About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

The UN team in Myanmar remains deeply concerned over the recent escalation in fighting in the northwest between the Myanmar Military and the local Popular Defence Forces in Chin State, as well as Magway and Sagaing regions, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at the daily press briefing Monday.

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She said this has led to more people being displaced and the property being destroyed, nine months after the military seized control over the Government of Myanmar on February 1. There have also been worrying reports in recent days of the shelling and burning of more than 160 houses of civilians in the town of Thantlang in western Chin.

Our humanitarian colleagues say that some 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in the country's northwest. Many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India,&nbsp;Nino said adding that this is in addition to more than 7,000 people who remain displaced from the previous fighting since December 2019.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/information-combat-inside-the-fight-for-myanmars-soul-the-armys-parallel-fight-online-426151">&nbsp;'Information combat': Inside the fight for Myanmar's soul. The army's parallel fight online</a>

The UN team repeats its calls for parties to the conflict to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarians, and reiterates that aid workers and their properties should never be a target, she said.&nbsp;

About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The UN team in Myanmar remains deeply concerned over the recent escalation in fighting in the northwest between the Myanmar Military and the local Popular Defence Forces in Chin State, as well as Magway and Sagaing regions, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at the daily press briefing Monday. Also Read | Three Chinese hostages in Mali rescued after escape She said this has led to more people being displaced and the property being destroyed, nine months after the military seized control over the Government of Myanmar on February 1. There have also been worrying reports in recent days of the shelling and burning of more than 160 houses of civilians in the town of Thantlang in western Chin. Our humanitarian colleagues say that some 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in the country's northwest. Many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, Nino said adding that this is in addition to more than 7,000 people who remain displaced from the previous fighting since December 2019. Also Read | 'Information combat': Inside the fight for Myanmar's soul. The army's parallel fight online The UN team repeats its calls for parties to the conflict to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarians, and reiterates that aid workers and their properties should never be a target, she said.

About 37,000 people displaced in Myanmar's northwest, many have fled into India

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media.

Family members have said that some of their loved ones were re-arrested "right at the entrance of the prison," while others were taken back within hours of returning home, reported Radio Free Asia [RFA].

Citing sources, the publication said, the detainees are now being held in police custody under Myanmar's anti-terrorism law.

"We are devastated - our mother is 84 and her health is deteriorating," RFA quoted a family member of Lay Lay Naing as saying, on condition of anonymity.

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Naing was arrested on May 21 and sentenced to three years in prison for charges of spreading "false news [or] agitates directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee," "We went to meet her at the prison, hoping that the whole family would be reunited and happy.

We saw her from a distance, and she was taken away. We were not allowed to say anything," the family member added.

According to the publication, the junta on Monday had released 1,316 prisoners from various facilities throughout the country as well as 4,320 detainees who faced ongoing cases for anti-junta activities, including well-known politicians, celebrities, film actors and journalists.

But the re-arrest suggests that the amnesty was only a bid by the junta to appease the international community amid criticism of its rule, observers told RFA.

Earlier in June also, the junta had announced a general amnesty and freed nearly 200 detainees from detention across the country. On February 1, the military seized power in Myanmar, imprisoning the nation's de facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi and then President Win Myint and prompting mass protests demanding a return to civilian rule.

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media.

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media. Family members have said that some of their loved ones were re-arrested "right at the entrance of the prison," while others were taken back within hours of returning home, reported Radio Free Asia [RFA]. Citing sources, the publication said, the detainees are now being held in police custody under Myanmar's anti-terrorism law. "We are devastated - our mother is 84 and her health is deteriorating," RFA quoted a family member of Lay Lay Naing as saying, on condition of anonymity. Also Read | UN alarmed by Myanmar military moves Naing was arrested on May 21 and sentenced to three years in prison for charges of spreading "false news [or] agitates directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee," "We went to meet her at the prison, hoping that the whole family would be reunited and happy. We saw her from a distance, and she was taken away. We were not allowed to say anything," the family member added. According to the publication, the junta on Monday had released 1,316 prisoners from various facilities throughout the country as well as 4,320 detainees who faced ongoing cases for anti-junta activities, including well-known politicians, celebrities, film actors and journalists. But the re-arrest suggests that the amnesty was only a bid by the junta to appease the international community amid criticism of its rule, observers told RFA. Earlier in June also, the junta had announced a general amnesty and freed nearly 200 detainees from detention across the country. On February 1, the military seized power in Myanmar, imprisoning the nation's de facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi and then President Win Myint and prompting mass protests demanding a return to civilian rule.

Myanmar authorities re-arrest over 100 political prisoners after amnesty

The head lawyer representing Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday authorities in the military-ruled country had imposed a gag order on him because they said his communications could cause instability.

Myanmar's state media has not reported developments in Suu Kyi's multiple legal cases, filed after she was ousted in a February coup, and her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, has been the only source of public information on her trial and her wellbeing.

He said in a Facebook post he had been barred from speaking to media, diplomats, international organisations and foreign governments and later posted details of the order.

"Khin Maung Zaw's communications may cause harassment, hurting a person who is acting in accordance with the law, may cause riots and destabilise the public peace," the order said.

"Some local and foreign media outlets, illegal media outlets and the media are inciting fake information that could destabilise the country."

A spokesman for the ruling military did not answer calls seeking comment.

Suu Kyi has been held in an undisclosed location since the February&nbsp;1 coup with no means of communicating with the outside world other than through her lawyers, who she meets only in court.

She is charged with a litany of offences, including breaking coronavirus protocols, illegally importing and possessing two-way radios, incitement to cause public alarm and violating the Official Secrets Act.

In his most recent correspondence with media, Khin Maung Zaw on Tuesday provided by text message a summary of the testimony of Suu Kyi's co-defendant, ousted President Win Myint, who told the court the military had told him to resign hours before the coup, warning he would otherwise be harmed. He said he refused.

The lawyer said Suu Kyi had asked him to make public Win Myint's testimony, his first account on what took place before the coup.

Suu Kyi led a civilian government after her party swept a 2015 election called after the military stepped back from half a century of direct rule.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun, in written remarks on Wednesday, said Suu Kyi's case was being handled fairly by a judiciary that was independent.

The February coup ended a decade of tentative steps towards democracy and economic growth after decades of authoritarian rule and economic stagnation.

The head lawyer representing Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday authorities in the military-ruled country had imposed a gag order on him because they said his communications could cause instability.

The head lawyer representing Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday authorities in the military-ruled country had imposed a gag order on him because they said his communications could cause instability. Myanmar's state media has not reported developments in Suu Kyi's multiple legal cases, filed after she was ousted in a February coup, and her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, has been the only source of public information on her trial and her wellbeing. He said in a Facebook post he had been barred from speaking to media, diplomats, international organisations and foreign governments and later posted details of the order. "Khin Maung Zaw's communications may cause harassment, hurting a person who is acting in accordance with the law, may cause riots and destabilise the public peace," the order said. "Some local and foreign media outlets, illegal media outlets and the media are inciting fake information that could destabilise the country." A spokesman for the ruling military did not answer calls seeking comment. Suu Kyi has been held in an undisclosed location since the February 1 coup with no means of communicating with the outside world other than through her lawyers, who she meets only in court. She is charged with a litany of offences, including breaking coronavirus protocols, illegally importing and possessing two-way radios, incitement to cause public alarm and violating the Official Secrets Act. In his most recent correspondence with media, Khin Maung Zaw on Tuesday provided by text message a summary of the testimony of Suu Kyi's co-defendant, ousted President Win Myint, who told the court the military had told him to resign hours before the coup, warning he would otherwise be harmed. He said he refused. The lawyer said Suu Kyi had asked him to make public Win Myint's testimony, his first account on what took place before the coup. Suu Kyi led a civilian government after her party swept a 2015 election called after the military stepped back from half a century of direct rule. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun, in written remarks on Wednesday, said Suu Kyi's case was being handled fairly by a judiciary that was independent. The February coup ended a decade of tentative steps towards democracy and economic growth after decades of authoritarian rule and economic stagnation.

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order

Ashin Wirathu, a nationalist Buddhist monk notorious for his anti-Muslim tirades, has been released by Myanmar’s military.

The development comes after all charges, including sedition, levied against him by Aung San Suu Kyi’s deposed government were dropped, a military statement said on Monday. &nbsp;

For his role in stirring up religious hatred in Myanmar, the monk was once dubbed by Time magazine as the “The Face of Buddhist Terror”. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Myanmar's shadow government calls for revolt against military coup

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Without providing details, it added, he was “receiving treatment at a military hospital”. &nbsp;

The monk, who belongs to Mandalay, became involved in the anti-Muslim 969 group in 2001. He was first jailed in 2003. &nbsp;

Wirathu was released in 2010. Two years later, he rose to prominence after rioting broke out between Buddhists and ethnic minority Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine. &nbsp;

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The 53-year-old monk has founded a nationalist organisation, which was accused of inciting violence against Muslims and was also successful in lobbying for laws making interfaith marriages difficult. &nbsp;

For his tirades, Myanmar’s highest Buddhist authority banned him from preaching for one year in 2017. In 2018, Facebook shut down his account. &nbsp;

Last year, the monk was jailed after turning himself in to authorities over May 2019 charges of attempting to bring “hatred or contempt” and of “exciting disaffection” towards Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.&nbsp;

Ashin Wirathu, a nationalist Buddhist monk notorious for his anti-Muslim tirades, has been released by Myanmar’s military. The development comes after all charges, including sedition, levied against him by Aung San Suu Kyi’s deposed government were dropped, a military statement said on Monday.

Ashin Wirathu, a nationalist Buddhist monk notorious for his anti-Muslim tirades, has been released by Myanmar’s military. The development comes after all charges, including sedition, levied against him by Aung San Suu Kyi’s deposed government were dropped, a military statement said on Monday. For his role in stirring up religious hatred in Myanmar, the monk was once dubbed by Time magazine as the “The Face of Buddhist Terror”. Watch: Myanmar's shadow government calls for revolt against military coup × Without providing details, it added, he was “receiving treatment at a military hospital”. The monk, who belongs to Mandalay, became involved in the anti-Muslim 969 group in 2001. He was first jailed in 2003. Wirathu was released in 2010. Two years later, he rose to prominence after rioting broke out between Buddhists and ethnic minority Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine. Also Read: Xi appoints new army commander to lead PLA troops at Indo-China border The 53-year-old monk has founded a nationalist organisation, which was accused of inciting violence against Muslims and was also successful in lobbying for laws making interfaith marriages difficult. For his tirades, Myanmar’s highest Buddhist authority banned him from preaching for one year in 2017. In 2018, Facebook shut down his account. Last year, the monk was jailed after turning himself in to authorities over May 2019 charges of attempting to bring “hatred or contempt” and of “exciting disaffection” towards Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.

After dropping all charges, Myanmar army frees notorious anti-Muslim monk

Suu Kyi trial, raids & more: How Myanmar has changed six months after military coup

As Myanmar locals struggle to get their freedom back, the social media platform, Facebook, is reportedly promoting content that incites violence against Myanmar’s coup protesters.

According to a recent investigation carried out by the rights group Global Witness, it was found that Facebook recommends content that violates its own policies. The investigators found out that if someone likes the Myanmar military’s fan page, which has no recent posts related to violence, Facebook starts suggesting violent content.

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Some of the posts that came up quite a lot were posters of people with the caption ‘wanted’. Investigators found an image of a young woman with the caption ‘wanted’ and the poster also offered a bounty of $10 million to find her 'dead or alive'. She is believed to be a participant of the group that burned down a factory after the military crackdown.

"This girl is the one who committed arson in Hlaing Tharyar. Her account has been deactivated.&nbsp;But she cannot run," some of the captions read.

