Summary of News
- President Joe Biden signs law allocating $121 million for Myanmar aid under Burma Act of 2022
- Myanmar delegation engages in bilateral talks at 148th IPU Assembly with Sweden, Canada, and Portugal
- Ministry of Women, Youths and Children Affairs hosts third sewing training session for displaced women
- Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun holds successful town hall meeting with Myanmar community in Tulsa, United States
- Deputy Human Rights Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe affirms Myanmar’s political forces and public’s attitude towards Rohingya won’t regress
- NUG’s Norway Representative U Maung Maung Myint meets with Czechia’s Ambassador to Norway and Iceland to discuss Myanmar’s affairs
- NUG’s representative Dr. Tun Aung Shwe joins rally in Sydney against Myanmar military junta’s forced conscription
- Magway Region PDF offers Military Code of Conduct lectures for comrades within Magway District
- Policeman surrendering to CDF-Hakha awarded 5 million kyat for weapon surrender
- Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF) holds ceremony marking completion of basic military training for new recruits and oath-taking
1. President Joe Biden signs law allocating $121 million for Myanmar aid under Burma Act of 2022
On March 23, President Biden enacted the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which encompasses fiscal year 2024 appropriations for numerous federal departments and agencies. Notably, this law includes a $121 million appropriation for humanitarian assistance and civil society aid for Myanmar under the Burma Act of 2022. This allocation comes after delays in passing appropriations bills for the fiscal year 2024 (which runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024), which resulted from disagreements between the Senate and House committees.
Initially, the Senate appropriations committee recommended $121 million for Myanmar aid, while the House committee proposed only $50 million. However, following extensive efforts by Myanmar diaspora groups in the United States, both chambers ultimately agreed on the $121 million allocation. Subsequently, President Biden signed it into law. The Burma Act of 2022 mandates appropriations for Myanmar until 2027.
The Burma Act of 2022, also known as the “Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022,” was passed in December 2022 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023. Under this act, aid is directed towards those affected by conflict and those involved in the democracy movement. Technical support and non-lethal assistance will be extended to Ethnic Armed organisations (EAOs), People’s Defence Forces (PDFs), and pro-democracy organisations to enhance communication, command and control, and international relief coordination. The Burma Act supports the National Unity Government (NUG), various pro-democracy groups, and the restoration of civilian-led governance in Myanmar.
2. Myanmar delegation engages in bilateral talks at 148th IPU Assembly with Sweden, Canada, and Portugal
The Myanmar parliamentary delegation, led by Dr. Win Myat Aye, is participating in the 148th International Parliamentary Union Assembly and its related meetings in Geneva, Switzerland. The delegation took part in the Governing Council and Assembly sessions, starting on March 24th, and engaged in bilateral discussions with parliamentary delegations from Sweden, Canada, and Portugal. The 148th IPU Assembly and its related meetings are scheduled from March 23rd to 27th, 2024.
According to a press statement from the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Myanmar delegation will participate in the assembly sessions, standing committee meetings, and related events.
3. Ministry of Women, Youths and Children Affairs hosts third sewing training session for displaced women
Union Minister Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe of the Ministry of Women, Youths, and Children Affairs shared images on March 24 from the ongoing sewing training program, announcing the start of the third installment aimed at empowering women and enhancing income generation. She extended her gratitude to all supporters of the initiative.
The Ministry, under the National Unity Government (NUG), has been consistently conducting sewing training for displaced women in Karen State, in partnership with the Lincoln Foundation.
4. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun holds successful town hall meeting with Myanmar community in Tulsa, United States
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, engaged in a productive town hall meeting with the Myanmar community in Tulsa, United States, on March 23. Tulsa Mayor George Theron Bynum was also present at the event.
During the session, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun expressed solidarity, stating, “I am also a participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). We, whether CDM members or others involved in the revolution in different capacities, have all made sacrifices to some extent. Therefore, for us to regain our former positions, the revolution must unquestionably succeed.” He commended students involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and encouraged them not to halt their education, emphasising, “I hold great respect for the students engaging in the CDM and commend their dedication. I urge them not to halt their education, as learning is not confined solely to classrooms but can also occur outside of them.”
During the meeting, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun engaged in an interactive session, responding to inquiries from the Myanmar community concerning the ongoing revolution. Attendees reportedly found his answers satisfactory.
5. Deputy Human Rights Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe affirms Myanmar’s political forces and public’s attitude towards Rohingya won’t regress
During a Facebook livestream in Rohingya language on March 24, Deputy Minister of Human Rights U Aung Kyaw Moe assured the Rohingya community that the attitude of Myanmar’s political forces and the general public towards them would not revert to previous negative states. He highlighted that amidst the current turmoil in Myanmar, not only the Rohingya but the entire population is enduring oppression under the military regime. He highlighted that shared suffering fosters empathy and understanding among all citizens. U Aung Kyaw Moe urged magnanimity and understanding toward those who previously disregarded the Rohingya, suggesting that they be welcomed and comforted in their suffering.
