HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS GOT IT RIGHT? - Looking at solutions to Myanmar's crisis - ISSUE 17, VOL. 10, April 22, 2021 l Issued every Thursday l ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Ousted MPs form ‘National Unity Government’ Myanmar crisis could affect investment in ASEAN HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS GOT IT RIGHT? Looking at solutions to Myanmar’s crisis ISSUE 17, VOL. 10, April 22, 2021 l Issued every Thursday l mizzima.com
EDITORIAL
WEEKLY
Editor In-Chief and Managing
Director
Soe Myint
Contributors
Sai Wansai,
Andrew Landen, Marc Jacob
MIZZIMA MAGAZINE
Neither this publication nor any
part of it may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic,
T
hingyan is a time for itself with the normal public water mechanical, photocopying,
celebration, reflection and fights cancelled. Instead, protesters recording or otherwise without
making merit. But, as we saw used Thingyan as a rallying point as prior permission from Mizzima
last week, the holiday was a bus shelters and pavements were Media Co. Ltd.
far cry from the water-throwing frolics sprayed red in cities and towns
that normally take place at this time of nationwide.
year.
Photos are by Mizzima
This was a 'bleeding strike' to Unless otherwise credited.
Some managed to make merit at remember the martyrs who died in © 2015 MIZZIMA All rights
the temple or pagoda to welcome in the struggle for democracy. It was a reserved
the New Year and pray for an end to reminder – if one was needed – that
the crisis that has beset the country happiness had been swopped for
since the military stole power from the sadness as people remembered those INFORMATION
elected government on 1 February. who had died. In Mandalay, red paint Mizzima is owned by Mizzima
was spilt on the streets amid signs Media Group in Yangon,
But what stood out this year were saying: "hope our military dictatorship Myanmar.
the protests that broke out across the fails," "overthrow the era of fear" and
country that spoke of the anger of the "blood has not dried on the streets".
many people that their freedoms have Subscriptions and sales in
been stolen. Desperation crept into the Myanmar
messages. In one Yangon suburb the Mizzima Weekly is currently
Anti-coup protesters sloshed red graffiti was blunt: "Dear UN, How available as a PDF.
red paint in the streets to symbolise are you? I hope you are well. As for
the blood spilt and more than 700 Myanmar, we are dying."
lives lost – at that point last week - in Contact: Mizzima Media Group
the brutal military crackdown. The As the crisis continues with no Email: sm@mizzima.com
country is barely functioning and the end in sight, protesters remain strong. Phone: +95-9421010100
economy has stalled since the military But after over two months of carnage
seized power from civilian leader and destruction, there is nothing to
Aung San Suu Kyi. celebrate, little to expect, and more
trauma ahead.
Myanmar's New Year festival of
Thingyan was a strange shadow of This was indeed a sad Thingyan.
mizzima WEEKLY
NEWS & INSIGHT 14 UN envoy statement - Intensifying
widespread, systematic slaughter by
Myanmar military must be halted –
3 EDITORIAL Bachelet
6 IN FOCUS 16 Military shoots at protesting medical
workers
8 NEWS ROUNDUP
17 Ousted MPs form ‘National Unity
10 HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS GOT IT Government’
RIGHT?
Looking at solutions to Myanmar’s crisis 18 Ethnic Armed Organizations see
opportunity in post-coup Myanmar
10 20 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Aung San Suu Kyi hit with new
criminal charge
21 Activist Wai Moe Naing arrested
22 Australian publisher Ross Dunkley
freed in Myanmar New Year
prisoners’ pardon
23 Myanmar junta releases 23,000
prisoners in New Year's amnesty
20
4 April 22, 2021
24 TNLA executes Myanmar child rapist 42 ETHNIC NEWS ROUNDUPS
freed by junta
43 LAST WEEK IN NAY PYI TAW
26 Myanmar junta leader set to join
ASEAN summit
28 COVID-19 UPDATE
BUSINESS
Growing fears over dangers, efficacy 44 Myanmar’s external trade drops
of COVID-19 vaccines
45 Myanmar crisis could affect investment in
30 US pauses J&J vaccine in blow to ASEAN
global immunization drive
46 Asian ride-hailing giant Grab plans US
32 Bangladesh virus shutdown triggers market splash
exodus from capital
34 CHINA FOCUS
Hong Kong to outlaw campaigning
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
for election boycotts
48 IN FOCUS
36 INDIA FOCUS
Climate change makes Indian 50 Red paint and water as Myanmar
monsoon stronger, more erratic: welcomes in the New Year
study
38 Biden to withdraw all US troops from
Afghanistan by September 11
18
40 COMMENTARY
New global compact aims to drive
down diabetes deaths, boost insulin
access
Cover photo of a protestor
in Mandalay by EPA
50
April 22, 2021 5
6 April 22, 2021
Indonesian bikers protest against the Myanmar military coup
in Jakarta
I
ndonesian bikers during a protest against the Myanmar military coup outside ASEAN secretariat
building in Jakarta, Indonesia on 17 April. Dozens of Indonesian bikers rallied to support
Myanmar activists, after the ASEAN leaders’ agreement to meet and discuss the situation in
Myanmar on 24 April. Photo: EPA
April 22, 2021 7
Japanese journalists call on Myanmar's junta to
free colleague
A
group of journalists in Japan The group of journalists started an Japanese government to apply more
called on Myanmar's junta on online petition on Monday addressed pressure on the Myanmar authorities
Tuesday to free a colleague, to Myanmar's junta and the Japanese to free Kitazumi, who was detained on
Yuki Kitazumi, detained in government calling for Kitazumi's Sunday evening by the military outside
Yangon following a crackdown on release. So far about 2,000 people his home in Yangon for allegedly
media amid ongoing protests against have signed the petition. "spreading falsehoods".
the military overthrow of an elected
government, Reuters reported. The journalists have asked the
EU expands Myanmar sanctions
T
he European Union expanded individuals and two military-controlled were responsible for undermining
its sanctions against leaders companies already subject to democracy and the rule of law, for
of Myanmar's junta and army- sanctions by the United States, Britain repressive decisions and for serious
controlled companies as and other governments. It is unclear human rights violations. The two
Southeast Asian countries prepare if such moves are having any impact military-controlled companies,
for a summit in Jakarta this week, as the military escalates its efforts Myanma Economic Holdings Public
where states will discuss the never- to crush opposition to its seizure of Company Ltd. (MEHL) and Myanmar
ending crisis in Myanmar, Daily Sabah power. Economic Corp. (MEC), have vast
reported. holdings in many industries and help
The EU said the number to fund the military.