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It was also observed that several posts being promoted by Facebook’s suggestion algorithm include content that glorifies the Myanmar military and its violent actions, promotes misinformation and fake or incorrect data.

Facebook claims the staff is closely monitoring the issue and has taken action on content, pages, or groups that are breaking the rules set up by the social media platform.

As Myanmar locals struggle to get their freedom back, the social media platform, Facebook, is reportedly promoting content that incites violence against Myanmar’s coup protesters.

As Myanmar locals struggle to get their freedom back, the social media platform, Facebook, is reportedly promoting content that incites violence against Myanmar’s coup protesters. According to a recent investigation carried out by the rights group Global Witness, it was found that Facebook recommends content that violates its own policies. The investigators found out that if someone likes the Myanmar military’s fan page, which has no recent posts related to violence, Facebook starts suggesting violent content. Also read | Russia says to boost military ties with Myanmar as junta leader visits Some of the posts that came up quite a lot were posters of people with the caption ‘wanted’. Investigators found an image of a young woman with the caption ‘wanted’ and the poster also offered a bounty of $10 million to find her 'dead or alive'. She is believed to be a participant of the group that burned down a factory after the military crackdown. "This girl is the one who committed arson in Hlaing Tharyar. Her account has been deactivated. But she cannot run," some of the captions read. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges It was also observed that several posts being promoted by Facebook’s suggestion algorithm include content that glorifies the Myanmar military and its violent actions, promotes misinformation and fake or incorrect data. Facebook claims the staff is closely monitoring the issue and has taken action on content, pages, or groups that are breaking the rules set up by the social media platform.

Myanmar: Facebook promotes violent content against coup protestors, study reveals

The top lawyer for Myanmar`s deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, voiced concern on Friday that she had no legal representative listed in the case against her brought by the military junta for breaking the Official Secrets Act. 
 
Khing Maung Zaw said the Supreme Court had announced cases to be heard on June 23 against Suu Kyi and four others, including her Australian economic adviser, Sean Turnell, but had listed all of them as representing themselves. 
 
"We have concerns that they won`t have any legal representatives and there won`t be any transparency with hearing," Khin Maung Zaw told Reuters. 
 
"Normally, they should contact the defendants and need to give the opportunity to the defendants to contact their lawyers before they announce the case." 
 
Reuters was unable to reach the Supreme Court or a junta spokesman for comment. 
 
The secrets charges are the most serious ones facing Suu Kyi, 75, and could mean a 14-year jail sentence. She appeared in court for the first time since the coup this month on lesser charges, which include breaking COVID-19 protocols. 
 
No explanation has been given for taking the secrets case directly to the Supreme Court, whose verdict cannot be appealed. 
 
The army overthrew Suu Kyi on February&nbsp;1, cutting short a decade of democratic reforms that resulted from a long campaign for democracy that made her a national heroine and won her the Nobel peace prize. 
 
The army accused Suu Kyi`s party of fraud in its massive victory in a November 2020 election, accusations dismissed by monitors and the then electoral commission. 
 
Suu Kyi is among more than 4,500 people who have been detained since the coup, which has plunged Myanmar into chaos - with daily protests, paralysing strikes and a resurgence of ethnic conflicts.

The top lawyer for Myanmar`s deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, voiced concern on Friday that she had no legal representative listed in the case against her brought by the military junta for breaking the Official Secrets Act.

The top lawyer for Myanmar`s deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, voiced concern on Friday that she had no legal representative listed in the case against her brought by the military junta for breaking the Official Secrets Act. Khing Maung Zaw said the Supreme Court had announced cases to be heard on June 23 against Suu Kyi and four others, including her Australian economic adviser, Sean Turnell, but had listed all of them as representing themselves. "We have concerns that they won`t have any legal representatives and there won`t be any transparency with hearing," Khin Maung Zaw told Reuters. "Normally, they should contact the defendants and need to give the opportunity to the defendants to contact their lawyers before they announce the case." Reuters was unable to reach the Supreme Court or a junta spokesman for comment. The secrets charges are the most serious ones facing Suu Kyi, 75, and could mean a 14-year jail sentence. She appeared in court for the first time since the coup this month on lesser charges, which include breaking COVID-19 protocols. No explanation has been given for taking the secrets case directly to the Supreme Court, whose verdict cannot be appealed. The army overthrew Suu Kyi on February 1, cutting short a decade of democratic reforms that resulted from a long campaign for democracy that made her a national heroine and won her the Nobel peace prize. The army accused Suu Kyi`s party of fraud in its massive victory in a November 2020 election, accusations dismissed by monitors and the then electoral commission. Suu Kyi is among more than 4,500 people who have been detained since the coup, which has plunged Myanmar into chaos - with daily protests, paralysing strikes and a resurgence of ethnic conflicts.

Lawyer for Myanmar's Suu Kyi worried over representation for secrets case

A 193-member UN General Assembly vote on Tuesday on a draft resolution calling 'for an immediate suspension of the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of all weapons and munitions' to Myanmar has been postponed, diplomats said. &nbsp;

A spokesman for the UN General Assembly president said earlier on Monday that the body was due to vote on Tuesday. It was not immediately known when a vote would be rescheduled. Some diplomats said it had been delayed in a bid to win more support. &nbsp;

The draft resolution calls on the Myanmar military, which seized power in a February 1 coup, to end a state of emergency, stop all violence against peaceful protesters and respect the will of the people as expressed in the results of a November election. &nbsp;

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, no country has a veto power in the General Assembly. &nbsp;

Myanmar has been in crisis since the army ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government and detained her and officials of her National League for Democracy party. The UN draft text calls for their release.&nbsp;

The military, which has set up a ruling junta of generals, complained of fraud in the November election that returned Suu Kyi to power. The election commission said the vote was fair.&nbsp;

The draft General Assembly resolution "calls upon the Myanmar armed forces to immediately stop all violence against peaceful demonstrators, members of civil society, women, youth, as well as children and others."&nbsp;

At least 788 people have been killed by the junta's security forces in crackdowns on protests against its rule, according to an advocacy group.&nbsp;

The military, which disputes that number, imposes tight restrictions on media, information and the internet. The reporter cannot independently verify arrests and casualty numbers.&nbsp;

The UN text also urges the army to stop 'attacks on, harassment of and restrictions on medical personnel, human rights defenders, labor union members, journalists and media workers ... and restrictions on the internet and social media'.&nbsp;

If adopted, the draft resolution would urge the military to allow a visit by the UN special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, and implement a plan by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to end the crisis.&nbsp;

The United States, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed new sanctions targeting Myanmar's junta.&nbsp;

Only the UN Security Council can impose legally binding sanctions or an arms embargo, but diplomats say Russia and China could likely use their veto to prevent such action on Myanmar. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

A 193-member UN General Assembly vote on Tuesday on a draft resolution calling 'for an immediate suspension of the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of all weapons and munitions' to Myanmar has been postponed, diplomats said.

A 193-member UN General Assembly vote on Tuesday on a draft resolution calling 'for an immediate suspension of the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of all weapons and munitions' to Myanmar has been postponed, diplomats said. A spokesman for the UN General Assembly president said earlier on Monday that the body was due to vote on Tuesday. It was not immediately known when a vote would be rescheduled. Some diplomats said it had been delayed in a bid to win more support. The draft resolution calls on the Myanmar military, which seized power in a February 1 coup, to end a state of emergency, stop all violence against peaceful protesters and respect the will of the people as expressed in the results of a November election. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry political weight. Unlike the 15-member Security Council, no country has a veto power in the General Assembly. Myanmar has been in crisis since the army ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government and detained her and officials of her National League for Democracy party. The UN draft text calls for their release. The military, which has set up a ruling junta of generals, complained of fraud in the November election that returned Suu Kyi to power. The election commission said the vote was fair. The draft General Assembly resolution "calls upon the Myanmar armed forces to immediately stop all violence against peaceful demonstrators, members of civil society, women, youth, as well as children and others." At least 788 people have been killed by the junta's security forces in crackdowns on protests against its rule, according to an advocacy group. The military, which disputes that number, imposes tight restrictions on media, information and the internet. The reporter cannot independently verify arrests and casualty numbers. The UN text also urges the army to stop 'attacks on, harassment of and restrictions on medical personnel, human rights defenders, labor union members, journalists and media workers ... and restrictions on the internet and social media'. If adopted, the draft resolution would urge the military to allow a visit by the UN special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, and implement a plan by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to end the crisis. The United States, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed new sanctions targeting Myanmar's junta. Only the UN Security Council can impose legally binding sanctions or an arms embargo, but diplomats say Russia and China could likely use their veto to prevent such action on Myanmar. (With inputs from agencies)

UN vote on call to stop arms supply to Myanmar postponed 

Myanmar poet Khet Thi, whose works declare resistance to the ruling junta, has died in detention and his body was returned with the organs removed, his family said.

A spokesperson for the junta did not answer calls to request comment on the death of Khet Thi, who had penned the line “They shoot in the head, but they don’t know the revolution is in the heart.” His Facebook page said he was 45.

Khet Thi’s wife said both of them were taken for interrogation on Saturday by armed soldiers and police in the central town of Shwebo, in the Sagaing region – a centre of resistance to the coup in which elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted.

“I was interrogated. So was he. They said he was at the interrogation centre. But he didn’t come back, only his body,” his wife, Chaw Su, told BBC Burmese language news.

“They called me in the morning and told me to meet him at the hospital in Monywa. I thought it was just for a broken arm or something … But when I arrived here, he was at the morgue and his internal organs were taken out,” she said.

She had been told at the hospital he had a heart problem, but had not bothered to read the death certificate because she was sure it would not be true, Chaw Su said. Reuters was unable to reach the hospital for comment.

Chaw Su said the army had planned to bury him but that she pleaded with them for the body. She did not say how she knew her husband’s organs had been removed.

“He died at the hospital after being tortured in the interrogation centre,” the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group said in a bulletin that put the toll of civilians killed since the coup at 780.

The group, which monitors details of killings, did not identify the source of its information.

Khet Thi was at least the third poet to die during protests since the 1 February coup. Poet K Za Win, 39, was shot dead during a protest in Monywa in early March.

Cultural figures and celebrities have been prominent supporters of the opposition to coup with protests daily in different parts of the southeast Asian country in spite of the killings and thousands of arrests.

Khet Thi had been an engineer before quitting his job in 2012 to focus on his poetry and to support himself by making and selling ice cream and cakes.

“I don’t want to be a hero, I don’t want to be a martyr, I don’t want to be a weakling, I don’t want to be a fool,” he wrote two weeks after the coup. “I don’t want to support injustice. If I have only a minute to live, I want my conscience to be clean for that minute.”

More recently, he wrote that he was a guitar player, a cake baker and a poet – not someone who could fire a gun. But he implied his attitude was changing.

“My people are being shot and I can only throwback poems,” he wrote. “But when you are sure your voice is not enough, then you need to choose a gun carefully. I will shoot.”

Myanmar poet Khet Thi, whose works declare resistance to the ruling junta, has died in detention and his body was returned with the organs removed, his family said.

