The year is turning to be another chapter in Myanmar’s dark history. The junta has been trying to lock the country in the dark age with no positive changes, as thousands of people who oppose them are locked in cells, while others are determined to continue to fight for freedom and democracy. Below are the key events this week.

 

Collectivization of the MEHL and MEC

 

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) collectivized two major military-backed conglomerates the Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and the Myanmar Economic Corporation(MEC).

 

“By means of allocation of profits, the senior junta leaders are much of the profits of these companies for their personal benefits and advantage and they have been using profits from these companies to perpetuate brutality against the Myanmar people, “ according to NUG on 6th December.

These two businesses are engaged in the exploration of natural resources, banking, edible oil manufacturing, telecommunications, shopping centre, fuel oils, steel company, and production company and transportation companies.

Prak Sokhonn cannot visit Myanmar

The Cambodian foreign minister and special envoy to Myanmar, Prak Sokhonn would not be able to visit Myanmar for the third time since his term will be expired at the end of December. But observers said Prak Sokhonn didn't make a visit because the junta failed to bring any progress to the 5-point consensus and allegedly to show dismay over the sentencing to death of 7 university students. Prak Sokhonn visited Myanmar in March and June while the prime minister Hun Sen visited Naypyitaw in January.

Stack of unidentified death bodies in Yangon

Villagers recovered 13 unidentified dead bodies were found in Bala Village in Hlegu township in Yangon on 5th December. According to witnesses, the dead people suffered injuries on their noses and mouths and were suspected to have died from lack of oxygen. The dead bodies also bore traces of violence.

Data from the Burma Associated Press (BAP) showed there were 39 incidents that Rohingyas were captured from January to November. A total of 1600 Rohingyas were arrested in these 39 incidents, including about 500 women and children.

Most of them were detained in Ayeyarwaddy and Rakhine while they were in temporary shelters in coasts, villages and in checkpoints.

A passenger ship with 154 Rohingyas bound for Indonesia and which floated at sea for a week due to mechanical failure of their vessel, had been brought back to Myanmar by the Burma navy force on 7th December.

"The Road not taken” will be available online

Ko Pauk’s documentary film "A Road Not Taken" would be available online very soon, the directing committee said. The documentary was first filmed in London in October and then it reached to 50 cities of US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Netherlands, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Jamaica and Canada.

The fund collected for the exhibition of the film would be donated to the NUG and 4,600 lakhs were allocated to the in-ground associations. Moreover, his upcoming film " A Path of the Dawn's Light" will be filmed worldwide.

From university to death row

The junta imposed capital sentence to seven Dagon university students on 30th November which was strongly condemned by Dagon Students' Union, as well as local and foreign activists. The Nepal Students' Union members protested in front of the Myanmar embassy in Nepal on 5th December and they were detained by Nepal police. Although the death sentences were not exercised for 30 years in Myanmar, the junta executed four detained activists on 25th July. The executed activists, the first in 30 years, were Ko Phyo Zayar Thae, Ko Jimmy, Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw.

According to latest report by AAPP,139 people were sentenced to death in Myanmar since the junta took over the government last year.

Junta soldiers and pro-government militia Pyu Saw Htee killed NLD party members

Four out of six people killed in Min village in Natogyi township in Mandalay Region on 6th December are members of NLD. Junta soldiers and members of the pro-government militia Pyu Saw Htee raided the four NLD member houses and seized them. Two bystanders who witnessed the incident were also killed.

According to NLD records, until October this year, 90 out of 1169 registered NLD party members were detained and 67 were killed in their cells, including two party representatives.

Three junta-appointed officials jailed for corruption

Three junta officials were sentenced to prison for corruption on 8th December, sources said.

Those jailed were U Hla Soe, a former Yangon chief minister, U Aung Tha, a former minister of Economic affairs and U Soe Soe Zaw, a former government secretary

U Hla Soe allegedly received 2,500 lakhs from U Aung Tha Oo and violated the policies in selling estates.

On the other hand, U Aung Tha allegedly received 5000 lakhs a bribe from one construction company. He was also found guilty of opening a bank account not following the financial laws meanwhile

Furthermore, U Soe Soe Zaw was allegedly involved taking a 20 percent profit for illegally helping in the sale of a private estate.

Prominent activist was sentenced to imprisonment

Former student leader Ko Lin Htet Naing, also known as Ko Janes, was sentenced to 3 years in prison under Section 505(A) on 7th December, for criticizing the junta.

He was detained in June, 2022 and sentenced after five months in detention. He is allegedly still faces additional charge for violation of the Section 50 (J).

Ko Janes’ mother, U Kyi Myint, was killed at the explosion of Insein prison on 19th October.

The AAPP stated that 1,697 people were being detained by junta after coup in February last year.

One civilian found dead in Khin-U

Villagers recovered the remains of one of the 17 civilians earlier seized by soldiers in Sagaing Region, a local news-sharing group said.

"The body of one of the 17 arrested civilians was recovered while another one of those arrested was found alive, " Khin-U Township Information Group said.

Burmese soldiers allegedly arrested the17 civilians on 3rd December in Tar Taing village, Khin-U township, Sagaing region. According to the witness, all arrested people are men aged between 14 to 55 years old.

The arrested civilians originally came from Shwebo and Tabayin townships but fled to Sagaing to escape the Burmese army operations there.

The remains recovered was that of a 57-year-old man, Mann Thu, who was killed with the bullet wounds. The one found alive was identified as Kyaw Lin

"We have learnt that those arrested civilians have been taken by the military column that committing arson attacks in the villages of Tabayin township," according to the group.

In Khin-U township, over 160 civilians and comrades of the Peoples’ Defence Force (PDF) were arrested. About 243 civilians and PDF members were killed after the military coup.

Regime troops burned Wat Tha Inn village in Kanbalu township

Half of the houses from Wat Tha Inn village in Kanbalu township, Sagaing region was burned to ashes due to the Burma Army's arson attack, according to Kyunhla-Kanbalu Strikers' Group.

A military column from the 369 Light Infantry Battalion with 80 Pyusawhtee militia group have entered Wat Tha Inn village on the night of December 8 and torched the houses.

The village has about 75 houses but 44 of them and three burns were destroyed, according the group.

"Until now, the villagers are afraid to return to the village. They are displaced and fled to the nearest forest," spokesperson of the group said.

Burma Associated Press