Coronavirus cases in Myanmar are on the rise and the country's largest city is in lockdown. In this time a 50-year-old taxi driver has found comfort in his faith. Watch report.

Can faith protect against coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar?

Bangladesh has proposed a foreign minister-level meeting between Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China over the Rohingya repatriation issue. Watch report.

Rohingya refugee crisis: Bangladesh, Myanmar and China talks in Beijing

India has assured Myanmar it would give the country priority on coronavirus vaccine and speed up infrastructure projects in the country during the visit of Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's two-day visit.&nbsp;

A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release said, "It was also agreed that the cooperation to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic will be deepened. The FC indicated India’s willingness to prioritise Myanmar in sharing vaccines as and when these become available."

Earlier on Monday, Army Chief and the foreign secretary presented 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi as a "symbol" of India’s commitment to assist Myanmar in its fight against the pandemic.&nbsp;

The Myanmar foreign ministry mentioned about both countries discussing "possibility of joint production of COVID-19 vaccine".

On the infrastructure front, operationalisation of the Sittwe Port in the early part of 2021 was a key point of discussion. Remember, this was discussed during last week's virtual India Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations also.

The MEA release on the outcome of the visit explained: "Both sides also discussed progress in the ongoing Indian-assisted infrastructure projects such as the Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project."

Sittwe is part of India built mega Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which will improve connectivity with Myanmar, by creating transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar.

The release added that both sides "exchanged views on an early initiation of work on fresh initiatives such as the up-gradation of Yamethin Women's Police Academy, Basic Technical Training School and measures to provide long term sustainability to projects such as the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology."

Other than that, India has announced a grant of $2 million for the construction of the border haat bridge at Byanyu/Sarsichauk in Myanmar's Chin State which will provide increased economic connectivity between Mizoram and Myanmar. A quota of 1.5 lakh tonnes of Urad for import from Myanmar till 31 March 2021 was also announced.&nbsp;

During the meet, the army chief and the FS called on State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Commander in Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Army Chief also met Vice Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Armed Services and FS met U Soe Han, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.

India has assured Myanmar it would give the country priority on coronavirus vaccine and speed up infrastructure projects in the country during the visit of Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's two-day visit.

India has assured Myanmar it would give the country priority on coronavirus vaccine and speed up infrastructure projects in the country during the visit of Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's two-day visit. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release said, "It was also agreed that the cooperation to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic will be deepened. The FC indicated India’s willingness to prioritise Myanmar in sharing vaccines as and when these become available." Earlier on Monday, Army Chief and the foreign secretary presented 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi as a "symbol" of India’s commitment to assist Myanmar in its fight against the pandemic. The Myanmar foreign ministry mentioned about both countries discussing "possibility of joint production of COVID-19 vaccine". On the infrastructure front, operationalisation of the Sittwe Port in the early part of 2021 was a key point of discussion. Remember, this was discussed during last week's virtual India Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations also. The MEA release on the outcome of the visit explained: "Both sides also discussed progress in the ongoing Indian-assisted infrastructure projects such as the Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project." Sittwe is part of India built mega Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which will improve connectivity with Myanmar, by creating transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar. The release added that both sides "exchanged views on an early initiation of work on fresh initiatives such as the up-gradation of Yamethin Women's Police Academy, Basic Technical Training School and measures to provide long term sustainability to projects such as the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology." Other than that, India has announced a grant of $2 million for the construction of the border haat bridge at Byanyu/Sarsichauk in Myanmar's Chin State which will provide increased economic connectivity between Mizoram and Myanmar. A quota of 1.5 lakh tonnes of Urad for import from Myanmar till 31 March 2021 was also announced. During the meet, the army chief and the FS called on State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Commander in Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Army Chief also met Vice Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Armed Services and FS met U Soe Han, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.

India assures Myanmar Covid vaccine, speeding up infra projects

India's Foreign Secretary and Army Chief visited Naypyidaw to hold talks with the civilian and military leadership. WION's Palki tells you how India and Myanmar plan to expand their relationship.

Gravitas: How Myanmar is pivoting away from China

India assures Myanmar on COVID-19 vaccine, speeding up infra projects

India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla along with country’s army chief General M.M. Naravane is visiting Myanmar on October 4 and 5. Shringla and Naravane meet State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s powerful army.

WION Dispatch: How Myanmar is firmly in China's grip

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane met Myanmar’s state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi for talks on taking forward bilateral relations in a wide range of areas.

Indian foreign secretary, army chief meet Aung San Suu Kyi

Outraged over ongoing discrimination in Myanmar, Myo Min Tun decided to stand as the first openly gay election candidate in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.

His decision to enter the political fray came after transgender friends told him how they had suffered police harassment.

The officers allegedly forced them to remove their bras and kneel in humiliating positions before touching them inappropriately, Myo Min Tun told AFP.

"This was a violation of their rights," &nbsp;he said. "And I realised there's no one in parliament to talk about this."

So he decided to run for a seat in the regional assembly in his home city of Mandalay.

"I'm doing this to be a pioneer for all LGBT people so they know we can be anyone we want."

From florist and noodle soup chef to HIV prevention worker, the 39-year-old says he has been lucky not to suffer discrimination in his varied career in Myanmar's second city.

But a British colonial era law means same-sex relations are still illegal -- even if space is opening up for the LGBT+ community in the conservative country.

Yangon's Pride party in February attracted more than 10,000 people, with many painting their little fingers pink to campaign to decriminalise same-sex relations ahead of November's election.

But Myo Min Tun thinks it is too soon to fight that battle.

Instead, he vows to tackle the daily acts of discrimination the community faces, an issue thrust into the spotlight with the prominent suicide of a gay man last year.

Workplace bullying was widely blamed after the man's final Facebook post displayed mocking comments and photos from colleagues.

An official probe concluded, however, the employer was not responsible, saying the man had simply been "mentally weak".

"We still have a long way to go," Myo Min Tun said, sighing.

- 'Not the time'? -

Myo Min Tun knew he was gay when he fell in love with a fellow student while in grade 9 at school.

His father disapproved until his death although "never physically beat" him.

"But I think my mother loved me even more for it," he said with a smile, adding neighbours and family friends even encouraged him to stand in the election.

"I have always been actively involved in my community, so they recognise me for who I am."

Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to be returned to power in the November 8 national and regional vote.

 
The NLD's manifesto states it stands against discrimination based on sexual orientation but has done nothing to address the issue in its first term, say rights groups.

Myo Min Tun instead chose to run for the People's Pioneer Party because of its "anti-discriminatory stance and because they favour young people".

