Summary of News
- Acting President Duwa Lashi La urges immediate humanitarian relief and protection for all civilians, including Myanmar and other foreign nationals, amid Israel-Hamas conflict
- Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) team visits the National Unity Government’s office in Washington D.C. to discuss Myanmar affairs
- National Unity Government (NUG) holds meeting with Committee Representing Sagaing Region Hluttaw (CRSH)
- Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun calls on the international community to monitor the Junta’s attempts to acquire dual-use items and refrain from providing weapons
- Junta Forces’ indiscriminate artillery shelling injures three residents in Chon Inn village, Bago Region
- Japanese Ministry of Justice recognizes marriage certificate issued by National Unity Government Office in Japan
- Global Action Campaign to urge Singapore to block junta’s access to arms and financial systems
1. Acting President Duwa Lashi La urges immediate humanitarian relief and protection for all civilians, including Myanmar and other foreign nationals, amid Israel-Hamas conflict
Expressing deep distress over the tragic loss of life in Israel and Gaza and the dire humanitarian crisis, Acting President Duwa Lashi La emphasized the imperative for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL). In a Twitter post on October 20, the Acting President urged the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of all civilians, including Myanmar and other foreign nationals.
The ongoing situation between Israel and Gaza is predominantly impacting civilians, and Thai nationals were among those affected.
2. Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) team visits the National Unity Government’s office in Washington D.C. to discuss Myanmar affairs
According to the release of the Washington D.C. office of the National Unity Government, the Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) team, led by Ms. Yanghee Lee and Mr. Chris Sidoti, visited the office on October 19, 2023. The SAC-M team was welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister U Moe Zaw Oo and Deputy Human Rights Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe.
The discussions during the meeting involved various UN-related actions, decisions, and organizational matters. Additionally, they explored bilateral collaborations, specifically focusing on efforts to mobilize the international community, including the United Nations.
3. National Unity Government (NUG) holds meeting with Committee Representing Sagaing Region Hluttaw (CRSH)
On October 19, a virtual meeting was held between the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Committee Representing Sagaing Region Hluttaw (CRSH) through video conferencing.
Representing the NUG, Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Secretaries from various ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Investment, the Ministry of Federal Union Affairs, the Ministry of Women, Youths, and Children’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Labour, actively participated in the meeting. Officials from the President’s Office and the Union Prime Minister’s Office were also present.
On the side of CRSH, the chairman, secretaries, officials from affairs committees, and regional representatives attended the meeting. Additionally, leaders of regional strike organizations were present to contribute to the discussions.
The meeting’s discussions primarily centered on the progress made across six key sectors, identified as the primary fronts in the ongoing revolution aimed at overthrowing the military dictatorship and establishing a new federal democratic union, which is a shared goal among all ethnic groups.
4. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun calls on the international community to monitor the Junta’s attempts to acquire dual-use items and refrain from providing weapons
Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, calls on the international community to closely monitor the junta’s attempts to acquire dual-use items and refrain from supplying any weapons to the inhumane military junta, emphasizing the need to safeguard the lives of innocent people. This call was made during the address to the thematic discussion on Other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on October 19, 2023.
The Ambassador highlighted that, considering their historical track record and the ongoing brutalities, including barbaric murders against the people of Myanmar, it is imperative for the global community to realize that the military is fully capable of posing any significant threat to the people.
Furthermore, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized that while norms against the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) are robust, the significant challenge remains to prevent WMDs from falling into the hands of terrorists and rogue actors who pursue them not for deterrence but to unleash pure terror.
5. Junta Forces’ indiscriminate artillery shelling injures three residents in Chon Inn village, Bago Region
According to a report by the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), on October 16, 2023, the Light Infantry Battalion No. 20 (LIB #20) stationed in Pa Zun Myaung village and the Infantry Battalion No. 264 (IB #264) based in Pein Za Loke fired a total of six artillery shells indiscriminately into surrounding villages between 9:16 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. Some of these shells fell and exploded in Chon Inn village, located in the Gway Kone village tract of Shwekyin (Karen’s Hsaw Htee) Township, Nyaunglebin (Karen’s Kler Lwee Htoo) District, eastern Bago Region. The incident resulted in the injury of three residents—a man and two women in their 40s—as well as the death of three cows and the destruction of two houses in Chon Inn village. Additionally, two shells landed in a villager’s field, causing damage to some paddy crops.
6. Japanese Ministry of Justice recognizes marriage certificate issued by National Unity Government Office in Japan
In October, a Myanmar citizen facing challenges in renewing his passport shared his marriage registration experience in Japan. He recounted, “My wife and I have long-expired passports. With my wife expecting a baby, we visited the ward office to legalize our marriage. The ward office requested Certificates of Single Status and Marriage Certificates registered at the Embassy. When we explained our refusal to recognize the military junta as our government and the potential danger our families in Myanmar may face if we contact them [junta-controlled embassy], the ward office found an alternative solution. They told us that they would document our stance in Japanese and submit it to the Ministry of Justice. After 3 months, the Ministry of Justice contacted and questioned us. A week later, the ward office informed us that we were officially recognized as a legal husband and wife. The key point I wish to convey is that the Ministry of Justice acknowledges the marriage certificate issued by the NUG Japan representative office.”
He further stated that since the NUG Japan office was officially recognized by the Japanese government, there was no need for certificates of single status and a certificate from the Myanmar embassy under the junta control.
Currently, the National Unity Government has established representative offices in South Korea, Japan, Australia, the Czech Republic, France, and the UK. Additionally, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an office in the USA, located in Washington, D.C.
7. Global Action Campaign to urge Singapore to block junta’s access to arms and financial systems
A global action campaign to urge Singapore to stop the transfer of military arms, dual-use items, technology, and jet fuel and to block the junta’s access to Singapore’s financial systems will be staged from October 25 to 31, both online and on-ground synchronously. The Blood Money Campaign emphasized that if Singapore took these measures, it would significantly support the Myanmar Spring Revolution and contribute to the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. Additionally, it would help mitigate damage and prevent further loss of life among the people of Myanmar.
The Blood Money Campaign encourages all revolutionaries to actively participate in the campaign, whether online or on-ground, to the best of their abilities.
Myanmar activists in Singapore have reported that the Myanmar embassy in Singapore, under the control of the junta, has been canceling passports without prior contact or inquiries. The activists suspect that this cancellation of passports without inquiry may be linked to the ongoing revolution in Myanmar.
In light of this, Myanmar activists are advising Myanmar passport holders in Singapore to exercise caution when traveling abroad. If travel is necessary, they recommend making adequate preparations beforehand to mitigate any potential issues.
#Credit : Radio NUG
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