The Council of the European of individuals sanctioned was
Union's latest sanctions target 10 expanded to 35 people it believed
COVID-19 cases have risen to 142,661
T
he number of COVID-19 reported. A total of 131,908 recovered
cases has risen to 142,661 patients have been discharged from
in Myanmar on Tuesday, Myanmar reported 17 new hospitals while the death toll stood at
according to a release from COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, 3,206 so far.
the Health and Sports Ministry, Xinhua the release said.
8 April 22, 2021
Kyat depreciates after military takeover
M
yanmar's currency has months following the coup. While the dollar for buyers of the U.S. currency
been depreciating since the price of gasoline jumped more than on Friday. Under Myanmar's managed
Feb. 1 coup, considerably 20%, imported foodstuffs are also floating rate system, which keeps
increasing the prices of becoming expensive, leading to more the kyat's rate within a set range, the
imported goods, Nikkei Asia reported. strains on consumers. reference rate set by the country's
central bank was 1,330 kyat to the
The value of the kyat against the A money exchange in Yangon dollar on Feb. 1.
U.S. dollar dropped 14% in the two posted a rate of 1,600 kyat to the
Australia reassures Myanmar citizens they won’t
be forced to return
T
he Australian government has provide greater reassurance to ambassador to Myanmar, Nicholas
sought to reassure more than Myanmar nationals in Australia, Coppel, told Guardian Australia the
3,300 Myanmar nationals in Canberra has stopped short of across- government needed to provide more
Australia that it won’t force the-board visa extensions or offers security to visa holders, saying they
them to return when their visas expire, of asylum, insisting the issues will be were “in limbo” and should be offered
The Guardian reported. dealt with on a case-by-case basis. a pathway to permanent residency as
“this crisis shows no signs of ending”.
But despite mounting calls to Australia’s immediate past
EU imposes sanctions on MEHL and MEC
T
he European Union has The measures, which the While the EU has an arms
agreed to impose sanctions on diplomats said could take effect next embargo on Myanmar and targeted
another 10 individuals linked week, would target two companies, 11 senior military officials last month,
to the Feb. 1 coup in Myanmar Myanma Economic Holdings Limited the decision to target two companies
and to target two businesses run by (MEHL) (editors: correct) and Myanmar is the most significant response so far
the armed forces for the first time Economic Corporation (MEC), that for the bloc since the coup that ousted
in protest at the military takeover, generate revenue for the Myanmar an elected government.
Reuters reported quoting two Armed Forces. Reuters first reported
diplomats. preparations for the measures on
March 8.
April 22, 2021 9
HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS GOT IT RIGHT?
Looking at solutions to Myanmar’s crisis
A
s cries grow shrill for She said the crisis could be that over the past decade has killed
international action against spiralling towards a "full-blown" nearly 400,000 people and forced
Myanmar’s military junta, the Syrian-style conflict, after a two-month more than six million to flee the
latest call by the UN rights crackdown that has already claimed country, turning many Syrian towns
chief raised further alarm. more than 700 lives. and cities into ruins.
Last week, the United Nations "I fear the situation in Myanmar is WHERE IS THE CONFLICT
High Commissioner for Human heading towards a full-blown conflict," HEADED?
Rights Michelle Bachelet urged Bachelet said in a statement.
countries to take immediate action As the Myanmar people’s call
to push Myanmar's military to stop "There are clear echoes of Syria for international intervention grows
its "campaign of repression and in 2011," she warned, referring to the more desperate, in a crisis now into
slaughter of its people." start of a civil war in the Middle East its third month, it is tempting to call on
The words "Federal Army" painted on a street in Taungyi as part of protests in Myanmar with calls for support
for the National Unity Government and a federal army to operate under the elected civilian administration.
Photo: Facebook
10 April 22, 2021comparisons with other crises around frame it correctly and understand by the revolt by civilians carrying out
the world and ratchet up the rhetoric. the forces at work – including the daily rallies that have been met with
nature of the popular “revolution” live rounds. Over 700 civilians have
Action is needed. But, as and the breakdown of normal life been killed, including 50 children,
Myanmar author and historian Thant that is pushing the country towards according to a local monitoring
Myint-U wrote in response to the UN becoming a “failed state”. It is also group. Over 3,000 people have been
Envoy’s statement: “Revolution or important to try to understand why arrested, including celebrities and
failed state more likely than civil war.” the Commander in Chief Min Aung journalists trying to do their job.
Hlaing and other senior generals,
Responding to the UN Envoy’s under their State Administration The People Power response has
view that Myanmar has "clear echoes Council, appear intent on murdering been powerful. But there is a sense
of Syria,'' Thant Myint-U wrote in a the people the military pledges under of desperation, as summed up by
Tweet that the “Syria analogy is not its own constitution to protect. Thinzar Shulei Yi, a Myanmar activist in
quite right...Neighbouring countries hiding, talking to the newsgroup New
don't have strategic aims as Iran, PEOPLE POWER RESPONSE Naratif. "Everybody is going into the
Turkey, Saudi etc. And existing streets because we are on the edge
upland armed conflicts already facing Myanmar is in chaos and its and about to fall, so we need to save
multiple stalemates.” economy has been paralysed since ourselves. The people have realized
the military seized power from civilian that we are our only saviours," she
Thant Myint-U has a point. leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other said.
In order to seek a solution to the elected politicians on February 1. It is
Myanmar crisis, it is important to likely that the junta has been shocked
April 22, 2021 11unable to prepare their rice crops
because of fears the military would
shell them in their fields, the NGO
said. "They are afraid they will have
no rice harvest next fall," it said in a
statement.
