1. The Ministry of Human Rights urges the UN not to accept the military council’s attempts for legitimacy
The Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement.
The Union Minister for the Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government, U Aung Myo Min, gave a briefing to international diplomats and embassy officials at the UN building, Palais de nations on March 8th on Myanmar’s human rights situation and international demands.
In the briefing, the Union Minister discussed Myanmar’s human rights challenges, territory control conditions, the advancement of ethnic organizations and democratic Alliances, civil administration, and law enforcement procedures.
He also requested 5 points for the international community and 3 points for the Council as follows:
Firstly, the International Community
1. Block the flow of arms, munitions, cash and jet fuel to the junta through global coordinated sanctions. Starve the junta of its capacity to murder civilians.
2. Recognise and directly engage with the NUG and its ethnic partners, and provide us with increased financial, technical, material and humanitarian assistance – including through cross-border channels.
3. Push for resumed Security Council action on Myanmar. It has been 15 months since the adoption of resolution 2669 on Myanmar. The junta has ignored every one of its demands.
4. Reject any attempts by the junta to launch a negotiated settlement as a lifeline. Now is when the cycle of Myanmar dictatorships ends. The armed forces must be made permanently subordinate to a democratic civilian government.
5. Put constructive pressure on the UN. The UN Special Envoy post has been vacant since last June and the role of Resident Coordinator in Myanmar is back to rotating between UN agency heads. This lack of structure and hierarchy risks competing priorities, and shows a dangerous lack of vision.
He also advised 3 steps the HRC to take in its HRC55;
1. Be creative in exploring accountability options. This could include requesting OHCHR to prepare a report on accountability options for Myanmar, like it has been asked to do on Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. This would build on OHCHR’s comprehensive documentation of violations and abuses, and help put the IIMM’s case files to use.
2. Request the Secretary-General to prepare an updated report on what the UNCT in Myanmar is doing to implement the Rosenthal report’s recommendations and to strengthen the UN’s prevention capacity.
3. Strengthen your references to the National Unity Government and its ethnic partners, and strengthen your condemnation of the military junta’s atrocities. Make it absolutely clear that, in the eyes of this Council, the junta has no legitimacy, no authority, and no future.
The Union Minister, as well as NUG representative for France Nan Su Mon Aung and advisor to the Ministry of Human Rights U Jaivet Ealom, attended the occasion. Luxembourg and International IDEA coordinated the event.
2. Professor Sean Turnell calls for the international community to weaken the military’s capabilities
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Australian economist Professor Sean Turnell called for the international community to weaken the military’s capabilities.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s economic adviser during the National League for Democracy, Professor Sean Turnell was arrested by the military council and imprisoned for almost 2 years. Since his release, he has recently published a book about his experience in prison, titled An Likely Prisoner.
“There are some of my Burmese friends who couldn’t share their stories while in prison. I am determined to shed light on their plight and the injustices they face. Some of them are still in prison. Some of them have been released but have no chance to talk about Burma. This book is a reflection of my own encounters with the struggles of the Burmese people in the wake of the military coup, driven by a deep-seated urge to bring attention to their stories,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Myanmar, the professor revealed that he is working on a book titled Best Laid Plans. The purpose of the book is to document the events that occurred during the NLD government, which the military is attempting to conceal, and to ensure its worthiness for future generations in Myanmar after the military has faded from the political scene.
3. Western countries recognize the bravery of women of Myanmar
Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Yangon from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States of America as well as the Deputy Head of Mission of the United Kingdom jointly issued a statement on International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.
“On International Women’s Day, we recognize the bravery of the women of Myanmar, who had an important role in protesting against the February 2021 military coup. These women continue to lead efforts to establish an inclusive democracy in Myanmar, while also supporting and caring for their families. Through their actions every day, they demonstrate to all of us the importance of striving for an inclusive, peaceful, and democratic future,” it stated.
The Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) announced that 3,332 women were arrested, 781 were convicted, and 806 were killed since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, until February 28, 2024.
4. Discussions on sexual knowledge and gender-based violence were held
In celebration of International Women’s Day, in a refugee camp in Salingyi Township, members of the Anyar Pyit Taing Htaung Lay Myar Group and Women Alliance Burma (WAB) held a discussion on sexual awareness and gender-based violence.
It is learned that the women who attended the meeting were given monthly sanitary pads and sex education pamphlets.
5. Military council closes Myitkyina airport, cancels all flights
In Kachin State, while the allied forces led by the KIA launched an offensive against military council camps, the airport in Myitkyina city was closed on the afternoon of March 9, and all flights were cancelled, according to local sources.
Since March 7, KIA-led coalition forces have been attacking military councils and militia camps along the Myitkyina – Bhamo road, and have seized at least 10 large and small military camps so far.