But leader Thet Thet Khine, who set up the party last year after being kicked out of the NLD, told AFP it was "not the time" to try to decriminalise same-sex relations, even if she admitted this was a basic human right.

"People will not care. There could even be a lot of backlash if we advocate for this."

Myo Min Tun admits he did not mention he was gay in his interview with the party -- but says it was important for him to come out publicly.

"I didn't want to lie to get votes," he said.

"I believe if I'm fair and truthful, people will support me."

Outraged over ongoing discrimination in Myanmar, Myo Min Tun decided to stand as the first openly gay election candidate in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.

Outraged over ongoing discrimination in Myanmar, Myo Min Tun decided to stand as the first openly gay election candidate in a country where same-sex relations are illegal. His decision to enter the political fray came after transgender friends told him how they had suffered police harassment. The officers allegedly forced them to remove their bras and kneel in humiliating positions before touching them inappropriately, Myo Min Tun told AFP. "This was a violation of their rights," he said. "And I realised there's no one in parliament to talk about this." So he decided to run for a seat in the regional assembly in his home city of Mandalay. "I'm doing this to be a pioneer for all LGBT people so they know we can be anyone we want." From florist and noodle soup chef to HIV prevention worker, the 39-year-old says he has been lucky not to suffer discrimination in his varied career in Myanmar's second city. But a British colonial era law means same-sex relations are still illegal -- even if space is opening up for the LGBT+ community in the conservative country. Yangon's Pride party in February attracted more than 10,000 people, with many painting their little fingers pink to campaign to decriminalise same-sex relations ahead of November's election. But Myo Min Tun thinks it is too soon to fight that battle. Instead, he vows to tackle the daily acts of discrimination the community faces, an issue thrust into the spotlight with the prominent suicide of a gay man last year. Workplace bullying was widely blamed after the man's final Facebook post displayed mocking comments and photos from colleagues. An official probe concluded, however, the employer was not responsible, saying the man had simply been "mentally weak". "We still have a long way to go," Myo Min Tun said, sighing. - 'Not the time'? - Myo Min Tun knew he was gay when he fell in love with a fellow student while in grade 9 at school. His father disapproved until his death although "never physically beat" him. "But I think my mother loved me even more for it," he said with a smile, adding neighbours and family friends even encouraged him to stand in the election. "I have always been actively involved in my community, so they recognise me for who I am." Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to be returned to power in the November 8 national and regional vote. The NLD's manifesto states it stands against discrimination based on sexual orientation but has done nothing to address the issue in its first term, say rights groups. Myo Min Tun instead chose to run for the People's Pioneer Party because of its "anti-discriminatory stance and because they favour young people". But leader Thet Thet Khine, who set up the party last year after being kicked out of the NLD, told AFP it was "not the time" to try to decriminalise same-sex relations, even if she admitted this was a basic human right. "People will not care. There could even be a lot of backlash if we advocate for this." Myo Min Tun admits he did not mention he was gay in his interview with the party -- but says it was important for him to come out publicly. "I didn't want to lie to get votes," he said. "I believe if I'm fair and truthful, people will support me."

'I don't want to lie': Gay pioneer stands in Myanmar election

The Indian delegation will visit Myanmar on October 4 for a two-day visit. Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be a part of this delegation that will call on the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The delegation will aim at strengthening ties with Myanmar.

India Myanmar ties: Indian delegation in Myanmar aims at strengthening ties

As part of India's contribution to help "friendly neighbour" Myanmar in its fight against COVID-19, Army chief Gen.

M M Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday handed over 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Gen. Naravane and Shringla are here on a two-day visit from Sunday to Myanmar with an aim to further expand ties in a range of areas including connectivity, defence and security.

The Indian Army chief and the Foreign Secretary along with Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Saurabh Kumar, called on Suu Kyi at Naypyitaw on Monday during which they discussed important bilateral issues, the Indian embassy tweeted.

"As part of India's contribution to help a friendly neighbour Myanmar fight against COVID-19", General Naravane and Shringla handed over 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to Suu Kyi, it said in another tweet.

The intravenous antiviral drug, Remdesivir, is used to treat COVID-19.

US President Donald Trump, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, is also being administered Remdesivir.

The visit by Gen. Naravane and Shringla to Myanmar assumes significance as it comes in the midst of the Indian Army's bitter border standoff with the Chinese military in eastern Ladakh as well restrictions on foreign visits due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is Gen. Naravane's first visit to any foreign country after he took charge as the Chief of Army Staff on December 31 last year.

Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

As part of India's contribution to help "friendly neighbour" Myanmar in its fight against COVID-19, Army chief Gen. M M Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday handed over 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

As part of India's contribution to help "friendly neighbour" Myanmar in its fight against COVID-19, Army chief Gen. M M Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday handed over 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Gen. Naravane and Shringla are here on a two-day visit from Sunday to Myanmar with an aim to further expand ties in a range of areas including connectivity, defence and security. The Indian Army chief and the Foreign Secretary along with Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Saurabh Kumar, called on Suu Kyi at Naypyitaw on Monday during which they discussed important bilateral issues, the Indian embassy tweeted. "As part of India's contribution to help a friendly neighbour Myanmar fight against COVID-19", General Naravane and Shringla handed over 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to Suu Kyi, it said in another tweet. The intravenous antiviral drug, Remdesivir, is used to treat COVID-19. US President Donald Trump, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, is also being administered Remdesivir. The visit by Gen. Naravane and Shringla to Myanmar assumes significance as it comes in the midst of the Indian Army's bitter border standoff with the Chinese military in eastern Ladakh as well restrictions on foreign visits due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is Gen. Naravane's first visit to any foreign country after he took charge as the Chief of Army Staff on December 31 last year. Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

India gives 3,000 vials of Remdesivir to 'friendly' Myanmar to help fight COVID-19

The Indian delegation will visit Myanmar on October 4 for a two-day visit. Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be a part of this delegation that will call on the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Indian delegation visits Myanmar as it goes to polls

India's army chief MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will visit Myanmar next week. The visit comes even as China has been trying to increase influence in India's neighbourhood.

This is the first visit of the army chief outside the country amid the COVID pandemic and India China tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Notably, army chief MM Naravane has served as India's defence attache to Myanmar in the past.

This will be Shringla's second trip outside the country amid the pandemic. He has already visited Bangladesh. Last week, he had a virtual meet with his Myanmar counterpart -- Permanent Secretary, U Soe Han. He informed that New Delhi would operationalise the Sittwe port in the first quarter of next year .

Shringla said, "Despite the challenges caused by the COVID pandemic, we are working towards operationalising the Sittwe Port by the first quarter of next year."