Military attacks sent a few
thousand people fleeing into
neighbouring Thailand in recent
weeks, but most have returned to the
Myanmar side of the border.
The situation is dire. And yet there
is no indication that the ethnic armed
organizations are going to step into
the fray at this stage.
STATE COLLAPSE?
"Myanmar stands at the brink
of state failure, of state collapse,"
Richard Horsey, International Crisis
Group's senior adviser for Myanmar,
told the UN Security Council on 9 April.
"The actions of the regime are not just
Protester in Mandalay. Photo: EPA morally reprehensible. They are also
extremely dangerous."
Where it may be tempting to
draw a comparison with Syria is on
the city streets. Parts of Myanmar’s
commercial hub Yangon have been
turned into war zones as security
forces attempt to bludgeon the Civil
Disobedience Movement (CDM) and
protestors calling for a return to
democratic, civilian rule.
It is therefore a little too easy to
compare the violent scenes we see
in Yangon and Bago – as UN Envoy
Bachelet did - to the horrific urban
destruction seen in many towns and
cities in Syria.
But Myanmar is Myanmar and
Syria is Syria, as Thant Myint-U
suggests.
SANCTIONS AND MORE?
The UN rights envoy’s call is
just one of the many international
voices expressing concern about the
worsening situation in Myanmar. The
question is where the crisis will go
from here? And what can and will the
With protests continuing, it is unclear where the Myanmar crisis is
international community do?
leading. Photo: EPA
It may be tempting to envision a
revolution in which the people rise up
to throw off the shackles of a brutal
military dictatorship. The calls are
The whole country is indeed conflict. The military has retaliated growing for the setting up of a “federal
on edge. In recent weeks, several with airstrikes, displacing thousands. army”, with suggestions of an alliance
of Myanmar's ethnic armed groups In a recent air attack in Karen State, between the shadow government, the
in some border territories, notably at least 20 people were killed and 40 Committee Representing Pyidaungsu
Karen and Kachin states, have wounded, according to an NGO. Hluttaw (CRPH), and the Ethnic Armed
stepped up attacks on the military and Organizations (EAO), the latter holding
police, raising fears of a broader civil Villagers in some areas were the weaponry.
12 April 22, 2021Interim Union Minister of CRPH, democracy” under the 2008 the US, UK and European Union. Some
Dr Zaw Wai Soe, told DVB media that Constitution, the military coup, and countries may indict Senior General
“the CRPH would seize territories the subsequent violence, killings Min Aung Hlaing and other top
where the CDM presence is strong in and arrests have put paid to the lie generals, targeting them with crimes
collaboration with EAOs.” that the military exists to protect the against humanity and war crimes.
people. The recent “Bago massacre”
But when it comes to weaponry – with over 80 people slaughtered – How far the UN will go is hard
and strategy, the conflict is massively shows how far the junta is willing to go to tell. While the Myanmar crisis has
lopsided, and People Power has to crack down on any “revolution” or been raised in the UN Security Council,
its limits. The Myanmar military or display of “People Power”. it appears unlikely that action will be
Tatmadaw holds the strong card, taken due to Chinese and Russian
including 400,000 troops, many all too CLOCK TICKING vetoes.
willing to use their weapons against
unarmed civilians. As Thant Myint-U suggests, a Many Myanmar citizens may
revolution or failed state is more likely be encouraged or emboldened by
It is crucial to remember that the than civil war. the protests, an indicator of public
Myanmar Military has been at war for sentiment in the face of junta brutality.
seven decades, seeing itself as not What can the international But the civilian response appears to
only the protector of the country’s community do? be faltering in the face of Military junta
borders but the soul of the country. brutality and as a reflection of the
"It's hard to see the U.N., ASEAN, stark reality that life needs to go on
The decades of extreme nationalism
or Asia generally, given its strategic and people need to eat.
and military junta power have helped
rivalries, realistically being able to
create a Burman-dominated officer
prevent the catastrophe unfolding The Myanmar revolution will
corps or elite that believe they are the
in front of our eyes," Thant Myint-U continue. Will it mushroom into a full
country’s saviour. And this elite has
recently told Nikkei Asian Review. "But civil war? Will we see state failure?
disciplined and indoctrinated its foot
that only means we have to try harder
soldiers – many having seen action
to find one. The clock is ticking." Only time will tell.
in the ethnic hinterlands – to view
civilian and ethnic armed opponents Efforts to impose sanctions
as targets to be shot and brutalized. against the Myanmar generals are
picking up pace, including moves by
After a decade of “disciplined
Demonstrators in Japan calls for an end to Military rule. Photo: EPA
April 22, 2021 13UN ENVOY STATEMENT: Intensifying
widespread, systematic slaughter by Myanmar
military must be halted – Bachelet
U
N High Commissioner for “We have witnessed yet another Myanmar, using military-grade and
Human Rights Michelle weekend of coordinated bloodshed in indiscriminate weaponry,” Bachelet
Bachelet on April 13 urged many parts of the country, including said.
States to take immediate, the reported mass killing of at least
decisive and impactful measures to 82 people in Bago between Friday “There are clear echoes of Syria
push Myanmar’s military leadership and Saturday. The military seems in 2011. There too, we saw peaceful
into halting its campaign of repression intent on intensifying its pitiless policy protests met with unnecessary and
and slaughter of its people. of violence against the people of clearly disproportionate force. The
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Photo: Screenshot
14 April 22, 2021State’s brutal, persistent repression
of its own people led to some
individuals taking up arms, followed
by a downward and rapidly expanding
spiral of violence all across the
country. The UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights at the time
warned in 2011 that the failure of “I fear the situation in Myanmar
the international community to
respond with united resolve could be
disastrous for Syria and beyond. The
is heading towards a full-blown
past ten years have shown just how
horrific the consequences have been conflict. States must not allow the
for millions of civilians.”
“I fear the situation in Myanmar is deadly mistakes of the past in Syria
heading towards a full-blown conflict.
