Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar(16-2-2025 to 28-2-2025)

Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar

(16-2-2025 to 28-2-2025)

(49) months ago, on 1 February 2021, the military junta attempted an illegal coup, toppled the civilian government, and unlawfully detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior members of the civilian government, parliamentarians and activists. Since then, the military junta has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made people suffer tremendously as a result of its inhumane and disproportionate acts.

As of 28 February 2025, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the military has ruthlessly killed 6,364 people and arrested another 28,712 people. 21,956 people remain in detention and 168 people have been sentenced to death, including 119 post-coup death row prisoners and 44 in absentia since 1 February 2021, when the military unleashed systematic and targeted attacks and violence against innocent civilians. Four democracy activists who were sentenced to death were executed by the military junta in July 2022.

Moreover, over 3.5 million people are being displaced. Almost 20 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. Among them, 10.4 million are women and girls. 112,485 houses were burned down throughout Myanmar since the illegal coup until the end of December 2024, according to a report by Data for Myanmar. Of those, 108,645 houses were deliberately set on fire by junta soldiers or members of allied organizations according to the report released by Data for Myanmar on 27 February 2025.

Crimes committed Across Myanmar by the Junta Troops and its affiliates

Crimes perpetrated by the junta troops and its affiliates, militias across Myanmar include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of civilians, including children. These atrocities have led to widespread displacement, destruction of civilian properties, and a climate of fear and insecurity among the civilian population. The junta's widespread and systematic tactics of brutality are aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining its grip on power, regardless of the human cost and violations of international law.

According to the data collected by AAPP, from 1 to 28 February 2025, the junta killed (106) people in total across the country; (53) women and (53) men, including (16) children under the age of 18. These are the numbers that have been verified. Among the deaths, Magway Region recorded the highest number of fatalities, totalling (27), followed by (26) in the Sagaing Region. Among the (106) deceased, (78) people were killed by the junta’s airstrikes.

War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Mass Murders Committed by the Military Junta

TNLA Reports Military Junta's Use of Chemical Weapons in Northern Shan State Conflict

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on 24 February 2025 that the military junta used chemical weapons during fighting in Naung Cho Township, northern Shan State based on The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)’s statement.According to the TNLA statement released on 23 February, 10 soldiers were injured, four of them seriously, when the military junta employed chemical gas bombs during clashes in Taung Sya and Man Maw villages.While the TNLA did not specify the exact type of chemical gas used, they reported that affected soldiers experienced symptoms including dizziness, nausea, and oxygen deprivation.

CDM Captain Zin Yaw suggested that the military junta may have deployed thermobaric fragmentation bombs rather than poison gas. He explained that thermobaric bombs, launched via MA-10 RPG, explode in the air rather than on impact, depleting surrounding oxygen, and can cause eardrum rupture and brain damage. According to Captain Zin Yaw, these weapons are primarily manufactured by CP-3 and CP-21, and the military junta began using infantry thermobaric weapons in Kachin State fighting as early as 2014.

The use of chemical weapons in armed conflict constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. These instruments prohibit the use of asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases in warfare, with the use of such weapons potentially constituting a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The deployment of thermobaric weapons in populated areas also raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law regarding indiscriminate attacks and the principle of distinction between military and civilian targets.

Military Junta Airstrikes Township Hospital in Kalay

People Spring reported that the military junta conducted an airstrike on Natchaung Township Hospital in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, on 14 February at 10:20 AM. Although there were no casualties, the hospital building was damaged. A day earlier, the military junta also bombed a clinic in southern Kalay by air. According to the report, from 12 to 14 February, over the course of three days, the military junta dropped more than 130 bombs using Y12 aircraft in Kalay Township and also conducted attacks with fighter jets.

During these attacks, although there were no civilian casualties, buildings were damaged. Due to the current airstrikes, local residents are fleeing to safety and spending many hours hiding in bomb shelters. Natchaung village was a site of public resistance after the military coup and was among the earliest villages bombed by the military junta in 2021. On 13 February, the military junta conducted airstrikes in many locations across the country.