Myanmar poet Khet Thi, whose works declare resistance to the ruling junta, has died in detention and his body was returned with the organs removed, his family said. A spokesperson for the junta did not answer calls to request comment on the death of Khet Thi, who had penned the line “They shoot in the head, but they don’t know the revolution is in the heart.” His Facebook page said he was 45. Khet Thi’s wife said both of them were taken for interrogation on Saturday by armed soldiers and police in the central town of Shwebo, in the Sagaing region – a centre of resistance to the coup in which elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted. “I was interrogated. So was he. They said he was at the interrogation centre. But he didn’t come back, only his body,” his wife, Chaw Su, told BBC Burmese language news. “They called me in the morning and told me to meet him at the hospital in Monywa. I thought it was just for a broken arm or something … But when I arrived here, he was at the morgue and his internal organs were taken out,” she said. She had been told at the hospital he had a heart problem, but had not bothered to read the death certificate because she was sure it would not be true, Chaw Su said. Reuters was unable to reach the hospital for comment. Chaw Su said the army had planned to bury him but that she pleaded with them for the body. She did not say how she knew her husband’s organs had been removed. “He died at the hospital after being tortured in the interrogation centre,” the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group said in a bulletin that put the toll of civilians killed since the coup at 780. The group, which monitors details of killings, did not identify the source of its information. Khet Thi was at least the third poet to die during protests since the 1 February coup. Poet K Za Win, 39, was shot dead during a protest in Monywa in early March. Cultural figures and celebrities have been prominent supporters of the opposition to coup with protests daily in different parts of the southeast Asian country in spite of the killings and thousands of arrests. Khet Thi had been an engineer before quitting his job in 2012 to focus on his poetry and to support himself by making and selling ice cream and cakes. “I don’t want to be a hero, I don’t want to be a martyr, I don’t want to be a weakling, I don’t want to be a fool,” he wrote two weeks after the coup. “I don’t want to support injustice. If I have only a minute to live, I want my conscience to be clean for that minute.” More recently, he wrote that he was a guitar player, a cake baker and a poet – not someone who could fire a gun. But he implied his attitude was changing. “My people are being shot and I can only throwback poems,” he wrote. “But when you are sure your voice is not enough, then you need to choose a gun carefully. I will shoot.”

Body of arrested Myanmar poet Khet Thi returned to family with organs missing

Myanmar's military rulers have approved new investment in projects worth nearly $2.8 billion, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant that will cost $2.5 billion, the country's investment body said.

Approvals for 15 projects were given on Friday by the Myanmar Investment Commission, according to a statement on the website of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.

The announcement comes with much of Myanmar's economy paralysed by protests and strikes since the army seized power on February 1. International credit rating agency Fitch Solutions has forecast the economy will contract by 20 per cent this year.

In addition to the plant to generate power for local needs, other projects approved included for livestock, manufacturing and services sectors, the statement said.

It did not give details of the companies behind the projects or which countries they are from. The biggest investors in Myanmar in recent years have been China, Singapore and Thailand although much of the investment from Singapore has been channelled from elsewhere.

Most of Myanmar's electric power is currently generated from hydroelectric projects, but LNG has been seen as increasingly important for a country whose economy had boomed during a decade of democratic reforms, leading to erratic electricity supplies.

Myanmar's military rulers have approved new investment in projects worth nearly $2.8 billion, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant that will cost $2.

Myanmar's military rulers have approved new investment in projects worth nearly $2.8 billion, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant that will cost $2.5 billion, the country's investment body said. Approvals for 15 projects were given on Friday by the Myanmar Investment Commission, according to a statement on the website of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. The announcement comes with much of Myanmar's economy paralysed by protests and strikes since the army seized power on February 1. International credit rating agency Fitch Solutions has forecast the economy will contract by 20 per cent this year. In addition to the plant to generate power for local needs, other projects approved included for livestock, manufacturing and services sectors, the statement said. It did not give details of the companies behind the projects or which countries they are from. The biggest investors in Myanmar in recent years have been China, Singapore and Thailand although much of the investment from Singapore has been channelled from elsewhere. Most of Myanmar's electric power is currently generated from hydroelectric projects, but LNG has been seen as increasingly important for a country whose economy had boomed during a decade of democratic reforms, leading to erratic electricity supplies.

Myanmar's junta approves $2.8 billion investment, including gas power plant

Myanmar's military rulers have branded a rival National Unity Government a terrorist group and blamed it for bombings, arson and killings, state-controlled media said on Saturday.

Myanmar's army has struggled to impose order since seizing power on February&nbsp;1 and detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Bombings are reported daily and local militias have been formed to confront the army while anti-junta protests have not stopped across the Southeast Asian country and strikes by opponents of the coup have paralysed the economy.

The National Unity Government (NUG), which operates undercover and itself describes the army as a terrorist force, announced this week that it would set up a People's Defence Force.

"Their acts caused so much terrorism in many places," state television MRTV said, announcing that the NUG, a committee of ousted lawmakers known as the CRPH and the new force would all now be covered by the anti-terrorism law.

"There were bombs, fires, murder and threats to destroy the administrative mechanism of the government," the announcement said.

The anti-terrorism law bans not only membership of the groups, but also any contact with them. The junta had previously accused its opponents of treason.

Protesters marched against the junta in dozens of places on Saturday. At least 774 civilians have been killed by security forces and 3,778 are detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-anti-junta-unity-government-says-it-has-formed-defence-force-383019">Myanmar's anti-junta unity government says it has formed defence force</a>

The junta disputes those figures and says at least two dozen members of the security forces have been killed in protests.

Fighting has also flared on Myanmar's periphery with ethnic armies that have been fighting for decades and some of which have rallied behind the protesters. State television said the army had advanced against the Kachin Independence Army in northern Myanmar, but there was no independent confirmation.

In western Myanmar, the newly formed Chinland Defence Force said it had overrun an army camp. The army made no comment on the report.

Myanmar's army took power alleging fraud in a November election that was swept by the party of Suu Kyi, who fought for democracy for decades before tentative reforms began a decade ago. The electoral commission had rejected the army's complaints.

Myanmar's military rulers have branded a rival National Unity Government a terrorist group and blamed it for bombings, arson and killings, state-controlled media said on Saturday.

Myanmar's military rulers have branded a rival National Unity Government a terrorist group and blamed it for bombings, arson and killings, state-controlled media said on Saturday. Myanmar's army has struggled to impose order since seizing power on February 1 and detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Bombings are reported daily and local militias have been formed to confront the army while anti-junta protests have not stopped across the Southeast Asian country and strikes by opponents of the coup have paralysed the economy. The National Unity Government (NUG), which operates undercover and itself describes the army as a terrorist force, announced this week that it would set up a People's Defence Force. "Their acts caused so much terrorism in many places," state television MRTV said, announcing that the NUG, a committee of ousted lawmakers known as the CRPH and the new force would all now be covered by the anti-terrorism law. "There were bombs, fires, murder and threats to destroy the administrative mechanism of the government," the announcement said. The anti-terrorism law bans not only membership of the groups, but also any contact with them. The junta had previously accused its opponents of treason. Protesters marched against the junta in dozens of places on Saturday. At least 774 civilians have been killed by security forces and 3,778 are detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. Also read | Myanmar's anti-junta unity government says it has formed defence force The junta disputes those figures and says at least two dozen members of the security forces have been killed in protests. Fighting has also flared on Myanmar's periphery with ethnic armies that have been fighting for decades and some of which have rallied behind the protesters. State television said the army had advanced against the Kachin Independence Army in northern Myanmar, but there was no independent confirmation. In western Myanmar, the newly formed Chinland Defence Force said it had overrun an army camp. The army made no comment on the report. Myanmar's army took power alleging fraud in a November election that was swept by the party of Suu Kyi, who fought for democracy for decades before tentative reforms began a decade ago. The electoral commission had rejected the army's complaints.

Myanmar's junta brands rival government a terrorist group

Myanmar's pro-democracy activists sharply criticised an agreement between the country's junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the nation's violent post-coup crisis and vowed on Sunday to continue their protest campaign.

Some scattered peaceful protests took place in&nbsp;Myanmar's big cities on Sunday, a day after the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta, Indonesia, reached a consensus to end the turmoil in the country, but gave no timeline.

"Whether it is ASEAN or the U.N., they will only speak from outside saying don’t fight but negotiate and solve the issues. But that doesn’t reflect&nbsp;Myanmar’s ground situation," said Khin Sandar from a protest group called the General Strikes Collaboration Committee.&nbsp;"We will continue the protests.

"We have plans to do so," she told Reuters by phone.

According to a statement from ASEAN chair Brunei, a consensus was reached in Jakarta on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to&nbsp;Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.

ASEAN leaders had wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says have killed 748 people since a mass civil disobedience movement&nbsp;erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

AAPP, a&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;activist group, says over 3,300 are in detention.&nbsp;"We realized that whatever the outcome from the ASEAN meeting, it will not reflect what people want," said Wai Aung a protest organiser in Yangon. "We will keep up protests and strikes till the military regime completely fails."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-shadow-government-welcomes-asean-call-for-an-end-to-violence-379969">Myanmar shadow government welcomes ASEAN call for an end to violence</a>

'SLAP ON THE FACE'

Several people took to social media to criticise the deal.

"ASEAN's statement is a slap on the face of the people who have been abused, killed and terrorised by the military," said a Facebook user called Mawchi Tun. "We do not need your help with that mindset and approach."

Aaron Htwe, another Facebook user, wrote: "Who will pay the price for the over 700 innocent lives."

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said it was unfortunate that only the junta chief represented&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;at the meeting.

"Not only were the representatives of the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;people not invited to the Jakarta meeting but they also got left out of the consensus that ASEAN is now patting itself on the back for reaching," he said in a statement.

"The lack of a clear timeline for action, and ASEAN's well known weakness in implementing the decisions and plans that it issues, are real concerns that no one should overlook."

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in&nbsp;Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand and has been in turmoil since the coup. Besides the protests, deaths and arrests, a nationwide strike has crippled economic activity.

Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but added the junta had to be held to its promises.

"We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG.

Besides the junta chief, the leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. The NUG was not invited but spoke privately to some of the participating countries before the meeting.

Myanmar's pro-democracy activists sharply criticised an agreement between the country's junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the nation's violent post-coup crisis and vowed on Sunday to continue their protest campaign.

Myanmar's pro-democracy activists sharply criticised an agreement between the country's junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the nation's violent post-coup crisis and vowed on Sunday to continue their protest campaign. Some scattered peaceful protests took place in Myanmar's big cities on Sunday, a day after the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta, Indonesia, reached a consensus to end the turmoil in the country, but gave no timeline. "Whether it is ASEAN or the U.N., they will only speak from outside saying don’t fight but negotiate and solve the issues. But that doesn’t reflect Myanmar’s ground situation," said Khin Sandar from a protest group called the General Strikes Collaboration Committee. "We will continue the protests. "We have plans to do so," she told Reuters by phone. According to a statement from ASEAN chair Brunei, a consensus was reached in Jakarta on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release. ASEAN leaders had wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says have killed 748 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. AAPP, a Myanmar activist group, says over 3,300 are in detention. "We realized that whatever the outcome from the ASEAN meeting, it will not reflect what people want," said Wai Aung a protest organiser in Yangon. "We will keep up protests and strikes till the military regime completely fails." Also read | Myanmar shadow government welcomes ASEAN call for an end to violence 'SLAP ON THE FACE' Several people took to social media to criticise the deal. "ASEAN's statement is a slap on the face of the people who have been abused, killed and terrorised by the military," said a Facebook user called Mawchi Tun. "We do not need your help with that mindset and approach." Aaron Htwe, another Facebook user, wrote: "Who will pay the price for the over 700 innocent lives." Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said it was unfortunate that only the junta chief represented Myanmar at the meeting. "Not only were the representatives of the Myanmar people not invited to the Jakarta meeting but they also got left out of the consensus that ASEAN is now patting itself on the back for reaching," he said in a statement. "The lack of a clear timeline for action, and ASEAN's well known weakness in implementing the decisions and plans that it issues, are real concerns that no one should overlook." The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand and has been in turmoil since the coup. Besides the protests, deaths and arrests, a nationwide strike has crippled economic activity. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but added the junta had to be held to its promises. "We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG. Besides the junta chief, the leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. The NUG was not invited but spoke privately to some of the participating countries before the meeting.

