Summary of News
- Union Minister for Women, Youths, and Children Affairs participates in “Regional Exchange on Women’s Political Participation in Post-Coup Myanmar”
- Human Rights Minister affirms accountability for violence against women among comrades carrying out defence, administrative and security duties
- Ethnic Resistance Organisations’ leaders engage with Counsellor of US Department of State on humanitarian aid
- Myanmar rights groups call on ASEAN to exclude military junta representatives from upcoming finance leaders’ meetings in Laos
- KIA takes control of Lwegel town on Myanmar-Chinese border
- Military junta launches aerial bombardment on Myawaddy economic zone and vicinity, damaging residential areas
- Clashes between Arakan Army and military junta forces in Ngape township of Magway Region result in deaths of 10 junta troops
- Joint revolutionary forces attack military junta convoy in Pakokku, resulting in vehicle damage and 11 junta troops dead
1. Union Minister for Women, Youths, and Children Affairs participates in “Regional Exchange on Women’s Political Participation in Post-Coup Myanmar”
Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, the Union Minister for Women, Youths, and Children Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG), participated in a webinar titled “Regional Exchange on Women’s Political Participation in Post-Coup Myanmar” on March 28, 2024. She took to social media to share her engagement, stating, “I shared the activities of the ministry during the regional exchange seminar, which involved women parliamentarians from Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia and was arranged by the Myanmar Women Parliamentarians Network.”
The two-hour webinar, hosted by the Myanmar Women Parliamentarians Network (MWPN) with support from International IDEA, featured moderated panel discussions involving experienced legislators from various legislatures. The aim was to foster discussions and learning on advancing women’s political participation in Myanmar’s ongoing democratic struggles, exploring challenges and opportunities, forging alliances, and identifying best practices from the Southeast Asia region.
Alongside Union Minister Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, other panellists included Janelle Anne Saffin, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly; Eva Kusuma Sandari, a board member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights; Dr. Khin Soe Soe Kyi, a member of the Lower House Union Parliament Myanmar; Myat Thida Tun, a member of the Upper House Union Parliament Myanmar; Phanida Mongkolsawat, a member of Parliament from Thailand; and Aye Mya Mya Myo, a member of the Yangon Regional Parliament.
2. Human Rights Minister affirms accountability for violence against women among comrades carrying out defence, administrative and security duties
In a video addressing gender-based violence, Human Rights Minister U Aung Myo Min emphasised the National Unity Government’s commitment to addressing violence against women, including cases involving individuals serving in defence, administrative, and security roles in the revolution.
The Minister highlighted the existence of complaint mechanisms for reporting such incidents, regardless of whether the perpetrators belong to the military junta or to the democratic forces responsible for defence, administration, and security duties. He underscored that actions are taken against perpetrators under military laws, disciplinary regulations established by the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant laws. Minister U Aung Myo Min acknowledged receiving reports of violence against women involving members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in addition to those from the military junta. He affirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring justice in such cases, regardless of the perpetrators’ affiliations.
3. Ethnic Resistance Organisations’ leaders engage with Counsellor of US Department of State on humanitarian aid
On March 28 (US time), Mr. Derek Chollet, counsellor at the US Department of State, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had held talks with leaders of the K3C alliance, comprising the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF). Counsellor Mr. Chollet stated, “[I] met today with leaders of Burma’s ‘K3C’ ethnic group alliance on their extraordinary efforts to pursue a federal democracy in Burma. We discussed steps for the international community to expand assistance to those in need and secure a better future for the people of Burma.”
Mr. Chollet has also engaged with leaders from the National Unity Government, including a recent meeting with Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung at the Department of State Office in early February.
4. Myanmar rights groups call on ASEAN to exclude military junta representatives from upcoming finance leaders’ meetings in Laos
Myanmar-based rights groups, including Defend Myanmar Democracy, Blood Money Campaign, and Global Myanmar Spring Revolution, penned an open letter to ASEAN member states on March 28, urging them to bar representatives of the military junta from attending the upcoming ASEAN finance leaders’ meetings scheduled to take place in Laos from April 2 to 5.