States must not allow the deadly and elsewhere to be repeated.”
mistakes of the past in Syria and Meanwhile, the country’s
elsewhere to be repeated.” economy, education and health
infrastructure have been brought
Over the weekend, credible to the brink of collapse, leaving
reports indicate that Tatmadaw millions of Myanmar people without
forces opened fire with rocket- livelihood, basic services and,
propelled grenades, fragmentation increasingly, food security. Thousands
grenades and mortar fire in Bago in of internal migrants have left urban
the south of the country. Security centres for their home communities
forces also reportedly prevented – which once relied on their income.
medical personnel from helping the COVID-19 measures have effectively
wounded, as well as charging relatives been brought to a standstill.
a “fine” of roughly USD 90 to claim the
bodies of those who were killed. Some The High Commissioner called
individuals are also now resorting on the Myanmar military and
to the use of makeshift or primitive neighbouring States to facilitate
weapons in self-defence. humanitarian access to populations
in need. She urged neighbouring
Clashes between the military States to give temporary protection
and ethnic armed groups have also to people fleeing the violence, and to
intensified in several locations in refrain from returning people fleeing
Kachin, Shan and Kayin states, where Myanmar at this time, in accordance
the military have been employing with the principle of non-refoulement.
airstrikes that have killed and
displaced civilians. “Statements of condemnation,
and limited targeted sanctions,
As arrests continue, with at least are clearly not enough. States with
3,080 people currently detained, there influence need to urgently apply
are reports that 23 people have been concerted pressure on the military
sentenced to death following secret in Myanmar to halt the commission
trials – including four protesters of grave human rights violations and
and 19 others who were accused of possible crimes against humanity
political and criminal offences. against the people,” Bachelet said.
The mass arrests have forced The High Commissioner made
hundreds of people to go into hiding, particular reference to the report
and reports suggest that many of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on
journalists, civil society activists, Myanmar, which contains clear
celebrities and other public figures recommendations for impactful
are being sought, many simply action in relation to the military.
because of the dissent they have
been expressing on-line. Wireless Bachelet stressed the need to cut
broadband and mobile data services off the supply of arms and finances
were cut indefinitely on 2 April, leaving to the military leadership that aid its
the vast majority of people without commission of serious human rights
access to vital sources of information violations.
and communication.
April 22, 2021 15Military shoots
at protesting medical workers
M
yanmar's military opened doctor who treated the wounded. the pandemic.
fire on protesting
healthcare workers on 15 "The man who died was shot from Civil servants from other sectors
April, killing at least one the back and it penetrated through his have followed suit, bringing the
bystander as the demonstrators fled chest," he said. operation of the country's banks,
for safety to a nearby mosque. schools, railway operations, and
A medic who participated in businesses to a halt.
In Myanmar's second-largest the protest said he saw the arrest of
city Mandalay, a demonstration by six nurses and doctors during the The junta has tried to force people
medical workers turned violent when crackdown. back to work, and last week, state-run
soldiers opened fire, sending them media reported that at least 20
running to the mosque. "We lost contact with some doctors participating in the movement
medical team members as well," he will be charged for attempting to
"They were shooting everywhere... said. "deteriorate peace and stability".
they were targeting the Sule mosque
compound because people in there Myanmar's healthcare workers So far, more than 700 civilians
were hiding protesters," said an have been at the forefront of a have been killed in anti-coup unrest,
eyewitness. nationwide Civil Disobedience according to a local monitoring group,
Movement (CDM), refusing to return and more than 3,000 have been
A 30-year-old man who lived in to work under a military regime. detained.
the compound was shot dead, and at Their absence has left many of the
least two others were injured, said a country's hospitals unstaffed during AFP
Medical workers have come under attack by the Myanmar security forces. Photo: EPA
16 April 22, 2021Ousted MPs
form ‘National Unity Government’
A
"parliament" working in Unity Government" is Suu Kyi, in her politicians from the Chin, Shanni, Mon,
hiding to oust Myanmar's position as state counsellor, and Karenni and Ta'ang minority groups.
junta from power announced President Win Myint. Both are under
a new shadow government house arrest and facing a barrage of They were chosen based on
Friday, with deposed leader Aung San charges from the junta. results from the 2020 election, input
Suu Kyi at its helm alongside ethnic from a nationwide anti-coup protest
minority politicians. They are flanked by a vice movement, and ethnic minority
president who is ethnic Kachin and a groups - including armed rebels in the
The country has been in turmoil prime minister who is ethnic Karen, country's border territories, said Min
since the military detained Suu Kyi and said Min Ko Naing, a prominent Ko Naing.
seized power, triggering a massive democracy leader, in an address on
uprising that the junta has sought to the CRPH's official Facebook page. "We have to pull it from the root...
quell with lethal force. we must try to eradicate it," he said,
"We have organized a government referring to the junta as he raised a
Besides demanding a return which has the largest number of three-finger salute - the symbol of
to democracy, protesters are also ethnic minority groups," he said. resistance.
increasingly calling for more of a
governing role for the country's While Myanmar has more than "Only the people can decide the
minority groups - which have long 130 official ethnic minority groups, future."
seen their voices marginalised by the the country's political fate has long
ethnic Bamar majority. been tightly controlled by the Bamar The junta has said anyone
majority - first under a nearly five- working with the CRPH is committing
The Committee Representing decade junta regime which forced "high treason", and has announced
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) - a a so-called "Bamarisation" on arrest warrants for hundreds of
group of lawmakers mostly from minorities; and then under Suu Kyi's prominent activists and politicians -
Suu Kyi's party attempting to govern administration. some of whom now hold positions in
underground via a shadow parliament the new "National Unity Government".
-- on Friday announced its leaders. Besides ethnic Karen and Kachin
leaders, the CRPH's list of appointed AFP
Helming the so-called "National ministers also included prominent
Myanmar's ‘National Unity Government’ publishes list of appointees
M
yanmar’s ousted lawmakers, the Committee U Yee Mon, Union Minister, Ministry of Defence
Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), has
formed a shadow government in an attempt Dr Lian Hmung Sakhong, Union Minister, Ministry of
to defy the Military junta that stole power on 1 Federal Union Affairs
February in a coup.
U Tin Tun Naing, Union Minister, Ministry of Planning,
Despite being outlawed, the CRPH enjoys popular Finance and Investment
support, though many of its members are under arrest.