The military junta is suffering losses in battles across the country, including in Kachin, Rakhine, Northern Shan, Karen, and Chin states, and continues to conduct airstrikes on territories they have lost. In these airstrikes, rather than military targets, they target civilian locations such as hospitals, schools, religious buildings, and residential homes, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Military Junta Uses Paramotors in Deadly Bombing Raid in Magway Region

Myanmar Now reported that the military junta carried out a paramotor bombing raid in Magway Region on 23 February 2025, killing multiple civilians, including two children. Eyewitnesses report that paramotors—small, motorized paragliders—were used to drop explosives on a farming community, a tactic increasingly used by the military junta in recent months.

According to the news report, the attack, which took place in Sidoktaya Township, targeted a residential area near the village of Mohnyin. The attack took place at roughly 3 am and went on for at least 10 minutes. A local source explained that they dropped a bomb first, then two or three more with two paramotors. Five to ten homes were damaged, with three completely destroyed. The bombs fell directly on the cluster of farm huts, where only farmers were present.

Sources say the community lives collectively, farming together and residing in small, closely packed huts without fenced compounds. Among the dead are six women and two men, as well as two children: a three-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Photographs show seven bodies covered with blankets, with dead cattle strewn among the wreckage of destroyed huts. There have also been reports of paramotor bombings in Sidoktaya Town, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

The military junta has intensified its airstrikes nationwide, relying on fighter jets to counter resistance forces. Since December, it has also deployed paramotors—a cheaper, fuel-efficient alternative—marking a shift in its aerial tactics. Sidoktaya Township borders Ann and Minbya townships in Rakhine State and Kanpetlet Township in Chin State, where resistance forces have been involved in fierce clashes with the military junta.

Human Rights Abuses

Report of Torture against Journalist and Political Prisoners in Myanmar's Insein Prison

According to the Myanmar Now, their photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, labor rights advocate Thet Hnin Aung, and political prisoner Naing Win have been subjected to daily torture and abuse since January 2025 based on the sources connected to Insein Prison. The mistreatment allegedly began after they reported human rights violations to the junta-appointed National Human Rights Commission during its visit to the prison.

According to a prison staff member, the three men were transferred to interrogation rooms the day after the commission's visit, where they have been beaten for hours daily. During daylight hours, they are reportedly forced to perform hard labor including moving rocks, digging soil, and carrying human waste. At night, they are made to sleep on concrete floors and beaten at will.

The abuse, which has allegedly continued for more than two weeks, was reportedly overseen by regular prison staff and a warden. Sources indicate that Naing Win has suffered the most severe physical and mental trauma, with his mental health reportedly reaching "a breaking point."

Thet Hnin Aung was arrested in June 2021 and initially sentenced to two years under the Unlawful Associations Act, with an additional seven-year sentence added under counterterrorism laws before his original sentence was completed. Sai Zaw Thaike was arrested in Rakhine State in 2023 while covering the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha and subsequently sentenced to 20 years by a military court on multiple charges.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported that since the 2021 military coup, the regime has arrested nearly 29,000 people and killed 6,315, including political prisoners.

Military Junta's Crackdown on Digital Rights: Nearly 1,900 Arrested for Online Expression since the Coup

A newly released report by Data for Myanmar reveals that 1,884 people have been arrested for their online expression opposing the military junta and supporting pro-democracy movements since the February 2021 coup. The report, titled "Crackdown on Digital Rights: Online Expression in the Face of Oppression in Myanmar," documents how the military junta has systematically targeted social media users over the past four years, with arrests occurring across 222 townships nationwide.

While the number of arrests gradually decreased from 874 in 2022 and 615 in 2023 to 375 in 2024, the report indicates that the crackdown continues in 2025, with 20 online users arrested in January and February alone. According to the findings, Yangon and Mandalay regions recorded the highest number of arrests with 478 and 437 individuals detained respectively. The majority of those arrested (1,748 individuals) were targeted for their Facebook posts, while 114 were arrested for content shared on TikTok.