Myanmar activists slam ASEAN-Junta consensus, vow to continue protests

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with&nbsp;Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by&nbsp;Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

"We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop."

ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement&nbsp;erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners.

"He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said.

According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to&nbsp;Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.

"He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters.

"He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance."

But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done".

It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points.

There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing.

A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in&nbsp;Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future".

Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of&nbsp;Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence.

"ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said.

'RESTORE DEMOCRACY'

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in&nbsp;Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members.

Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises.

"We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG.

It was unusual for the leader of a military government in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian.

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly.

"We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters. "It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. "We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop." ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners. "He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said. According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release. "He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance." But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done". It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points. There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing. A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said Myanmar would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future". Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence. "ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said. 'RESTORE DEMOCRACY' The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises. "We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG. It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian. The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly. "We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

SE Asian nations say consensus reached on ending Myanmar crisis

The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on members of Myanmar's junta, who took control of the country in a February 1 coup, as well as its new information minister and two conglomerates controlled by the military.&nbsp;

In its firmest response yet to the ousting of an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the EU said nine members of the junta's State Administration Council, formed the day after the coup, had been targeted with travel bans and asset freezes. So was information minister U Chit Naing.&nbsp;

The decision, first reported on March 8 and April 15, puts the leaders of the junta and their top administrators under sanctions and follows similar measures by the United States. Myanmar Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing and Myint Swe, who has been acting president since the coup, were blacklisted by the EU last month.&nbsp;

Myanmar's State Administration Council was 'responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law', the EU said in its Official Journal.&nbsp;

"The military forces and authorities operating under the control of the SAC have committed serious human rights violations since February 1, 2021, killing civilian and unarmed protesters," the EU said.&nbsp;

The EU also moved to target two companies that generate revenue for the Myanmar Armed Forces, a robust step following on from sanctions on 11 senior military officials, including the commander in chief, last month. The EU has an arms embargo on Myanmar.&nbsp;

Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) were targeted with sanctions on Monday, barring EU investors and banks from doing business with them. Human rights groups had called for them to be sanctioned.&nbsp;

"MEHL and its subsidiaries generate revenue (for the military), therefore contributing to its capabilities to carry out activities undermining democracy and the rule of law and to serious human rights violations in Myanmar," the EU said. It made the same charges against MEC.&nbsp;

The conglomerates are spread throughout the economy from mining and manufacturing to food and beverages to hotels, telecoms and banking. They rank among the country's biggest taxpayers and sought partnerships with foreign companies as Myanmar opened up during the democratic liberalisation.&nbsp;

Like several Western powers, the EU has condemned the coup and called for the restoration of civilian rule.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on members of Myanmar's junta, who took control of the country in a February 1 coup, as well as its new information minister and two conglomerates controlled by the military.

The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on members of Myanmar's junta, who took control of the country in a February 1 coup, as well as its new information minister and two conglomerates controlled by the military. In its firmest response yet to the ousting of an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the EU said nine members of the junta's State Administration Council, formed the day after the coup, had been targeted with travel bans and asset freezes. So was information minister U Chit Naing. The decision, first reported on March 8 and April 15, puts the leaders of the junta and their top administrators under sanctions and follows similar measures by the United States. Myanmar Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing and Myint Swe, who has been acting president since the coup, were blacklisted by the EU last month. Myanmar's State Administration Council was 'responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law', the EU said in its Official Journal. "The military forces and authorities operating under the control of the SAC have committed serious human rights violations since February 1, 2021, killing civilian and unarmed protesters," the EU said. The EU also moved to target two companies that generate revenue for the Myanmar Armed Forces, a robust step following on from sanctions on 11 senior military officials, including the commander in chief, last month. The EU has an arms embargo on Myanmar. Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) were targeted with sanctions on Monday, barring EU investors and banks from doing business with them. Human rights groups had called for them to be sanctioned. "MEHL and its subsidiaries generate revenue (for the military), therefore contributing to its capabilities to carry out activities undermining democracy and the rule of law and to serious human rights violations in Myanmar," the EU said. It made the same charges against MEC. The conglomerates are spread throughout the economy from mining and manufacturing to food and beverages to hotels, telecoms and banking. They rank among the country's biggest taxpayers and sought partnerships with foreign companies as Myanmar opened up during the democratic liberalisation. Like several Western powers, the EU has condemned the coup and called for the restoration of civilian rule. (With inputs from agencies)

EU hits Myanmar junta members, two military companies with sanctions 

It's been nearly two months since the military coup in Myanmar and the situation remains tense. Pro-democracy protesters continue to clash with security forces that are showing little restraint in their crackdown.

Sunday (March 28) was the bloodiest day since the coup. At least 100 protesters were killed in clashes with local police. The violence was the worst in Yangon and Mandalay, two of the biggest cities in Myanmar.

The protesters are calling it a 'day of shame' for the Myanmar Army. The army is calling it an issue of law &amp; order. It is accusing foreign forces and&nbsp;local militias of trying to stoke unrest and derail efforts to restore democracy in the long run.

In this back and forth, neighbouring countries are preparing for the repercussions.

On Sunday, the Myanmar Army carried out airstrikes on an area held by the Karen Liberation Army. This is an ethnic armed group that operates in the southeastern Karen state bordering Thailand.

This attack was aimed at curtailing the operations of this rebel group. But it has ended up further perpetuating the ongoing exodus to Thailand. At least 3,000 ethnic Karen villagers have crossed the Myanmar-Thailand border.

They have found refuge in Thailand's Mae Hong Son province.

Thai authorities say they are bracing for a larger influx of refugees in the days to come.

"Please let this be an internal issue for us. We don't want to have an exodus (of refugees) and evacuations into our territory but we will observe human rights too," said Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

"How many refugees are expected? We have prepared an area for them to stay first after they cross over. We can talk about the numbers later. We're not going to talk about a (permanent) shelter yet, we're not there yet. This is a matter of the department of national security to deal with," he added.

It's a similar situation along Myanmar's border with India. In the last few weeks, refugees from Myanmar have fled to Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. There are no official estimates on how many Myanmar nationals have come to India.

But reports put the numbers at over 700. The governments in these states are responding by keeping the local sentiments in mind.

A large number of Mizo people and ethnic groups in Manipur empathise with the refugees. And it is reflecting in the decisions being taken by the respective state governments. But this exodus poses a big security challenge for New Delhi.

India has suffered due to a refugee crisis in the past. And due to its proximity to Myanmar, it is again bearing the brunt of internal unrest in the country as western powers situated far away from Myanmar with no proper cognizance of the ground reality ratchet up sanctions on the army junta to prove that they're doing something.

But the reality is&nbsp;that India and&nbsp;other countries neighbouring Myanmar are ultimately paying the price for their decisions.

Decisions taken by western nations like visa bans, arms embargo, freezing assets and cutting diplomatic ties have done little to stop ongoing crackdown in Myanmar or to reverse the coup.

The army junta is far from course-correcting. And the people of Myanmar are feeling the pinch.

Hundreds have died, thousands have been displaced, turned into refugees.

The need of the hour is to not make tall proclamations but to adopt a cautious and practical approach, to hold a dialogue with the military generals if needed and persuade them to restore democracy.

It's been nearly two months since the military coup in Myanmar and the situation remains tense. Pro-democracy protesters continue to clash with security forces that are showing little restraint in their crackdown.

It's been nearly two months since the military coup in Myanmar and the situation remains tense. Pro-democracy protesters continue to clash with security forces that are showing little restraint in their crackdown. Sunday (March 28) was the bloodiest day since the coup. At least 100 protesters were killed in clashes with local police. The violence was the worst in Yangon and Mandalay, two of the biggest cities in Myanmar. The protesters are calling it a 'day of shame' for the Myanmar Army. The army is calling it an issue of law & order. It is accusing foreign forces and local militias of trying to stoke unrest and derail efforts to restore democracy in the long run. In this back and forth, neighbouring countries are preparing for the repercussions. On Sunday, the Myanmar Army carried out airstrikes on an area held by the Karen Liberation Army. This is an ethnic armed group that operates in the southeastern Karen state bordering Thailand. This attack was aimed at curtailing the operations of this rebel group. But it has ended up further perpetuating the ongoing exodus to Thailand. At least 3,000 ethnic Karen villagers have crossed the Myanmar-Thailand border. They have found refuge in Thailand's Mae Hong Son province. Thai authorities say they are bracing for a larger influx of refugees in the days to come. "Please let this be an internal issue for us. We don't want to have an exodus (of refugees) and evacuations into our territory but we will observe human rights too," said Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. "How many refugees are expected? We have prepared an area for them to stay first after they cross over. We can talk about the numbers later. We're not going to talk about a (permanent) shelter yet, we're not there yet. This is a matter of the department of national security to deal with," he added. It's a similar situation along Myanmar's border with India. In the last few weeks, refugees from Myanmar have fled to Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. There are no official estimates on how many Myanmar nationals have come to India. But reports put the numbers at over 700. The governments in these states are responding by keeping the local sentiments in mind. A large number of Mizo people and ethnic groups in Manipur empathise with the refugees. And it is reflecting in the decisions being taken by the respective state governments. But this exodus poses a big security challenge for New Delhi. India has suffered due to a refugee crisis in the past. And due to its proximity to Myanmar, it is again bearing the brunt of internal unrest in the country as western powers situated far away from Myanmar with no proper cognizance of the ground reality ratchet up sanctions on the army junta to prove that they're doing something. But the reality is that India and other countries neighbouring Myanmar are ultimately paying the price for their decisions. Decisions taken by western nations like visa bans, arms embargo, freezing assets and cutting diplomatic ties have done little to stop ongoing crackdown in Myanmar or to reverse the coup. The army junta is far from course-correcting. And the people of Myanmar are feeling the pinch. Hundreds have died, thousands have been displaced, turned into refugees. The need of the hour is to not make tall proclamations but to adopt a cautious and practical approach, to hold a dialogue with the military generals if needed and persuade them to restore democracy.

Myanmar: Western measures have had little effect on military junta

Red for the ones who bled: Myanmar falls silent for a day as sign of protest

Security forces in Myanmar killed at least 12 people, local media reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, the acting leader of a civilian government on Saturday vowed to pursue a “revolution” to overturn the coup which took place in Myanmar on February 1.

Witnesses told Reuters that the police opened fire on a sit-in protest in Mandalay, killing five and injuring several others. In addition, a person was killed in Pyay, while two died during police firing in Yangon. Three others were killed overnight in the commercial hub, based on reports by local media.

"They are acting like they are in a war zone, with unarmed people," Mandalay-based activist Myat Thu told Reuters. According to reports, among the dead is a 13-year-old child.

Si Thu Tun claimed that a Buddhist monk was also shot. "One of them was hit in the pubic bone, another was shot to death terribly," he said.

Another witness from Pyay claimed that security forces purposely attempted to stop an ambulance from reaching the injured, which caused one death. The police also reportedly shot a truck driver in Chauk, a town situated in the central Magwe region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-urges-citizens-to-flee-myanmar-immediately-for-safety-370270" hreflang="en">UK urges citizens to flee Myanmar immediately for safety</a>

MRTV, the Junta-run broadcaster labelled the protesters as “criminals”, but offering no explanation. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners group, at least 70 people have been killed in the country after protests began.

Recently, leaders of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India vowed to work together to restore democracy in Myanmar. For the first time ever, the leader of the ousted civilian government addressed the public.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/primark-supplier-locked-workers-in-factory-during-myanmar-protests-370237" hreflang="en">Primark supplier locked workers in factory during Myanmar protests</a>

Mahn Win Khaing Than, the leader of the ruling National League for Democracy Party is currently hiding, along with other senior officials from the party.&nbsp;Than wrote on Facebook -&nbsp; "This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close".

