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Home , Gangaw Township, Kalay, Katha Township, Kyaukme Township, Kyethi Township, Laiza

Myanmar Situation Update (28 June - 4 July 2021)

Summary

Myanmar ousted leader Suu Kyi appeared in the special court in Naypyitaw on 29 June and the court accepted the two evidence documents submitted by the junta for the case charged under Section 505(b) to incite unrest in the country although the lawyers of objected. Those two documents are NLD party statements issued on 7 and 13 of February after the NLD’s leaders have been detained. Her lawyer also expects the trial will run longer than scheduled, with the prosecution still to call nearly two dozen witnesses.

The junta has been building strong high-tech surveillance tools that can be used for internal repression, many of which come from Western companies. An investigation conducted by the “Lighthouse Reports” revealed that those technologies include high tech software that can extract data from different devices and surveillance over the internet.

More than 50,000 have been displaced since the beginning of the year. Local community groups expect that there is much more the international community can do to help as humanitarian as is not enough meeting the survival of the people who fled their villages and living in makeshift shelters. Indian media also reported that over 700 people from Myanmar, mostly civilians, have entered Mizoram in the past few weeks. Altogether 10,025 Myanmar nationals have so far sneaked into Mizoram following the military coup. Media also reported that the Myanmar military shells struck Magar Yang camp, home to over 1,600 internally displaced persons in , along the border.

The junta also released on 30 June 2,342 prisoners, including many political prisoners and at least 14 journalists, from different parts of Myanmar. The Assistance Association for the Political Prisoners said in a statement that “democracy will not be reached until all political prisoners are released, with justice and national reconciliation achieved. This illegitimate junta is not making positive changes, they are only trying to make the case to be given credentials at the UN in September”. The UN said that it was aware of the releases of political prisoners and has repeated its call for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Junta forces have recently arbitrarily arrested at least six lawyers defending political prisoners, violating both the lawyers’ rights and those of their clients, Human Rights Watch said. At least three of them have been arrested while attending court and arresting lawyers makes it abundantly clear that Myanmar’s junta has no interest in providing a fair trial for pro-democracy activists and that justice under military rule is an illusion.

Protests continued in different parts of Myanmar despite the crackdown by the junta. The clashes between the junta forces and the civil resistance fighters or Ethnic Armed Organizations also emerged across Myanmar particularly in Chin, Shan, Kayah, and Kayin States and Region.

According to the information compiled by ANFREL, at least 43 bomb blasts happened across Myanmar in the past week. It was reported that at least 14 people were injured and 4 killed1.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that, as of 3 July, 890 people have been killed by the junta. 5,086 people are currently under detention and 223 are sentenced. 26 have been sentenced to death (incl. 2 children). 1,964 are evading arrest warrants2.

Colour Code and its Categories

Political Repression by International CRFs and Humanitarian Media Other updates the junta community EAOs situation

Timeline of events

28 June

Myanmar coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing returned to Myanmar after a week-long visit to . Although no arms deal has been reported, both countries declared their intention is to strengthen bilateral cooperation3.

Myanmar ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer said that the junta trial of her will run longer than scheduled, with the prosecution still to call nearly two dozen witnesses4.

1 Annexure I 2 https://aappb.org/?p=16312 3 https://www.mizzima.com/article/min-aung-hlaing-returns-russia? 4 https://www.mizzima.com/article/trial-myanmars-suu-kyi-overrun-prosecution-needs-more-time?

The spokesman of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) said it has compiled more than 400,000 pieces of evidence of atrocities committed by the junta regime against civilians since it overthrew the government in February and is preparing to file an international lawsuit against the junta for crimes against humanity5.

The spokesperson of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), Dr. Sa Sa, said that the junta sold over 50,000 acres of to a Chinese company with the price of 37 USD per acre6.

A 5 years old child was arrested together with her mother and sister as hostages on June 13 as her father was an anti-regime protest leader in Mogoke, Region7. She was released on Wednesday afternoon and the sister and mother are still in detention8.

Junta sentenced 16 people to death after accusing them of the murders of an alleged informant and his two sons in ’s following a two and a half month trial by military tribunal9.