The report highlights how the military junta not only monitors online activity but also conducts physical checks at security checkpoints, inspecting phones and making arrests based on discovered content. Pro-military Telegram channels have been used to gather and share personal information of targeted individuals, facilitating arrests. The military junta has employed various laws to prosecute online users, including Section 52(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law, Section 124-A and Section 505-A of the Penal Code, and Section 33(a) of the Electronic Communications Act. These prosecutions began following an announcement by the State Administrative Council in January 2022 threatening legal action against those "inciting, spreading propaganda, or making threats" on social networks.

Of those arrested, 668 were women and 1,216 were men. The townships with the highest number of arrests include Bago (73), Chanmyathazi (59), North Okkalapa (47), Pyay (43), Mahaaungmyay (42), and Aungmyaythazan (42).The report recommends that relevant organizations protect individuals' rights to freedom of expression and safeguard their personal data, while advising online users to take precautions to secure their personal information when using digital platforms.The report mentioned that the data for the report was compiled by reviewing and verifying information published on the official website and media outlets of the military junta's Ministry of Information.

Sources Report Forced Military Conscription of Myanmar Nationals Deported from Thailand

Myanmar Pressphot Agency (MPA) reported that 200 Myanmar nationals previously held in Ranong Prison for various offenses including illegal residence were transferred to the military junta in Kawthaung on the afternoon of 24 February. According to a source from Kawthaung who spoke to MPA, the deportees follow a specific processing route: From Ranong, they are sent to Kawthaung Marina. When they arrived in Kawthaung, they were transported to a gymnasium where they underwent medical examinations, which are only provided to those who can afford to pay. The source explained that those who cannot afford to pay are sent to Battalion 262, while others who can pay may be released. The Bangkok Post confirmed that among the 200 people repatriated from Thailand to Myanmar, 198 were men and two were women. They were transferred by boat from Ranong, Thailand, to Kawthaung, Myanmar.

The Kawthaung source further detailed the process: On the 24th day after the transfer, individuals were taken to the 262nd Battalion located in Khamuk Gyi. The source was uncertain about how many people were released versus how many were forced into military service, but noted that in previous instances of transfers from Ranong, deportees were typically sent to the 262nd Battalion and subsequently transported by sea to Myeik.

A KNU Brigade One-based PDF source revealed that a new recruit who had graduated from military training and joined the Thaton Urban Special Guerrilla Group from the 402nd Artillery Battalion in Thaton on 17 February was arrested in Thailand and subsequently forcibly conscripted into the military. The source stated: That new soldier was transferred from Ranong to Kawthaung, then to the 262nd Battalion in Kawthaung. From there, he was drafted into the military and assigned to the Thaton Artillery as a new soldier. This case clearly demonstrates that the military junta is forcing young people arrested in Thailand to serve in the military after being deported to Myanmar. Media outlets frequently report that the military junta sends young people arrested in Thailand back to Myanmar for military training upon their return.

Political Prisoners Face Violence and Neglect in Myanmar Prisons

Five political prisoners sustained injuries after being beaten in Bago Region's Pyay Prison on 23 February 2025, while another died in Mandalay's Obo Prison earlier this month after being denied medical care, according to Myanmar Now’s report.

The incident at Pyay Prison occurred after a political prisoner was assaulted by the prison's canteen supervisor, sparking a protest by other political detainees who were then attacked by a group of criminal convicts, Thike Tun Oo, spokesperson for the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM), told Myanmar Now. Thike Tun Oo stated that prison authorities created the appearance of a conflict between prisoners by having the convicts start a fight instead of beating the political prisoners directly. But behind the scenes, prison officials were involved.

An official named Tayza Win was identified as the instigator of the attack, which was carried out using bamboo and wooden sticks, according to Thike Tun Oo. One of the prisoners suffered a head injury that required medical attention, while the canteen supervisor and two criminal prisoners have been shackled and placed in solitary confinement, he added.

The five injured prisoners were all serving sentences for political offences, including incitement and unlawful association, PPNM reported. On 10 February, another political prisoner died after nearly four years of detention in Mandalay's Obo Prison. San Yi, 65, had been receiving inadequate care for multiple conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease, according to PPNM. Thike Tun Oo said that prison authorities are responsible for those in their custody, so they should be held accountable. Insufficient healthcare is something all prisoners face to some degree.