Security forces in Myanmar killed at least 12 people, local media reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, the acting leader of a civilian government on Saturday vowed to pursue a “revolution” to overturn the coup which took place in Myanmar on February 1.

Security forces in Myanmar killed at least 12 people, local media reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, the acting leader of a civilian government on Saturday vowed to pursue a “revolution” to overturn the coup which took place in Myanmar on February 1. Witnesses told Reuters that the police opened fire on a sit-in protest in Mandalay, killing five and injuring several others. In addition, a person was killed in Pyay, while two died during police firing in Yangon. Three others were killed overnight in the commercial hub, based on reports by local media. "They are acting like they are in a war zone, with unarmed people," Mandalay-based activist Myat Thu told Reuters. According to reports, among the dead is a 13-year-old child. Si Thu Tun claimed that a Buddhist monk was also shot. "One of them was hit in the pubic bone, another was shot to death terribly," he said. Another witness from Pyay claimed that security forces purposely attempted to stop an ambulance from reaching the injured, which caused one death. The police also reportedly shot a truck driver in Chauk, a town situated in the central Magwe region. Also read: UK urges citizens to flee Myanmar immediately for safety MRTV, the Junta-run broadcaster labelled the protesters as “criminals”, but offering no explanation. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners group, at least 70 people have been killed in the country after protests began. Recently, leaders of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India vowed to work together to restore democracy in Myanmar. For the first time ever, the leader of the ousted civilian government addressed the public. Also read: Primark supplier locked workers in factory during Myanmar protests Mahn Win Khaing Than, the leader of the ruling National League for Democracy Party is currently hiding, along with other senior officials from the party. Than wrote on Facebook - "This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close".

Myanmar: At least 12 killed in protests, anti-junta leader vows 'revolution'

An Israeli-Canadian lobbyist hired by Myanmar's junta will be paid $2 million to 'assist in explaining the real situation' of the army's coup to the United States and other countries, documents filed with the US Justice Department show.&nbsp;

More than 60 protesters have been killed and 1,900 people have been arrested since February 1, when Myanmar's generals seized power and detained civilian leaders including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

Ari Ben-Menashe and his firm, Dickens &amp; Madson Canada, will represent Myanmar's military government in Washington, as well as lobby Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Russia, and international bodies like the United Nations, according to a consultancy agreement.&nbsp;

The Montreal-based firm will 'assist the devising and execution of policies for the beneficial development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and also to assist in explaining the real situation in the Country,' read the agreement, submitted on Monday to the Justice Department as part of compliance with the US Foreign Agents Registration Act and published online.&nbsp;

A spokesman for the Myanmar military government did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.&nbsp;

In a pitch that has been met with widespread scepticism, Ben-Menashe said he had been tasked with convincing the United States that Myanmar's generals wanted to move closer to the West and away from China. He said the generals wanted to resettle Rohingya Muslims, who fled a 2017 military assault for which the United Nations has accused those same generals of overseeing a genocide.&nbsp;

"It is highly implausible that he could convince the United States of the narrative he’s proposing," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.&nbsp;

Other documents submitted by Ben-Menashe showed the agreement was reached with the junta's defence minister, General Mya Tun Oo and that the government would pay the firm $2 million.&nbsp;

Mya Tun Oo and other top generals have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department and the Canadian government, so the paperwork says the payment will be made 'when legally permissible'.&nbsp;

Lawyers said that Ben-Menashe could be in breach of sanctions.&nbsp;

“To the extent that he is providing services to sanctioned parties from the United States without authorisation, that would appear to be a violation of US law,” said Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions adviser at the US Treasury.&nbsp;

The US Treasury Department declined to comment.&nbsp;

Ben-Menashe said he had received legal advice that he would need licenses from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) and the Canadian government to accept the payment, but that he would not be breaking the law by lobbying for the junta.&nbsp;

"There's technicalities here but we'll leave it to the lawyers and OFAC to deal with it," he said, adding his lawyers were in touch with Treasury officials.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

An Israeli-Canadian lobbyist hired by Myanmar's junta will be paid $2 million to 'assist in explaining the real situation' of the army's coup to the United States and other countries, documents filed with the US Justice Department show.

An Israeli-Canadian lobbyist hired by Myanmar's junta will be paid $2 million to 'assist in explaining the real situation' of the army's coup to the United States and other countries, documents filed with the US Justice Department show. More than 60 protesters have been killed and 1,900 people have been arrested since February 1, when Myanmar's generals seized power and detained civilian leaders including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Ari Ben-Menashe and his firm, Dickens & Madson Canada, will represent Myanmar's military government in Washington, as well as lobby Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Russia, and international bodies like the United Nations, according to a consultancy agreement. The Montreal-based firm will 'assist the devising and execution of policies for the beneficial development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and also to assist in explaining the real situation in the Country,' read the agreement, submitted on Monday to the Justice Department as part of compliance with the US Foreign Agents Registration Act and published online. A spokesman for the Myanmar military government did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. In a pitch that has been met with widespread scepticism, Ben-Menashe said he had been tasked with convincing the United States that Myanmar's generals wanted to move closer to the West and away from China. He said the generals wanted to resettle Rohingya Muslims, who fled a 2017 military assault for which the United Nations has accused those same generals of overseeing a genocide. "It is highly implausible that he could convince the United States of the narrative he’s proposing," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. Other documents submitted by Ben-Menashe showed the agreement was reached with the junta's defence minister, General Mya Tun Oo and that the government would pay the firm $2 million. Mya Tun Oo and other top generals have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department and the Canadian government, so the paperwork says the payment will be made 'when legally permissible'. Lawyers said that Ben-Menashe could be in breach of sanctions. “To the extent that he is providing services to sanctioned parties from the United States without authorisation, that would appear to be a violation of US law,” said Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions adviser at the US Treasury. The US Treasury Department declined to comment. Ben-Menashe said he had received legal advice that he would need licenses from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) and the Canadian government to accept the payment, but that he would not be breaking the law by lobbying for the junta. "There's technicalities here but we'll leave it to the lawyers and OFAC to deal with it," he said, adding his lawyers were in touch with Treasury officials. (With inputs from agencies)

Lobbyist to get $2 million to 'explain' Myanmar's coup for junta 

Myanmar witnesses deadliest crackdown on anti-coup protesters

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

"A special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be convened via video conference tomorrow and where we will listen to the representative of the Myanmar military authorities," Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

He also called on the Myanmar military authorities to desist from the use of lethal force, "and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation to prevent further bloodshed, violence and deaths."&nbsp;

On Monday, protesters in Myanmar marched in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people the previous day.&nbsp;

He also urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in discussions to find long-term political solutions, including a way to return to the path of democratic transition.&nbsp;

"We believe this can only begin if President Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other political detainees are immediately released," he told parliament.&nbsp;

A Myanmar court has filed two more charges against Suu Kyi, according to a lawyer acting for her.&nbsp;

Last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, and Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, for talks in Bangkok.&nbsp;

The initial efforts led by Indonesia to resolve the crisis have raised suspicion among Myanmar democracy activists, who fear dealing with the junta would confer legitimacy on it and it's bid to scrap the November election that Suu Kyi won.&nbsp;

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss Myanmar, Singapore's foreign minister said, calling for the immediate release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "A special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be convened via video conference tomorrow and where we will listen to the representative of the Myanmar military authorities," Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Monday. He also called on the Myanmar military authorities to desist from the use of lethal force, "and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation to prevent further bloodshed, violence and deaths." On Monday, protesters in Myanmar marched in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people the previous day. He also urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in discussions to find long-term political solutions, including a way to return to the path of democratic transition. "We believe this can only begin if President Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other political detainees are immediately released," he told parliament. A Myanmar court has filed two more charges against Suu Kyi, according to a lawyer acting for her. Last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, and Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, for talks in Bangkok. The initial efforts led by Indonesia to resolve the crisis have raised suspicion among Myanmar democracy activists, who fear dealing with the junta would confer legitimacy on it and it's bid to scrap the November election that Suu Kyi won.

ASEAN foreign ministers to meet on Myanmar tomorrow 

The United Nations condemned a violent crackdown in Myanmar on Sunday and urged the country's military rulers to stop using force on peaceful demonstrators.

"We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters," Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, said in a statement.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the army seized power and detained elected government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership on February 1, alleging fraud in a November election her party won in a landslide.

The coup, which brought a halt to tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets and the condemnation of Western countries.

On Sunday, the police fired on protesters&nbsp;in the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations against a military coup and over ten people were killed and several wounded. The UN human rights office and Reuters&nbsp;said at least 18 people were dead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-bloodiest-day-as-at-least-five-dead-in-clashes-between-protesters-and-police-366838">Also read |&nbsp;Bloodiest day as at least five dead in clashes between protesters and police</a>

Police were out in force early and opened fire in different parts of the biggest city of Yangon after stun grenades, tear gas and shots in the air failed to break up crowds. Soldiers also reinforced police.

Several wounded people were hauled away by fellow protesters, leaving bloody smears on pavements, media images showed. One man died after being brought to a hospital with a bullet in the chest, said a doctor who asked not to be identified.

Police also opened fire in Dawei in the south, killing three and wounding several, politician Kyaw Min Htike told Reuters from the town.

The dead in Yangon included a teacher, Tin New Yee, who died after police swooped to disperse a teachers' protest with stun grenades, sending the crowd fleeing, her daughter and a fellow teacher said.

Police also hurled stun grenades outside a Yangon medical school, sending doctors and students in white lab coats scattering. A group called the Whitecoat Alliance of medics said more than 50 medical staff had been arrested.

Police broke up protests in other towns, including Lashio in the northeast, Myeik in the deep south and Hpa-An in the east, residents and media said.

Nevertheless, at least 14 protesters have now died in the turmoil. The army said a policeman has been killed.

The crackdown would appear to indicate determination by the military to impose its authority in the face of defiance, not just on the streets but more broadly in the civil service, municipal administration, the judiciary, the education and health sectors and the media.

While Western countries have condemned the coup and some have imposed limited sanctions, the generals have traditionally shrugged off diplomatic pressure. They have promised to hold a new election but not set a date.

Suu Kyi's party and supporters said the result of the November vote must be respected.

Suu Kyi, 75, who spent nearly 15 years under house arrest, faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and of violating a natural disaster law by breaching coronavirus protocols. The next hearing in her case is on Monday.

A UN official said the office had confirmed at least five people dead in Yangon. Police Sunday also opened fire in Dawei in the south, killing three and wounding several.

The Myanmar Now media outlet reported two people had been killed in a protest in the second city of Mandalay. Security forces fired again later in the day and one woman was killed.

(with inputs from agencies)

The United Nations condemned a violent crackdown in Myanmar on Sunday and urged the country's military rulers to stop using force on peaceful demonstrators. "We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters," Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, said in a statement.

