ALTSEAN-BURMA

JOB DESCRIPTION

• As of 28 Oct, there had been at least 16,651 armed clashes and attacks, resulting in the displacement of 1,161,800 people since the coup began.

• Regime jets bombed a music concert in Kachin State, killing up to 80 people and drawing international outrage, days before an ASEAN emergency meeting on the crisis.

• Junta forces have killed at least 2,404 civilians and arrested 16,016 as of 31 Oct.

• ASEAN Foreign Ministers decided to stick to the failing Five-Point Consensus despite the regime’s unwillingness to implement it.

Download PDF

During a decade of quasi-civilian rule and economic liberalization, the NLD government was able to put some safeguards in place and increase accountability. Since the coup, however, these significant—albeit insufficient—gains have been obliterated. In April 2021 the junta launched multiple airstrikes on the Salween Peace Park, one of the richest forest ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Those who speak out against the junta’s plunder are threatened, arrested, and even killed. Since the coup attempt, the junta has hosted 12 timber auctions, raising over USD 5 million. It has held three gem fairs, the first of which raised USD 18 million.

Download PDF

One of the biggest challenges that Indonesia will face as ASEAN Chair 2023 is how it ensures effective leadership to secure significant progress on the ongoing political and human security crisis in Burma/Myanmar. Under Brunei’s chairmanship, ASEAN proved itself incapable of responding swiftly to the Burma crisis. One and a half years after the adoption of the Five-Point Consensus (FPC), the bloc still seems to lack common ground regarding the FPC’s implementation. In its upcoming 2023 chairmanship, Indonesia should trade the FPC for a more progressive and pragmatic plan with clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms in the best interest of the Burma people.

Download PDF

• Fighting between junta and AA forces escalated further and spread to Rakhine State’s central townships.

• Junta forces have killed at least 2,327 civilians and arrested 15,691 as of 30 Sep. The regime continued to target former officials and NLD members, perceived opponents and their families.

• Malaysia further hardened its stance against the regime, repeating calls for ASEAN to engage with the NUG, to urgently provide humanitarian assistance through local CSOs, and to consider replacing the Five-Point Consensus.

• The Special Advisory Council for Burma reported that the junta and its militias were in control of 93 of 330 townships.

Download PDF

• As of 12 Aug, there had been at least 14,461 armed clashes and attacks, resulting in the displacement of 1,019,900 people since the coup began. Tensions increased significantly in Rakhine State, with several clashes breaking out.

• Junta forces have killed at least 2,259 civilians and arrested 15,294 as of 31 Aug. A junta court sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi to a further six years in prison for corruption.

• Min Aung Hlaing replaced top officials with loyalists to consolidate control ahead of the sham 2023 election.

• The Kyat continued its dive, forcing the regime to ease its disastrous exchange rate policies. Inflation kept driving up prices, leading to shortages.

Download PDF