At least five political detainees are known to have died since the beginning of the year in various locations around the country, including Mandalay, Myaungmya, Thayarwaddy, and Kalay, data compiled by PPNM shows. The deaths were all the result of poor healthcare, the group said. Late last year, LGBTI+ activist and political prisoner BhonBhon died of kidney disease while being held by police in the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. His requests to receive treatment for his condition were repeatedly denied, PPNM reported at the time.

According to sources at Yangon's notorious Insein Prison, three prisoners being held there, including Myanmar Now photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, have been subjected to daily beatings since January for exposing human rights violations.They were beaten every day, tortured, and forced to do hard labour. Their access to letters from family members was also cut off. Even now, they are still being questioned, punished, and beaten.

There are currently 22,187 people still in detention for opposing the military coup that overthrew Myanmar's elected civilian government in February 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Military Junta Orders Closure of at Least Four Private Medical Facilities in Myanmar

The military junta has ordered at least four private medical facilities to suspend operations for several months starting 1 March, according to Myanmar Now.  The affected facilities include the Thamine Hospital, Kaung Hospital, Kyan Mar Thu Kha Hospital, and Myat Taw Win Hospital.

A woman with ties to Kaung Hospital said it will close on 1 March and reopen on 1 June, adding that the physicians employed there were also working part-time at other hospitals and would be able to continue their patients' treatment. Another woman working in healthcare, who said she was familiar with the rationale for the junta's decision, said it was an act of deliberate persecution based on allegations that the hospitals had hired people involved with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which organised protests and strikes in response to the military's 2021 coup.

The healthcare worker explained that the hospitals that are closing are small ones. The main reason is that they employed CDM doctors. These hospitals are rehiring them due to the scarcity of qualified doctors. According to her, they will monitor the situation for a few months and may allow some hospitals to reopen.

The military junta ordered more than 20 well-regarded private medical facilities in Mandalay to close in 2022 and 2023 and may force the temporary closure of seven more starting 1 March. Two hospitals in Mandalay's Maha Aungmyay Township, which had also closed amid accusations of hiring workers who had joined the CDM, were allowed to reopen in January 2024.

In the four years since the military seized power, overthrowing an elected civilian government, many civil servants and other professionals including healthcare workers have left their positions out of unwillingness to serve under the military junta. Min Aung Hlaing has publicly voiced his frustration about their non-cooperation. According to data from the United States government's international trade administration agency—part of the Department of Commerce—there are more than 250 private hospitals throughout Myanmar.

Actions of Resistance Forces against the Junta

KNU Announces Capture of Three Military Junta Camps in Bago Region

The Karen National Union (KNU) Central Committee announced on 16 February that joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) have seized three military junta camps located in Kyauktay Township, Nyaung Lay Pin District, Bago Region. According to the statement, the military junta's 560th Infantry Battalion, the Narwepin military base, the military base between Tawwi and Hteintapin, and the military base in Kyunkone Village were attacked and captured on the night of 15 February 2025.

The KNU reported that six members of the military junta were killed during the battle to capture the camps. Military equipment, including a 60mm commando rifle, was also seized during the operation. An anonymous resident of Kyaukgyi Township told RFA that the military junta forces have been continuously firing heavy weapons since losing control of the three military bases.

Five Military Junta Camps in Kalay Township Captured by Joint Defense Forces

The five military junta camps in southern Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, were captured by the Joint Defense Forces (JDF) over a four-day period from 13 February to 16 February, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA).

The five camps were located in Aung Tharyar (new village, old village), Myintaw, Kyndhar, and Kambani. An official from the Kalay-Kabo-Ganggo Regional Defense Group (KKG) told RFA that these camps are important for the military junta troops because they have more than 100 military and Pyu Saw Htee troops stationed there.

The KKG official stated that they have taken over the Kabarini camp, which is strategically important for the military junta. The junta forces in these camps had been great challenges for resistance forces mobility in the area. Additionally, these camps were protecting the Pyu Saw Htee villages under junta control. An official from the Regional Defense Force based in Kalay Township said that weapons, ammunition, and prisoners of war have been captured from the currently occupied camps.