Junta’s forces attacked nearby residents, beating & threatening, after a loud explosion in South , Yangon Region10.

An NLD member and protest leader of Koke kar village in Township, , was arrested at his home by junta’s troops11.

The junta detained and charged three Christian pastors from Kachin State who organized a prayer for peace in Myanmar12.

Japanese media reported that a company headed by a former Japanese minister and the chairman of the Japan Myanmar Association has been pursuing a project to develop land owned by junta through a joint venture with a military-affiliated firm13.

The former chairperson of Arakan Patriot Party (APP), was abducted by a group of gunmen in civilian clothes in front of the primary school in Ohetan Ward of Sittwe Township14.

5 https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/court-06282021185752.html 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ilkc3VYcY 7https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/in-myanmar-juntas-bid-to-quell-opponents-not-even-their-babies 8https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/detained-5-year-old-girl-from--released-reunited-with-father 9https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/junta-sentences-16-yangon-residents-to-death-over-murder-of-alleged 10 https://www.mizzima.com/article/tatmadaw-attack-civilians-south-dagon-township-after-explosion? 11 https://www.mizzima.com/article/military-troops-arrest-nld-member-leading-protests-koke-kar-village? 12 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-charges-three-priests-after-peace-prayer.html 13 https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/06/3087036896b3-firm-led-by-former-japan-minister-in-jv-linked 14 https://www.mizzima.com/article/unidentified-gunmen-abduct-former-rakhine-party-leader-sittway?

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has ordered businesses operating within its territory to stop selling products made by military-owned companies by the end of the month15.

18 Shan organizations released a joint statement condemning the act of the Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) arresting a Shan ethnic person on 30 May and his death on 26 June16.

An explosion also occurred during a protest against the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Namkham which detained a person and killed him in custody. The blast killed one person and injured three others17.

Myanmar military raided a post belonging to the People’s Defence Force- (PDF-Kalay) outside the town and a spokesperson for the local resistance group said they were forced to withdraw18.

A junta-appointed administrator was shot dead in Ye of Mon State19.

The Hindustan Times reported that over 700 people from Myanmar, mostly civilians, have entered Mizoram in the past few weeks. Altogether 10,025 Myanmar nationals have so far sneaked into Mizoram following the military coup20.

The media reported that Myanmar military shells struck Magar Yang camp, home to over 1,600 internally displaced persons in Kachin State, along the China border. The incident happened on the same night KIA attacked a checkpoint on the Irrawaddy Bridge (aka Bala Min Htin) in , capital of Kachin State. Tatmadaw also shelled KIA positions in Laiza, Mai Ja Yang and Laisin21.

The junta locked down Township in northern Shan State’s Self-Administrative Zone near the Chinese border as more than 100 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported within 10 days22.

Schools have been temporarily closed in from Bago23, Naung Cho from Northern Shan as the numbers of COVID-19 cases increase in those areas24.

15https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/taang-national-liberation-army-bans-sale-of-goods-from-military-companies 16 https://t.me/TachileikNewsAgency/8226? 17 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/one-dead-three-injured-in-explosion-at-namkham-protest 18 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/military-council-raids-resistance-force-base-in-kalay 19 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/472242? 20 https://www.mizzima.com/article/700-people-myanmar-flee-indias-mizoram? 21 http://www.nmg-news.com/2021/06/27/14061 22https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-locks-down-chinese-border-town-amid-covid-19 23https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/schools-in-taungoo-closed-for-two-weeks-as-the-numbers-of-covid-19-cases 24 https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/all-schools-temporarily-closed-in-naung-cho

In the alleged rape case of 13 years old nun in Nant Phat Khar of Kut Kai in Shan State, the junt troop said that “he just made the touch on her hand and cheek”, admitted in the letter revealed in a meeting joined by the child family, village administrator, monks and 3 members from junta25.

29 June

The court accepted the two evidence documents submitted by the junta for the case charged under Section 505(b) to incite unrest in the country although the lawyers of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi objected. Those two documents are NLD party statements issued on 7 and 13 of February after the NLD’s leaders have been detained26.

