December 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

In post-coup conflict, at least 157 Myanmar children died in 2022 Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2022 -- The junta and militia soldiers entered the village under cover of darkness and started torching houses. A 13-year-old child was shot and killed during the Dec. 19 raid on Zee Pin Thar village in Sagaing, witnesses said.
Myanmar: Statement by the Spokesperson on the final sentencing of President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi European External Action Service (EEAS) 30 Dec 2022 -- This Friday, a military-controlled court in Myanmar delivered its final verdicts against detained President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, concluding a series of purely politically motivated trials conducted in the course of the past thirteen months. These trials were carried forward with no respect for due legal procedure or necessary judicial guarantees and are a clear attempt to exclude democratically elected leaders from political life. Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi face a total of 12 and 33 years' imprisonment respectively, including 3 years of hard labour, representing another blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to a further 7 years Radio Free Asia 30 Dec 2022 -- A junta court in Myanmar has sentenced the country's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to another seven years in prison on five counts of alleged corruption, bringing the total number of years she must serve in detention to 33, sources close to Naypyidaw Prison Court told RFA Friday.
Myanmar's Ousted Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced to Another 7 Years in Prison, Reports Say Sputnik 30 Dec 2022 -- A court in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, on Friday sentenced the country's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and former President Win Myint to seven years in prison each on five corruption charges, Myanmar's news portal reported, citing the court.
UN rights chief on Myanmar refugees and a future of 'kindness, empathy and unity' UN News 30 Dec 2022 -- Days after the latest sea rescue of Rohingya refugees by Indonesian fishing crews, UN human rights chief Volker Türk appealed on Friday for greater regional protections.
Analysts: As 2023 ASEAN chair, Indonesia must dial up pressure on Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 30 Dec 2022 -- Much is expected from next year's ASEAN chair Indonesia, especially in resolving the post-coup crisis in Myanmar, but analysts say that little will change unless Jakarta spearheads a hardline stance against the Burmese junta.
Myanmar's junta ignored condemnation of its rule in 2022 Radio Free Asia 30 Dec 2022 -- The people of Myanmar suffered as the anti-junta armed resistance took on the military in 2022. It was a year in which not only democracy and human rights eroded in the aftermath of the February 2021 coup, but also one that saw an acute loss of civilian lives and destruction of private property. But widespread condemnation of the junta's policies largely fell on deaf ears, as the military regime continued to rule with impunity. These were some of the most significant political developments in Myanmar this year:
46 Malaysia-Bound Rohingya Refugees Make It to Thailand VOA 30 Dec 2022 -- Following reports over the past weeks of dozens of Rohingya refugees being feared drowned after having jumped into the sea from their boats, it appears now that at least 46 have made it to Thailand this week.
Despite brutality, Myanmar regime retains access to a powerful arsenal Radio Free Asia 29 Dec 2022 -- Last February, the United Nations official responsible for tracking human rights in Myanmar called for a global arms embargo against the ruling military junta, which was by then a year into a brutal crackdown on dissenters since its 2021 coup ousted the civilian government.
Myanmar's junta courts crack down on student activists Radio Free Asia 29 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's junta continues to impose harsh prison sentences on student activists, sentencing seven of them to prison terms of between two and 25 years over the past seven days.
Despite Rakhine cease-fire, Myanmar military blocks shipments of aid, fuel and goods Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops are still banning the transport of humanitarian aid including shipments of medicines and fuel in western Myanmar's Rakhine state a month after a local cease-fire went into force, according to sources in the region.
Junta troops arrest and kill 7 villagers in Myanmar's Mandalay region Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops killed seven residents of a village in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, locals told RFA.
Rohingya man recounts nightmare of being adrift at sea Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2022 -- Muhammad Taher knew he was risking his life when he decided to leave a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh and board a decrepit-looking boat to Indonesia, but the father-of-four was desperate to work.
UN refugee agency welcomes Indonesia's 'act of humanity' in rescuing migrants adrift at sea UN News 27 Dec 2022 -- Indonesian fishing crews and local authorities who took part in rescuing more than 200 people adrift at sea, were hailed on Tuesday by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, for their "act of humanity".