Dr Win Myat Aye, Union Minister, Ministry of
The CRPH has provided the following list of Humanitarian Affairs and Disease Management
appointments:
Dr Sa Sa, Union Ministery, Ministry of International
U Win Myint, President Cooperation
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor Dr Zaw Wai Soe, Union Minister, Ministry of
Education
Duwa Lashi La, Vice President
Dr Zaw Wai Soe, Union Minister, Ministry of Health
Mahn Win Khaing Than, Prime Minister
Dr Too Khaung, Union Minister, Ministry of Natural
Daw Zin Mar Aung, Union Minister, Ministry of Resources and Environmental Conservation
Foreign Affairs
Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Union Minister, Ministry
U Lwin Ko Latt, Union Minister, Ministry of Home of Women, Youths and Children Affairs.
Affairs and Immigration
April 22, 2021 17Ethnic Armed Organizations
see opportunity in post-coup Myanmar
Dene-Hern Chen
M
yanmar’s coup has opened "Their actions over these coming self-defence was first proposed
an unexpected window of months may have an outsize impact by the Committee Representing
opportunity for the various in what's still an incredibly fluid Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group
ethnic rebel groups, which situation," the historian said. of lawmakers mostly from the NLD
have no loyalty to either the junta or who are attempting to represent the
to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, "The seven-to-eight most elected government, and are now
but could together pose a threat to powerful ethnic armed organisations operating under the title of National
the army's rule. now hold greater sway over Unity Government.
Myanmar's future than any time since
The country has been in turmoil independence." They have also unveiled a
since the military ousted Aung San "Federal Democracy Charter", which
Suu Kyi in February, crushing a 10-year World's longest civil war features a governing role for ethnic
experiment with democracy that had armed groups.
been enthusiastically embraced by The end of British colonial rule
the dominant Bamar ethnicity. in 1948 left a complex patchwork of The TNLA and other northern
cultural, ethnic and linguistic groups groups - some of whom have ties with
But for many ethnic minorities, awkwardly sharing the new state of Beijing - have so far remained silent
her administration was more foe than what was then Burma. on the CRPH's overtures for unity.
friend. Groups in the east of the country are
A messy struggle over autonomy, also lukewarm.
While each ethnic armed group control of lucrative drug production
has its own demands, all want a and natural resources has pitted General Yawd Serk, leader of the
version of federalism, giving them more than 20 different groups against Restoration Council for Shan State
at least some measure of self- each other - among them the Bamar- (RCSS) - one of the country's most
governance. majority military. powerful groups - called it a "positive
move", but stopped short of support.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her The multi-faceted conflict has
National League for Democracy (NLD) spanned seven decades, and been "We are observing each other but
once offered them that in exchange described as the world's longest- we are not fully with (the CRPH)," he
for electoral support. running civil war. said.
"The Bamar majority have given The military - which has never Complicating the idea of a federal
such a promise from time to time, been under civilian rule - sought to army is shifting loyalties between
without it materialising," Khu Oo Reh dampen the conflicts with strategic rebels; the RCSS, for example, is
of the Karenni National Progressive ceasefires, effectively reaching a currently locked in conflict with two
Party (KNPP), said. "It was just words." detente with some of the rebel other Shan state organisations.
groups.
Despite their deep-seated The various rebel groups also lack
distrust of the NLD, several groups But in the wake of the coup, those the fire and manpower of Myanmar's
have condemned the putsch and the ceasefires have begun to fray. military, a modern army equipped
junta's use of violence - including with fighter jets and armoured
killing more than 700 civilians - to The powerful Ta'ang National vehicles.
quell the subsequent uprising. Liberation Association (TNLA) and
two allied groups have said they were 'Our common enemy'
At least three groups in abandoning their truce, accusing the
Myanmar's east, including the KNPP, junta of war crimes. A humanitarian crisis is already
are sheltering thousands of anti-junta brewing in neighbouring Karen state,
dissidents. That condemnation has raised where the military has carried out air
protesters' hopes that the militias strikes on towns held by the Karen
The anti-coup movement is now would unite to take up arms against National Union (KNU).
watching closely to see if the rebels the junta, forming a so-called "federal
will harden their opposition against army". About 24,000 people were
the junta. displaced by the bombings, said the
The potential for spiralling conflict KNU, with thousands crossing the
Thant Myint-U, author of "The has prompted observers like U.N. border briefly into Thailand.
Hidden History of Burma", said the special envoy for Myanmar Christine
current moment could prove an Schraner Burgener to warn that "a The KNU is sheltering around
opportunity for these groups to press bloodbath is imminent." 2,000 dissidents who have fled urban
for federalism.= hotspots.
The idea of mounting organised
18 April 22, 2021One activist who stayed in their
territory said the distrust of CRPH
- and the ethnic Bamar majority in
general - is high, even if the rebels are
outraged over the coup.
"They must apologise to the
ethnic minorities for what the
previous government has done," said
the activist, declining to be named.
"That’s the very first step by which
they can gain trust."
KNU's head of foreign affairs
Padoh Saw Taw Nee said the group
is "cautiously optimistic" about the
CRPH's promise for federalism.
"We just have to work together
with them," he said.
"There are lots of obstacles but we
are trying to find a way to overthrow
our common enemy."
AFP
Shan State Army leader Yawd Serk. Photo: EPA
April 22, 2021 19PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Aung San Suu Kyi hit
with new criminal charge
M
yanmar's ousted civilian disaster management law," lawyer democracy have been met with
leader Aung San Suu Kyi Min Min Soe told AFP after a court rubber bullets, live rounds and rocket-
was hit with a fresh criminal hearing in the capital Naypyidaw, propelled grenades by the security
charge last week, as the where Suu Kyi appeared by videolink. forces.
junta's tough crackdown on dissent
rolls on. "She has been charged in six cases More than 700 civilians have been
altogether - five charges in Naypyidaw killed in the space of just 70 days since
The 75-year-old Nobel laureate and one in Yangon." the coup, according to the Assistance
has not been seen in public since Association for Political Prisoners
being detained in the early hours of The most serious charge Suu Kyi monitoring group, which says more
February 1 as the military deposed faces falls under Myanmar's official than 3,000 have been arrested.
her government and seized power. secrets laws.