The United Nations condemned a violent crackdown in Myanmar on Sunday and urged the country's military rulers to stop using force on peaceful demonstrators. "We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters," Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, said in a statement. Myanmar has been in chaos since the army seized power and detained elected government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership on February 1, alleging fraud in a November election her party won in a landslide. The coup, which brought a halt to tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets and the condemnation of Western countries. On Sunday, the police fired on protesters in the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations against a military coup and over ten people were killed and several wounded. The UN human rights office and Reuters said at least 18 people were dead. Also read | Bloodiest day as at least five dead in clashes between protesters and police Police were out in force early and opened fire in different parts of the biggest city of Yangon after stun grenades, tear gas and shots in the air failed to break up crowds. Soldiers also reinforced police. Several wounded people were hauled away by fellow protesters, leaving bloody smears on pavements, media images showed. One man died after being brought to a hospital with a bullet in the chest, said a doctor who asked not to be identified. Police also opened fire in Dawei in the south, killing three and wounding several, politician Kyaw Min Htike told Reuters from the town. The dead in Yangon included a teacher, Tin New Yee, who died after police swooped to disperse a teachers' protest with stun grenades, sending the crowd fleeing, her daughter and a fellow teacher said. Police also hurled stun grenades outside a Yangon medical school, sending doctors and students in white lab coats scattering. A group called the Whitecoat Alliance of medics said more than 50 medical staff had been arrested. Police broke up protests in other towns, including Lashio in the northeast, Myeik in the deep south and Hpa-An in the east, residents and media said. Nevertheless, at least 14 protesters have now died in the turmoil. The army said a policeman has been killed. The crackdown would appear to indicate determination by the military to impose its authority in the face of defiance, not just on the streets but more broadly in the civil service, municipal administration, the judiciary, the education and health sectors and the media. While Western countries have condemned the coup and some have imposed limited sanctions, the generals have traditionally shrugged off diplomatic pressure. They have promised to hold a new election but not set a date. Suu Kyi's party and supporters said the result of the November vote must be respected. Suu Kyi, 75, who spent nearly 15 years under house arrest, faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and of violating a natural disaster law by breaching coronavirus protocols. The next hearing in her case is on Monday. A UN official said the office had confirmed at least five people dead in Yangon. Police Sunday also opened fire in Dawei in the south, killing three and wounding several. The Myanmar Now media outlet reported two people had been killed in a protest in the second city of Mandalay. Security forces fired again later in the day and one woman was killed. (with inputs from agencies)

UN rights office condemns Myanmar crackdown, at least 18 dead on bloodiest day of protests

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision&nbsp;has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1.

"Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post.&nbsp;

"We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great."

The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms.

It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup.

There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/japan-finalising-plans-to-halt-fresh-aid-to-myanmar-says-report-366083">Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report</a>

People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown.

At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies.

Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup.

Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns.

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters.

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. "Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post. "We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great." The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms. It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup. There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military. Also Read | Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown. At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies. Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup. Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns. In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook bans Myanmar military junta from its platforms

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources.&nbsp;

Earlier in February, Japan joined the Group of Seven advanced economics in condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of the civilian government in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Tokyo called for the release of Myanmar's state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials, who were placed under house arrest.&nbsp;

The Kyodo news agency on Thursday reported that despite condemning the coup, Japan, as a major donor to Myanmar, plans to continue emergency assistance offered through international organisations and NGOs in such areas as combating the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

On February 1, Myanmar's military seized power in the country, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election, which was won by the NLD party.&nbsp;

Myanmar's state counsellor, as well as the president and other top officials, who were members of the ruling NLD party, were detained and accused of election fraud.&nbsp;

Protests have been held across Myanmar since the military took over in which dozens of protesters have been injured and four people killed.&nbsp;

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources.

The Japanese government is considering halting new assistance projects to Myanmar, where a military coup d'etat has taken place, Sputnik reported citing sources. Earlier in February, Japan joined the Group of Seven advanced economics in condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of the civilian government in Myanmar. Tokyo called for the release of Myanmar's state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials, who were placed under house arrest. The Kyodo news agency on Thursday reported that despite condemning the coup, Japan, as a major donor to Myanmar, plans to continue emergency assistance offered through international organisations and NGOs in such areas as combating the Covid-19 pandemic. On February 1, Myanmar's military seized power in the country, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election, which was won by the NLD party. Myanmar's state counsellor, as well as the president and other top officials, who were members of the ruling NLD party, were detained and accused of election fraud. Protests have been held across Myanmar since the military took over in which dozens of protesters have been injured and four people killed.

After coup, Japan mulls halting new assistance projects to Myanmar

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Myanmar's military, which seized power three weeks ago, to halt repression and release hundreds detained since the coup.&nbsp;

Guterres, speaking to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said, "We see the undermining of democracy, the use of brutal force, arbitrary arrests, repression in all its manifestations. Restrictions of civic space. Attacks on civil society. Serious violations against minorities with no accountability, including what has rightly been called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population. The list goes on."&nbsp;

"Today, I call on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately. Release the prisoners. End the violence. Respect human rights, and the will of the people expressed in recent elections."&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Myanmar police began to disperse pro-democracy protesters on Monday as businesses around the country shut in a general strike called to oppose the military coup despite a threat from authorities that confrontation could cost lives.&nbsp;

Three weeks after seizing power, the junta has failed to stop daily protests and a civil disobedience movement calling for the reversal of the February 1 coup and release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-defy-militarys-lethal-warning-to-take-to-streets-again-365417">Myanmar: Protesters defy military's lethal warning to take to streets again</a>

There were protests in cities and towns across the country on Monday, from the northern hills on the border with China to the central plains, the Irrawaddy river delta and the southern tip of the panhandle, images on social media showed.&nbsp;

In the capital, Naypyitaw, where the military is headquartered, a police water cannon truck and numerous other vehicles closed in to break up a procession of chanting protesters who scattered when police on foot chased them, wrestling several to the ground.&nbsp;

"They're chasing and arresting us. We’re just protesting peacefully," one woman said in video clip posted on Facebook.&nbsp;

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Myanmar's military, which seized power three weeks ago, to halt repression and release hundreds detained since the coup.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Myanmar's military, which seized power three weeks ago, to halt repression and release hundreds detained since the coup. Guterres, speaking to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said, "We see the undermining of democracy, the use of brutal force, arbitrary arrests, repression in all its manifestations. Restrictions of civic space. Attacks on civil society. Serious violations against minorities with no accountability, including what has rightly been called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population. The list goes on." "Today, I call on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately. Release the prisoners. End the violence. Respect human rights, and the will of the people expressed in recent elections." × Meanwhile, Myanmar police began to disperse pro-democracy protesters on Monday as businesses around the country shut in a general strike called to oppose the military coup despite a threat from authorities that confrontation could cost lives. Three weeks after seizing power, the junta has failed to stop daily protests and a civil disobedience movement calling for the reversal of the February 1 coup and release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Also Read | Myanmar: Protesters defy military's lethal warning to take to streets again There were protests in cities and towns across the country on Monday, from the northern hills on the border with China to the central plains, the Irrawaddy river delta and the southern tip of the panhandle, images on social media showed. In the capital, Naypyitaw, where the military is headquartered, a police water cannon truck and numerous other vehicles closed in to break up a procession of chanting protesters who scattered when police on foot chased them, wrestling several to the ground. "They're chasing and arresting us. We’re just protesting peacefully," one woman said in video clip posted on Facebook.

UN chief Antonio Guterres tells Myanmar military to stop the repression

Malaysia's government will repatriate 1,200 Myanmar migrants next week despite a military coup in their home country, but has assured that they will not include minority Muslim Rohingya refugees or those registered with the UN refugee agency.&nbsp;

But the UN High Commissioner for Refugees voiced concern on Tuesday that there may be vulnerable women and children among the group. Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was detained as the military seized power on February 1, sparking protests in the country.&nbsp;

Malaysia's immigration chief, Khairul Dzaimee Daud, said in a statement late on Monday that the detainees will be deported February 23 on Myanmar navy ships.&nbsp;

He said the 1,200 were held for offenses including not having valid travel documents, overstaying and violating their social visit passes.&nbsp;

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“There are no UNHCR cardholders or ethnic Rohingya involved in the repatriation. It is just part of a usual programme to deport immigrants in our detention depots," Khairul Dzaimee said.&nbsp;

The department said Malaysia repatriated 37,038 migrants last year, including 3,322 from Myanmar. This was down from 59,114 in 2019, as many countries shut their borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it added.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-cops-file-new-charge-against-suu-kyi-to-extend-detention-indefinitely-364061">Myanmar cops file new charge against Suu Kyi to extend detention indefinitely</a>

The UNHCR said it has been barred from accessing Malaysia's immigration detention centers since August 2019 and was unable to verify who needs protection.&nbsp;

We are concerned that there remains in detention in Malaysia a number of people, including vulnerable women and children, who may be in need of international protection but whose claims have not been verified and thus do not have the requisite UNHCR documentation," the UNHCR said.&nbsp;

If found to be in need of international protection, these individuals should not be deported to a situation where their lives or freedoms may be at risk," it said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-monks-march-seek-end-to-military-rule-364052">Myanmar monks march, seek end to military rule</a>

Malaysia is home to some 180,000 UN refugees and asylum seekers including more than 100,000 Rohingya and other Myanmar ethnic groups.&nbsp;

More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar since August 2017, when the military launched a clearance operation in response to attacks by a rebel group. The security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of homes.

Malaysia's government will repatriate 1,200 Myanmar migrants next week despite a military coup in their home country, but has assured that they will not include minority Muslim Rohingya refugees or those registered with the UN refugee agency.

Malaysia's government will repatriate 1,200 Myanmar migrants next week despite a military coup in their home country, but has assured that they will not include minority Muslim Rohingya refugees or those registered with the UN refugee agency. But the UN High Commissioner for Refugees voiced concern on Tuesday that there may be vulnerable women and children among the group. Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was detained as the military seized power on February 1, sparking protests in the country. Malaysia's immigration chief, Khairul Dzaimee Daud, said in a statement late on Monday that the detainees will be deported February 23 on Myanmar navy ships. He said the 1,200 were held for offenses including not having valid travel documents, overstaying and violating their social visit passes. × “There are no UNHCR cardholders or ethnic Rohingya involved in the repatriation. It is just part of a usual programme to deport immigrants in our detention depots," Khairul Dzaimee said. The department said Malaysia repatriated 37,038 migrants last year, including 3,322 from Myanmar. This was down from 59,114 in 2019, as many countries shut their borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it added. Also Read: Myanmar cops file new charge against Suu Kyi to extend detention indefinitely The UNHCR said it has been barred from accessing Malaysia's immigration detention centers since August 2019 and was unable to verify who needs protection. We are concerned that there remains in detention in Malaysia a number of people, including vulnerable women and children, who may be in need of international protection but whose claims have not been verified and thus do not have the requisite UNHCR documentation," the UNHCR said. If found to be in need of international protection, these individuals should not be deported to a situation where their lives or freedoms may be at risk," it said. Also Read: Myanmar monks march, seek end to military rule Malaysia is home to some 180,000 UN refugees and asylum seekers including more than 100,000 Rohingya and other Myanmar ethnic groups. More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar since August 2017, when the military launched a clearance operation in response to attacks by a rebel group. The security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of homes.

Despite coup, Malaysia to deport 1,200 Myanmar migrants next week

Myanmar anti-military protests can potentially take a turn for the worse as news of a woman being shot can make the agitations fiercer. As per news reports, the woman is in critical condition, fighting for her life. News of the incident broke on Wednesday morning while the shooting is understood to have taken place on Tuesday. Allegations that the military junta is using brutal force to quash protests are on the rise.

"Our sister got shot with live ammunition (yesterday), her condition is critical right now. Now we see the military is taking brutal action on us. But, we, young people, will lead the protest from various groups in every peaceful ways. We will keep fighting against the regime under our motto: the military dictatorship must fail," said Htet Shar Ko, a resident of Yangon.

The protesters are demanding that the power be restored to the democratically elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military deposed Suu Kyi government in a coup on February 1, 2021.

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On Wednesday, Myanmar military stepped up the campaign of intimidation on the fifth consecutive day of nationwide protests.

Soldiers raided and ransacked the headquarters of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party on Tuesday night, after police shot water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets in a sudden escalation of force against the protests sweeping the country.