Second boatload of Rohingya arrives in Indonesia in as many days Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2022 -- About 185 gaunt and bone-tired Rohingya refugees landed on the coast of Pidie regency in Indonesia's Aceh province Monday, police said, as reports emerged that another boatload of Rohingya may have sunk at sea.
Rohingya Refugees Adrift for Weeks at Sea Land in Indonesia VOA 26 Dec 2022 -- A broken-down boat ferrying over 180 ethnic Rohingya men, women and children landed Monday afternoon on the shores of Indonesia's Aceh province after weeks adrift with more than a dozen reported deaths, two rights groups that have been tracking the vessel told VOA.
100 Rohingya stranded at sea for weeks feared dead: UN refugee agency Press TV 25 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations refugee agency says 100 Rohingya stranded at sea for weeks after leaving Bangladesh last month are now feared dead.
Boat with 'dehydrated and exhausted' Rohingya refugees lands in Indonesia Radio Free Asia 25 Dec 2022 -- Dozens of "dehydrated and exhausted" Rohingya refugees - all males - landed on the coast of Aceh Besar regency in Indonesia on Christmas Sunday after being at sea for about a month, local officials said.
Myanmar's NUG, analysts criticize Thailand for hosting junta foreign minister Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's shadow government, analysts and human rights groups have lambasted the Thai government for holding a meeting on the post-coup crisis there that included the Burmese junta's foreign minister.
One year on, still no justice for Burmese killed in Christmas Eve massacre Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Rights activists and the relatives of nearly 50 civilians brutally killed and burned a year ago in a Christmas Eve massacre in eastern Myanmar's Kayah state blamed on ruling junta troops say they are still trying to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Myanmar's casualties of war face a perilous journey Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- It was pitch black when Ku Phe Law stepped on a landmine and shattered his legs during a skirmish with Myanmar junta troops in eastern Kayah State earlier this year.
UNHCR urges States to act now to save lives in the Andaman Sea UNHCR 23 Dec 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is reminding States in the region that some 190 desperate people are on the verge of perishing at sea, adrift somewhere between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal as pleas to rescue and disembark them are continuously ignored.
UN refugee agency urges rescue of 190 desperate people adrift in Andaman Sea UN News 23 Dec 2022 -- Some 190 desperate people are on the verge of perishing at sea, adrift somewhere between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday, urging countries in southern Asia to rescue them.
Myanmar Diplomat Cites Keys to Passage of Security Council Resolution VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- This week the U.N. Security Council passed its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years, demanding the military junta immediately end violence in the Southeast Asian nation and free all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
Junta shelling kills 3 locals, forces over 1,000 to flee homes in Kayin State Radio Free Asia 22 Dec 2022 -- A 61-year-old man died Thursday when a junta shell landed on a village in Kayin State's Kawkareik township, locals told RFA.
UN expert on Myanmar: Security Council resolution not strong enough on 'systematic gross human rights violations' UN News 22 Dec 2022 -- In response to the adoption of the Security Council's first resolution on Myanmar since the military unleashed a brutal crackdown nearly two years ago, a UN-appointed independent human rights expert warned on Thursday that the carnage would only worsen without "strong, coordinated action" by UN Member States.
China urges caution as UN Security Council adopts first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years Global Times 22 Dec 2022 -- China's ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Zhang Jun stressed that the UN Security Council must always act with extra caution while making explanatory statement after abstaining from voting on the council's first-ever resolution on Myanmar on Wednesday, which demanded an end to violence and urged the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
In first resolution on Myanmar in decades, UN Security Council urges release of political prisoners Press TV 22 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations Security Council has called on Myanmar's military rulers to end violence and release all political prisoners, in its first ever resolution on the country in more than seven decades.
UN Council Adopts Resolution Urging End to Myanmar Violence VOA 22 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations Security Council passed a landmark resolution on Myanmar Wednesday, demanding the military junta immediately end violence in the Southeast Asian nation and free all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
Myanmar junta jails reporters, activists hit by military vehicle at anti-coup protest Radio Free Asia 22 Dec 2022 -- A secret military court in Myanmar's Insein Prison on Wednesday sentenced two journalists and seven anti-coup protesters to a maximum three years in prison each with labor for "incitement," family members and an attorney with knowledge of the situation said.
