Blog Elements – Page 325

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Almost 100 Civilians Killed By Myanmar Junta Forces in September

October 1, 2021/in News

By THE IRRAWADDY 1 October 2021 At least 99 more people, including a toddler and four senior citizens in their seventies, were killed by Myanmar junta forces in September. Their deaths push the number of people who have died at the hands of the military regime to 1,146 over the past eight months, according to the Assistance […]

Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: Post-Coup (20-26 September 2021)

September 27, 2021/in HR Situation

Almost 100 Civilians Killed By Myanmar Junta Forces in September

October 1, 2021/in News

Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: Post-Coup (20-26 September 2021)

September 27, 2021/in HR Situation

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Almost 100 Civilians Killed By Myanmar Junta Forces in September

October 1, 2021/in News

By THE IRRAWADDY 1 October 2021

At least 99 more people, including a toddler and four senior citizens in their seventies, were killed by Myanmar junta forces in September. Their deaths push the number of people who have died at the hands of the military regime to 1,146 over the past eight months, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)

Myanmar has been in political and social turmoil since the junta’s February 1 coup, as the merciless military regime continues with brutal and lethal crackdowns in its efforts to suppress the nationwide rebellion against the junta.

In September, the Myanmar military massacred civilians, including children, torched entire villages, fired randomly into homes and shelled residential areas in Kayah and Chin states and Magwe, Sagaing and Mandalay regions. The junta claims those areas were harboring People’s Defense Forces: bands of civilian resistance fighters opposing the regime.

Among those killed in September were nine children, the youngest of whom was one and half-years-old, detainees who were tortured to death, members and supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and three medics, according to the latest report from the AAPP, an activist group which monitors killings and arrests by the junta.

*The body of an old man who was tied up and beaten to death in Myin Thar Village, Yaw, Magwe Region. / CJ*

On September 20, regime troops raided Shaw Phyu Village in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region. During the raid, junta forces shot at the home of NLD supporters, killing five family members.

Four of five were shot dead on the spot. A one and half-year-old child survived initially but died from injuries after arriving at Mandalay General Hospital, AAPP stated in their report.

In northern Shan State’s Monekoe Township, nine-year-old Mah Bon suffered serious head injuries after a junta artillery shell hit his home on September 27. The boy died the following day. His mother was also injured in the artillery strike.

Around a dozen detainees were tortured to death in September. Among them was Mandalay-based political activist and philanthropist Ko Than Htun Oo, aka Ko Min Ko Thein, a member of the NLD’s Mandalay branch. He died in police custody just a few hours after being arrested on September 25.

The 48-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Ko Fatty’ among his friends, was arrested at his home in Aungmyaythazan Township, Mandalay Region for alleged possession of weapons.

During the raid on his house, junta forces told him to get on his knees. When he said that he couldn’t kneel due to his weight, he was reportedly shot in the knee. He was arrested despite no weapons being found during the search. In the evening of the following day, his family was notified of his death. Ko Than Htun Oo’s body was not returned to the family, with regime officials claiming that they had organized funeral rites for him.

Ko Zaw Linn Htet, 30, from Pyay, Bago Region also died during an interrogation after just a few hours in junta custody. He was detained with his younger brother on the afternoon of September 6, allegedly in connection with the arrest of student union members a week before. His family was also informed of his death at night.

September also saw a surge in killings of youth activists and villagers from anti-regime strongholds where civilian resistance groups have inflicted heavy casualties on junta forces.

In Yangon, four young people were shot dead at midnight on September 25 after regime forces raided their hideout in Sanchaung Township. Two of the four activists were identified as Dr. Zin Lynn and nurse Ma Khin Khin Kywel. The following day, the wife of Dr. Zin Lynn, who is also a medical doctor, was arrested at her home. The couple have a seven-month-old baby.

On Thursday, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said at a press conference that the youths had opened fire on junta soldiers when they surrounded the hideout, killing and injuring a few of them. He claimed that the four activists were killed in a subsequent shootout with regime forces.

However, local residents and video footage uploaded by Khit Thit Media revealed that the young people were dragged from the apartment and beaten and kicked several times, before the junta forces fired shots. Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun made no mention of this at the press conference.

Young victims seen before their cremation in Myin Thar Village, Yaw, Magwe
Region. / CJ

Teenagers were also rounded up and massacred in Myin Thar Village in Yaw in Magwe Region on September 9. In all, 18 people died in the village, including elderly citizens, and some 20 houses were burned down by junta forces.

The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar – an independent group of prominent former United Nations human rights experts – urged the United Nations Security Council in its latest statement to declare the junta a “terrorist organization” for its atrocities against its own people including public torture, executions and the taking of hostages, including children.

