Introduction
“There have been no positive memories of human rights in Myanmar.”
This statement was made by Mu Sel, who works with a human rights education program under Kyae Lak Myay group, during the ceremony marking the 76th International Human Rights Day. She recounted the hopes of people in the Magway Region for human rights education before she began her work in 2018. The people in Myanmar have struggled to identify human rights violations for what they are.
The 76th International Human Rights Day is being observed worldwide under the slogan “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” In Myanmar, where a military coup was orchestrated by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, movements are taking place in areas controlled by revolutionary forces—free from the junta—under the slogan “Let human rights and justice flourish in the liberated areas.”
Burma News International (BNI)-Myanmar Peace Monitor’s (MPM) bi-weekly News Review for this week focuses on the unprotected civilians and those granted impunity during the military coup, as well as movements across Myanmar commemorating Human Rights Day.
Human Rights Day Activities
From 1 to 10 December, the Ministry of Human Rights under the National Unity Government (NUG) organized education on human rights, advocacy activities, and movements with the slogan “Let human rights and justice flourish in the liberated areas” in commemoration of International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
These activities were observed in Kani, Salingyi, Katha, Kale, Budalin, Tabayin, Htigyaing, Kawlin, Ayadaw, KhinU, ChaungU, Taze, Myaung, Indaw, Shwebo, Wuntho, Banmauk, Wetlet, Pale, Sagaing, Kanbalu, Myinmu, Kyunhla, Mingin, Yinmarbin and Pinlebu Townships in Sagaing Region; Yesagyo, Gangaw, Saw, Hteelin, Pauk, Salin, Say Toke Tayar, Pakokku, Myaing, Magway, Seikphyu and Pwintphyu Townships in Magway Region; Launglon and Thayet Townships in Tanintharyi Region; Hpakant Township in Kachin State; Mahaaungmyay, Madaya, Singu, Natogyi and Taungtha Townships in Mandalay Region.
According to the Union Minister for Human Rights, the ministry conducted awareness campaigns on human rights, organized talks, distributed pamphlets, and facilitated education and discussions among members of the administration, security, and defense forces in more than 60 townships across Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Yangon, Karen, and Karenni.
“It is encouraging to see the participation of the people and CSOs alongside the ministries. We are educating the people about human rights. Special emphasis is being placed on ensuring that officials, who are responsible for upholding human rights, do not become violators themselves, so they can respect and truly follow them and protect the rights of every citizen,” the minister said.
These movements saw participation from the Township-based People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) under the NUG, the People’s Administration Teams, township-specific human rights officials, and local residents. In some areas, public strike committees also took part.
Additionally, similar activities to commemorate Human Rights Day were carried out in the PDFs’ battalions and forces, who are engaged in a revolutionary war against the junta.
Regarding the meaning of slogan “Let human rights and justice flourish in the liberated areas”, U Aung Myo Min, Union Minister of Human Rights of NUG, explained:
“Despite the atrocities committed by the terrorist army, we remain hopeful for our most beautiful future. In this future, human rights must thrive and be filled with justice. At the same time, freedom must prevail, and every person should enjoy equal human rights. We will continue to fight for human rights until we can achieve that future.”
Nationwide human rights violations
According to data from the NUG’s Ministry of Human Rights for October 2024, there were 599 cases of human rights violations by the military regime, covering 19 different types of violations across Myanmar. The Ministry of Human Rights noted that this figure is based only on information collected from reliable sources and that the actual number on the ground may be higher. 1
The various types of violations include extrajudicial killings, destruction of homes and buildings, forced labor, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on freedom of movement, forced displacement, torture, violations of freedom of speech, destruction of religious buildings, arbitrary detention, attacks on humanitarian aid, recruitment of child soldiers, sexual violence, attacks on health facilities, forced disappearances, violations of religious freedom, violations of labor rights, unfair trials, and other violations.
According to data from RFA, since the military coup up until the end of November 2024, the junta’s aerial bombings have damaged and destroyed up to 787 religious buildings across Myanmar. These include 397 in Sagaing Region, 117 in Chin State, 84 in Karen State, 73 in Arakan State, 36 in Magway Region, 36 in Karenni (Kayah) State, 27 in Shan State, 11 in Tanintharyi Region, five in Bago Region, and one in Kachin State. 2
According to the report from Data For Myanmar, between 1 May 2021 to 31 August 2024, 10,1474 civilian homes were destroyed due to arson by the junta forces and military-affiliated organizations across Myanmar. Among these, 7,3351 homes were burned down in Sagaing Region, accounting for 69 percent of all homes burned down. 3
According to records from BNI-MPM, there have been 217 mass killings of five or more people across Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of up to 2,097 civilians. Among these incidents, 72 percent involved violence such as the arrest and killing of civilians, as well as aerial bombings targeting civilian populations. In addition, among these incidents, the highest number of deaths were caused by the junta’s aerial bombings.
Between 1 February and 3 December 2024, there were 1,719 incidents of aerial bombings by the military council across Myanmar, with 47 percent of these incidents targeting civilians. 4
Since the military coup, the people of Myanmar have faced human rights violations in numerous forms. As a result, it is difficult to imagine how long it will take to achieve justice, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure they are held responsible for their actions.
Review
The 16-day campaign to end violence against women, which began on 25 November 2024, will remain active. Similarly, human rights activities with the slogan “Let human rights and justice flourish in the liberated areas” should not be limited to participation for just one day, one week, or ten days. The entire ethnic population must continuously fight for justice for all the human rights violations they have endured.
The NUG’s Ministry of Human Rights reported that 599 human rights violations were committed by the junta in October 2024. According to data on the massacres documented by BNI-MPM, more than 92 percent of these incidents were perpetrated by the junta forces and their affiliated organizations.
Currently, the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Ethnic Resistance Organizations (EROs) have captured and taken control of up to 86 towns across Myanmar from the military. Similarly, many villages in both mountainous and plains regions are under the control of resistance forces. Constant efforts must be made to ensure the flourishing of human rights, justice, and freedom in the areas controlled by revolutionary forces.
The international community, which upholds democracy and human rights, should also prioritize delivering justice for the human rights violations being committed in Myanmar in various forms and work to stop these abuses. The international community must offer practical support to demonstrate that the slogan of the 76th International Human Rights Day, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” applies equally to the people of Myanmar who are enduring the military coup.
1 Human rights violations by the terrorist army in October 2024, Ministry of Human Rights, 29 November 2024
2 Nearly 800 religious buildings were damaged due to targeted attacks, RFA, 2 December 2024
3 Burning and destruction of civilian houses during conflict, Report No.5, Data For Myanmar, August 2024
4 Military Junta’s Airstrikes in Myanmar: 1 Feb 2021 – 3 Dec 2024 , BNI- Myanmar Peace Monitor