Domestic News Updates – December 19, 2024 Morning
๐๐ 1. Airstrike on Kani Township Violates Geneva Conventions and UN Security Council Resolutions, Says Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education under the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on December 18 that the airstrikes carried out by the State Administration Council (SAC) on Nat Gyi and Kyauk Hle Kha villages in Kani Township constitute a violation of the Geneva Conventions and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
According to the statement, the SAC conducted a brutal airstrike on December 16, 2024, around 8:00 PM, targeting Nat Gyi and Kyauk Hle Kha villages in Sagaing Region’s Kani Township, despite the absence of any armed conflict in the area. This inhumane attack resulted in the deaths of five innocent civilians, including three students: Maung Zin Ko Chit (Grade 6), Ma May Myat Nyo (Grade 7), and Ma Shwe Zin Win (Grade 12). Additionally, ten others, including six students, sustained injuries.
The SAC’s deliberate targeting of schools and residential areas is a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions, UN Security Council resolutions, international human rights laws, and humanitarian principles. The Ministry of Education expressed profound condolences to the families of the victims and strongly condemned the SAC’s acts of terrorism.
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๐๐ 2. Aung San Suu Kyi’s House to Be Auctioned Again at a Reduced Price
The Kamaryut Township Court announced on December 18 that the Yangon residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is serving a 33-year prison sentence, will be auctioned again on February 5 at a reduced floor price of MMK 297 billion.
The first two auctions, held at floor prices of MMK 315 billion and MMK 300 billion, failed to attract buyers. For the third auction, the court initially proposed a floor price of MMK 290 billion, but this was opposed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team. The court subsequently set the floor price at MMK 297 billion.
In 2022, the NUG declared Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence a national cultural heritage site. The NUG warned that any attempts to acquire, sell, modify, or destroy the property would violate the 2019 Cultural Heritage Protection Law, the 1987 Law Restricting the Transfer of Immovable Property, and anti-terrorism laws. Violators would be subjected to legal action and included on a blacklist.
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๐๐ 3. CRPH Expresses Condolences Over the Death of MP Due to Cancer
The Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of U Hla Htun Aung (aka U Maung Maung), a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ma Hlaing Township, who died of cancer while in hiding following the military coup.
In a statement, the CRPH acknowledged his contributions to democracy, national development, peace, and the establishment of a federal democratic union under the rule of law.
Since the military coup, nine MPs from the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and 12 MPs from state and regional legislatures have been forced into hiding due to the military’s human rights violations and arbitrary arrests.
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๐๐ 4. Arizona State University and Spring University Announce Joint Scholarships
Spring University announced on December 18 that it has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to offer one-year scholarships equivalent to 24 credits to three students.
The scholarships will allow recipients to choose and attend eight online courses offered by ASU for international students. Each course is worth 3 credits, and the total of 24 credits will be internationally recognized.
The courses are scheduled to run from January to December 2025. Students must first complete an application form and submit required essays. In the second stage, shortlisted applicants will be interviewed, and final selections will be made.
Students interested in applying can find more details on the official Spring University Facebook page.
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๐๐ 5. Inviting the Military Junta to Regional Meetings Harms Myanmar’s Legitimate Government
Defend Myanmar Democracy issued an official statement on December 18, stating that inviting the military junta to Myanmar-related meetings among neighboring countries undermines the legitimacy of Myanmar’s true government.
It has been reported that the military junta has been invited to discussions set to take place in Thailand this week, while there is no information about whether Myanmar’s legitimate government was invited. Including representatives of the military junta in such meetings grants undue political legitimacy to the junta, which harms Myanmar’s legitimate government and poses risks of exacerbating the country’s ongoing crisis, the statement added.
Naw Aung, a spokesperson for Defend Myanmar Democracy, remarked:
“If neighboring countries truly wish to assist in resolving Myanmar’s crisis caused by the military junta, they must engage with our legitimate government. It is not appropriate to work with an unelected group of killers who are attempting to seize control of the nation.”
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๐๐ 6. UNICEF Provides Critical Support to Nearly 8,000 Children with Disabilities in Myanmar
UNICEF Myanmar announced on December 18 that it had successfully provided essential support to nearly 8,000 children with disabilities in Myanmar.
