Published on November 10, 2021
- As of November 09, 2021, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Burmese human rights advocacy organization, reported that 1,250 individuals have been killed, 9,943 individuals arrested, and over 7,100 individuals still detained by the Burmese military since the coup.
- As of November 10, 2021, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Burmese human rights advocacy organization, reported that 1,252 individuals have been killed, 9,979 individuals arrested, and nearly 7,100 individuals still detained by the Burmese military since the coup.
- On November 09, 2021, the NUG released a policy statement on economic sanctions against the junta. The policy statement provides reasons for the need for the international community to sanction the junta and its affiliates, as well as identifies the priority order of economic sectors which should be targeted (Oil and Gas→ Mining→ Banking). It also outlines guiding principles for foreign businesses and investors on responsible investing and operating in Burma. Furthermore, the policy statement provides some guidance over a responsible exit from the market and the conduct of due diligence process for the sale of businesses to new investors/buyers. NUG’s policy statement came in the midst of foreign investors leaving the country including Norway’s telecom giant, Telenor.
- November 8th marked the one year anniversary of the 2020 General Elections in Burma. Countries around the world have called for the restoration of democracy and civilian rule in Burma on the anniversary. US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, called on the junta to stop the violence, release the detainees, and restore democracy in Burma. The EU made a similar statement as well as condemned the recent atrocities committed by the junta’s forces against the civilians in Chin State and around the country.
- On November 8, 2021, the UN Security Council met in a closed-door meeting to discuss Burma. At the request of the UK who holds the Burma files on the Council, the meeting was convened in light of the evolving security and humanitarian crisis in Burma. The escalation of fighting between Chin Defense Forces and the junta’s forces in Northwestern Burma has been a major concern in recent weeks as more than 37,000 people have been newly displaced. As of November 01, the UN OCHA Myanmar estimated that about 223,300 people remained internally displaced since the coup. Martin Griffiths, head of UN OCHA, urged the junta to provide unrestricted access to more than three million people in need of crucial humanitarian assistance and aid in the country.
- In recent weeks, activists, journalists, and political figures have been hit with additional charges against them by the junta regime. On November 09, Danny Fenster, an American journalist who was originally detained for allegedly inciting unrest against the junta regime in May, is now charged with sedition and terrorism on top of the immigration offence and violation of the colonial-era Unlawful Assoication Act. On November 08, U Ko Jimmy, an ‘88 Generation student leader, was charged with high treason, violation of the Counter-Terrorism Law, violation of the Unlawful Association Act, violation of the Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act, and incitement. If convicted for some of these charges, U Ko Jimmy could face the capital punishment.
- Last week, the CRPH enacted a tax law for a fiscal year starting in October and ending in September of 2022. The NUG had been seeking revenues to fund health care, education, humanitarian assistance, and assistance for civil servants who are on strike and security personnels who defected from the junta’s forces. It announced that it will start selling bonds to fund these programs on top of the revenues from lottery ticket sales and voluntary tax. So far, NUG has received US$150,000 in tax revenue. It is planning to launch a plan to tax businesses in addition to the other revenue-generating plans.
- Preparations are underway for the junta to switch the country’s electoral system to the Proportional Representation (PR), from the previous First Past the Post (FPTP) system. Starting November 05, the junta’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and its allied political parties held a three-day conference to discuss changing the electoral system on the invitation of the junta’s election commission. At this time, the next election will be held in 2023 after the lifting of the state of emergency by the junta.
For inquiry, email research@studentsforfreeburma.org.