The Regional Defense Force official reported that they have captured about five camps in total. They also captured a large number of weapons and captured some prisoners of war from the military junta. Some of them are of the rank of captain.

Activities of the National Unity Government and Ethnic Organizations

NUG Arrests Former NLD Lawmaker Wanted for Rape in Sagaing Region

According to Myanmar Now, Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) arrested a former National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker wanted for rape on 22 February 2025, according to a resistance source in Sagaing Region. Myint Zaw Oo, who was elected to the Sagaing Region legislature in 2020 as the NLD candidate for Kanbalu Township, is accused of sexually assaulting female prisoners in 2023 while serving as a leader of Kanbalu's local resistance administration.

He had previously evaded arrest in January of this year, when two other officials facing related charges—prison officer Aung Zay Ya and police station chief Ye Yint—were apprehended. A member of a resistance defence team involved in making the arrest explained: We weren't able to arrest him at that time because we didn't have a warrant. By the time it was issued, he had gone into hiding.

According to the source, the fugitive former lawmaker, who is also known as Mae Khaung, was captured while fleeing from Kyunhla to Taze Township in Sagaing after anti-junta authorities in the region were notified of the arrest warrant. An NUG court demanded the other two suspects, Aung Zay Ya and Ye Yint, into custody on 15 February. They are currently being investigated on charges of aiding and abetting Myint Zaw Oo, the source said.

The defence team member stated that they were charged as accomplices for bringing the prisoners out to be assaulted. Unlike Mae Khaung, they were arrested the same day the warrant was issued. They did not attempt to escape, likely because they thought they could clear their names, as they did not directly commit the crimes. Myint Zaw Oo could face other, unspecified charges as he is being investigated for rape, the source added.

In August 2023, the NUG announced the arrest of eight members of a People's Security Team under its command for repeatedly raping a 22-year-old woman in their custody earlier that year. In May 2023, the NUG laid charges against Aung Min, an NLD party secretary for Yangon Region's Twante Township, after he was accused of raping a five-year-old girl.

NUG Supports Prosecution of Military Junta for Rohingya Atrocities, Objects to Inclusion of Civilian Leaders

The National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement on 18 February 2025 regarding the Rohingya case at the Argentine court, expressing support for prosecuting those responsible for mass atrocities against the Rohingya while objecting to the inclusion of civilian leaders in the proceedings.

In its statement, the NUG emphasized that the perpetrators of mass atrocities committed against the Rohingya through various violent means are solely the leaders of the Myanmar military and their subordinate battalions. The NUG welcomed and supported all efforts to prosecute these crimes in international courts to ensure appropriate punishment for the perpetrators and justice for the victims.

The NUG noted that the mass atrocities committed against the Rohingya in 2017 were carried out solely by the Myanmar military under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing, as per Article 20(b) and (c) of the 2008 Constitution, which was in effect at the time. The statement declared that those who must be held fully accountable for these crimes without exception are Min Aung Hlaing and his associates. As such, the NUG welcomed the legal action taken by the UK-based Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) in the Argentine court to prosecute and issue arrest warrants against Min Aung Hlaing and his accomplices.

However, the NUG strongly considered the Argentine court's attempt to include former President U Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the list of perpetrators—alongside Min Aung Hlaing and his associates—as a misguided and erroneous legal accusation. Therefore, the NUG called for the removal of their names from the prosecution.The statement highlighted that former President U Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made various efforts to find a long-term solution to the Rohingya issue, including the establishment of the Kofi Annan Commission.

Similarly, the NUG stated that it has established a Rohingya Policy and is steadfastly working to ensure justice for the Rohingya people.The NUG expressed concern that the inclusion of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and former President U Htin Kyaw in the case filed at the Argentine court may create misunderstandings between the Rohingya community and other ethnic groups. This, according to the NUG, could hinder long-term peace, reconciliation, and Myanmar's democratic transition.