Detained ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called for the whole country to be vigilant on the re- emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to her lawyer27. She also called on the people of Myanmar to stay united in the face of military rule28.

An international watchdog “Global Witness” urged consumers to boycott purchasing any jade and gemstones. It also said the jade trade also risks becoming an even more important source of funding for the Tatmadaw, which now controls governance of the sector29.

A police officer standing guard outside a Myanma Economic Bank branch in , Yangon, was shot dead in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen on Tuesday30. After that incident, junta’s troops terrorized the neighbourhood and at least two civilians were injured as they fired guns31.

Around 40 junta soldiers were killed by civilian resistance fighters of the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) during fierce clashes in ’s and Falam townships32.

Media reported that a ward administrator as well as a member of USDP was shot dead in Gapu Kwe Market, Township, Yangon Region33.

25 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1234305533673457 26 https://www.myanmar-now.org/mm/news/7278 27 https://www.mizzima.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-calls-vigilance-regarding-covid-19? 28 https://www.dw.com/en/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-urges-unity-amid-legal-setback/a-58095786? 29 https://mizzima.com/article/myanmar-jade-industry-becoming-slush-fund-junta-report 30 https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy/posts/4551741978203957 31https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/regime-soldiers-terrorise-yangon-neighbourhood-after-shooting-of-police 32 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/dozens-of-myanmar-junta-soldiers-killed-in-chin-state-clashes.html 33 https://mizzima.com/article/administrator-nga-ka-ward-thingangyun-township-shot-dead

The resign letter was reportedly submitted by the acting chair of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) reported by the member of PPST, Khun Okkar34.

An administrative clerk was shot dead in Taung Thar of Mandalay Region35.

Junta-owned Myawaddy television announced that junta dropped charges of 24 Myanmar celebrities due their involvement “had been due to external factors”36.

30 June

The junta released more than 2,200 detainees, including journalists and protesters. The majority of those released were charged with incitement for joining anti-regime protests, according to the regime’s spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun37.

Eleven Myanmar diplomats in the United States and Switzerland refused to return as they seek to remain in their host countries in protest against the country’s military junta,the country’s ambassador to the United Nations said, according to a South China Morning Post report38.

The wife of detained senior NLD member Aung Shin has expressed her fears for the safety and health of her 76-year-old husband, after revealing that she has had no word of him or his whereabouts since his arrest nearly five months ago39.

Junta’s troop raided Let Wel and Myinni village in Nwa Hto Gyi Township of District, to arrest youths who have already completed military training and weapons. They took the money and mobile phones as they could not arrest anyone40.

A NLD ward/village administrator was tortured to death by junta troops and was not given the body to the family with the excuse of COVID - 19 in Wandwin of Mandalay Region41.

A suspected junta’s informant in Peinegone ward of , Yangon, was shot dead on 30 June42.

34 https://www.facebook.com/rfaburmese/posts/10161200506703128 35 https://www.facebook.com/myanmarnownews/posts/2147271672087226 36 https://www.facebook.com/DVBTVNews/posts/4463354680369664 37 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-frees-political-prisoners-and-journalists.html 38 https://www.mizzima.com/article/myanmar-diplomats-based-abroad-refuse-return? 39https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/wife-fears-for-the-fate-of-snr-nld-leader-detained-by-myanmar- regime.html 40https://mizzima.com/article/let-wel-and-myingni-village-raided-military-council-troops-money-and-mobile- phones-looted 41 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1235918043512206 42 https://mizzima.com/article/suspected-military-informant-shot-dead-insein

Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked a 21-mile gate in Myitkyina, Kachin State killing a policeman and a civilian and injuring a policeman, sources reported43. As an exchange,junta launched an airstrike on a (KIA) in Kachin State after the ethnic armed organisation attacked the military the same day44.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) detained 3 policemen after randomly stopping their vehicle in Township45.

Yangon Urban Guerrillas announced that members of 11 underground forces merged together to protect, defend & liberate Yangon and assist the National Unity Government (NUG) in re-establishing Democracy in the country46.

