Protests

Top Buddhist organisation in Myanmar stops activities to protest military violence

Published

1 month ago

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Top Buddhist organisation in Myanmar stops activities to protest military violence | Thaiger

Myanmar’s top Buddhist organisation is condemning the use of violence by the military against protesters by stopping its regular activities in an apparent protest. The association, named The State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, accused an “armed minority” of torture and killing innocent civilians in an apparent break with authorities.

According to Thai PBS World, Mahana members could not immediately be reached for comment, but their reported announcement indicates a significant break from authorities, in which the group historically worked closely with the government.

Myanmar’s military is reportedly unfazed by looming sanctions, with generals saying they are ready to withstand being isolated by the international world. UN special envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener says at least 38 more people have been killed as of today with thousands fleeing an industrial suburb of Yangon after 40 people were killed there on last Sunday. Residents also report that several factories were set on fire. The junta responded when asked about the looming sanctions by saying:

“We are used to sanctions, and we survived. We have to learn to walk with only few friends.”

With over 100 people thought to be dead in Myanmar since the military took power last month, the Royal Thai Army is planning to set up temporary camps for Burmese nationals fleeing the neighbouring country to escape political violence. Refugee camps will be set up in Ranong and Chumphon which border Myanmar’s southern-most region.

Meanwhile, the UN says casualties are dramatically increasing with witnesses on the ground saying security forces are allegedly using tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds against protesters in near-daily crackdowns across the country. The UN also has reported that women and children are among the victims who have been killed.

The news corroborates a statement made by the UN’s top expert on rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, who says the Myanmar military is likely “committing crimes against humanity.“

SOURCE: Thai PBS World

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News Categories: Myanmar Protests

7 Comments

John_2

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 4:40 pm

MYANMAR GOVERNMENT SEIZES BANK ACCOUNTS OF GEORGE SOROS’ OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION

Reply
B.T.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 6:34 pm

What friends this terrorist might have? There is only one …

Reply
toby andrews

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:43 pm

The trick is to go after the families of the wrong one.
If the wrong-dooer police is out of reach, refuse to give his mother, sisters, brothers, wives, grandmothers any Buddhist blessing, and refuse to bury these families dead.
Women associated with criminals do not care as long as it does not effect them.
If bank robber’s wives were locked up when their darling generous husband went down, there will be less bank robbers.

Reply
Issan John

Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 2:47 pm

“MYANMAR GOVERNMENT SEIZES BANK ACCOUNTS OF GEORGE SOROS’ OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION”

I detest military juntas and dictatorships as much as anyone, John_2, probably more than most, but in this case I can hardly blame them for seizing Soros’ assets.

The “foundation” withdrew 1.5 million dollars in cash from the accounts a week after the coup – that’s hardly likely to be used to pay for human rights lawyers.

Reply
Issan John

Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 3:06 pm

“The trick is to go after the families of the wrong one.”

Collective punishment is banned under International Human Rights Law, Toby. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Reply
toby andrews

Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 5:03 pm

Yes but this is Burma. Human rights do not apply there . . .

Reply
Hippa

Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 6:48 pm

Should Ameriica intervene by go to war with Mynamar to end this brutality killing innocent people. Take action now

Reply

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Ann Carter

Ann Carter is an award-winning journalist from the United States with over 12 years experience in print and broadcast news. Her work has been featured in America, China and Thailand as she has worked internationally at major news stations as a writer and producer. Carter graduated from the Walter Williams Missouri School of Journalism in the USA.

Crime

Burmese prisoners granted amnesty on first day of Myanmar’s New Year

Published

21 hours ago

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Ann Carter

Burmese prisoners granted amnesty on first day of Myanmar’s New Year | Thaiger

Over 23,000 Burmese prisoners and student political activists are enjoying freedom after being released yesterday in an amnesty on the first day of the country’s Lunar New Year celebrations. The state-owned MRTV reported that 23,407 prisoners were released under sections of a penal code. In the Yangon region alone, over 800 prisoners were released, while Mandalay saw around 2,800 released from 5 prisons.

But, with the recent military crackdown on protesters and civilians, the law’s ambiguity may be used against those released. As the law allows for the conditional release of prisoners, that means authorities can re-arrest the prisoners without warrant at any time.

Zayyar Lwin, Paing Ye Thu and Paing Phyo Min were among the released student political activists. The 3 were arrested for writing political Thingyan poems and rhymes. They were arrested under Section 505(a) of the penal code and Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, both of which are regarded by many as draconian tools to oppress dissent.