NUG Foreign Minister Attends International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

A delegation led by National Unity Government (NUG) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Daw Zin Mar Aung, participated in the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit held in Washington, D.C., according to a statement from the NUG's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the summit, Daw Zin Mar Aung highlighted how authoritarian regimes exploit religion as a tool for repression. She stated that such regimes do not genuinely believe in religion but rather manipulate religious differences to divide societies and maintain power. The Foreign Minister emphasized that this pattern is evident across various authoritarian states, including Myanmar, where religious and communal divisions have been leveraged to strengthen military rule.

The IRF Summit was attended by over 1,500 representatives from more than 41 countries, bringing together global leaders and advocates to discuss strategies for promoting religious freedom and countering repression.

Myanmar Ambassador Calls for International Support at UN Consultations on Rohingya Conference

Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, emphasized the need for international cooperation to achieve sustainable solutions for the Rohingya crisis during consultations on the Zero Draft Modality Resolution for a High-level International Conference on Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar held in New York on 28 February 2025.

In his address, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya issue, including their safe, voluntary, and dignified return, is vital for all concerned parties. He stressed that creating a conducive environment for repatriation is essential and requires collective efforts.

The Ambassador highlighted that addressing the root cause of the problem and achieving a political solution are imperative for any sustainable resolution. He identified the military junta and the military dictatorship as the fundamental causes of the ongoing crisis.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun described the dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, noting that people are living in fear with no sense of safety or security. He pointed out that women, girls, and children are particularly vulnerable to the military junta's atrocities, including ongoing indiscriminate aerial attacks on civilian populations, which make areas like Rakhine State unsafe.

The Ambassador emphasized that the people of Myanmar desire peace and stability more than anyone else and are resolute in finding a sustainable solution for lasting peace in the country. He called for effective cooperation and strong support from the international community, especially from neighboring countries and those in the region, in line with the will and interests of the Myanmar people.

Ambassador welcomed the zero draft but expressed hope that it would be further improved to align with the interests of the people of Myanmar. He expressed confidence that the High-level Conference would bring serious international attention to both the Rohingya issue and the broader Myanmar crisis.

Response of the International Community

UN: Myanmar Displacement at Record High, 3.5 Million People Forced from Homes

At the daily press briefing on 19 February 2025, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric reported that internal displacement in Myanmar has reached a record high, with more than 3.5 million people having been forced to leave their homes due to the conflict. Dujarric stated that in addition to the displacement crisis, more than 15 million people face acute food insecurity, education and health services are severely disrupted, and millions of people lack safe shelter and drinking water.

The UN Spokesperson noted that last year, despite severe underfunding and other challenges, humanitarian partners reached more than 4.2 million people with assistance. Dujarric added that this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan aims to reach 5.5 million people with critical assistance, requiring $1.1 billion.

UN Investigator Reports Worsening Human Rights Situation in Myanmar

Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), addressed the European Parliament on human rights violations in Myanmar on 17 February 2025, reporting that the situation is deteriorating across the country.

The IIMM was created by the United Nations Human Rights Council (OHCHR) in 2018 to collect and analyze evidence of serious international crimes committed in Myanmar since 2011. It prepares case files for use by authorities, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), to prosecute individuals in national, regional and international courts. During his address, Koumjian stated that there are clear indications that fighting is worsening as opposition to military rule grows. As the military junta loses control of border areas, pushed out by ethnic armies across the country, it has increased its use of airpower, resulting in more civilian casualties.

Koumjian reported that the military launched 2,155 airstrikes between June and September 2024, according to a recent report by Airstrikes Report for Myanmar.The UN investigator expressed particular concern about Rakhine State, where intense fighting occurred in 2024. Koumjian noted that many people suffered during this fighting, including remaining Rohingyas. He raised questions about humanitarian access. In November 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Koumjian mentioned that this has put pressure on the military leadership.The IIMM faces significant challenges in its investigation, including the scale of ongoing crimes and lack of access to Myanmar.

Malaysia Reaffirms Commitment to Addressing Myanmar Crisis and Human Trafficking

Malay Mail stated that Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, including tackling human trafficking, to restore peace and safeguard the future of its people. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Myanmar's situation was a key topic at last month's Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Langkawi, with discussions focusing on urging all conflicting parties to cease hostilities immediately.