COVID crisis, the vaccine, Rohingya repatriation were other key issues of the meet.&nbsp;

On the security front, Myanmar recently handed over of 22 Indian insurgents which was "deeply appreciated by the Government of India and sends a strong message of deterrence to inimical elements on both sides," FS Shringla said at the meet.

India's army chief MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will visit Myanmar next week. The visit comes even as China has been trying to increase influence in India's neighbourhood.

India's army chief MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will visit Myanmar next week. The visit comes even as China has been trying to increase influence in India's neighbourhood. This is the first visit of the army chief outside the country amid the COVID pandemic and India China tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Notably, army chief MM Naravane has served as India's defence attache to Myanmar in the past. This will be Shringla's second trip outside the country amid the pandemic. He has already visited Bangladesh. Last week, he had a virtual meet with his Myanmar counterpart -- Permanent Secretary, U Soe Han. He informed that New Delhi would operationalise the Sittwe port in the first quarter of next year . Shringla said, "Despite the challenges caused by the COVID pandemic, we are working towards operationalising the Sittwe Port by the first quarter of next year." COVID crisis, the vaccine, Rohingya repatriation were other key issues of the meet. On the security front, Myanmar recently handed over of 22 Indian insurgents which was "deeply appreciated by the Government of India and sends a strong message of deterrence to inimical elements on both sides," FS Shringla said at the meet.

India's army chief, foreign secretary to visit Myanmar

Ahead of the elections in Myanmar India's Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane is expected to visit Myanmar by next week. Foreign Secretary of India Harsh V Shringla will also accompany the Chief.

Indian Army Chief, Foreign Secretary to visit Myanmar: Visit amid Chinese influence in the region

In a development that will increase connectivity &amp; economic development in India's Northeast and Myanmar, India has an announcement that key Sittwe port in Myanmar's Rakhine state will be operationalized in the first quarter of next year, which is the period between January to March.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during virtual Foreign Office Consultations between the 2 countries on Thursday said,"Despite the challenges caused by the COVID pandemic, we are working towards operationalizing the Sittwe Port by the first quarter of next year."

"With respect to the 69 bridges on the Trilateral Highway, I am happy to inform you that we will soon be moving forward with the tendering process," he said.

Port at Sittwe and IWT Terminals in Sittwe and Paletwa have been constructed with Government of India’s grant assistance in May 2017 at a cost of about US$ 78 million. A Port Operator has taken over the port operations at Sittwe from 1 February 2020.

Sittwe is part of India built mega Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The Project when completed, will improve connectivity with Myanmar, by creating transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the northeastern region of India via Myanmar.

Myanmar delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, U Soe Han at the virtual meet that saw several other issues being discussed.

During the meet, Foreign Secretary Harsh highlighting the "strong civilizational links", talked about the work India has "undertaken with the restoration of the famous Ananda Temple and are working on the conservation of some earthquake-damaged pagodas in Bagan". He expressed hope that Phase–1 will be completed "at the earliest which has been delayed due to the ongoing COVID pandemic."

On security cooperation, Foreign Secretary remarked how both countries "have remained sensitive to each other’s security concerns" &amp; "Myanmar’s handing over of 22 Indian insurgents has been deeply appreciated by the Government of India and sends a strong message of deterrence to inimical elements on both sides"

Interesting to note that Myanmar will be sending its representative to India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region based in Gurgaon. The Fusion centre has detailed information on the developments in the Indian ocean.

On COVID vaccine, he said, "we stand committed to sharing our capabilities with our strategic partners, including Myanmar, in our collective best interest."

He also mentioned the Rohingya issue between Myanmar &amp; Bangladesh saying, "Our efforts towards ensuring an early, safe and sustainable repatriation of internally displaced persons to Myanmar will continue."

India has entered into trilateral cooperation with Japan on the Rakhine State in Myanmar under which New Delhi will create soft infrastructure for 15 schools.

In a development that will increase connectivity & economic development in India's Northeast and Myanmar, India has an announcement that key Sittwe port in Myanmar's Rakhine state will be operationalized in the first quarter of next year, which is the period between January to March.

In a development that will increase connectivity & economic development in India's Northeast and Myanmar, India has an announcement that key Sittwe port in Myanmar's Rakhine state will be operationalized in the first quarter of next year, which is the period between January to March. India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during virtual Foreign Office Consultations between the 2 countries on Thursday said,"Despite the challenges caused by the COVID pandemic, we are working towards operationalizing the Sittwe Port by the first quarter of next year." "With respect to the 69 bridges on the Trilateral Highway, I am happy to inform you that we will soon be moving forward with the tendering process," he said. Port at Sittwe and IWT Terminals in Sittwe and Paletwa have been constructed with Government of India’s grant assistance in May 2017 at a cost of about US$ 78 million. A Port Operator has taken over the port operations at Sittwe from 1 February 2020. Sittwe is part of India built mega Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The Project when completed, will improve connectivity with Myanmar, by creating transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the northeastern region of India via Myanmar. Myanmar delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, U Soe Han at the virtual meet that saw several other issues being discussed. During the meet, Foreign Secretary Harsh highlighting the "strong civilizational links", talked about the work India has "undertaken with the restoration of the famous Ananda Temple and are working on the conservation of some earthquake-damaged pagodas in Bagan". He expressed hope that Phase–1 will be completed "at the earliest which has been delayed due to the ongoing COVID pandemic." On security cooperation, Foreign Secretary remarked how both countries "have remained sensitive to each other’s security concerns" & "Myanmar’s handing over of 22 Indian insurgents has been deeply appreciated by the Government of India and sends a strong message of deterrence to inimical elements on both sides" Interesting to note that Myanmar will be sending its representative to India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region based in Gurgaon. The Fusion centre has detailed information on the developments in the Indian ocean. On COVID vaccine, he said, "we stand committed to sharing our capabilities with our strategic partners, including Myanmar, in our collective best interest." He also mentioned the Rohingya issue between Myanmar & Bangladesh saying, "Our efforts towards ensuring an early, safe and sustainable repatriation of internally displaced persons to Myanmar will continue." India has entered into trilateral cooperation with Japan on the Rakhine State in Myanmar under which New Delhi will create soft infrastructure for 15 schools.

India to operationalise 'Chabahar of the East' Sittwe port next year

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually addressed the 75th UNGA. She went out to highlight the biggest refugee crisis.

Bangladesh PM highlights Rohingya crisis at UNGA

Myanmar has quarantined tens of thousands of people to prevent a coronavirus outbreak from overwhelming its fragile healthcare system but public health experts and doctors say the strategy is on the brink of collapse as infections surge.