These days, in Kachin State, along the Waingmaw-Laiza road and in Bhamo Township, there are clashes between the Kachin Independence Army and the military council troops. Local Kachin residents also said that the Military Council’s Artillery Unit in Myitkyina Township is firing heavy weapons at the battle areas on the side of Aung Myay 2 Village in Waingmaw Township.
In Kachin State, joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army KIA, Arakan Army AA and PDF have been attacking military council camps since March 7.
On March 7, a joint force of KIA, AA, and PDF attacked Bhamo Airport, which was being used as a support route by the Military Council. Due to the damage to the runway, Bhamo Airport has been closed indefinitely by the Military Council since March 8.
6. The military council destroyed the 8888 Uprising monument in Kanthayar Park
Residents stated that the military council soldiers destroyed the 8888 Uprising monument in Kanthayar Park, North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region.
At 11:00 p.m. on March 8, soldiers and police under the military council came and destroyed it. A resident of the North Okkalapa said that because martial law had been declared, it was deleted at night when there were no pedestrians.
On the morning of March 9, the area was cordoned off with a green fence and designated as a no-entry area, and police under the military council were guarding, the local said.
As a result of this destruction, the monument was completely destroyed, and only a few bricks remained at the bottom, the North Okkalapa Township Students’ Union announced.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 8888 Uprising, during the NLD government, a memorial monument was erected in Kanthayar Park in August 2018, and it was also a place where 8888 anniversary celebrations were held.
After the 2021 military coup, when the public protests were strong, anti-military demonstrations were held at this place, and it was also the place where the formation of the North Okkalapa Township People’s Administration Organization was first announced.
7. LIB-355 and police station in Thin Gan Nyi Naung were captured by the joint revolutionary forces
KIC – Karen Information Center reported that the military council’s Light Infantry Battalion – 355 and Police Station in Thin Gan Nyi Naung, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, were captured by the revolutionary forces.
On March 7, the KNU and joint forces launched an offensive against the military council’s Light Infantry Battalion – 355, and on March 9, they were able to capture both the LIB-355 and the police station in Thin Gan Nyi Naung.
After the military council’s battalion and the police station were captured, joint revolutionary forces continued to launch an offensive to the strategic hill in Thin Gan Nyi Naung and were resisted by the military council’s LIB-355, LIB-356, and LIB-357, using heavy weapons and aerial support.
“Today, 2 helicopters from Hpa-An came to reinforce the strategic hill twice. Now the retreated junta troops from LIB-355 and LIB-356 are resisting together at the strategic hill. Since the junta troops from LIB-357 are continuously being attacked in Pawlar Village and Thanpara Village, the junta aircraft are firing and dropping bombs. They are burning the local neighborhoods around the strategic hill so that revolutionary forces can’t get close to the strategic hill, turning the area into a killing field,” a source close to the military said.
During the battle to capture the camp, more than 100 heavy weapons and small arms were seized, and the buildings in the battalion were damaged due to the military council’s aerial bombardment, according to a revolutionary soldier.
During the three-day battle in Thin Gan Nyi Naung, aerial and heavy weaponry attacks damaged more than 30 local houses and village roads, 4 civilians were killed, and 10 were injured, according to relief workers.
Last March 8, at around 11:00 a.m., the military council bombed an elderly care center in Ywar Thit Village of Thin Gan Nyi Naung, killing 2 grandfathers and injuring 8 others.
8. KIA captured the military council camp of the Hkaya Mountain, which could threaten the headquarters of Laiza
KIA/KIA Information Officer Colonel Nawbu confirmed that the KIA has attacked and captured the Hkaya Mountain military council camp, which has been lost for a decade in Kachin State and could threaten the Laiza headquarters full-time.
It is said that the Kachin Independence Army -KIA captured the militarily-important Hkaya Mountain camp hill at around 2 p.m. on March 9, the 3rd day of the offensive.
Hkaya Mountain Camp is a military camp that has been causing trouble at Laiza headquarters all the time and is firing heavy weapons at Laiza. It was the camp that the KIA had to give up at around 2003. Hkaya Mountain is located near the Laiza headquarters and is a camp hill opposite Alyan Mountain. Whenever there is a battle between the KIA and the military council troops, the camp often fires heavy weapons to threaten Laiza, according to the Myitkyina news journal, which reports local news.
In addition, Hkaya Mountain Camp was the camp that caused more than 20 KIA cadets to be killed more than 9 years ago, by firing heavy weapons.
On November 19, 2014, the captured Hkaya Mountain military camp opened fire on the cadet training school in Wai Kyaig Bum, near the KIA headquarters, Laiza. According to the records, 23 cadets from ethnic forces such as Arakan Army AA, Ta’ang Army – TNLA, and Chin National Army – CNF/CAN were killed in the attack.