A doctor in Naypyidaw also confirmed the use of live rounds that left two people critically injured, but footage showed protesters in the capital were undeterred, returning to a blockade on a major highway on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

Condemning the use of force, United Nations special rapporteur Tom Andrews said the police fire had injured a young woman, images of whom have spread like wildfire online alongside expressions of grief and fury.

"They can shoot a young woman but they can't steal the hope &amp; resolve of a determined people," the human rights envoy wrote on Wednesday. "The world stands in solidarity with the protesters of Myanmar."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-police-fire-water-cannon-at-demonstrators-in-anti-military-protests-362361">Myanmar police fire water cannon at demonstrators in anti-military protests</a>

People of Myanmar found support from US too.

"We repeat our calls for the military to relinquish power, restore democratically elected government (and) release those detained," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

In Mandalay, the country's cultural capital and the seat of Myanmar's pre-colonial monarchy, witnesses saw security forces fire tear gas directly at protesters waving the red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party.&nbsp;

State media claimed that the crowd had used "obscene language" and thrown objects at police, injuring four officers, in its first direct mention of the street protests since they began on the weekend.

"Therefore, the police members dispersed in accordance with the methods and laws," the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported, without mentioning other police confrontations elsewhere in the country.

Hundreds of protesters had returned to the streets of Yangon on Wednesday morning, where the day before a large crowd faced off against water cannon and a phalanx of riot police near Suu Kyi's residence.

(With AFP inputs)

Myanmar anti-military protests can potentially take a turn for the worse as news of a woman being shot can make the agitations fiercer. As per news reports, the woman is in critical condition, fighting for her life.

Myanmar anti-military protests can potentially take a turn for the worse as news of a woman being shot can make the agitations fiercer. As per news reports, the woman is in critical condition, fighting for her life. News of the incident broke on Wednesday morning while the shooting is understood to have taken place on Tuesday. Allegations that the military junta is using brutal force to quash protests are on the rise. "Our sister got shot with live ammunition (yesterday), her condition is critical right now. Now we see the military is taking brutal action on us. But, we, young people, will lead the protest from various groups in every peaceful ways. We will keep fighting against the regime under our motto: the military dictatorship must fail," said Htet Shar Ko, a resident of Yangon. The protesters are demanding that the power be restored to the democratically elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military deposed Suu Kyi government in a coup on February 1, 2021. × On Wednesday, Myanmar military stepped up the campaign of intimidation on the fifth consecutive day of nationwide protests. Soldiers raided and ransacked the headquarters of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party on Tuesday night, after police shot water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets in a sudden escalation of force against the protests sweeping the country. A doctor in Naypyidaw also confirmed the use of live rounds that left two people critically injured, but footage showed protesters in the capital were undeterred, returning to a blockade on a major highway on Wednesday morning. Condemning the use of force, United Nations special rapporteur Tom Andrews said the police fire had injured a young woman, images of whom have spread like wildfire online alongside expressions of grief and fury. "They can shoot a young woman but they can't steal the hope & resolve of a determined people," the human rights envoy wrote on Wednesday. "The world stands in solidarity with the protesters of Myanmar." Also Read | Myanmar police fire water cannon at demonstrators in anti-military protests People of Myanmar found support from US too. "We repeat our calls for the military to relinquish power, restore democratically elected government (and) release those detained," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. In Mandalay, the country's cultural capital and the seat of Myanmar's pre-colonial monarchy, witnesses saw security forces fire tear gas directly at protesters waving the red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party. State media claimed that the crowd had used "obscene language" and thrown objects at police, injuring four officers, in its first direct mention of the street protests since they began on the weekend. "Therefore, the police members dispersed in accordance with the methods and laws," the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported, without mentioning other police confrontations elsewhere in the country. Hundreds of protesters had returned to the streets of Yangon on Wednesday morning, where the day before a large crowd faced off against water cannon and a phalanx of riot police near Suu Kyi's residence. (With AFP inputs)

Myanmar protests: Woman shot at as police open fire on demonstrators

Thailand police have arrested 15 Rohingya Muslims on the charge of illegal entry. The police have said that they could be victims of human trafficking.&nbsp;

Out of 15, twelve were arrested on Tuesday and three more on Wednesday morning. They were arrested in Thailand's Mae Sot which is close to the bridge that separates both (Myanmar and Thailand) as per police's statement.&nbsp;

All of the arrested belonged to Buthidaung, which has the largest concentrations of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine State.

Phubed Sang-aram, superintendent of the Mae Sot district police said: "They have been preliminarily charged with illegal entry, pending further interrogation to determine whether they are victims of human trafficking."

According to Phubed, three Thais have also been taken into custody for providing a home to the illegal migrants.&nbsp;

Mae Sot's district chief Chaiyapheuk Chiantranluk said that the Rohingya group made a plan to go to Malaysia via Thailand.&nbsp;

Global outrage was sparked in 2017 after over 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine state during weeks of brutal violence. &nbsp;According to reports, hundreds of villages were burned and women were gang-raped.

During the violence, the United Nations had said that the gang rapes and mass killings were carried out with "genocidal intent".&nbsp;

Thailand police have arrested 15 Rohingya Muslims on the charge of illegal entry. The police have said that they could be victims of human trafficking. Out of 15, twelve were arrested on Tuesday and three more on Wednesday morning.

Thailand police have arrested 15 Rohingya Muslims on the charge of illegal entry. The police have said that they could be victims of human trafficking. Out of 15, twelve were arrested on Tuesday and three more on Wednesday morning. They were arrested in Thailand's Mae Sot which is close to the bridge that separates both (Myanmar and Thailand) as per police's statement. All of the arrested belonged to Buthidaung, which has the largest concentrations of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine State. Phubed Sang-aram, superintendent of the Mae Sot district police said: "They have been preliminarily charged with illegal entry, pending further interrogation to determine whether they are victims of human trafficking." According to Phubed, three Thais have also been taken into custody for providing a home to the illegal migrants. Mae Sot's district chief Chaiyapheuk Chiantranluk said that the Rohingya group made a plan to go to Malaysia via Thailand. Global outrage was sparked in 2017 after over 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine state during weeks of brutal violence. According to reports, hundreds of villages were burned and women were gang-raped. During the violence, the United Nations had said that the gang rapes and mass killings were carried out with "genocidal intent".

Thailand police arrests 15 Rohingya migrants over illegal entry

Myanmar government has added more countries to its list of countries whose citizens would be extended the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility, reports said.

According to Myanmar's tourist federation, five additional countries are now eligible for the VoA process including New Zealand, Hungry, Luxembourg, Czech Republic and Austria.&nbsp;

The regulations come into effect from January 1, 2020.

“In the past, the test period of visa relations was only one year but now it has been extended to three years,” U Than Win, director of the hotels and tourism ministry said.

The minister said the country is trying to build a "tourism market" by issuing visa-on-arrival facility

The government hopes to boost tourism in the country with the announcement which has been hit in the wake of violence in Rakhine state.

Myanmar had already extended the VoA facility to tourists from Germany, Russia, Australia, Spain, Switzerland and Italy last year.

The government had earlier extended free visa facility for Vietnamese tourists for a period of 14 to 30 days in 2019.

It had also granted visa exception to tourists from Japan, South Korea, China including Hong Kong and Macau in October last year after exponential increase of Chinese, Japanese and South Korean tourists.

According to reports, Myanmar has allowed visa on arrival to over fifty countries with visitors allowed a 28-day stay.

Myanmar government has added more countries to its list of countries whose citizens would be extended the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility, reports said. According to Myanmar's tourist federation, five additional countries are now eligible for the VoA process including New Zealand, Hungry, Luxembourg, Czech Republic and Austria.

Myanmar government has added more countries to its list of countries whose citizens would be extended the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility, reports said. According to Myanmar's tourist federation, five additional countries are now eligible for the VoA process including New Zealand, Hungry, Luxembourg, Czech Republic and Austria. The regulations come into effect from January 1, 2020. “In the past, the test period of visa relations was only one year but now it has been extended to three years,” U Than Win, director of the hotels and tourism ministry said. The minister said the country is trying to build a "tourism market" by issuing visa-on-arrival facility The government hopes to boost tourism in the country with the announcement which has been hit in the wake of violence in Rakhine state. Myanmar had already extended the VoA facility to tourists from Germany, Russia, Australia, Spain, Switzerland and Italy last year. The government had earlier extended free visa facility for Vietnamese tourists for a period of 14 to 30 days in 2019. It had also granted visa exception to tourists from Japan, South Korea, China including Hong Kong and Macau in October last year after exponential increase of Chinese, Japanese and South Korean tourists. According to reports, Myanmar has allowed visa on arrival to over fifty countries with visitors allowed a 28-day stay.

Myanmar adds more countries to  visa-on-arrival list

Nobel peace laureate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suu-kyi-criticised-for-silence-over-myanmar-genocide-claims-267964">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes.

In her closing arguments after a three-day hearing at the International Court of Justice, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader issued a stark warning to judges that allowing The Gambia's case against Myanmar to go ahead could "undermine reconciliation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-in-the-hague-defending-myanmar-against-allegations-of-genocide-267828">Suu Kyi</a>, whose defence of the same generals she once defied has shredded her reputation abroad as a rights icon, even showed pictures of a football match recently played in the area affected by the violence in 2017 as evidence that was peace was returning

"I pray that the decision you make with the wisdom and vision of justice will help us to create unity out of diversity," said Suu Kyi, who wore traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair.

"Steps that generate suspicions, sow doubts or create resentments between communities who have just begin to build the fragile foundation of trust could undermine reconciliation," she added in the short six-minute statement.

"Ending the ongoing internal conflict... is of the utmost importance for our country. But it is equally important to avoid any reignition of the 2016-17 internal armed conflict in northern Rakhine."

Dozens of her supporters gathered outside the court in The Hague and nosily chanted "We stand with you Aung San Suu Kyi" as she arrived to give her speech.

'Silence said far more than words'&nbsp;

The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia has taken majority-Muslim Myanmar to the UN's top court in The Hague accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention.

Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Conference, Canada and the Netherlands, it is seeking emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years.

Around 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border into sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar launched a huge military crackdown in Rakhine state in August 2017.

Suu Kyi told the court in her opening statement on Wednesday that there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said the army operation was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants.

The Gambia earlier Thursday condemned Suu Kyi's "silence" in her opening speech about the alleged abuses.

"Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the court.&nbsp;

"The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom.

'Imminent risk of genocide'&nbsp;

Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself.

"How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals... have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked.

He said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists?

"Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said.

The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya.

"What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said.

Reichler added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name.

Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk."

A decision on the emergency measures sought by Gambia could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years. 
&nbsp;

Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes.

Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi urged UN judges on Thursday to throw out a genocide case against Myanmar, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes. In her closing arguments after a three-day hearing at the International Court of Justice, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader issued a stark warning to judges that allowing The Gambia's case against Myanmar to go ahead could "undermine reconciliation". Suu Kyi, whose defence of the same generals she once defied has shredded her reputation abroad as a rights icon, even showed pictures of a football match recently played in the area affected by the violence in 2017 as evidence that was peace was returning "I pray that the decision you make with the wisdom and vision of justice will help us to create unity out of diversity," said Suu Kyi, who wore traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair. "Steps that generate suspicions, sow doubts or create resentments between communities who have just begin to build the fragile foundation of trust could undermine reconciliation," she added in the short six-minute statement. "Ending the ongoing internal conflict... is of the utmost importance for our country. But it is equally important to avoid any reignition of the 2016-17 internal armed conflict in northern Rakhine." Dozens of her supporters gathered outside the court in The Hague and nosily chanted "We stand with you Aung San Suu Kyi" as she arrived to give her speech. 'Silence said far more than words' The small African, mainly Muslim state of Gambia has taken majority-Muslim Myanmar to the UN's top court in The Hague accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention. Backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Conference, Canada and the Netherlands, it is seeking emergency measures to prevent further violence against the Rohingya, pending a fuller case that could take years. Around 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border into sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar launched a huge military crackdown in Rakhine state in August 2017. Suu Kyi told the court in her opening statement on Wednesday that there was no proof of "genocidal intent" and said the army operation was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants. The Gambia earlier Thursday condemned Suu Kyi's "silence" in her opening speech about the alleged abuses. "Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the court. "The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom. 'Imminent risk of genocide' Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself. "How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals... have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked. He said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists? "Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said. The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya. "What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said. Reichler added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name. Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk." A decision on the emergency measures sought by Gambia could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years.