UN Security Council Adopts Resolution on Burma US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022 -- The United States welcomes the UN Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2669 on Burma.
Thousands flee troop deployment near Chinese-run copper mine in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- More than 6,000 residents from nine villages near a Chinese-operated copper mine in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region fled their homes as troops loyal to the ruling military junta entered their communities on Wednesday, locals said.
More than 100 Rohingya arrested near an island in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops arrested 112 Rohingya near an island off Bogale township in Myanmar's southwestern Ayeyarwady region, local residents told RFA.
This resolution sends a firm message to the Myanmar military: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 21 Dec 2022 -- Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on the Situation in Myanmar
Bomb blast injures 17 people on ferry crossing the Yangon River Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2022 -- A suspected mine blast on a crowded ferry in Yangon injured 17 passengers over the weekend, many of them seriously, according to the junta's information group.
Afghan Taliban, Myanmar junta not allowed into UN for now Press TV 17 Dec 2022 -- The UN general assembly has for the second time approved postponing a decision on whether the Afghan Taliban administration and the Myanmar's military junta can send a UN ambassador to New York.
US Senate Passes Defense Authorization Bill, Including Myanmar Language VOA 16 Dec 2022 -- The U.S Senate on Thursday passed military spending authorization legislation that included a newly amended version of the BURMA Act - the Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 - aimed at helping pro-democracy forces battling the junta that has ruled Myanmar since last year's coup.
UNICEF plans big expansion of program to educate Rohingya children in Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 16 Dec 2022 -- Starting in 2023, UNICEF plans to extend a pilot program to educate Rohingya children at upper grade levels who are living at refugee camps in Bangladesh and have been deprived of schooling for years, officials said.
Myanmar junta sentences former Central Bank official to 20 years in prison Radio Free Asia 16 Dec 2022 -- A court in Myanmar has sentenced a former senior official with the country's Central Bank, who was arrested in the aftermath of last year's military coup, to 20 years in prison for graft - the same problem he had sought to eradicate during his time in office, sources said.
Defense bill paves way for heftier US policy on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 16 Dec 2022 -- The U.S. government will be able to engage directly with Myanmar's government-in-exile and must develop a program of sanctions against the military junta that seized power in last year's coup, according to a new law passed by Congress as part of a military spending bill.
Unable to return home, Rohingya risk their lives to leave refugee camps Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2022 -- Human rights defenders are seeing a surge in potentially deadly boat journeys by Rohingya refugees as they try to reach countries in Southeast Asia where they can access schools, food and jobs.
Rights groups slam Malaysia court decision to deport Myanmar refugees Press TV 13 Dec 2022 -- Rights groups have slammed a decision by a court in Malaysia to deport refugees who have fled violence in Myanmar back to that country.
Myanmar junta bars overnight visitors from Yangon monasteries Radio Free Asia 13 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's junta has prohibited Buddhist monasteries in the Yangon region from accepting overnight visitors as part of what it says is a bid to reduce crime.
Malaysian court lifts stay on deporting 114 Myanmar nationals Radio Free Asia 13 Dec 2022 -- A Malaysian court on Tuesday lifted a stay on the deportation of 114 Myanmar nationals, their lawyer said, as human rights groups expressed concern that they would be forced to return to their conflict-ridden country.
Two people injured in bomb blast at Yangon immigration office Radio Free Asia 13 Dec 2022 -- A man and a woman were injured in the northeast of Yangon when a bomb exploded in a junta immigration office in Myanmar's largest city.
Junta court sentences Sithu Aung Myint to another 7 years in prison Radio Free Asia 12 Dec 2022 -- A special court in Yangon's Insein Prison has sentenced journalist Sithu Aung Myint to seven years in prison. He had already received two sentences totaling five years for allegedly inciting sedition in the army, meaning he will have to spend 12 years in prison.
Myanmar's UN Ambassador Reportedly Renewed for Another Year Despite Junta's Opposition VOA 12 Dec 2022 -- Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun is the permanent representative of Myanmar to the United Nations; however, the diplomat does not represent the country's ruling military junta.