Myanmar’s ‘maximum containment’ COVID plan pushed to brink

In an exclusive interview with Palki Sharma Upadhyay- Aung San Suu Kyi's challenger Dr. Thet Thet Khine has said that the Myanmar govt failed to co-operate with UN fact-finding mission on the Rohingya crisis. Here are some excerpts from the conversation.

Gravitas: Has Myanmar become an autocracy?

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bicameral resolution in the US Congress, urging the Myanmar government to allow free, fair, transparent, participatory and credible elections in the country scheduled to be held in the month of November.

The lawmakers also called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, seeking support for Myanmar's ongoing transition to democracy and condemn any action taken by the government, political parties, military, or Union Election Commission to limit civil society participation in the election.

Introduced by Congressman Andy Levin and Steve Chabot, both of whom are members of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, and other fellow Congressmen, the group also urged the Trump administration to ensure that the US-based social media companies, including Facebook, don't allow their platforms to be used as vehicles for spreading misinformation or advocating violence or voter intimidation to suppress voter participation.

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In the Senate, the resolution was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin and Todd Young, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The resolution also calls for the President to consider sanctioning individuals within the Government of Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, and among military associated businesses and ultranationalist groups, whom the US Government determines undermine free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections in Myanmar or the safety of such elections.

"Myanmar has experienced one of the most severe human rights atrocities in modern history. Now there is a concerted attempt to disenfranchise the Rohingya and other minority groups in Myanmar by shutting them out of the democratic process," said Cardin.

The US must stand in support of efforts for a more peaceful and democratic future for Myanmar in which all people's human rights are respected, he said.

Given the horrific human rights abuses that have occurred in Myanmar in recent years, it is critical that the Rohingya Muslim minority be included in the election process this November. The US supports efforts for a free, fair, inclusive, and transparent election said, Senator Young.

"Myanmar's 2015 general elections marked a significant turning point in the country's trajectory. Yet Myanmar's fledgeling democratic experiment, with the military still wielding so much control, has been wracked by tragedy, including the genocide of the Rohingya and ongoing abuses of ethnic minorities. Myanmar's upcoming elections in November are a critical opportunity to take a step toward a democracy where all citizens can be protected and enfranchised," said Engel.

Engel urged the Myanmar Government to do everything in its power to ensure free and fair elections, to enable the participation of all of Myanmar ethnic groups, and to act decisively to combat hate speech and political violence.

Congressman Levin said that the genocide of the Rohingya, the continued oppression of religious and ethnic minorities, the silencing of government critics and more have marred recent years.

"These elections represent a critical juncture. We urge the Myanmar government to hold free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections, and we urge our own president and State Department to work with us in support of a real democratic transition in Myanmar," he said.

"As a longtime advocate for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Myanmar, I believe that free and fair elections in Myanmar are a necessary step in the country's democratic transition," said Congressman Chabot.&nbsp;

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bicameral resolution in the US Congress, urging the Myanmar government to allow free, fair, transparent, participatory and credible elections in the country scheduled to be held in the month of November.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bicameral resolution in the US Congress, urging the Myanmar government to allow free, fair, transparent, participatory and credible elections in the country scheduled to be held in the month of November. The lawmakers also called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, seeking support for Myanmar's ongoing transition to democracy and condemn any action taken by the government, political parties, military, or Union Election Commission to limit civil society participation in the election. Introduced by Congressman Andy Levin and Steve Chabot, both of whom are members of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, and other fellow Congressmen, the group also urged the Trump administration to ensure that the US-based social media companies, including Facebook, don't allow their platforms to be used as vehicles for spreading misinformation or advocating violence or voter intimidation to suppress voter participation. × In the Senate, the resolution was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin and Todd Young, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The resolution also calls for the President to consider sanctioning individuals within the Government of Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, and among military associated businesses and ultranationalist groups, whom the US Government determines undermine free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections in Myanmar or the safety of such elections. "Myanmar has experienced one of the most severe human rights atrocities in modern history. Now there is a concerted attempt to disenfranchise the Rohingya and other minority groups in Myanmar by shutting them out of the democratic process," said Cardin. The US must stand in support of efforts for a more peaceful and democratic future for Myanmar in which all people's human rights are respected, he said. Given the horrific human rights abuses that have occurred in Myanmar in recent years, it is critical that the Rohingya Muslim minority be included in the election process this November. The US supports efforts for a free, fair, inclusive, and transparent election said, Senator Young. "Myanmar's 2015 general elections marked a significant turning point in the country's trajectory. Yet Myanmar's fledgeling democratic experiment, with the military still wielding so much control, has been wracked by tragedy, including the genocide of the Rohingya and ongoing abuses of ethnic minorities. Myanmar's upcoming elections in November are a critical opportunity to take a step toward a democracy where all citizens can be protected and enfranchised," said Engel. Engel urged the Myanmar Government to do everything in its power to ensure free and fair elections, to enable the participation of all of Myanmar ethnic groups, and to act decisively to combat hate speech and political violence. Congressman Levin said that the genocide of the Rohingya, the continued oppression of religious and ethnic minorities, the silencing of government critics and more have marred recent years. "These elections represent a critical juncture. We urge the Myanmar government to hold free, fair, inclusive, transparent, participatory, and credible elections, and we urge our own president and State Department to work with us in support of a real democratic transition in Myanmar," he said. "As a longtime advocate for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Myanmar, I believe that free and fair elections in Myanmar are a necessary step in the country's democratic transition," said Congressman Chabot.

US lawmakers seek transparent, fair election in Myanmar: Resolution

Myanmar is set to hold its most crucial election in November. Aung San Suu Kyi's former ally Thet Thet Khine has emerged as a key challenger. Meanwhile, the Rohingya community in the country remains disenfranchised.

Myanmar gearing up for general election, Aung San Suu Kyi remains a front runner

Myanmar plans to push ahead with a November general election despite calls from opposition parties to postpone it because of a surge in novel coronavirus cases, officials said.

WION Dispatch: Myanmar Gears Up For General Election

Polls in Myanmar are slated to begin on November 8, a crucial test for the country’s first democratic government in half a century. But the country has to first pass a different test - the coronavirus. In one month, deaths have tripled in Myanmar,&nbsp;infections have shot up by 700 per cent, and new infections are doubling every week.

Several members of state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's office have tested positive, but the government has confirmed the leader is in "good health". Myanmar has one of the world's poorest healthcare systems. Hospitals in the Myanmar biggest city, Yangon, are overwhelmed.

Opposition parties want the election to be postponed. The people's pioneer party has called for a delay to allow the vote to be held "fairly and without chaos".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/casualties-in-myanmar-may-represent-war-crimes-un-human-rights-chief-327452" hreflang="en">Casualties in Myanmar may represent war crimes: UN human rights chief</a>

Local media reports say at least three other parties back the call. Commercial hub Yangon, capital Naypyidaw and conflict-stricken Rakhine state are all under lockdown. Neighbours China and Thailand are boosting security on shared borders to prevent the spread.