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi warns genocide case could reignite Rohingya crisis

By Mauro Barelli

In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide.

On November 11, the Gambia launched proceedings against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. I have looked into the question of atrocity crimes, including genocide, as part of my recent research on the principle of the responsibility to protect in international law.

The case focuses on the clearance operations carried out from around October 2016 by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya Muslims, a distinct ethnic and religious group that resides primarily in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The Gambia claims that those operations amounted to a genocidal campaign of violence that included mass murder, forcible displacement, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The UN says that 742,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh since 2017 and many are still living in dire conditions in refugee camps.

During the public hearings that the ICJ will hold between December 10 and 12, the Gambia will essentially ask the court to order Myanmar to prevent ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya so as to protect them from further, irreparable harm – something known as “provisional measures”.

This is the third time that the world’s court has been called to establish whether a state is responsible under international law for breaches of the genocide convention. In 2015, the ICJ ruled that neither Croatia nor Serbia had committed genocide during the hostilities that took place in Croatia between 1991 and 1995. In a 2007 case brought by Bosnia-Herzegovina, the court also cleared Serbia of direct responsibility for genocide and complicity in genocide in relation to the 1995 massacre of Srebrenica.

This means that the ICJ has never held a state responsible for committing genocide. In this respect, the 2007 and 2015 verdicts reveal some of the obstacles that the Gambia will face in persuading the court that Myanmar committed genocide against members of the Rohingya group.

Proving ‘intent’ 
 
The genocide convention lists a number of acts, including killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm, that may constitute genocide provided that they are committed with the “intent to destroy”, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

It is precisely the existence of this special intent that distinguishes genocide from other heinous crimes. This is of special importance given the difficulty of proving genocidal intent in a courtroom. In the absence of direct conclusive evidence, the ICJ will infer genocidal intent from particular circumstances – such as a pattern of acts committed against members of the targeted group – only if the circumstances point unequivocally to the existence of that intent.

Adopting this strict approach in both the 2007 and 2015 judgements, the court determined – with the only exception of Srebrenica – that the atrocities committed during the conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia lacked the requisite intent to destroy the targeted groups, and so could not be qualified as genocide. In the case of Srebrenica, the court ruled that the acts “were committed with the specific intent to destroy in part the group of the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and were therefore genocide.

Still, it found that Serbia itself was not directly responsible for the massacre, which was committed by Bosnian Serbs. Serbia was nevertheless found responsible for failing to prevent genocide given that it was in a position of influence over those who devised and implemented it.

The rationale for setting such a high standard of proof is, in the ICJ’s words, that: “Claims against a state involving charges of exceptional gravity must be proved by evidence that is fully conclusive.”

Unsurprisingly, this stringent approach has been the object of much criticism. One of the current judges sitting at the ICJ, Cançado Trindade, noted in 2015 that imposing such a high threshold for proof of genocide runs the risk of reducing the genocide convention to a dead letter.

UN fact-finding mission

To demonstrate the genocidal nature of the violence against the Rohingya, the Gambia – which is backed by the 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – will rely extensively on UN sources. In March 2017 the UN Human Rights Council created an Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar and tasked it with establishing the facts and circumstances of the human rights violations committed by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya.

The implications of the mission’s investigative activities could be profound. In the 2007 genocide case, the ICJ relied heavily on the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to conclude that genocide was committed at Srebrenica. The authoritativeness of the UN’s factfinding mission to Myanmar cannot be equated to that of a tribunal such as the ICTY. Yet, the ICJ is likely to give serious consideration to the mission’s reports in light of the care taken in preparing them, their comprehensiveness, and the independence of those responsible for their preparation.

Crucially, the 2018 and 2019 reports infer genocidal intent behind the attacks against the Rohingya from a number of factors and circumstances linked to, among other others, the brutality and the scale of destruction of the military operations as well as the widespread use of rape and sexual assault during those operations.

The ICJ judges will need to be satisfied with the solidity of this inference of genocidal intent by the UN mission. However, the very fact that they will have to engage with and determine the weight of those findings as evidence will be of paramount importance.

After ruling on the question of provisional measures – and assuming that no jurisdictional obstacles will be identified – the court will fix time limits for the filing of the parties’ written pleadings in the case. After the written and then oral proceedings, the court will begin its deliberation and so it will be some years before a final decision on this important case is made.

(Mauro Barelli is Senior Lecturer in Law, City, University of London)

(This Article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-in-the-hague-defending-myanmar-against-allegations-of-genocide-125102">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Mauro Barelli In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide.

By Mauro Barelli In what is likely to be a remarkable moment for international justice, Aung San Suu Kyi, the political leader of Myanmar and a Nobel peace prize winner, will be in The Hague this week to lead her country’s defence against allegations of genocide. On November 11, the Gambia launched proceedings against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. I have looked into the question of atrocity crimes, including genocide, as part of my recent research on the principle of the responsibility to protect in international law. The case focuses on the clearance operations carried out from around October 2016 by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya Muslims, a distinct ethnic and religious group that resides primarily in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The Gambia claims that those operations amounted to a genocidal campaign of violence that included mass murder, forcible displacement, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The UN says that 742,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh since 2017 and many are still living in dire conditions in refugee camps. During the public hearings that the ICJ will hold between December 10 and 12, the Gambia will essentially ask the court to order Myanmar to prevent ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya so as to protect them from further, irreparable harm – something known as “provisional measures”. This is the third time that the world’s court has been called to establish whether a state is responsible under international law for breaches of the genocide convention. In 2015, the ICJ ruled that neither Croatia nor Serbia had committed genocide during the hostilities that took place in Croatia between 1991 and 1995. In a 2007 case brought by Bosnia-Herzegovina, the court also cleared Serbia of direct responsibility for genocide and complicity in genocide in relation to the 1995 massacre of Srebrenica. This means that the ICJ has never held a state responsible for committing genocide. In this respect, the 2007 and 2015 verdicts reveal some of the obstacles that the Gambia will face in persuading the court that Myanmar committed genocide against members of the Rohingya group. Proving ‘intent’ The genocide convention lists a number of acts, including killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm, that may constitute genocide provided that they are committed with the “intent to destroy”, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. It is precisely the existence of this special intent that distinguishes genocide from other heinous crimes. This is of special importance given the difficulty of proving genocidal intent in a courtroom. In the absence of direct conclusive evidence, the ICJ will infer genocidal intent from particular circumstances – such as a pattern of acts committed against members of the targeted group – only if the circumstances point unequivocally to the existence of that intent. Adopting this strict approach in both the 2007 and 2015 judgements, the court determined – with the only exception of Srebrenica – that the atrocities committed during the conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia lacked the requisite intent to destroy the targeted groups, and so could not be qualified as genocide. In the case of Srebrenica, the court ruled that the acts “were committed with the specific intent to destroy in part the group of the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and were therefore genocide. Still, it found that Serbia itself was not directly responsible for the massacre, which was committed by Bosnian Serbs. Serbia was nevertheless found responsible for failing to prevent genocide given that it was in a position of influence over those who devised and implemented it. The rationale for setting such a high standard of proof is, in the ICJ’s words, that: “Claims against a state involving charges of exceptional gravity must be proved by evidence that is fully conclusive.” Unsurprisingly, this stringent approach has been the object of much criticism. One of the current judges sitting at the ICJ, Cançado Trindade, noted in 2015 that imposing such a high threshold for proof of genocide runs the risk of reducing the genocide convention to a dead letter. UN fact-finding mission To demonstrate the genocidal nature of the violence against the Rohingya, the Gambia – which is backed by the 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – will rely extensively on UN sources. In March 2017 the UN Human Rights Council created an Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar and tasked it with establishing the facts and circumstances of the human rights violations committed by Myanmar’s military and security forces against the Rohingya. The implications of the mission’s investigative activities could be profound. In the 2007 genocide case, the ICJ relied heavily on the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to conclude that genocide was committed at Srebrenica. The authoritativeness of the UN’s factfinding mission to Myanmar cannot be equated to that of a tribunal such as the ICTY. Yet, the ICJ is likely to give serious consideration to the mission’s reports in light of the care taken in preparing them, their comprehensiveness, and the independence of those responsible for their preparation. Crucially, the 2018 and 2019 reports infer genocidal intent behind the attacks against the Rohingya from a number of factors and circumstances linked to, among other others, the brutality and the scale of destruction of the military operations as well as the widespread use of rape and sexual assault during those operations. The ICJ judges will need to be satisfied with the solidity of this inference of genocidal intent by the UN mission. However, the very fact that they will have to engage with and determine the weight of those findings as evidence will be of paramount importance. After ruling on the question of provisional measures – and assuming that no jurisdictional obstacles will be identified – the court will fix time limits for the filing of the parties’ written pleadings in the case. After the written and then oral proceedings, the court will begin its deliberation and so it will be some years before a final decision on this important case is made. (Mauro Barelli is Senior Lecturer in Law, City, University of London) (This Article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Aung San Suu Kyi is in The Hague defending Myanmar against allegations of genocide

Rohingya refugees living in camps in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-bans-two-aid-agencies-from-rohingya-refugee-camps-247755">Bangladesh on Wednesday</a>&nbsp;expressed their unhappiness at the decision to block mobile data services due to security concerns.

Bangladesh's telecom regulatory authority on Tuesday had&nbsp;ordered mobile phone operators to partially block high-speed data services to areas where Rohingya refugees are living in sprawling camps. The operators were also asked on Sunday to block mobile services and stop selling mobile SIMs to the Rohingya.

The move came following a spike in violent crime in the southern district of Cox's Bazar, where more than one million Rohingya are sheltered.

Over 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's Rakhine state for Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the United Nations has said was perpetrated with "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied almost all the allegations.

Tensions are running high in the camps after a youth wing leader from Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party was killed last week, allegedly by Rohingya refugees, and at least four Rohingya were shot dead by police.

Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed their unhappiness at the decision to block mobile data services due to security concerns. Bangladesh's telecom regulatory authority on Tuesday had ordered mobile phone operators to partially block high-speed data services to areas where Rohingya refugees are living in sprawling camps.

Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed their unhappiness at the decision to block mobile data services due to security concerns. Bangladesh's telecom regulatory authority on Tuesday had ordered mobile phone operators to partially block high-speed data services to areas where Rohingya refugees are living in sprawling camps. The operators were also asked on Sunday to block mobile services and stop selling mobile SIMs to the Rohingya. The move came following a spike in violent crime in the southern district of Cox's Bazar, where more than one million Rohingya are sheltered. Over 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's Rakhine state for Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the United Nations has said was perpetrated with "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied almost all the allegations. Tensions are running high in the camps after a youth wing leader from Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party was killed last week, allegedly by Rohingya refugees, and at least four Rohingya were shot dead by police.

Rohingyas in Bangladesh unhappy over mobile internet curbs

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