The military insists it is dealing
The generals have used Min Min Soe said Suu Kyi, who proportionately with what it says are
increasingly brutal methods to try to is under house arrest in Naypyidaw, violent agitators, while junta chief
quell a growing protest movement appeared in good health but it is not General Min Aung Hlaing told officials
against their rule, while Suu Kyi faces a clear if she has any idea of the turmoil in Yangon they were "ensuring the
raft of criminal charges that could see that has unfolded in Myanmar over strengthening of democracy", state
her barred for life from office. the past two months. media reported.
"Amay Suu has been charged Near-daily protests seeking AFP
again under section 25 of the natural her release and the restoration of
Aung San Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was arrested on 1 February. Photo: EPA
20 April 22, 2021Activist Wai Moe Naing arrested
A
well-known protest leader Observers claim he was beaten the coup.
was arrested Thursday in up before being taken away.
central Monywa city - he was The junta has tried to force people
leading a demonstration by More than 3,000 people have back to work, and state-run media
motorbike when a car rammed into been detained over the last two and reported that at least 20 doctors
him. a half months, including activists and participating in the movement will be
celebrities who have voiced support charged for attempting to "deteriorate
"Wai Moe Naing was arrested... I for the Civil Disobedience Movement peace and stability".
saw his motorcycle hit by the car from and a return to democracy.
afar," fellow activist Hein Zaw Win told
AFP, vowing to "continue our protests More than 700 people have been
until we win." killed in clashes and incidents since
Wai Moe Naing speaking at a rally. Photo: Facebook
April 22, 2021 21Australian publisher
Ross Dunkley freed in Myanmar New Year
prisoners pardon
A
n Australian publisher who methamphetamine and marijuana at Dunkley is one of 137 foreigners
was sentenced to 13 years his house in Yangon. He is one of a reportedly released.
in jail in Myanmar on drugs reported 23,000 prisoners reportedly
charges has been released released as part of a New Year mass According to the newspaper, it is
after less than three years behind pardon. unclear if any of the more than 3,000
bars, his ex-wife said on Saturday, political prisoners locked up since the
according to the Sydney Morning The initial prison term was later military coup - among them Australian
Herald. reduced to seven years, with Dunkley economist Sean Turnell, an adviser to
serving his time in Yangon’s notorious ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu
Ross Dunkley, who co-founded Insein Prison, built in the 19th century Kyi - would be included in the list of
the Myanmar Times in 2000 was during Britain’s colonial rule over the detainees released.
convicted of drug offences in 2019 former Burma.
after police discovered heroin, crystal
Ross Dunkley. File photo from 2011. EPA
22 April 22, 2021Myanmar junta releases
23,000 prisoners in New Year's amnesty
Family members rush to see prisoners recently released from Insein Prison. Photo: EPA
T
he junta is planning to release "We will release more than 800 The junta has issued nightly
more than 23,000 prisoners prisoners from Insein prison" in arrest warrants on state-run media,
nationwide, an official said commercial hub Yangon, he added, targeting celebrities, influencers,
Saturday, even as the military declining to elaborate. journalists and prominent activists
continues to detain and issue arrest with large social media followings.
warrants for anti-coup dissidents. In February, the junta released
a similar number of prisoners, with By Friday night, they totalled 380.
Myanmar typically grants an some rights groups at the time fearing
annual amnesty to thousands of the move was to free up space for Some 80 doctors have also
prisoners to mark its traditional opponents of the military as well as been named as wanted fugitives for
Buddhist New Year holiday - which cause chaos in communities. attempting to "deteriorate peace and
in previous years have been joyous stability".
affairs with city-wide water fights. Last week a rebel group executed
a man who had been freed in that Myanmar's healthcare workers
But this year, with the military amnesty, who it said had subsequently have been at the forefront of a
back in power after ousting civilian raped and killed a five-year-old girl. nationwide civil disobedience
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, anti-coup movement, refusing to return to
activists have used the holiday as an Just before Armed Forces Day, the work under a military regime. Their
opportunity to protest the growing regime also freed around 900 jailed absence has left many of the country's
death toll and mass arrests. demonstrators. hospitals unstaffed during the
pandemic.
As of going to press, it was But since the February 1 coup,
unclear whether anti-junta protesters more than 3,100 people - the bulk The country has been under the
or journalists jailed covering the coup of them anti-coup protesters and junta's control for 11 weeks.
will be among those freed. activists - have been detained,
according to local monitoring group AFP
A prison official said that jails Assistance Association for Political
across the country started freeing Prisoners.
more than 23,000 people on Saturday.
April 22, 2021 23TNLA executes
Myanmar child rapist freed by junta
T
he Ta'ang National Liberation It is the second case since 1988. However, in some border
Army (TNLA) has executed a December of a child killer and rapist territories controlled by ethnic
man for raping and killing a receiving the death penalty from an armed groups a parallel legal system
five-year-old girl shortly after ethnic armed group in Myanmar's operates and capital punishment is
he was released in a prison amnesty Shan state. exercised.
by the military junta, a spokesperson
for the group said last week. Myanmar's judiciary has not A court administered by the TNLA
ordered prisoner executions since
TNLA soldiers. Photo: AFP
24 April 22, 2021Rebel group spokesman Major Tar
Aik Kyaw told AFP that the man
had received an amnesty from the
junta and had only been back in
his home village for 21 days before
committing the crime.
in Namhsan township sentenced child protection and sex education
the 24-year-old perpetrator to death programmes.
earlier this month.
Since the military coup in
Rebel group spokesman Major Myanmar on February 1, which ousted
Tar Aik Kyaw told AFP that the man civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the
had received an amnesty from the military junta has sought to revive the
junta and had only been back in death penalty.
his home village for 21 days before
committing the crime. At a military tribunal in Yangon,
seven protesters accused of
"Our court found clearly he murdering a suspected informer were
was guilty of this crime. He even sentenced to death, state media said
committed (similar) crimes in the past. Tuesday.
Therefore, the court gave him the
death sentence," the spokesman told Three of the demonstrators were
AFP. tried in absentia.