The junta-led State Administration Council also issued a statement releasing 130 foreign prisoners under the same conditions. There have been 2 other mass releases since the coup. The first was in mid-February, which rights groups feared was a move to free up space for military opponents, and the second on the eve of Armed Forces Day when the regime released around 900 detained demonstrators.

But prisons continue to fill up as more than 3,100 people, mostly anti-coup protesters have been detained. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has been keeping track of detainees as well as injuries and deaths allegedly at the hands of the junta. It is stil unclear, however, if those released yesterday were post-coup detainees.

Meanwhile, the Burmese military leader, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to attend an ASEAN summit in Jakarta where representatives of the bloc are expected to discuss Myanmar’s situation. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tanee Sangrat, made the announcement.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World

Politics

Myanmar junta leader to attend ASEAN summit, activists appalled

Published

21 hours ago

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Ann Carter

Myanmar junta leader to attend ASEAN summit, activists appalled | Thaiger

Stock photo via Wikimedia Commons

Myanmar’s junta or military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to attend an ASEAN summit in Jakarta where representatives of the bloc are expected to discuss Myanmar’s situation. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tanee Sangrat, made the announcement.

“I can confirm that the Brunei Chair has proposed the date April 24 with the venue at the Secretariat in Jakarta. Several leaders have confirmed their attendance including Myanmar’s MAH [Senior General Min Aung Hlaing]. Some leaders have yet to confirm.”

But Tanee refused to name other leaders and whether or not the meeting will be face-to-face. The announcement drew harsh criticism from activists, including Wai Wai Nu, who have hoped that foreign leaders would not recognise the junta. Last night, #ASEANrejectSAC was among the top-trending on Myanmar’s twitter.”#ASEAN do not legitimise the Myanmar Military junta as a government by inviting MAH to attend the summit. The Junta is illegitimate and illegal.”

The Burmese military overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy on February 1. Protests against the coup continue across Myanmar and over 700 people have been killed during the crackdown. The whereabouts of Aung San Suu Kyi remain a mystery.

The military has consistently justified the putsch by alleging widespread fraud in November’s elections, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide.

The country’s New Year started yesterday, but it was a somber scene as activists traded celebrations for more protests. According to an AFP-verified video filmed by a resident, the New Year holiday saw soldiers crouched on a street as their commanding officer shouted that he wanted “deaths.” A rescue worker told AFP at least 1 person had died.

“He was shot in the stomach.”

The junta has also issued nightly arrest warrants on state-run media, targetting celebrities, influencers, journalists and prominent activists with large social media followings. Doctors refusing to work under the regime — leaving hospitals unstaffed in a pandemic — have also drawn the wrath of the junta. By last night, the arrest warrants totalled 420.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

Thailand

Is spraying disinfectant on the Thai-Burmese border effective?

Published

3 days ago

Friday, April 16, 2021

Neill Fronde

Is spraying disinfectant on the Thai-Burmese border effective? | Thaiger

FILE PHOTO: Spraying disinfectant has been effective in the community but controversial in forested refugee camps.

Some controversy exists over the Royal Thai Army attempting to sterilize areas of the Thailand-Myanmar border by spraying disinfectant along the border region. The army sprayed areas set up as a temporary holding facility for many Burmese refugees. The move drew condemnation from critics who claimed the disinfectant was not effective and not worth the expense of implementation. A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army responded to social media ire justifying the action.

The spraying was done after the Burmese refugees had returned across the border to Myanmar, after fleeing temporarily to escape the escalating humanitarian crisis following the February 1 military coup. After the refugees left, disinfectant was sprayed around the area in compliance with Public Health directives designed to slow the Covid-19 spread and maintain safety. The disinfectant was intended to kill any possibly contagious remaining virus or disease in the area.

The spokesperson said the military used existing government equipment they requested from the Ministry of Public Health to efficiently disinfect the area. She asserted that the spraying was not just to help local people, but also to reassure them that it was safe to return to their daily lives in the area, to go to work or do farming, without fear of becoming infected with Covid-19.

While the response online to the spraying disinfectant scheme is still generally negative, it’s worth noting that the same spraying has been used to effectively sterilize 162 schools and 268 other areas since January. The spray is a safety precaution to minimize the spread of Covid-19 and has been used throughout communities in places like bus terminals, marketplaces, temples and other places where people tend to gather.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News