According to military sources, within 3 days of the offensive, Operation 0307 by joint revolutionary alliance forces led by the KIA started on March 7, when about 20 large and small military council camps were seized.
9. In Sagaing, 4 policemen were killed in an attack on the police force who were guarding for the security of the Deputy Minister of Industry
According to Sagaing PaKaFa, police who were providing security for the Deputy Minister of Industry in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Division, were attacked, killing 4 policemen and seizing weapons and ammunition.
On March 9 at 7:50 a.m., joint revolutionary forces ambushed 4 policemen from Ywar Thit Gyi Village police station in Sagaing Township on the Sagaing – Monywa – Shwebo road, and conducted a close-range combat. As a result of the attack, all 4 policemen were killed and 4 guns were seized.
The attack was reportedly carried out by the Sagaing Township People’s Defense Force (PaKaFa) and Taw Twin Tup Pee Local PDF.
10. Drone bombardment of the Infantry Battalion 285 and 2 military council camps in Palaw Township
According to the Palaw Regional Defense Force – PRDF, they bombarded the Infantry Battalion 285 and 2 military council camps in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Division, with drones.
During the two days of March 7 and 8, a total of 6 bombs were dropped by the revolutionary comrades at the military council’s One Mile Mountain Camp, Palaw Hill Camp, and Infantry Battalion 285.
After the attack, there seem to be casualties since ambulances were seen entering the military council battalion, and the details are still under investigation, according to the Palaw Regional Defense Force News and Information Officer.
The Palaw Regional Defense Force will continue to fight until the military dictatorship is eradicated and has informed the public to be wary and follow the announcements made by the regional defense forces as the fighting may become more intense.
11. The military council attacked Hsihseng Town with more than 100 heavy weapons, and a chemical bomb with drones
The Pa’O National Liberation Army – PNLA announced that the terrorist military council used heavy weapons and drones to attack Hsihseng Town in southern Shan State more than 100 times and dropped a chemical bomb.
On March 8, the military council attacked with more than 100 heavy weapons dropped by drones at Hsihseng Town in Pa’O region. In the bombing, the military council also dropped a chemical gas bomb with a drone at Hsihseng Town. It is said that about 10 public houses in Hsihseng Town were damaged due to the military council’s bombing attack, and some PNLA troops were poisoned by the chemical gas bomb.
The poisoned comrades experienced the same symptoms, such as nosebleeds, skin irritation, dizziness, rapid breathing, malaise, agitation, fatigue, and reduced oxygen saturation. Currently, poisoned civilians and comrades who have been exposed to chemical fumes are still receiving medical treatment.
The PNLA stated that the military council had also attacked Hsihseng Town with chemical bombs on March 6, so it was the second time in a few days that they had used chemical bombs to attack Hsihseng Town.
In addition, the PNLA announced that the terrorist military council also bombed the village of Kyauk Ka Char Village in the Me Nei Taung area of Hopong Township twice with jet fighters on March 8, killing local U Khun Tun and damaging at least 6 houses.
Since the PNLA captured Hsihseng Town at the end of January, the military council has been carrying out continuous attacks using air, heavy artillery, and drones on the Pa’O area, including Hsihseng.
12. A policeman from Kale defected to CDF-KKG along with weapons and ammunition
According to Chinland Defense Force – Kalay Kabaw Gangaw – CDF KKG, a policeman from Kale Town, Sagaing Division, defected to CDF-KKG along with weapons and ammunition to participate in CDM.
On March 9, a policeman from Kale Town defected to CDF-KKG with 1 G3 type gun, 5 magazines, 330 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade.
CDF-KKG has informed that a policeman under the military council who defected with weapons and ammunition was awarded a reward of 5 million kyat and was transported to a liberated area.
- The Ministry of Human Rights urges the UN not to accept the military council’s attempts for legitimacy
- Professor Sean Turnell calls for the international community to weaken the military’s capabilities
- Western countries recognize the bravery of women of Myanmar
- Discussions on sexual knowledge and gender-based violence were held
- Military council closes Myitkyina airport, cancels all flights
- The military council destroyed the 8888 Uprising monument in Kanthayar Park
- LIB-355 and police station in Thin Gan Nyi Naung were captured by the joint revolutionary forces
- KIA captured the military council camp of the Hkaya Mountain, which could threaten the headquarters of Laiza
- In Sagaing, 4 policemen were killed in an attack on the police force who were guarding for the security of the Deputy Minister of Industry
- Drone bombardment of the Infantry Battalion 285 and 2 military council camps in Palaw Township
- The military council attacked Hsihseng Town with more than 100 heavy weapons, and a chemical bomb with drones
- A policeman from Kale defected to CDF-KKG along with weapons and ammunition