The man had previously faced Last weekend, state media
allegations of raping a 54-year-old reported that 19 people had been
woman and a four-year-old girl but sentenced to death for robbery and
did not face legal action after he murder by a military court, with 17 of
paid compensation, according to the them tried in absentia.
spokesperson.
He was serving a seven-year
sentence for robbery and accessory to AFP
murder when the junta released him
on February 12.
Myanmar's junta released more
than 23,000 inmates in February.
Shan State is home to several
ethnic armed groups that control
territories where their civilian
populations are governed under each
group's set of laws.
In December, another armed
ethnic group in the same state
-- the Shan State Progress Party --
sentenced a 30-year-old man to death
for the kidnap, rape and murder of a
six-year-old girl.
Non-governmental organisations
say child rape is common in Myanmar
and have long called for increased
April 22, 2021 25Myanmar junta leader
set to join ASEAN summit
M
yanmar junta leader "#ASEAN do not legitimize elections, which Aung San Suu Kyi’s
Senior General Min Aung the Myanmar Military junta as a National League for Democracy (NLD)
Hlaing will join a special government by inviting MAH to attend party won in a landslide.
ASEAN summit this coming the summit," said prominent activist
weekend, the Thai foreign ministry Wai Wai Nu on Twitter. "(The) Junta is They claim power will be handed
said Saturday, his first official trip illegitimate and illegal." back to a civilian administration after
since masterminding a coup which elections are held in about a year -
deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu The military has consistently though they recently extended the
Kyi. justified the putsch by alleging timeline to a two-year period.
widespread fraud in November's
The February 1 putsch triggered a AFP
massive uprising, bringing hundreds
of thousands of protesters to the
streets to demand a return to
democracy, while civil servants have
boycotted work in a bid to shutter the
junta's administration.
The military has deployed
lethal force to quell the anti-coup
movement, killing more than 720
people and detaining some 3,100
activists, journalists and dissidents,
according to a local monitoring group.
The international community has
largely condemned the generals for
use of force against unarmed civilians
- imposing targeted sanctions against
top military brass, their families and
army-linked businesses.
But regional leaders have sought
to open communications with the
regime, and on Saturday Thailand's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed
that a summit of Southeast Asian
leaders in Jakarta on Myanmar's
situation will include the senior
general.
"Several leaders have confirmed
their attendance including Myanmar’s
MAH (Min Aung Hlaing)," said
spokesman Tanee Sangrat in a
message to reporters.
The meeting of the 10-country
bloc of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is expected
to address the ongoing crisis in post-
coup Myanmar, and will be on April 24
in Jakarta.
The announcement drew
dismay from activists, who have long
beseeched foreign leaders not to Myanmar State Administration Council leader Senior General
recognise the junta. Min Aung Hlaing. Photo: EPA
26 April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 27
COVID-19 UPDATE
Growing fears over dangers,
efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines
A
growing body of health could spark an extreme reaction, Johnson & Johnson vaccines have
professionals are raising possibly leading to death. Alarm has come under suspicion of causing
concerns over the rush to been voiced about the nature of the very rare but serious blood clots in a
vaccinate millions of people new form of vaccine or therapy. handful of cases among the millions
around the world with vaccine vaccinated in the drive to bring the
products that are largely untested and According to a story in Round pandemic under control.
experimental, with a growing number Table Report: Vaccine injuries in the
of cases of adverse effects including last three months are more than the The European Medicines Agency
death cropping up. last 10 years combined, a 6,000% last week said unusual blood clots
increase from last year. Vaccine should be listed as a very rare side
Doctors and immunologists, injuries are reported accelerating. effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine,
including an alliance of doctors, say although claiming that overall benefits
the COVID-19 vaccines do not protect Medical authorities and vaccine in preventing Covid-19 outweighed
the recipient from becoming infected makers are attempting to dismiss the risks.
or passing on the virus. A growing concerns about possible dangerous
number of reports claim the vaccine side effects. The AstraZeneca and
A growing number of health professionals are questioning the safety, efficacy and necessity of taking the COVID-19
vaccine. Photo: EPA
28 April 22, 2021The clots occur in veins in the Deaths and other adverse effects Some have been advised to go to
brain - called cerebral venous sinus hospital by GPs, the journal reported.
thrombosis, CVST - as well as the While the focus at the moment
abdomen and arteries. is on what is claimed to be a small Dr Katherine Henderson, the
percentage of recipients suffering president of the Royal College
There were 222 cases of these from blood clots, the media is largely of Emergency Medicine, told the
atypical thromboses out of 34 million failing to investigate the growing Guardian: “It’s definitely a thing.
AstraZeneca injections carried out number of adverse effects including Colleagues across England are
in the European Economic Area (EU, death, and miscarriages in pregnant reporting this. All A&E departments
Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and women, allegedly involving the are seeing an increase in the number
Britain, as of April 4, according to the COVID-19 vaccines. of people reporting concerns after
EMA. And there were 18 deaths, as of having the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
March 22. Most of the cases reported According to a study in the
were in women under 60 years of age National Library of Medicine, entitled, Thirty-four cases of pregnant
within two weeks of vaccination. “Informed consent disclosure to women experiencing spontaneous
vaccine trial subjects of risk of miscarriages or stillbirths after
In the US, where more than 6.8 COVID-19 vaccines worsening clinical receiving a COVID-19 vaccine have
million single-shot J&J vaccine shots disease”, COVID-19 vaccines designed been submitted to the Vaccine
have been administered, health to elicit neutralising antibodies may Adverse Event Reporting System
authorities last week recommended sensitise vaccine recipients to more (VAERS) in the USA, according the
that use of the jab be paused while severe disease than if they were Epoch Times.
they investigate six reported cases not vaccinated. Vaccines for SARS,
of CVST that also occurred with low MERS and RSV have never been VAERS is a passive reporting
levels of blood platelets. approved, and the data generated system that allows people to submit
in the development and testing of a report of an adverse event after
these vaccines suggest a serious vaccination and is run by the Food
mechanistic concern: that vaccines and Drug Administration (FDA) and
designed empirically using the the Centers for Disease Control and
traditional approach (consisting Prevention (CDC). Research funded by
of the unmodified or minimally the CDC has shown that fewer than 1
modified coronavirus viral spike percent of reactions from vaccinations
to elicit neutralising antibodies), are being reported on VAERS.
