ALTSEAN-BURMA

The goal of this tool-kit is to offer support to youth who are working in atrocity prevention, human rights advocacy, peace-building and peace-keeping, as well as any person interested in building a more peaceful world. It was created for and in collaboration with a youth network working in atrocity prevention and youth empowerment in Burma/Myanmar and made possible thanks to the Rotary Peace Fellowship program, the support of the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, the supervision of ALTSEAN-Burma, as well as the collaboration of Middle Path Group, Brisbane.

ALTSEAN-Burma is one of 52 signatories calling on the Atrocity Prevention sector to confront the heteronormative patriarchal power structures that perpetuate atrocity crimes against LGBTQI+ individuals, and to centre LGBTQI+ communities’ unique risks, vulnerabilities and expertise in our work.

The number of IDPs exceeded one million for the first time. Junta troops continued to slash their way through Burma, killing civilians and torching villages. At least 5,646 civilians have been killed since 1 Feb 2021, a number unprecedented in the country’s modern history. Conflict heated up in the West, with several clashes breaking out between the junta and the Arakan Army. The regime took more steps to rig the next election. It continued to persecute top NLD officials while terror groups stepped up attacks on party members and supporters.

• In the face of nationwide resistance, junta forces engaged in a scorched-earth campaign. In less than 3 months (Feb–Apr 2022), they reportedly torched 5,617 homes in Sagaing Region alone. Since 2021, junta forces have destroyed at least 97 religious buildings nationwide.

• The junta continued to target relatives of people they hunted. It has killed at least 132 children.

• At least 1% of Burma’s population has been displaced since 1 Feb 2021, bringing the total number of IDPs to at least 912,700. The junta continued to block humanitarian aid.

• The cash-strapped junta required businesses to convert all foreign currency into MMK at an artificially low rate, further damaging the economy.

-According to UNHCR, 614,000 people have been displaced since the coup attempt, adding to over one million people displaced by pre-existing armed conflict and abuses. These populations, further affected by ongoing attacks and blocks on humanitarian aid, are in desperate need of protection, shelter, food, water, medicine, and other aid.

-It is imperative for ASEAN members to facilitate cross-border aid, partnering with like-minded countries and organizations, in the interests of regional human security and ASEAN's credibility.