Irrawaddy New

Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: Post-Coup (20-26 September 2021)

September 27, 2021/in HR Situation

Increasing attacks on civilians have devastated communities across Myanmar. The International Day of Peace which was marked on 21 September included sentiments calling for an end to war from various human rights groups. The Karen Women’s Organization wrote on their Facebook page: “Peace is when everyone including women, men and children can live happily. It means having access to opportunities to improve themselves and their communities without facing threats to their safety and security.” The Karen Human Rights Group noted the violence being used against civilians in Karen State which include “airstrikes and ground attacks that are indiscriminate in nature.” Every day since the coup, violence has continued to force destruction upon innocent civilians. Buildings of worship have been burned to the ground. Buddhist monks supporting the pro-democracy movement have been killed in their temples. Families have been torn apart and forced to flee at a moment’s notice.

Relief workers are putting their lives on the line as they risk their safety delivering aid to vulnerable populations in need. The junta opened fire on a vehicle carrying food and medicine for IDPs in Demawso, Kayah State. Raids are also ongoing, as informers leak information on the status of civilian’s whereabouts. In Yangon, warrantless raids remain frequent, where at least 35 people were arrested and one killed by junta security forces over the course of a week. The regime is responding to the growing guerilla attacks across urban and rural areas, and attempting to violently crack down on dissent.

The disregard for human life is growing stronger each day, and yet the international community remains too slow to act. The junta has proven that they are ill equipped to protect the people of Myanmar and safeguard their rights and freedoms.In an address to the Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said “accountability remains crucial to any solution going forward.” Last week, the Myanmar kyat fell to a record low, marking yet another sign of how life under the junta is disrupting the social and economic fabric of the country. In addition, freedom of expression continues to dwindle under the junta’s unjust seizure of power where according to Freedom on the Net 2021 – Myanmar fell by 14 points on internet freedom. This is the steepest decline in one year. And when help from the United Nations was offered for greater humanitarian access in the country, specifically to expand the response to COVID-19, the junta appointed health minister rejected assistance. Civilians refuse to allow the coup succeed, including by boycotting bills to the junta. According to the National Unity Government, over 97 per cent of customers in Yangon and Mandalay have not made their payments. Nationwide, 80% of citizens are doing the same. Their refusal to be governed by a notoriously brutal regime once again highlights the spirit and resistance of Myanmar people.

CHIN STATE

Chin State remains embroiled in a deadly conflict, forcefully waged upon them by the illegal junta. In the State capital city, Hakha, civilians say there has been ‘shooting and bombings’ every day since the beginning of the month. The junta has been scorching villages and indiscriminately firing. Over one thousand Thantlang residents have fled to the Myanmar-India border to seek shelter as they fear violent confrontation from the junta.

A Christian pastor was among those shot and killed during intensified clashes of Chin defense forces against the Myanmar Army in Thantlang. He was killed while trying to put out fires that the junta had intentionally sent ablaze. The junta also cut off his finger to steal his wedding ring, and looted his belongings. The Internet has also been shut off by the junta in major areas of Chin State.

KACHIN STATE

Civilians are fearful of the growing presence of the Myanmar junta in their areas as over 200 soldiers and more than 40 military vehicles arrived in Mongkoe, Kachin State. Villagers in the State are among the over 3 million in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

Junta commander in Chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was met with protests by dozens of youth when he traveled to Myitkyina, Kachin State who were against a visit by a dictator with no regard for Kachin civilians or their environment. Parts of Kachin State are among the five states and 22 townships of the country where the Internet is not accessible.

KAYAH STATE

For those sheltering in Demawso, Kayah State, junta artillery shells reportedly ‘fell like rain’ which forced resistance groups to withdraw in their offensives against the junta. Fighting lasted four hours and led to injuries and a death from the Kayah defence forces.The situation for internally displaced persons in Kayah State is worsening as the number of IDPs and positive COVID-19 cases grows. Those delivering aid are risking their lives to do so as the junta seeks to target aid workers responding to the crisis. It was reported this week that 40 IDPs in Kayah State were infected with COVID-19 from Myanmar junta soldiers.

Download PDF

Spring Revolution

Human Rights Situation weekly update (September 15 to 21, 2024)September 27, 2024 - 8:26 am
Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Sep 15 to 21, 2024 Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Shan State, Chin State, Rakhine State, and Kachin State from September 15th to 21st. The Military Junta committed arresting, occupying the properties, threatening by using power, and […]
Human Rights Situation weekly update (September 8 to 14, 2024)September 20, 2024 - 2:30 pm
Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Sep 8 to 14, 2024 Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in the Magway Region, Shan State, Kachin State, and Rakhine State from September 8th to 14th. Military Junta arrested the civilians as human shields from Mindon Township, Magway Region, and Salingyi Township, […]
Human Rights Situation weekly update (September 1 to 7, 2024)September 13, 2024 - 5:08 pm
Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from Sep 1 to 7, 2024 Military Junta Troop launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in the Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, and Shan State from September 1st to 7th. The Military Junta threatened that they would launch airstrikes on the townships which they lost. The […]

Multimedia

What is the Truth (Cartoon Animation)May 31, 2024 - 4:58 pm
What is Transitional Justice (Cartoon Animation)May 3, 2024 - 8:38 am
Close the SkyApril 11, 2024 - 7:45 am
Forced MarriageJanuary 9, 2024 - 2:12 pm

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.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

ND Burma

Recent Posts