be they composed of protein, viral According to health professionals
vector, DNA or RNA and irrespective and whistleblowers, this suggests the
of delivery method, may worsen number of people having adverse
COVID-19 disease via antibody- effects from the vaccines is large.
dependent enhancement (ADE). This
risk is sufficiently obscured in clinical Consent and duty of care
trial protocols and consent forms for
Health professionals around
ongoing COVID-19 vaccine trials that
the world are raising questions
adequate patient comprehension of
as to whether doctors and nurses
this risk is unlikely to occur, obviating
administering the COVID-19 vaccine
truly informed consent by subjects in
have exercised their duty of care
these trials.
and informed the recipient of what
According to this report: The they are receiving and the potential
specific and significant COVID-19 risk dangers.
of ADE should have been and should
In addition, questions are being
be prominently and independently
raised after whistleblowers have
disclosed to research subjects
questioned the treatment of people
currently in vaccine trials, as well as
in hospitals suffering from vaccine
those being recruited for the trials and
adverse reactions. Anecdotal evidence
future patients after vaccine approval,
suggests some hospitals are not
in order to meet the medical ethics
willing to accept people might be
standard of patient comprehension
suffering an adverse reaction due to
for informed consent.
the vaccine. In one case in the UK, a
All vaccine recipients are man allegedly suffering from adverse
participating in trials of experimental effects from the vaccine was put on
and largely untested vaccines. This is a war with COVID-19 patients, even
typically not made clear to recipients. though he had tested negative in a
COVID-19 PCR test. His next of kin
Emergency care cases grow found it virtually impossible to visit or
check on him because the ward was
According to a report in the UK effectively in quarantine.
Evening Standard: Medics told the
Health Service Journal (HSJ) that a Reporting by Mizzima and AFP
growing number of people are seeking
emergency care after having the jab.
April 22, 2021 29US pauses J&J vaccine
in blow to global immunization drive
Issam Ahmed
U
S health authorities last week Out of nearly seven million One later died while another is in
recommended pausing the Americans who have so far received critical condition.
Johnson & Johnson Covid shot the single dose vaccine, six women
over blood clot fears, with the between age 18 and 48 developed a Food and Drug Administration
company quickly announcing it would rare type of clot in the brain along with scientist Peter Marks said the disorder
delay its European rollout, in a setback low platelets, officials said. might be triggered by a rare immune
for global immunization campaigns. response to the vaccine similar to that
The alarm has been raised over safety. Photo: EPA
30 April 22, 2021seen among a few hundred recipients out an investigation which could month of fasting was to start on
of the AstraZeneca jab in Europe. end up leading to tough regulatory Tuesday, though authorities said only
choices, such as restricting the J&J people inoculated against Covid-19
Both vaccines are based on shot to older people. will be allowed to perform the year-
adenovirus vector technology. round umrah pilgrimage from the
People who have received a J&J start of Ramadan.
"We have made the decision to shot within the past three weeks were
proactively delay the rollout of our asked to report to their doctors if In the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan,
vaccine in Europe," J&J said, in a fresh they experienced severe headaches, coronavirus restrictions irked some
blow for the hard-hit continent which abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness worshippers.
passed the threshold of one million of breath.
coronavirus deaths. "This year for example we won't
But the White House said it have the (large) iftars. And we can't
The European Union has signed was confident there would be no have a lot of people in the mosque.
a deal for 200 million shots of the "significant impact" on the vaccination We have to queue and wait," said
vaccine with an option for 200 million plan in the world's hardest-hit country, 30-year-old Toparkhan Bergenov.
more. where almost half of all adults have
now received at least one dose. In India health officials have
US authorities are now carrying been battling a huge surge in cases
Pfizer said it would deliver its 300 in recent weeks that has prompted
million doses by the middle of July -- night curfews and a clampdown on
two weeks early -- while Moderna said movement and activities.
it was on course to deliver its total of
300 million by the end of July. The country of 1.3 billion people
on Monday reported more than
South Africa followed the United 161,000 new cases -- the seventh-
States' lead and suspended its rollout consecutive day that more than
of the J&J shot, delaying an already 100,000 infections have been
sluggish campaign, which has so far recorded.
only administered this vaccine.
Experts have warned that huge,
But the European Medicines mostly maskless crowds at political
Agency said it was continuing to rallies and religious festivals have
carry out its own investigation, fueled India's caseload, and in the
and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Himalayan city Haridwar, maskless
Trudeau told reporters his country still Hindu pilgrims have ignored social
expected its first shipment of the shot distancing pleas.
by the end of the month.
In Europe, Germany agreed to
More than 800 million vaccine controversial changes to a national
doses have now been administered infections control law, including a
globally, according to an AFP tally. night curfew and stricter rules around
private gatherings and sports.
India - which is experiencing a
record surge in cases - was given a France has suspended all flights
boost as it authorized Russia's Sputnik from Brazil to curb the spread of a
V Covid-19 drug. new variant found there.
The total number of virus deaths But Britain said it had met its
is approaching three million, as the target to offer a first vaccine dose to
World Health Organization warned all over-50s, the clinically vulnerable
infections are rising exponentially and health and social workers by April
despite efforts aimed at stopping 15.
them.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's
Muslims around the world started technical lead on Covid-19, said the
Ramadan after religious leaders world was now at a "critical point" of
confirmed the month of fasting the pandemic as cases once again
would begin on Tuesday, with many grow exponentially.
countries facing virus restrictions.
The organization also called for a
Mosques in the world's most halt to the sale of live wild mammals
populous Muslim-majority nation, in food markets to prevent the
Indonesia, will only be able to host emergence of new diseases such as
people at a maximum of 50 percent coronavirus.
capacity. Worshippers are required
to wear masks and bring their own AFP
prayer mats.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's
holiest shrines, announced that the
April 22, 2021 31You can also read
