’ Union
LA Rohingya Association/America Rohingya Justice Network
Let’s Help Each Other
Los Angeles Myanmar Movement
Louisiana Kachin Community
Mandalay Regional Youth Association
Mandalay Regional Youth Network
Maramagri Youth Network
Maryland Kachin Community
MeBoun Foundation
Metta Campaign Mandalay
Michigan Kachin Community
Milk Tea Alliance
Minnesota Kachin Community
My STORY photo project Association
Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP)
Myanmar Advocacy Coalition
Myanmar Community Austria
Myanmar Cultural Research Society (MCRS)
Myanmar Family Community Ireland
Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)
Myanmar Student Association Ontario (MSAO)
Nationalities Alliance of Burma USA
Network for Human Rights Documentation Burma (ND-Burma)
New York Kachin Community
No Business With Genocide
North Carolina Kachin Community
Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica
Olive Organization
Omaha Kachin Community
Oversea Karen Organization Japan
Pa-O Women’s Union
Pennsylvania Kachin Community
Progressive Voice
Rochester Karenni Community, NY
Rohingya Action Ireland
Sandhi Governance Institute
Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas
SEA Junction
Shan MATA
Sisters2Sisters
Sitt Nyein Pann Foundation
South Carolina Kachin Community
Southern Youth Development Organization
Stefanus Alliance International
Students for Free Burma
Support the Democracy Movement in Burma
Swedish Burma Committee
Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
Ta’ang Women’s Organization
Ta’ang Legal Aid
Tanintharyi MATA
Taunggyi Youth Center
Tennessee Kachin Community
The Free Burma Campaign (South Africa)
U.S. Campaign for Burma
Union of Karenni State Youth
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
United States Chin Coalition (USCC)
Virginia Kachin Community
Washington Kachin Community
West Virginia Kachin Community
Women Activists Myanmar
Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar (WAC-M)
Women’s League of Burma
Women’s Peace Network
West Coast Burmese Coalition (WCBC):

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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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Raise alarm at her misinterpretation that the “military are in control”

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