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ALL NEWS
ASEAN Needs a Common Position on Myanmar
Source: FULCRUM / ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
After years of intractability, the regional organisation needs to move as one to make any headway on Myanmar. It is not clear this can be done without inclusive conversations.
Sharon SEAH, Moe THUZAR
Dialogue: A step in the right direction
Source: Bangkok Post
There were more divergences than convergences in views that emerged from the Track 1.5 Dialogue held between Asean members and dialogue partners, including representatives from Myanmar, in Bangkok on March 13.
Kavi Chongkittavorn
Malaysia’s pick of Thaksin as adviser raises fears of his pro-Myanmar junta stance
Source: South China Morning Post
Thaksin’s tenure as Thailand’s prime minister was marked by accusations of his autocratic tendencies and alleged business dealings with Myanmar’s generals.
Hadi Azmi
SAC air and artillery attacks centred on China’s planned Muse-Mandalay railway inflict over 200 civilian casualties
Source: Shan Human Rights Foundation
SAC airstrikes and shelling in nine townships of northern Shan State and in Mogok township of Mandalay Region killed 68 civilians, injured 136 and damaged over 339 buildings – including schools
Situation Update | Shan Human Rights Foundation
Junta Resorting to Desperate Conscription Methods in Mon State
Source: Burma News International
Having already conscripted 1,700 people from Mon State the junta there is now resorting to organising night time festivals so that it can kidnap and conscript young people on their way home from the festivals.
Than Lwin Times
MILITARIZATION OF BURMA: Devastation of the country due to power monopoly urge of the military class
Source: Shan Herald Agency for News
The crux of the problem in Burma or Myanmar today is the deeply seated political power monopoly urge of the successive military class that transformed the country into militarization process mode.
Sai WANSAI
Nearly 1,000 Myanmar migrants arrested in Malaysia this month as amnesty program comes to an end
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma
The National League for Democracy (NLD) OC International Malaysia estimates that approximately 100,000 Myanmar nationals are currently detained in prisons and immigration detention centres across Malaysia
English Editor | Democratic Voice of Burma
How hopes for Myanmar’s democracy faded and why leadership is needed (again)
Source: National Public Radio (NPR)
Ultimately, no country is responsible for the course or choices of another. It was the military junta, instead, who took the country on a different path.
Derek Mitchell, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Southern Chin State Liberated from Myanmar Junta
Source: Irrawaddy
Yaw Mang, the armed group’s spokesman, told The Irrawaddy that southern Chin State had been liberated and its troops were attacking Falam’s only remaining junta position, Infantry Battalion 268, in the north of the state.
Hein Htoo Zan
Myanmar junta receives new planes from Airbus’ close partner AVIC, aiding indiscriminate airstrikes
Source: Justice for Myanmar
The Myanmar military junta has commissioned into service as many as 8 new aircraft supplied by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a close partner and investee of the European aerospace giant Airbus.
Press Release | Justice for Myanmar
Calls grow in UK for release of Suu Kyi from prison
Source: Gulf Today
“Her current imprisonment in harsh conditions is outrageous and yet further evidence that Myanmar is being ruled by an internationally condemned junta with neither legitimacy nor humanity.”
Kate Devlin and John Johnston, The Independent
Karen National Union considers how to improve border governance
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma
With significant control over the Thailand-Myanmar borderlands, the KNU now faces a critical moment as it explores strategies to enhance border governance and contribute to addressing the region’s complex political, economic, and security challenges.
Saw Kapi, director of the School of Governance and Public Administration (www.sgpa.info)
Expelling drug lords at the border
Source: Bangkok Post
The Thai-Myanmar border has always been a security challenge for Thailand, but the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has turned parts of it into a serious drug trafficking and humanitarian nightmare.
Editorial | Bangkok Post
Myanmar reps not present at key meeting of foreign ministers
Source: Bangkok Post
Myanmar representatives did not attend the extended informal consultation held yesterday during a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Bangkok.
Poramet Tangsathaporn
Aung San Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris begs for her release from Myanmar prisonAung San Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris begs for her release from Myanmar prison
Source: The Independent
The son of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has pleaded for her release amid fears for her health after four years in a brutal military prison
Rachel Clun
Joint Statement: Rohingya’s call for justice, equality, peaceful coexistence and inclusive governance in Arakan
Source: Rohingya Today
We urge the Arakan Army and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, to uphold and respect the rights of the Rohingya and all ethnic and religious minorities in Arakan State.
Joint Statement | Rohingya Organisations
Reorganization of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) Personnel and Facilitation of Employment Opportunities
Source: Kantarawaddy Times
The Karenni Civil Servant CDM Committee has stated the need to reorganize and create employment opportunities for civil servants who participated in the nonviolent Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in Karenni State.
Kantarawaddy Times
IDP numbers in Tanintharyi Region exceed 68,000 in November
Source: Myanmar Peace Monitor / Burma News International
FE5 Tanintharyi said that the number of IDPs in Tanintharyi Region increased in November due to the junta’s burning of civilian houses, killings of civilians, and the battles resulting from prolonged raids into villages.
Kantarawaddy Times / Myanmar Peace Monitor
Singapore calls for end to violence against Myanmar civilians, Suu Kyi’s immediate release
Source: The Straits Times
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Dec 20 called for an end to violence against civilians caught in a years-long civil war in Myanmar, and the immediate release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
Raul Dancel
Scores of Myanmar Junta Troops Surrender in Chin Rebel Offensive
Source: Irrawaddy
The Chin Brotherhood on Friday said 168 regime soldiers and police along with their families surrendered to the regional rebel alliance during Operation CB aimed at seizing Mindat and Falam townships in southern Chin State.
Hein Htoo Zan
Junta forces are mobilizing in central Myanmar amid Shan state ceasefire, rebel say
Source: Radio Free Asia
Airstrikes have intensified in recent weeks in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions.
RFA Burmese
Thai army discusses border disputes, drug trade concerns with UWSA
Source: The Nation
Army source says that though the United Wa State Army has promised to address these issues, the Foreign Ministry may need to step in if no progress is made
The Nation
Free Aung San Suu Kyi – and let her finish what she started
Source: The Independent
The deposed leader of Myanmar is no longer the heroic figure she was in the long years of persecution and house arrest. But, having sacrified her own freedom to campaign for democracy in her homeland, she deserves to be part of a wider process of truth and reconciliation
Editorial | The Independent
Soldier-spies in Myanmar help pro-democracy rebels make crucial gains
Source: British Broadcasting Corporation
The soldier spies are known as “Watermelons” – green on the outside, rebel red within. Outwardly loyal to the military but secretly working for the pro-democracy rebels whose symbolic colour is red.
Rebecca Henschke, Ko Ko Aung, Jack Aung & Data Journalism Team
‘Myanmar is under the yoke of a pariah regime’: Calls grow in UK for release of Aung San Suu Kyi from prison
Source: The Independent
Two former UK foreign ministers join call for action after Lord Hague told Independent documentary it is possible to be critical of former Myanmar leader ‘but also say we should be campaigning for her release’
Kate Devlin, John Johnston