“Despite the challenges in Myanmar, UNICEF has been able to deliver critical support to nearly 8,000 children with disabilities over the past two months,” the statement said.
This assistance includes financial support, assistive devices, and physiotherapy services. According to UNICEF, such support helps ensure that every child, regardless of their disability, has access to education, play, and opportunities for development.
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๐๐ 7. Around 100 Youths Sent Weekly to Military Training Schools in Hpa-an Township
Reports from Hpa-an News indicate that over the past week, the military council has forcibly recruited some youth from Hpa-an town and its surrounding areas and sent them to military training schools.
The majority of those forcibly recruited are young individuals who had only attended primary or secondary school, with some being financially disadvantaged. It has been reported that individuals were taken by paying bribes ranging from 1 million to 1.5 million kyats per person.
While the military council requires 200 recruits, they have struggled to meet this quota and have sent as many as they could to the training schools. The council is also planning to open weekly military training schools, requiring a large number of trainees. Youths have been warned to avoid traveling in secluded areas to reduce the risk of forced recruitment.
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๐๐ 8. Assistance Provided to Fire Victims in Salin Township
Support has been provided to a village in Salin Township that was devastated by a fire, according to reports.
The Chinland Defense Force supplied assistance to 19 households that lost their homes due to arson attacks by the military council. Each household received 1 million kyats in aid.
Currently, residents are unable to return to their destroyed homes and remain displaced. The report emphasized the continued need for assistance and urged donors, both domestic and international, to provide further support.
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๐๐ 9. Local Residents Voluntarily Undertake Cleanup Activities in Lashio Township by Neighborhood
In Special Region 1, residents in Lashio Township carried out neighborhood-based cleanup activities to maintain cleanliness and beautify the area, according to a report by the MNDAA.
A neighborhood administrator explained, "In our Ward 10, there are nine zones. We only invite five local residents from each zone. This morning, a total of 45 local residents came to participate. The main tasks are clearing grass and cleaning up debris in the neighborhood."
Volunteers also expressed that it was their responsibility to contribute to their town’s welfare. Similarly, in Ward 11, over 50 residents participated in the cleanup efforts.
One volunteer from Zone 7 of Ward 11 shared, "We are from this neighborhood, so it's natural for us to help out. Even if each of us does a small part, the work gets done faster when more people join."
Lashio Township, currently in its rebuilding phase under the administration of the Special Region 1 Military Committee, continues to face challenges and obstacles. However, authorities from various departments are working together to address these issues and ensure the best outcomes.
Efforts are being made to restore electricity, water supplies, healthcare, education, and economic activities to normalcy. Local residents have been encouraged to actively contribute their abilities and efforts to support the town's reconstruction.
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๐๐ 10. Formation of Village Administrative Committees in Hkamti Township
In a village within Hkamti Township, the 144th Village Administrative Committee and the 145th Village Administrative Security Committee were officially formed, according to reports.
The formation ceremony was held on December 18 at 12:30 PM. During the event, proposals were made, supported, and approved by the attendees, leading to the election of five members for the Village Administrative Committee.
Attendees at the ceremony included the Chairperson of the Township Administrative Committee, its leadership, the Deputy Administrator of the Township Security Committee, the Township Justice Officer, two committee members, the head of human resources, the social welfare officer, and the taxation officer.
The committees were formed in accordance with policies and directives set by the National Unity Government and the Central Interim Administrative Committee. The aim is to protect the lives, property, and livelihoods of local residents.
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๐๐ 11. Nationwide, 121 Women and 28 Children Under 18 Killed by the Military Junta
According to information compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), from October 1 to December 18, 2024, a total of 121 women were confirmed killed by the military junta across the country, including 28 children under the age of 18.
Rakhine State and Sagaing Region were the hardest-hit areas, with 29 fatalities in each region. Among the 121 deaths, 80 were caused by airstrikes launched by the military junta.
On December 11, 2024, at approximately 12 PM, a drone attack by the junta’s artillery forces targeted villages around Kyaukhtu Township in Magway Region. Explosions in Kan Gyi Village killed two residents, Hla Win and Khin Toe Kyi.
The above news was provided by Radio NUG correspondents Min Thihan, Min Sitt Thway, and Kharshel.
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