The number of clashes and casualties in the KNU Brigade 5 area is higher than last month according to the monthly fighting incidents records. From May 26 until now, there have been 193 fighting incidents within Brigade 5 area, 128 of Myanmar’s soldiers got killed and 180 got injured.47

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of the National Unity Government (NUG) called the International Community and Humanitarian Organizations for the responsible and ethical humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar48.

The junta has threatened to take legal action against foreign news agencies with correspondents based in the country if they continue to refer to it as a “junta” or report what it described as exaggerated or false news49.

Six journalists were freed after more than 120 days in detention. All of them were arrested in late February while covering anti-coup protests in Yangon and charged with incitement50.

1 July

Plaintiff whose husband was killed during last year election campaign, which involved 15 USDP supporters in that murder case, dropped charges against them. Reportedly she no longer believed that the suspects were responsible for her husband’s death and that he “passed away due to

43 https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/kia-attacks-21-mile-gate-in-myitkyina-killing-two? 44 https://kachinnews.com/2021/07/01/tatmadaw-launches-airstrikes-on-kia-in-kachin-state/ 45 https://kachinnews.com/2021/07/01/kia-detain-police-in-hpakant-township/ 46 https://www.facebook.com/burmanewsnetwork/posts/294590478899554 47 http://kicnews.org/2021/06/knu- 48 https://www.facebook.com/mohadmNUG/posts/127086749561074 49https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-threatens-foreign-media-with-lawsuits-for-calling- it-junta.html 50 https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy/posts/4555006021210886

accidental injuries during a political party affair”. Her husband Myo Win Soe, who was a supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD), died last October during a confrontation with a mob of USDP supporters in the village of Karbo. Fifteen people were arrested in connection with the incident.51.

The UN said that it was aware of the releases of political prisoners and has repeated its call for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Eri Kaneko, a spokeswoman for the UN secretary-general52.

The U.S. Department of State’s 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) was released saying that Myanmar did not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and did not make significant efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti- trafficking capacity during the 2021 reporting period; therefore Myanmar remained on Tier 353.

Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kin Moy met NUG representative Zin Mar Aung today to reaffirm the United States' strong support for pro-democracy and civil society actors working toward peace and a restoration of Myanmar’s democratic transition54.

21 members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to urge the U.S. and allies to locate and freeze Burma's foreign assets and "strengthen laws and sanctions designations.55"

“Myanmar Support Beer Project was launched by a beer producer and will donate the profit to Burmese Revolution through the Japan Burmese Relief Center56.

The Embassy of Canada released a statement on Thursday saying they stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive and democratic future in recognizing Canada Day and the seven-year anniversary of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Myanmar57.

Switzerland has added the junta-appointed Attorney general, four ministers and three deputy ministers to the sanction list, restricting their travel to Switzerland and their property in Switzerland. Moreover, 4 organizations doing gems and timber businesses were included on the list58.

51 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/plaintiff-in-murder-case-involving-15-usdp-supporters-drops-charges 52 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/un-demands-release-of-all-political-prisoners-in-myanmar.html 53 https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.rangoon/posts/4090952507653204 54 https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.rangoon/posts/4090750541006734 55 https://www.facebook.com/uscampaignforburma/posts/10159490588480948 56 https://www.facebook.com/TachileikNewsAgency/posts/4276917238996750 57 https://www.facebook.com/CanEmbMyanmar/posts/3081724298724419 58 https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-applies-fresh-sanctions-on-myanmar/46750962?

150 senators signed to call the France Government to acknowledge the National Unity Government (NUG) as a legitimate one59.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Yangon, setting fire to an army uniform and chanting calls for democracy five months after a military coup ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. This is the biggest protest in weeks that Yangon witnessed.60.

Two rival ethnic Shan armed groups, the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), have been fighting over a territorial dispute for a month in mountains in Township, southern Shan State61.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) responded it was not true that the United Wa State Army (UWSA) had reinforced thousands of troops in the SSPP area and that the SSPP was carrying drugs and being destroyed62.

An exchange of gun fires took place among members of Karen Border Guard Force (KBGF) at the security post near No.1 Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge in Myawady Township, . 2 were killed and one injured in the incident, according to the Karen Information Centre63.