After detecting several new cases in the Chinese border city of Ruili, China announced a lockdown. Thailand has increased military presence on its border, and Myanmar is doing the same.

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Myanmar has deployed over 2,500 additional troops near the Bangladesh border, in camps along the Rakhine and Chin states’ western border. The government says this is to suppress the Arakan army, which it calls a “terrorist group”. The deployment comes after two meetings last week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/three-years-after-exodus-myanmar-erases-names-of-rohingya-villages-un-map-makers-follow-suit-326892" hreflang="en">Three years after exodus, Myanmar erases names of Rohingya villages. UN map makers follow suit</a>

Bangladesh recently summoned Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka. Bangladesh fears a&nbsp;new round of killings and torture in Rakhine or Chin state, like they did in 2017. This could trigger another exodus. Myanmar is under the global scanner, the UNSC has urged it to ensure the participation of Rohingya&nbsp;in the election.

Polls in Myanmar are slated to begin on November 8, a crucial test for the country’s first democratic government in half a century. But the country has to first pass a different test - the coronavirus.

Polls in Myanmar are slated to begin on November 8, a crucial test for the country’s first democratic government in half a century. But the country has to first pass a different test - the coronavirus. In one month, deaths have tripled in Myanmar, infections have shot up by 700 per cent, and new infections are doubling every week. Several members of state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's office have tested positive, but the government has confirmed the leader is in "good health". Myanmar has one of the world's poorest healthcare systems. Hospitals in the Myanmar biggest city, Yangon, are overwhelmed. Opposition parties want the election to be postponed. The people's pioneer party has called for a delay to allow the vote to be held "fairly and without chaos". Also read: Casualties in Myanmar may represent war crimes: UN human rights chief Local media reports say at least three other parties back the call. Commercial hub Yangon, capital Naypyidaw and conflict-stricken Rakhine state are all under lockdown. Neighbours China and Thailand are boosting security on shared borders to prevent the spread. After detecting several new cases in the Chinese border city of Ruili, China announced a lockdown. Thailand has increased military presence on its border, and Myanmar is doing the same. × Myanmar has deployed over 2,500 additional troops near the Bangladesh border, in camps along the Rakhine and Chin states’ western border. The government says this is to suppress the Arakan army, which it calls a “terrorist group”. The deployment comes after two meetings last week. Also read: Three years after exodus, Myanmar erases names of Rohingya villages. UN map makers follow suit Bangladesh recently summoned Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka. Bangladesh fears a new round of killings and torture in Rakhine or Chin state, like they did in 2017. This could trigger another exodus. Myanmar is under the global scanner, the UNSC has urged it to ensure the participation of Rohingya in the election.

Myanmar is gearing up for a crucial test of democracy, but it must pass other tests first

In less than two months, Myanmar will vote for its next leader. With the cases of the Wuhan virus rising, Myanmar has stepped up military deployment on its border with Bangladesh. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Myanmar deploys more than 2500 troops near Bangladesh border

Myanmar has mobilised over 2,500 troops near the Bangladesh border in Rakhine. This has created fear of a fresh crackdown. Is it a conspiracy against Rohingyas?

Myanmar mobilised over 2,500 troops near Bangladesh border in Rakhine

United Nations human rights chief on Monday said that “no concrete measures” have been taken three years after the Rohingya exodus to provide relief to the people. Additionally, Michelle Bachelet said that many civilian casualties may represent war crimes.

"In some cases, they appear to have been targeted or attacked indiscriminately, which may constitute further war crimes or even crimes against humanity," Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. She was speaking about casualties in Rakhine and Chin States.

Citing satellite images and eyewitness accounts, she noted how areas of northern Rakhine had been burnt in the recent months, calling this “troubling”, while calling for an independent investigation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/three-years-after-exodus-myanmar-erases-names-of-rohingya-villages-un-map-makers-follow-suit-326892" hreflang="en">Three years after exodus, Myanmar erases names of Rohingya villages. UN map makers follow suit</a>

Myanmar is in election mode and&nbsp;campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a&nbsp;controversy involving the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and&nbsp;has often been accused of human rights violations.

A new report shows how the&nbsp;army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities. The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents which apparently expose how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army.

Many of the military units that have been&nbsp;receiving funds are involved in human rights violations.&nbsp;The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/how-myanmar-army-runs-a-global-business-empire-to-finance-atrocities-326706" hreflang="en">How Myanmar army runs a global business empire to finance atrocities</a>

It is a secret conglomerate run by the military&nbsp;with several local and foreign businesses as partners.&nbsp;The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures.&nbsp;It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself.

According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade.

United Nations human rights chief on Monday said that “no concrete measures” have been taken three years after the Rohingya exodus to provide relief to the people.

United Nations human rights chief on Monday said that “no concrete measures” have been taken three years after the Rohingya exodus to provide relief to the people. Additionally, Michelle Bachelet said that many civilian casualties may represent war crimes. "In some cases, they appear to have been targeted or attacked indiscriminately, which may constitute further war crimes or even crimes against humanity," Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. She was speaking about casualties in Rakhine and Chin States. Citing satellite images and eyewitness accounts, she noted how areas of northern Rakhine had been burnt in the recent months, calling this “troubling”, while calling for an independent investigation. Also read: Three years after exodus, Myanmar erases names of Rohingya villages. UN map makers follow suit Myanmar is in election mode and campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a controversy involving the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and has often been accused of human rights violations. A new report shows how the army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities. The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents which apparently expose how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army. Many of the military units that have been receiving funds are involved in human rights violations. The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). Also read: How Myanmar army runs a global business empire to finance atrocities It is a secret conglomerate run by the military with several local and foreign businesses as partners. The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures. It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself. According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade.

Casualties in Myanmar may represent war crimes: UN human rights chief

8 member nations of the UNSC have urged Myanmar to ensure that the Rohingyas can participate in the general elections. Watch report.

8 UNSC members appeal to Myanmar: Appeal for Rohingya participation in general elections

When a prominent Buddhist monk in Myanmar noticed a surge in plastic waste generated by residents in his Yangon neighbourhood during the pandemic, he decided to do something about it. Helped by dozens of volunteers, his team now receives several thousand used plastic bottles a day from the community, with some recycled as food containers and others incorporated into building materials used at the meditation centre.

Myanmar's upcycling monk leads push to cut plastic waste

Myanmar is in election mode and&nbsp;campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a&nbsp;controversy.