Violence, Despair in Bangladesh's Rohingya Camps Driving Spike in Deadly Sea Crossings VOA 10 Dec 2022 -- Rising despair and violence in Bangladesh's teeming refugee camps are driving what the United Nations calls a "dramatic increase" in ethnic Rohingya risking perilous journeys across the Andaman Sea in search of better lives abroad, refugees and rights groups have told VOA.
No successor for departing U.S. ambassador to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 09 Dec 2022 -- There will be no immediate replacement for the U.S. ambassador to Myanmar, Thomas Vajda, when he leaves his post this month, with his deputy instead taking over as chargé d'affaires "ad interim."
Myanmar junta raid and burn 20 villages over 3 days in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 09 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops stormed 20 villages in Tigyaing township over three days this week, burning down over 400 houses as their arson campaign continued in Myanmar's Sagaing region.
Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian, Iranian and Myanmar regimes Canada 09 Dec 2022 -- Today, on the eve of Human Rights Day, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing measures on those complicit in gross and systematic human rights violations in Russia, Iran and Myanmar.
In nighttime raid, Myanmar forces kill 4 opposition party members and 2 civilians Radio Free Asia 08 Dec 2022 -- In a nighttime raid on a village in central Myanmar, junta forces killed six civilians, including four members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, residents said, in what appeared to be a targeted killing of political opponents.
Religious leader Hkalam Samson set to be prosecuted by Myanmar's junta Radio Free Asia 08 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's junta authorities are preparing to prosecute Baptist bishop Hkalam Samson, an advisor to the Kachin Baptist Convention, according to the religious group.
Myanmar Families Hope to Overturn Death Sentences VOA 08 Dec 2022 -- The parents of seven university students sentenced to death by a military tribunal in Myanmar are appealing their sentences, the father of one of the students told VOA.
Source to VOA: US to Downgrade Relations with Myanmar VOA 08 Dec 2022 -- A diplomatic source has told VOA Burmese that the U.S. will downgrade its diplomatic relations with Myanmar upon the departure of the current U.S. ambassador, Thomas Vajda, whose assignment is scheduled to conclude at the end of this month.
More than 1,000 people flee their homes in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 07 Dec 2022 -- More than 1,000 people from three villages in Sagaing region's Tigyaing township fled their homes on Wednesday, as the junta continued its campaign of arson attacks.
Troops capture 25 youths returning to their village in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2022 -- A group of 25 youths from Sagaing region's Shwebo township has been captured by junta troops, according to locals.
Association Head Says Rohingya Still Face Genocide VOA 06 Dec 2022 -- The head of a Rohingya organization urgently called for the U.N. Security Council to prevent what it described as genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar.
More than a dozen Rohingya found dead in Myanmar's Yangon region Radio Free Asia 05 Dec 2022 -- Authorities in Myanmar have launched an investigation after a group of women on their way to the market in Yangon region made a gruesome discovery early on Monday morning - 13 broken and waterlogged corpses believed to be members of the Rohingya ethnic group.
Myanmar religious leader detained and banned from leaving the country Radio Free Asia 05 Dec 2022 -- Police and junta troops detained well-known Myanmar religious leader Hkalam Samson at Mandalay International Airport as he tried to fly abroad for medical treatment. They released him on Monday after holding him overnight and put him on a plane back to Kachin state, his friends told RFA, but re-arrested him upon his arrival at Myitkyina Airport in Kachin.
UN rights chief slams Myanmar death penalty cases Radio Free Asia 02 Dec 2022 -- More than 130 people have been sentenced to death in secret closed-door trials held by Myanmar's military junta since it seized power last year, a top U.N. official said Friday, calling the pattern a "political tool to crush opposition."
Myanmar's Archbishop calls for dialogue after military raid on his home village Radio Free Asia 02 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's Catholic Archbishop has called for a peaceful solution to the country's political crisis following a brutal attack by the military on his home village in embattled Sagaing region, despite public criticism over his dealings with the junta.
Myanmar: Secretive military courts sentence scores of people to death UN News 02 Dec 2022 -- Since last year's military coup in Myanmar, military courts have sentenced more than 130 people to death behind closed doors, the UN human rights chief said on Friday, following the latest convictions announced this week.

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December 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News