The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) comprises 10 ethnic armed organizations which have signed the NCA conducted a meeting and the acting-chair of the team and leader of RCSS/SSA said that the country lacked peace and security within 5 months after the military coup. And they will try to find the resolution to get the normal situation64.

There was fighting between civilian resistance forces and junta troops in Butalin of Sagaing Region. Both sides have casualties but cannot reach the information65.

Military backed “Pyuu Saw Htee” member was shot death in Taze of Sagaing State66.

59http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/472808?fbclid=IwAR0A9x4_AdJC3FceGUyUMhv2eps- PhP3ihzlQLateYVMry1xgETX74L5Ass 60https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-protesters-burn-army-uniform-five-months-after-coup- 2021-07-01/ 61https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/rival-armed-groups-fight-over-territorial-dispute-in-myanmars-shan- sta 62 https://mizzima.com/article/sspp-responds-rumours-regarding-uwsa-reinforcements-and-drugs 63 https://www.mizzima.com/article/2-killed-1-injured-gun-fight-among-local-militia-members-myawady? 64 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwinkhetnews/posts/1254624358303460 65 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1235939293510081 66 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1235822863521724

The National Unity Government (NUG) formed the Commission for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response with 14 members led by the Acting President, Duwa Lashi La67.

Karen Peace Support Network released a documentary film on the situation in Karen territories where airstrikes and shelling have killed dozens of people, and displaced 70,000 that villagers have run to find safety wherever they can in the jungle, in caves, and along the border with Thailand68.

Detained U.S. journalist Daniel Fenster appeared in trial and his lawyer said his case on incitement charges was adjourned in a Myanmar court to July 15 and the incitement charges are related to his role at a different publication, which he had left last year69. Complaint letter filed with the court confirms that police arrested Danny Fenster because they believed he was working at Myanmar Now, despite him having resigned from the media outlet in July 2020. Frontier believes Danny has done nothing wrong and we reiterated call for his immediate and unconditional release70.

Free Expression Myanmar (FEM) expressed its deep concern over the Norwegian telecoms operator Telenor is exploring the sale of its Myanmar unit. FEM said Teleonor has been the only Myanmar telecom company to publish transparency reports and also to tell the public about the junta directives. The right to privacy for over 16 million subscribers will be under significant threat.

A US pretzel retailer, Auntie Anne’s, announced it will close its branches in Myanmar after two years in the country71.

Nearly 160 border guard police and family members in Maungdaw Township, have tested positive with COVID-19 from June 30 to July 2, with the toll of coronavirus cases in the western Myanmar border town reaching nearly 20072.

Junta is coordinating with Russia and China to purchase Covid-19 vaccines, according to the ministry of health and sports. 7 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine are set to be bought from Russian while discussion is underway to purchase China-made vaccines73.

2 July

67 https://www.facebook.com/mohadmNUG/posts/127390869530662 68 https://web.facebook.com/KPSN.karen/posts/2990968867846701 69https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/detained-us-journalist-says-he-is-okay-myanmar-case- adjourn 70 https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/frontier-reiterates-call-for-danny-fensters-release/ 71 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/us-pretzel-retailer-auntie-annes-to-leave-myanmar.html 72 https://www.facebook.com/dmgnewsagency/posts/2051887158297018 73https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/myanmar-coordinating-purchase-of-covid-19-vaccines-from-russia-china?

The National Unity Government announced that citizens can donate the money in cryptocurrency to NUG, which cannot be survillenced and tracked by the third party organization74.

The NUG’s Ministry of Education and Health announced that it is ready to carry out online classes commencing 1 July for post-graduate medical students under the interim education programme75.

The junta ordered a lock down on the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay’s seven townships, due to a spike in coronavirus infections in the city of more than 1 million people76.

A married couple who were members of NLD were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at their home in Mandalay Region’s . The assassination came after a junta-formed Saw Htee group threatened to take severe action against them if any attacks occurred in the township77.

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four companies which supported the military to its trade blacklist and imposed sanctions on key military officials78. The US also imposed sanctions on 22 people linked to Myanmar's military regime79.