Mohamad Hasan stated that while Asean upholds the principle of non-interference, the crisis in Myanmar has transcended borders. It has become an international concern involving human trafficking, online scams, cybercrime, and drug-related activities, all of which pose significant challenges to neighbouring countries, including Malaysia. Mohamad, who is also the Rembau MP, added that restoring peace in Myanmar would ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to affected areas. The Foreign Minister expressed hope to see stability restored in Myanmar. It is up to the people of Myanmar to determine their political future, but Asean's primary concern is ending the crisis, he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia continues to work closely with the Thai government to secure the return of 22 Malaysians believed to be victims of human trafficking in Thailand.

Chair of ASEAN Rights Body Shows Support for Myanmar's 'Diaspora Resistance'

Edmund Bon Tai Soon, a Malaysian serving as chairman of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), expressed support and empathy for Myanmar people in Malaysia and urged them to make contact with relevant organizations during Malaysia's tenure as chair of the regional bloc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

Speaking at a forum titled "Free Myanmar Now: Diaspora Resistance and the Fight for Democracy" in Kuala Lumpur on 26 February 2025, he expressed solidarity with Myanmar refugees and migrants in Malaysia, and activists working on their behalf. Bon Tai Soon stated that whatever negativity the Myanmar diaspora is feeling, they are also feeling this negative news.

The AICHR chairman invited the Myanmar diaspora to connect with them throughout the year and connect with their team. He added that they are looking at different platforms, workshops and initiatives to do what they can within the power and influence they have.Tan Sri Othman Hashim, special envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, also attended the forum.

The forum was co-organized by Malaysia's Human Rights Commission SUHAKAM, Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), Amnesty International Malaysia, and the Youth Section of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH Youth).The forum also heard firsthand experiences and perspectives from members of Myanmar's diaspora communities including Kachin, Chin and Rohingya people.

Myanmar Tops Global Rankings for Internet Shutdowns in Record Year

Myanmar was the worst-affected country worldwide for internet shutdowns, with 85 shutdowns last year, according to research by the digital rights group Access Now. In a report released on 24 February 2025, the organization found that authorities worldwide imposed at least 296 shutdowns in 54 countries. Conflict — followed by protests, school or university exams and elections — was the biggest trigger for these disruptions. For the Asia-Pacific region, the report documented 202 shutdowns across 11 countries or territories, marking the highest number ever recorded by Access Now in a single year for the region.

Access Now collects data on shutdowns, which include cables being cut, equipment confiscated, platforms being blocked, and orders to telecommunication companies.Since seizing power in a coup in February 2021, the military junta in Myanmar has regularly blocked access to the internet. At the same time, the junta has jailed dozens of journalists and revoked media licenses. Out of the 85 shutdowns imposed in Myanmar last year, 31 coincided with documented human rights abuses and at least 17 correlated with airstrikes on civilians, the Access Now report found. The record puts the country among the worst for digital rights for the fourth consecutive year, according to the report.

Toe Zaw Latt, a veteran journalist from Myanmar, told VOA it was no surprise that the country tops the list. Zaw Latt explained that Myanmar has one of the worst censorship records on digital platforms. He stated that the military implements these measures so most people, especially young people, cannot access independent information or the internet. The military junta wants only one version of truth - the army's version of truth. Zaw Latt said the junta is trying to prevent independent access of information on the internet. A journalist for decades, Zaw Latt is also secretary of the Independent Press Council Myanmar. He said the internet blocks have seen a rebirth in radio.

Alongside shutdowns, the junta has passed laws to further control the information narrative. On 1 January 2025, a cyber security law was unlawfully enacted in Myanmar, banning the use of Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, that people use to access blocked or censored content. The law penalizes those who share information from banned websites. Experts say it's another attempt from the junta to suppress public information.

Overall, press freedom in East Asia continues to see a decline, according to Reporters without Borders. The global watchdog reports that 26 out of 31 countries in the Asia-Pacific region have seen a decline in press freedoms between 2023 and 2024.

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Date: 28 February 2025

Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York