An interview with Daw Ei Thinzar Maung, the NUG’s Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Children Affairs
September 23rd, 2022
Thirteen people including 11 children were reportedly killed in the junta’s airstrike on a middle school in Let Yet Kone village in Depayin Township in Sagaing Region on September 16th. The international organizations including the UN issued statements, strongly condemning the junta’s airstrike on the school.
How will the NUG proceed with the junta’s war crime? How will the NUG provide assistance to the family members of those killed in the airstrike? The Than Lwin Times interviewed Daw Ei Thinzar Maung, Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Children Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG) about the incident.
Q: May I know your ministry’s comment on the military council’s airstrike on the school?
A: Firstly what I want to say is these schools are self-reliant schools run by locals. The junta carried out an intentional attack on the self-reliant school and intentional and vindictive attack on innocent children, teachers and civilians. This is an unforgivable thing no matter whatever reason the military council gives and how the military council distributes fabricated news.
Q: It is found that the junta said it carried out airstrikes as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) were present in the school in Let Yet Kone village. What do you want to comment on?
A: I would like to say that the military council’s reply is very irrational. Myanmar has signed the Convention of the Rights of the Child. An article of the Convention states that it is required to prevent the children from acts which may be detrimental to the children or hamper the education and health of the children. This is the military council’s flagrant violations of child rights. This is an incident which cannot be erased in history whatever reason the military council gives.
Q: How will the NUG proceed with the junta who committed the war crime by conducting airstrikes on the schools?
A: This is not the first incident the junta conducted targeted attacks on schools and civilians. The junta has committed similar cases before. In recent days, many children and civilians were injured in the junta’s attack in Moebye. In addition to our ministry, the Human Rights Ministry and the Education Ministry are dealing with it. The military council is sharing fake news and making propaganda internationally in an attempt to cover up this incident. So, we are making more efforts to send the right messages to the international community.
Q: How will your ministry deal with the junta’s airstrike on the school?
A: Now the most important thing is that the security of children and teachers, on the ground is of great importance. I cannot give some messages as security is top priority. I want the people to understand it. Our ministry arranged to provide emergency medical care to the injured children by affiliating with the ground organizations shortly after the incident. Our ministry immediately provided necessary assistance and is working to collect records about the incident in detail. As I mentioned earlier, our ministry is working to enable the international organization to expose the truth about the incident and to provide necessary assistance.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: I would like to request the organizations which are mainly working for the children in Myanmar and our friends in the world that our children are facing the violations of basic human rights and experiencing big impacts mentally and physically including insecurity every day. The Depayin incident is strong evidence. So, I would like to call on all the people to make more cooperation with our ministry to ensure the flourishing of child rights and not to remain silent. Thank you.
Sent by Than Lwin Times