Foreign Policy’s deputy editor, James Palmer, has come under fire following a thread he posted on Twitter on June 30 in which he made fun of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO) demanded an apology and wrote that Foreign Policy should be ashamed of James Palmer’s tweets80.

The Indian NGO Human Rights Alert (HRA) has written a letter to the Human Rights Commission to express concern over the treatment of Myanmar nationals imprisoned in Manipur, after the death of two Myanmar women refugees who had been held in judicial custody at Saadbhavana Mandop, New Lamka, Churachandpur District81.

Japan gave 6 months asylum to a goalkeeper on the Myanmar national soccer team who refused to return home with his teammates last month82.

74 https://www.facebook.com/NUGmyanmar/posts/140646854822621 75 https://www.mizzima.com/article/nug-ready-conduct-online-classes-post-grad-med-students? 76 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-orders-citywide-lockdown-in-mandalay.html 77 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/married-couple-belonging-to-myanmars-nld-slain-in-their- home.html 78 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-adds-four-entities-trade-blacklist-relation-myanmar-2021-07- 02/ 79https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-treasury-sanctions-22-individuals-linked-myanmar-military-2021-07- 02/ 80 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/foreign-policy-deputy-editor-under-fire-for-racist-sexist-karen-tweets 81https://www.mizzima.com/article/indian-rights-group-voices-concern-over-imprisoned-myanmar-refugees- after-two-deaths? 82 https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Japan-gives-6-months-asylum-to-footballer-from-Myanmar

Myanmar rights advocates called for the acceleration of Australian inertia on sanctions as Australia has imposed no fresh sanctions in the four months since the takeover83.

Four people accused of being military informants were killed in recent days in two villages in Sagaing Region’s Township84.

Media reported that an unknown attackers shot and killed a man in Mandalay Region’s Township after he was accused of being an informant for the junta85.

There was a fighting between the People Defense Force and the junta’s troops in Kawlin of Sagaing State on Friday. 4 junta troops died, 2 injured and 2 civilians were injured86.

Htee Gyaint People Defense Force in collaboration with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) ambushed the junta’s convoy in Htee Gyaint of Sagaing Region and at least 20 junta’s troops were killed87.

An administrator of Thandwe of Sin Khaung village was stabbed to death in Rakhine State88. An alleged informer was also shot dead in Paungte of Bago Region89.

Some of the IDP camps in 2 townships of Rakhine state are in shortage of food supplies as it has already been 2 months that the aid didn’t reach to that areas90.

There are over 2000 IDPs in Kyay Thi of Southern Shan State as of Friday due to the clashes between Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), emergency food supplies are desperately needed91.

Nearly 700 IDPs in Mai Ngaut of in Shan State who fled due to the fighting between SSPP, TNLA and RCSS, are in desperate need of medicine, blankets and bed sheets92.

More than 200 Myanmar citizens have been arrested in a month for illegal entry into Thailand amidst the Covid-19 crisis, according to the Joint Action Committee for Burma Affairs (JACBA) based in Mae Sot.

83https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-rights-advocates-blast-Australian-inertia-on- sanctions 84 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/four-alleged-informants-killed-in-yinmabin-sagaing-region 85 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/alleged-military-informant-shot-dead-in-early-morning-attack-at-betel-stall 86 https://www.facebook.com/MizzimaDaily/posts/4532011470167056 87http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/473107? 88 https://www.facebook.com/narinjara.info/posts/4461994717145904 89 https://www.facebook.com/DVBTVNews/posts/4472006919504440 90 https://www.facebook.com/narinjara.info/posts/4460105117334864 91 https://www.facebook.com/shwepheemyaynews/posts/985849555564509 92 https://www.facebook.com/shwepheemyaynews/posts/984509325698532

Asia Centre has released a report voicing concerns over the Myanmar military junta’s efforts to interfere with the internet and the free flow of information93

Telenor Myanmar said it is continuing to weigh its options in the country, a day after an industry publication reported the firm was planning to sell its local unit and had hired global banking giant Citi to handle the divestment94.

