Published on August 24, 2022
- Political Developments
- The junta court sentenced Lance Corporal Han Lin Myint, a police officer who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), to 26 years in prison in May. He is currently being held in Insein Prison and suffers injuries from the junta’s interrogation.
- On August 20, the junta detained seven CDM teachers from the Yadanabon University in Mandalay. They were arrested in Amarapura Township and are being held in Obo Prison.
- In recent weeks, the junta reshuffled several military commanders from their posts. Lin Htet Aung, a defected army captain, mentioned that these position shuffles are normal to attempt to bring changes in tactics.
- On August 19, the junta replaced several members of its cabinet. SAC Immigration Minister Khin Yi was replaced by the Military Intelligence Chief Lieutenant-General Soe Htut. Union Government Office Minister Chit Naing and Chief Minister of Chin State Ngun San Aung were forced to retire. Head of Burma’s Central Bank Than Nyein was replaced by Deputy Governor Than Than Swe as well.
- On August 19, the Junta Leader Min Aung Hlaing said that there is a possibility that the ousted State Counselor, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, could return to house arrest from prison after verdicts have been reached in her legal cases.
- Leaked meeting records obtained by local media revealed that the junta had ordered the formation of “public security forces” in southern Rakhine State. A similar scheme had been planned for nationwide implementation by the junta.
- On August 17, the military junta’s spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said in a press conference that the regime is planning to prohibit Facebook usage nationwide and replace it with its own social media platform.
- On August 17, a student leader who staged a hunger strike in protest against the junta’s execution of four political prisoners was sentenced to additional three years in prison.
- Ground Situation
- As of August 23, 2022, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Burmese human rights advocacy organization, reported that 2,233 individuals have been killed. AAPP also reported that 15,212 individuals have been arrested and 12,115 individuals are still detained by the Burmese military since the coup.
- In its latest report on August 01, 2022, UNHCR reported that nearly 897,000 people have been displaced by the violence and conflict since the coup. In total, more than one million people are internally displaced in Burma. UN OCHA estimated that 21,000 civilian properties have been burned or destroyed since February 2021. Humanitarian assistance and access remain limited due to the ongoing crisis.
- Fighting between the junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) killed nearly 40 junta soldiers in Rakhine State on August 13. Clashes between the junta forces and AA are ongoing as of August 22.
- In recent weeks, three members of the local PDF in southern Shan State were killed and several were arrested by the junta in recent weeks. Those arrested were taken to an interrogation center in Taunggyi.
- International Responses
- On August 23, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met U Chit Swe, the newly junta-appointed Burmese ambassador to Thailand to “discuss trade cooperation and Thai-Myanmar border issues.” Although the discussion on cooperation was vast, Thai officials only commented on the political situation by expressing a desire for stability.
- On August 18, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, defended India’s continued relationship with the junta. He stated that the relationship has been consistent over decades and is important in managing their shared border.
- On August 17, Noeleen Heyzer, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Burma, met with SAC Chairman Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw to discuss de-escalating violence, respecting human rights, and advancing humanitarian aid. However, according to the released transcript, the meeting was very one-sided, with Min Aung Hlaing lecturing the envoy and using her “to promote its legitimacy.” Despite the controversial visit, the UN media advisory stated that the Special Envoy’s “mandate as an impartial actor is to engage with all stakeholders in Myanmar, the region and globally consistent with the principles of the United Nations.” The NUG was critical of the Special Envoy’s visit and called on her to strengthen partnership with the NUG and other pro-democracy forces in the country. Additionally, more than 865 civil society organizations signed a statement demanding the UN General Assembly to withdraw the mandate of the Special Envoy on Burma and called for the UN Secretary-General and UN Security Council to directly take leadership on Burma issues.
- Business and Economy
- The junta-imposed gas quotas and higher energy prices have been fueling operational challenges to local businesses in Burma. On August 17, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun reaffirmed the junta’s commitment to buying Russian gas and fuel oil as other countries “wean [themselves] off Russian oil.” The junta had formed a committee led by the chairman of the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) to oversee the import of Russian fuel.
- Other
- Around August 22, the junta approved a petition by ousted State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s older brother to sell her house in Yangon. She remained under house arrest at this house during previous military regimes and also welcomed former US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in 2012.