According to the groups, the military junta had been invited to participate in various meetings, including the 11th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (11th AFMGM), ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM), ASEAN Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (ACGM), ASEAN Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM), ASEAN plus three Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM+3), AFCDM-US Treasury, and AFCDM-Australian Treasury that will be held back-to-back. These meetings will host finance leaders from ASEAN, the United States, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
In the letter, it was emphasised that the illegitimate Myanmar military regime, which forcibly took control of government institutions including the finance ministry and central bank, lacks the authority to represent the people of Myanmar in ASEAN engagements. Instead, the letter advocated for the National Unity Government (NUG), democratically elected by the people, to represent Myanmar in all international forums, including ASEAN meetings.
the responsible personnel to allow the NUG to attend the ASEAN’s meeting of Finance and Central Banks in Laos and to ban the military junta from attending.
5. KIA takes control of Lwegel town on Myanmar-Chinese border
Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allied forces seized control of the Chinese-Myanmar trade centre town of Lwegel in Kachin State on March 29, following an attack on seven military junta bases along the Bhamo-Lwegel road on March 27 and 28. Reports suggest that military junta troops attempted to escape to the Chinese side but were hindered by the closure of the border bridge from the Chinese side.
Moreover, following the takeover of the Yaw Yung Bum strategic outpost by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allied forces, Chinese authorities began lining the border fences with red cloth along the Chinese-Myanmar border near Mai Ja Yang and Lwegel on the evening of March 28, as reported in a video by The Kachin Sub-State Media.
According to local sources, government employees serving under the military junta have been given one day to vacate Lwegel town by the KIA. Almost all military junta bases along the Bhamo-Lwegel road have been captured by the KIA and allied forces, with only the Sinlum Bum strategic outpost remaining.
The ongoing Kachin Operation, initiated by the KIA, KPDF, and other allies on March 7, has resulted in the capture of over 60 military junta bases, including strategic locations and battalion headquarters, within a duration of three weeks.
6. Military junta launches aerial bombardment on Myawaddy economic zone and vicinity, damaging residential areas
Local residents have reported that on March 28, around 11:00 a.m., the military junta carried out aerial bombardments targeting the Myawaddy economic zone situated on the Myanmar-Thailand border in Karen State, as well as the surrounding areas, including Khwe Shan village. This attack resulted in the destruction of residential buildings.
Furthermore, between 8:00 p.m. on March 26 and 5:00 a.m. on March 27, the military junta conducted at least 25 unprovoked aerial strikes near Lat Khat Taung mountain near Myawaddy town.
The sound of these airstrikes was audible from Mae Sot on the Thai side of the border, prompting the Thai military to conduct patrols along the border using fighter jets and helicopters.
7. Clashes between Arakan Army and military junta forces in Ngape township of Magway Region result in deaths of 10 junta troops
In a recent statement, the Arakan Army (AA), part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, reported engagements with military junta forces in Ngape township, Magway Region, from March 26 to 28.
According to the statement, a clash occurred on March 26 around 11:00 a.m. when AA forces encountered approximately 40 military junta troops northeast of Tone Gyi village in Ngape township. The clash, lasting 30 minutes, reportedly led to the deaths of four junta soldiers and injuries to around eight others.
On March 28, in the morning, AA forces engaged in a brief clash with around 50 junta troops south of Chaung Phya village. During this encounter, six junta soldiers were reportedly killed, and about ten others sustained injuries, with some weapons and ammunition seized by the AA.
Additionally, the AA provided updates on the situation in Rakhine State, noting the capture of another military junta outpost, Taung Bazar, in Buthidaung township. Ongoing clashes between the AA and junta forces persist in Buthidaung, Ann, and Myebon townships, with intensified efforts by the AA to seize the border guard outpost in Kyein Chaung village, Maungdaw township.
8. Joint revolutionary forces attack military junta convoy in Pakokku, resulting in vehicle damage and 11 junta troops dead
Revolutionary forces from Myaing Township, including the Myaing Township People’s Defence Team alongside Black Cobra, PKU Thurain, and Dar Min Gyi (DMG), orchestrated an attack on a military convoy transporting approximately 70 troops from the 101st Infantry Division based in Pakokku, Magway Region.
Using strategically placed landmines, the ambush took place on the evening of March 28, targeting the convoy. The Myaing Township People’s Defence Team reported that one vehicle was hit, resulting in the deaths of 11 junta troops and severe injuries to 19 others.
The Myaing Township People’s Defence Team issued a warning to the military personnel, urging them to surrender to nearby revolutionary forces and stand on the side of the public. Those who refuse to comply are cautioned that they will face the consequences.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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