The digital rights group Free Expression Myanmar, said Telenor’s departure from Myanmar would worsen the already limited digital rights that people in Myanmar have95.

The junta is seeking tenders to implement 12 solar power projects in Mandalay, Bago, Magwe and Sagaing Regions and Shan State, to raise foreign currency, with some 40 firms including Thai and Chinese companies planning to make bids96.

About 95%, 114 policemen have tested Covid- 19 positive among 200 in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) training school in Insein, Yangon, according to the polices’ community97.

Junta imposed a stay-at-home order on Min Hla and Tharrawaddy townships of Bago Region98.

Junta extended the order to shut down the private schools, cinemas and nursery schools in Naypyitaw and prohibited mass gathering till the end of July, 202199.

3 July

Protesters burned mock coffins and pictures of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing across the country and people shouted wishes for his death on the his 65th birthday100.

At least 30 people were killed by junta’s forces, including local resistance fighters, in Sagaing Region’s Depayin Township since raids in the area began on Friday, according to local sources101.

93 https://asiacentre.org/myanmar-dismantling-dissent-crackdowns-on-internet-freedoms/ 94https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/parent-of-telenor-myanmar-weighing-options-amid-reports-it-plans- to-sell.html 95https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/observers-fear-major-blow-to-online-privacy-as-telenor-considers-pulling- out-of-myanmar 96 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-invites-bids-for-new-solar-power-projects.html 97 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwinkhetnews/posts/1255161744916388 98 https://www.facebook.com/myaelattathan/posts/2921670338149523 99 https://www.facebook.com/standardtimedaily/posts/3818812224897370 100https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-coup-makers-birthday-greeted-with-curses-nationwide- condemnation.html 101 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/at-least-30-killed-in-depayin-following-junta-raid-on-local-village

In of Sagaing State, KIA regiment (5) in joint-mission with Katha People Defense Force (KPDF) made a remote attack with mines as the junta armed forces arrived at the beyond Moetalay village. Reportedly, a lot of junta soldiers were injured102.

IDPs near Loikaw, the capital of , were forced to relocate further following the clashes between the junta and the ethnic Karenni Army, which is the armed wing of Karenni National Progressive Party on Saturday afternoon103.

Five elderly persons who had been hiding in the forest to escape clashes between junta forces and People's Defense Force (PDF) members in Mingin Township, Sagaing Region have died due to the harsh conditions, according to the township PDF104.

Junta imposed a Stay-at-Home order to three more townships from Ayeyarwaddy, , and Thabound townships. There have been a total of 26 townships under that order in order to curve COVID spike.105

2 elderly civilians were killed in Kalay, Sagaing Region due to the 3 loud blasts. Residents said more than 300 rounds were fired at random by junta troops106.

Junta-controlled township education officer released an order to shut down all schools in Naung Cho of Kyaukme township, Shan State as COVID - 19 cases are increasing107.

4 July

The Gambia has no jurisdiction to sue Myanmar and has no jurisdiction in court, say the preliminary arguments submitted by the State Administration Council at the International Court of Justice in the Rohingya genocide case108.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has joined with the World Medical Association in condemning attacks by security forces in Myanmar against health care workers and health care facilities109.

Two military vehicles exploded in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region due to the clash between the

102 https://www.facebook.com/The74Media/posts/359926285526899 103 https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy/posts/4565426480168840 104 https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy/posts/4562676187110536 105 https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/4275439369178582 106 https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy/posts/4566007380110750 107 https://www.facebook.com/shwepheemyaynews/posts/985105505638914 108 https://npnewsmm.com/news/60e0ede2c6f5395f6b556506 109https://www.mizzima.com/article/ama-joins-world-medical-associations-condemnation-attacks-health- workers-myanmar?

military and Kawlin PDF combined together with KIA.110

Media reported that a 30 minute clash between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) took place around 8am near Manlong and Kyaung Pyan villages in Kukai Township, Northern Shan State111.

An alleged informer as well as the former Shin Saw Pu’s administrator was shot dead in Bago112.