U Aung Kyaw Moe emphasised that, given the shared experience of suffering under the military, there is no reason for the attitudes by the rest of Myanmar people towards the Rohingya to regress or become insincere.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister remarked that the military junta is attempting to obscure its past crimes against the Rohingya by exploiting the current situation, arming some Rohingya individuals, and enabling self-defence.
6. NUG’s Norway Representative U Maung Maung Myint meets with Czechia’s Ambassador to Norway and Iceland to discuss Myanmar’s affairs
Ambassador David Červenka of the Czech Republic to Norway and Iceland extended an invitation to U Maung Maung Myint, Representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Norway, to visit the Czech Embassy in Oslo. On March 22, 2024, a one-hour meeting was held at the embassy, during which U Maung Maung Myint was accompanied by David Sang, the secretary of the NUG Representative in Norway.
During the meeting, Ambassador David Červenka reiterated the Czech Republic’s longstanding support for Myanmar’s democracy, tracing it back to the era of the late Czech President Václav Havel and continuing to the present day, not only in political, diplomatic, but also developmental assistance to social organisations and media. In this regard, the Czech Embassy in Norway expressed its intention to collaborate with the NUG Representative Office and the CRPH Support Group in Norway.
U Maung Maung Myint expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Myanmar and the National Unity Government for the Czech Republic’s steadfast backing of Myanmar’s democratic cause. He underscored the escalating humanitarian needs within Myanmar, driven by crimes and atrocities committed against civilians by the military junta that has been losing ground in frontline battles and its forced conscription law, leading to an increase in displacement. As a result, the NUG and ethnic resistance organisations require international assistance to address these mounting humanitarian challenges.
Emphasising that the ultimate resolution to Myanmar’s plight lies in the eradication of military dictatorship and the establishment of a federal democracy, U Maung Maung Myint urged the international community, including the Czech Republic, to take this matter seriously and collaborate in providing collective aid.
7. NUG’s representative Dr. Tun Aung Shwe joins rally in Sydney against Myanmar military junta’s forced conscription
A rally titled “Save Our Sons and Daughters” took place at Hyde Park Sydney on March 24, with Dr. Tun Aung Shwe, the Representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Australia, participating. The rally aimed to denounce the military junta’s forced conscription in Myanmar and called upon the international community to advocate for justice and human rights in the country.
During his speech at the rally, Dr. Tun Aung Shwe highlighted the military as the primary instigator of conflicts in Myanmar. He asserted that the NUG, CRPH, NUCC, and allied Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) possess a viable solution for achieving sustainable peace in Myanmar. He urged the international community to recognise this as a “Myanmar-led process” and emphasised that negotiation methods such as ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus are ineffective for Myanmar.
8. Magway Region PDF offers Military Code of Conduct lectures for comrades within Magway District
The Magway Region People’s Defence Force (PDF), operating under the No. 1 Military Region, recently conducted lectures on the revised Military Code of Conduct, as amended by the National Unity Government, for the two PDF battalions within Magway District.
Ko Thawka from the No. 1 Military Region (Magway) stated, “There are only two battalions in Magway District. We conducted lectures for the 1st Battalion earlier, and today’s session is for the 2nd Battalion. The District Command Office is endeavouring to ensure full compliance within the 2nd Battalion as well. In Magway District, our aim is to strengthen command structures, minimising flaws and weaknesses compared to other regions.”
The Ministry of Defence under the National Unity Government (NUG) initially introduced the Military Code of Conduct on May 26, 2021, mandating adherence for all members of the defence forces. On March 22, 2024, an updated version of the Military Code of Conduct for People’s Defence Forces was released, incorporating additional requirements and modifications.
9. Policeman surrendering to CDF-Hakha awarded 5 million kyat for weapon surrender
The Chinland Defence Force-Hakha (CDF-Hakha) has revealed that it granted a reward of 5 million kyats to a policeman who surrendered with a firearm. The policeman surrendered on March 24, expressing a refusal to continue serving under the terrorist military regime. CDF-Hakha ensured the safe relocation of the officer to a liberated area.
Additionally, CDF-Hakha announced its willingness to accept members of the junta’s armed forces who choose not to continue serving under the terrorist military regime.
10. Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF) holds ceremony marking completion of basic military training for new recruits and oath-taking
On March 24, Company 3 of the Dawna Column within the People’s Defence Force (PDF), commonly referred to as the Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF), conducted a ceremony to commemorate the successful completion of basic military training for new recruits, alongside an oath-taking ceremony for all YGF members.
During the event, Company Commander Bo Kyan Yit and Deputy Commander Bo Yan Paing delivered speeches, emphasising the importance of readiness for battle amidst the escalating revolutionary war nationwide. They urged everyone to remain resilient in overcoming any challenges they may encounter.
New recruits were assigned their respective roles, and all members, including leadership, pledged unwavering commitment to the fight against the common enemy until its complete eradication, symbolised by the ceremonial drinking of oath water.
#Credit : Radio NUG
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