The controversy involves the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and&nbsp;has often been accused of human rights violations.

A new report shows how the&nbsp;army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities.

The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents.&nbsp;The documents which apparently exposes how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army.

Many of the military units that have been&nbsp;receiving funds are involved in human rights violations.&nbsp;The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).

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It is a secret conglomerate run by the military&nbsp;with several local and foreign businesses as partners.&nbsp;The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures.&nbsp;It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself.

According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade.

The profits go to MEHL. The dividends go to shareholders.

Who are the shareholders?

<ul>
	<li>Kirin Holdings, a Japanese beverage company.</li>
	<li>Inno Group, a South Korean property developer</li>
	<li>Pan-Pacific, a South Korean property developer</li>
	<li>RMH Singapore, a private company involved in tobacco operations</li>
	<li>Wanbao, a Chinese metal mining company.</li>
</ul>

All these companies are business partners of the Myanmar Army. Their operations generate substantial revenue. The profit is distributed among regional commands, army divisions, battalions, troops and war veteran associations.

The report says that between 1990 and 2001 more than $18 billion were given to shareholders. Out of this some $16 billion were taken by military units alone.

What do they do with this kind of money?&nbsp;Cover their operational costs and fund atrocities. At least 95 of these military units fall under the western command of the Myanmar army, the one involved in operations in the Rakhine state.

33rd and 99th Light Infantry divisions of the Myanmar army are also listed as the shareholders.

These divisions have been involved in several crimes against the Rohingyas and other ethnic groups. They have been accused of large scale massacre of men, women and children.

So the bottom line is this: the business syndicate led by the Myanmar army is funding crimes against humanity. The companies involved are not doing anything to prevent or mitigate these crimes.&nbsp;The report says they are aware but they are not willing to disengage. 
&nbsp; 
The military in Myanmar has a finger in every pie and that includes the government. The military has the power to veto major political decisions. It controls a quarter of seats in the parliament plus, it has a State Counsellor willing to go to any lengths to defend the army

She is a Nobel peace laureate. She is defending the same army that kept her under house arrest for years.&nbsp;She is also tipped to win the upcoming election.&nbsp;So the syndicate runs, the army makes money, the crimes continue and the Myanmar government stays silent.

Myanmar is in election mode and campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a controversy. The controversy involves the Myanmar army.

Myanmar is in election mode and campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a controversy. The controversy involves the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and has often been accused of human rights violations. A new report shows how the army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities. The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents. The documents which apparently exposes how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army. Many of the military units that have been receiving funds are involved in human rights violations. The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). × It is a secret conglomerate run by the military with several local and foreign businesses as partners. The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures. It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself. According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade. The profits go to MEHL. The dividends go to shareholders. Who are the shareholders? Kirin Holdings, a Japanese beverage company. Inno Group, a South Korean property developer Pan-Pacific, a South Korean property developer RMH Singapore, a private company involved in tobacco operations Wanbao, a Chinese metal mining company. All these companies are business partners of the Myanmar Army. Their operations generate substantial revenue. The profit is distributed among regional commands, army divisions, battalions, troops and war veteran associations. The report says that between 1990 and 2001 more than $18 billion were given to shareholders. Out of this some $16 billion were taken by military units alone. What do they do with this kind of money? Cover their operational costs and fund atrocities. At least 95 of these military units fall under the western command of the Myanmar army, the one involved in operations in the Rakhine state. 33rd and 99th Light Infantry divisions of the Myanmar army are also listed as the shareholders. These divisions have been involved in several crimes against the Rohingyas and other ethnic groups. They have been accused of large scale massacre of men, women and children. So the bottom line is this: the business syndicate led by the Myanmar army is funding crimes against humanity. The companies involved are not doing anything to prevent or mitigate these crimes. The report says they are aware but they are not willing to disengage. The military in Myanmar has a finger in every pie and that includes the government. The military has the power to veto major political decisions. It controls a quarter of seats in the parliament plus, it has a State Counsellor willing to go to any lengths to defend the army She is a Nobel peace laureate. She is defending the same army that kept her under house arrest for years. She is also tipped to win the upcoming election. So the syndicate runs, the army makes money, the crimes continue and the Myanmar government stays silent.

How Myanmar army runs a global business empire to finance atrocities

A new report has revealed that the Myanmar Army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities in the Rakhine State. Which global companies are involved? How much money are the military generals making?

Gravitas: Myanmar Army's Global Business Empire

Three years ago, Myanmar’s military burned the Rohingya village of Kan Kya to the ground and bulldozed over its remains. Last year, the government erased its name from official maps, according to the United Nations.

About 3 miles (5 km) from the Naf River that marks the border between Myanmar’s Rakhine state and Bangladesh, Kan Kya was home to hundreds of people before the army chased 730,000 Rohingya out of the country in 2017 in what the United Nations described as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

The Myanmar military, now facing charges of genocide, said it was conducting “clearance operations” targeting militants.

Where Kan Kya once stood, there are now dozens of government and military buildings including a sprawling, fenced off police base, according to satellite images publicly available on Google Earth and historical images provided to Reuters by Planet Labs. The village, in a remote region in the northwest of the country closed off to foreigners, was too small to be named on Google Maps.&nbsp;

On maps produced in 2020 by the United Nations mapping unit in Myanmar, which it says are based on Myanmar government maps, the site of the destroyed village is now nameless and reclassified as part of nearby town Maungdaw.

The unit makes maps for the use of U.N. bodies, such as refugee agency UNHCR, and humanitarian groups that work with the United Nations in the field.

Kan Kya was one of almost 400 villages destroyed by the Myanmar military in 2017, according to satellite images analysed by New York-based Human Rights Watch. And it is one of at least a dozen whose names have been erased.

“Their intention is that we do not return,” said religious leader Mohammed Rofiq, a former chairman of a village close to Kan Kya who now lives in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, referring to the Myanmar government.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, which oversees Myanmar’s rebuilding activities in Rakhine state, declined to answer questions from Reuters about the erasure of village names or the government’s policy concerning the return of Rohingya refugees. The ministry referred questions to the General Administration Department (GAD), which did not respond.

A representative of the Myanmar government, led by state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, also did not respond to a request for comment.

The United Nations’ map department has produced at least three maps since the start of the year that show a number of Rohingya village names have disappeared or been reclassified by Myanmar.

The United Nations said it removed some maps of Rakhine state from its website in June and started a study to assess the impact of the government’s policies on villagers and returning refugees after the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, a UK-based Rohingya rights group, complained to the United Nations about the removal of village names.

The United Nations said the study has not reached any conclusion.