Shweku People Defense Force announced that they together with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked the junta forces near Ngagyeepat village and the Shweku Myoma Police office, retreated successfully113.

Junta’s district education office released an order that all basic education schools in 8 stay-at-home townships of Mandalay must be closed114.

The Sagaing Region government had issued an order to close KTVs, clubs, restaurants, tea shops, etc for 2 weeks as cases of Covid-19 spiked115.

Media reported that Senior foreign executives of major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must not leave the country without permission. A confidential order from Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) in mid-June said senior executives, both foreigners and Myanmar nationals, must seek special authorisation to leave the country116.

Prepared by, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) 5 July 2021, 11:30 am (Bangkok time)

110 https://web.facebook.com/khitthitnews/photos/a.390633294707356/1238514236585920/ 111 https://web.facebook.com/khitthitnews/photos/a.386800725090613/1238124573291553/ 112 https://www.facebook.com/MizzimaDaily/posts/4537759456258924 113 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/473323 114 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=186839650118742&id=105480538254654 115https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/ktv-clubs-restaurants-and-stalls-ordered-to-close-temporarily-in-sagaing- due-to-covid-19? 116 https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2143679/myanmars-junta-bans-telecom-executives-from-leaving- country

Annexure I:

Information on the Blasts Reported Across Myanmar from 28 June - 4 July, 2021

Date Region/State Incidents Source

28 Shan 4 blasts were reported in the Namkham protest, 2 were killed and Eleven June 5 were injured. Karen A blast was reported near the house of the township KIC administrative officer of Myawaddy. Sagaing A blast occurred near Sakkya street between two banks in Kalay. Standard Time Daily Yangon A blast was reported in . Mizzima Sagaing A blast occurred in front of the USDP office in and 1 person Standard Time died and 1 was injured. Daily

29 Ayeyarwaddy A blast was reported in the township education office of Pathein. Ayeyarwaddy June Times Ayeyarwaddy 3 blasts occurred in Kyaiklatt at the township education office and DVB near schools. 4 civilians were injured. Ayeyarwaddy Consecutive 5 blasts reported in Ngathaingchaung, tsp. DVB

30 Sagaing A blast occurred in front of No (1) B.E.H.S of Katha Tsp. VOM June Yangon There was an explosion in front of Ward (9) administration office Mizzima on Yegyaw road in Bazundaung Township. 2 people were injured. Bago There was an explosion near No. (1) police station in Taungoo. Mizzima Shan There was an explosion at a casino in Kaungmutone Ward of Mizzima Muse on the Myanmar-China border.

1 Yangon A blast occurred near the traffic office of Sanchaung and 1 person Popular News July was injured. Bago A blast was reported in the house of Paungte’s administrative Myaelatt officer. Athan Mandalay There was an explosion on Pyaungbya bridge in Ward (2) of Mizzima Myingyan. A passer-by died due to the explosion. Bago There was an explosion in front of the house of the junta- Mizzima appointed administrator in Nwecho (2) Ward of Paungti in western Bago. Magway 2 blasts were reported at the junta's check point on - Ayeyarwaddy Pakkoku Road, Magway Region. Times

2 Mon A blast was reported at Kyaik Hto’s USDP office. Than Lwin

July Times

3 Yangon 2 blasts occurred at Music Zone KTV in and Mizzima July there were some injuries. Yangon A blast was reported in Tarmwe’s Mytel office. Myanmar Now Yangon A blast occurred at Yay Kyaw Ward administrative office in Mizzima Pazundaung. Yangon There was an explosion at the electricity office on Yangon-Insein Mizzima road in Ward (9) of . Yangon An explosive was found near Seikkantha road in Kyauktada Mizzima Township. Mandalay 2 blasts reported at 2 NLD’s offices in Chan Aye Tharzan and Ayeyarwaddy Pathein Gyi townships. Times Sagaing 3 blasts occurred in Kalay, Sagaing region. A woman was injured. Irrawaddy

4 Yangon 3 blasts were reported in front of the junta appointed Khit Thit July administrator’s liquor shop in 39 ward. Bago 2 blasts were reported at the administrative and electricity office, Myanmar Now 1 staff was injured.