Yanghee Lee, a former U.N. human rights envoy to Myanmar, said the government was purposefully making it hard for refugees to return to places with no name and no evidence that they ever lived there. “This is a way of exterminating their basic identity,” she said.

Lee said the United Nations was complicit in allowing that to happen by not challenging the Myanmar government: “There hasn’t been any leadership that will say, ‘Wait a minute, the buck stops here, we’re not going to let this continue.’”

Several U.N. officials&nbsp;interviewed by Reuters declined to directly address why the United Nations had raised no objections or tried to stop it. &nbsp;

Ola Almgren, head of the U.N. mission to Myanmar, said he had not raised the issue of erasing village names with the Myanmar government, but said he had urged the Myanmar government to create "conditions conducive" to the return of refugees.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the reclassification of some villages as wards was a “routine administrative procedure.” The U.N. mapping unit “utilizes the official government names of places so as to avoid confusion among aid workers and government officials in the field,” he said. “The standing U.N. practice worldwide is to employ officially designated place names for all publicly distributed maps and products.”

Dujarric said that changing the legal status of villages may become “an additional layer of complexity” in refugees reclaiming their former homes, without providing specifics. &nbsp;

BUILDING QUICKLY

Buddhist-majority Myanmar denies citizenship to Muslim Rohingya, whom many regard as interlopers from neighbouring Bangladesh despite their centuries-long presence in the country. Myanmar has said it is open to the return of Rohingya refugees who fled the crackdown in 2017, but said it must be done through an orderly process.

Talks on that process between Myanmar and Bangladesh - where more than 1 million Rohingya live in refugee camps - have stalled. In recent months, the few dozen refugees who have tried to return have been arrested for illegal entry by Myanmar officials who cited concerns about refugees spreading the new coronavirus.

Satellite images taken by Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based private satellite operator founded by former NASA scientists, and Google Earth show that Myanmar started building on the sites of at least a dozen destroyed villages soon after residents fled in 2017. Myanmar is constructing bases for the security forces, buildings for government departments and homes for Buddhists, according to people in the area.

The satellite images show the base built on the site of Kan Kya doubled in size in the past year and two helipads were added. A new road has been built over the site of another razed village nearby called Gone Nar, which has also been reclassified as part of the expanded Maungdaw town.

A spokesman for the military did not respond to a request for comment on the building of security bases on the sites of destroyed Rohingya villages. Local officials could not be reached for comment.

In September 2019, an order by the GAD, part of the civilian Ministry of the Office of the Union Government, reclassified 16 villages, most of them formerly Rohingya, as wards of Maungdaw, according to the U.N. mapping unit in Myanmar.

Six of the village names were retained in the names of the new wards they were reclassified as belonging to, but 10 village names disappeared from the maps, according to the United Nations.

Five of these villages were destroyed in 2017. GAD figures show Rohingya, which it classifies as “foreigners” from Bangladesh, now account for about 60% of the Maungdaw population, compared with 93% in 2017, before the crackdown.

Hundreds of other destroyed villages have not had their names changed or erased, according to U.N. maps.

WALLS AND WATCHTOWERS

The United Nations said 11 other villages had been reclassified over the last five years as wards of a new town named Myin Hlut, where one Myanmar government minister has proposed a beach and seafood tourist area.

These small villages along the coast were mostly destroyed in the 2017 crackdown, though two remained intact until authorities bulldozed them in 2018. Six new guard stations with watchtowers have been erected in the area, according to a satellite imagery analyst at Amnesty International.

As the Rohingya villages disappeared from the maps, two villages for Buddhist settlers were added to U.N. maps in 2020.

In Inn Din, a village where Myanmar soldiers killed 10 Muslim men in one incident during the 2017 crackdown, the 6,000 Rohingya people who lived there have all fled and their homes have been destroyed.

The Rakhine state government has built new dwellings for Buddhists in the area, Reuters reported in 2018. Satellite images show the site has expanded further since then, while in neighboring Kyauk Pandu, a Rakhine Buddhist settlement has doubled in size.

Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, noted that the International Court of Justice, which is investigating charges of genocide against Myanmar over the 2017 crackdown, has ordered the government to preserve any evidence related to the charges, which Myanmar has agreed to do.

He did not say whether the United Nations believed the erasure of village names contravened that order or what the United Nations was doing to stop it. &nbsp;

A Bangladesh official with knowledge of the process of repatriating Rohingya refugees told Reuters that Myanmar showed no change in its policy towards the Rohingya.

In March, the official said, Myanmar sent to Bangladesh a list of names of 840 Rohingya it had approved to return to two areas in northern Rakhine: Hla Poe Kaung and Thet Kay Pin.

But the refugees were not from that area, the official said, and the list included single members from large families including women unlikely to travel alone.

A representative of Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare told Reuters there were “some gaps in communications” between Myanmar and Bangladesh on the matter of returning refugees, which the representative blamed on the postponement of a meeting due to the coronavirus.

Satellite images of the areas to which Myanmar proposed they return showed one large settlement ringed by walls and watchtowers and a smaller one nearby. Both were built on top of razed Rohingya villages. Rohingya leaders have said they will return only to original village plots where they can build their own homes, not to camps.

In a closed-door address to the U.N. General Assembly last month, a transcript of which was seen by Reuters, the U.N. special envoy to Myanmar raised the issue of stalled repatriation of Rohingya refugees, saying “greater confidence-building measures” were needed to assuage refugee fears.

"It`s alarming," said Jafar Ahmed, another former resident of the area. "I don`t know if we will ever get back our land."

Three years ago, Myanmar’s military burned the Rohingya village of Kan Kya to the ground and bulldozed over its remains. Last year, the government erased its name from official maps, according to the United Nations.

Three years ago, Myanmar’s military burned the Rohingya village of Kan Kya to the ground and bulldozed over its remains. Last year, the government erased its name from official maps, according to the United Nations. About 3 miles (5 km) from the Naf River that marks the border between Myanmar’s Rakhine state and Bangladesh, Kan Kya was home to hundreds of people before the army chased 730,000 Rohingya out of the country in 2017 in what the United Nations described as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing." The Myanmar military, now facing charges of genocide, said it was conducting “clearance operations” targeting militants. Where Kan Kya once stood, there are now dozens of government and military buildings including a sprawling, fenced off police base, according to satellite images publicly available on Google Earth and historical images provided to Reuters by Planet Labs. The village, in a remote region in the northwest of the country closed off to foreigners, was too small to be named on Google Maps. On maps produced in 2020 by the United Nations mapping unit in Myanmar, which it says are based on Myanmar government maps, the site of the destroyed village is now nameless and reclassified as part of nearby town Maungdaw. The unit makes maps for the use of U.N. bodies, such as refugee agency UNHCR, and humanitarian groups that work with the United Nations in the field. Kan Kya was one of almost 400 villages destroyed by the Myanmar military in 2017, according to satellite images analysed by New York-based Human Rights Watch. And it is one of at least a dozen whose names have been erased. “Their intention is that we do not return,” said religious leader Mohammed Rofiq, a former chairman of a village close to Kan Kya who now lives in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, referring to the Myanmar government. The Ministry of Social Welfare, which oversees Myanmar’s rebuilding activities in Rakhine state, declined to answer questions from Reuters about the erasure of village names or the government’s policy concerning the return of Rohingya refugees. The ministry referred questions to the General Administration Department (GAD), which did not respond. A representative of the Myanmar government, led by state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, also did not respond to a request for comment. The United Nations’ map department has produced at least three maps since the start of the year that show a number of Rohingya village names have disappeared or been reclassified by Myanmar. The United Nations said it removed some maps of Rakhine state from its website in June and started a study to assess the impact of the government’s policies on villagers and returning refugees after the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, a UK-based Rohingya rights group, complained to the United Nations about the removal of village names. The United Nations said the study has not reached any conclusion. Yanghee Lee, a former U.N. human rights envoy to Myanmar, said the government was purposefully making it hard for refugees to return to places with no name and no evidence that they ever lived there. “This is a way of exterminating their basic identity,” she said. Lee said the United Nations was complicit in allowing that to happen by not challenging the Myanmar government: “There hasn’t been any leadership that will say, ‘Wait a minute, the buck stops here, we’re not going to let this continue.’” Several U.N. officials interviewed by Reuters declined to directly address why the United Nations had raised no objections or tried to stop it. Ola Almgren, head of the U.N. mission to Myanmar, said he had not raised the issue of erasing village names with the Myanmar government, but said he had urged the Myanmar government to create "conditions conducive" to the return of refugees. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the reclassification of some villages as wards was a “routine administrative procedure.” The U.N. mapping unit “utilizes the official government names of places so as to avoid confusion among aid workers and government officials in the field,” he said. “The standing U.N. practice worldwide is to employ officially designated place names for all publicly distributed maps and products.” Dujarric said that changing the legal status of villages may become “an additional layer of complexity” in refugees reclaiming their former homes, without providing specifics. BUILDING QUICKLY Buddhist-majority Myanmar denies citizenship to Muslim Rohingya, whom many regard as interlopers from neighbouring Bangladesh despite their centuries-long presence in the country. Myanmar has said it is open to the return of Rohingya refugees who fled the crackdown in 2017, but said it must be done through an orderly process. Talks on that process between Myanmar and Bangladesh - where more than 1 million Rohingya live in refugee camps - have stalled. In recent months, the few dozen refugees who have tried to return have been arrested for illegal entry by Myanmar officials who cited concerns about refugees spreading the new coronavirus. Satellite images taken by Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based private satellite operator founded by former NASA scientists, and Google Earth show that Myanmar started building on the sites of at least a dozen destroyed villages soon after residents fled in 2017. Myanmar is constructing bases for the security forces, buildings for government departments and homes for Buddhists, according to people in the area. The satellite images show the base built on the site of Kan Kya doubled in size in the past year and two helipads were added. A new road has been built over the site of another razed village nearby called Gone Nar, which has also been reclassified as part of the expanded Maungdaw town. A spokesman for the military did not respond to a request for comment on the building of security bases on the sites of destroyed Rohingya villages. Local officials could not be reached for comment. In September 2019, an order by the GAD, part of the civilian Ministry of the Office of the Union Government, reclassified 16 villages, most of them formerly Rohingya, as wards of Maungdaw, according to the U.N. mapping unit in Myanmar. Six of the village names were retained in the names of the new wards they were reclassified as belonging to, but 10 village names disappeared from the maps, according to the United Nations. Five of these villages were destroyed in 2017. GAD figures show Rohingya, which it classifies as “foreigners” from Bangladesh, now account for about 60% of the Maungdaw population, compared with 93% in 2017, before the crackdown. Hundreds of other destroyed villages have not had their names changed or erased, according to U.N. maps. WALLS AND WATCHTOWERS The United Nations said 11 other villages had been reclassified over the last five years as wards of a new town named Myin Hlut, where one Myanmar government minister has proposed a beach and seafood tourist area. These small villages along the coast were mostly destroyed in the 2017 crackdown, though two remained intact until authorities bulldozed them in 2018. Six new guard stations with watchtowers have been erected in the area, according to a satellite imagery analyst at Amnesty International. As the Rohingya villages disappeared from the maps, two villages for Buddhist settlers were added to U.N. maps in 2020. In Inn Din, a village where Myanmar soldiers killed 10 Muslim men in one incident during the 2017 crackdown, the 6,000 Rohingya people who lived there have all fled and their homes have been destroyed. The Rakhine state government has built new dwellings for Buddhists in the area, Reuters reported in 2018. Satellite images show the site has expanded further since then, while in neighboring Kyauk Pandu, a Rakhine Buddhist settlement has doubled in size. Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, noted that the International Court of Justice, which is investigating charges of genocide against Myanmar over the 2017 crackdown, has ordered the government to preserve any evidence related to the charges, which Myanmar has agreed to do. He did not say whether the United Nations believed the erasure of village names contravened that order or what the United Nations was doing to stop it. A Bangladesh official with knowledge of the process of repatriating Rohingya refugees told Reuters that Myanmar showed no change in its policy towards the Rohingya. In March, the official said, Myanmar sent to Bangladesh a list of names of 840 Rohingya it had approved to return to two areas in northern Rakhine: Hla Poe Kaung and Thet Kay Pin. But the refugees were not from that area, the official said, and the list included single members from large families including women unlikely to travel alone. A representative of Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare told Reuters there were “some gaps in communications” between Myanmar and Bangladesh on the matter of returning refugees, which the representative blamed on the postponement of a meeting due to the coronavirus. Satellite images of the areas to which Myanmar proposed they return showed one large settlement ringed by walls and watchtowers and a smaller one nearby. Both were built on top of razed Rohingya villages. Rohingya leaders have said they will return only to original village plots where they can build their own homes, not to camps. In a closed-door address to the U.N. General Assembly last month, a transcript of which was seen by Reuters, the U.N. special envoy to Myanmar raised the issue of stalled repatriation of Rohingya refugees, saying “greater confidence-building measures” were needed to assuage refugee fears. "It`s alarming," said Jafar Ahmed, another former resident of the area. "I don`t know if we will ever get back our land."

Three years after exodus, Myanmar erases names of Rohingya villages. UN map makers follow suit

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