Myanmar Domestic News Updates – April 21, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. NUG Foreign Minister Emphasizes: Engagements with the Terrorist Military Junta Must Not Be Interpreted as Recognition of the Coup
Engagements with the terrorist military junta must not be interpreted as recognition of its coup, said National Unity Government (NUG) Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung in an interview with PVTV.
“We have consistently made it clear to the international community and various organizations that meetings with the terrorist junta should not amount to recognition of the coup,” she stated.
“We’ve said this time and again: if there is to be engagement, it must involve both sides. If one meets with the SAC, one must also meet with the NUG. Only through such inclusive engagement can the voices of all sides involved in this revolution be heard. We have always opposed one-sided engagement.
This particularly concerns humanitarian aid – and our stance is not limited to ASEAN alone. We have communicated this consistently to UN agencies and to other governments as well.
Engagement must be with both sides. To engage only with one and thereby accord de facto legitimacy is tantamount to recognizing the military coup, and that must be avoided,” she added.
On April 17, the Prime Minister of Malaysia met with the leader of the terrorist military junta in Bangkok, Thailand. The following day, on April 18, he also met with Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than of the National Unity Government to discuss matters related to humanitarian assistance.
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๐๐ 2. Military Junta Intensifies Airstrikes Targeting Civilians, Says NUG Human Rights Minister
The terrorist military junta has been increasingly targeting civilians in its airstrike campaigns, said NUG Human Rights Minister U Aung Myo Min.
“The junta continues to deliberately launch airstrikes in a systematic and calculated manner,” he said.
“Take the recent attack in Thabeikkyin, for instance. The airstrikes deliberately targeted roadside markets where civilians frequent, as well as locations such as monasteries where displaced persons were temporarily sheltering.
In the aftermath of the recent earthquake, many have been displaced, moving from one place to another, struggling to find shelter. The military's targeting of monasteries and religious buildings where these civilians have sought refuge is inhumane.
The junta’s deliberate targeting of civilians through these airstrikes is plainly evident,” he stressed.
Evidence and documentation of these war crimes continue to be gathered, with the aim of holding the terrorist junta accountable for its violations of international law.
On April 18, 2025, at approximately 9:55 a.m., two military aircraft carried out an aerial bombardment in the absence of any armed conflict, targeting the vicinity of the Aung Myint Motorcycle Shop and the Swe Myo Furniture Workshop in Laik Kyay Village, Thabeikkyin Township, Pyin Oo Lwin District, Mandalay Region. Two bombs were dropped.
As a result of the attack, a total of 12 civilians were killed – 8 men, 3 women, and 1 child – including passersby. Many others sustained injuries.
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๐๐ 3. Union Minister Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe Attends 40th Anniversary of Karen Women’s Organization
Union Minister for Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs, Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, attended the 40th Anniversary Ceremony of the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO), according to reports.
The ceremony took place on April 20, 2025. The Union Minister delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of her ministry and read an official message of goodwill sent by the ministry.
The ministry also stated its heartfelt wishes that the Karen Women’s Organization – regarded as a beacon of hope for the entire Karen nation – will continue to carry forward its dedicated work for women’s rights, gender equality, and human rights in the many years to come.
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๐๐ 4. Myanmar Military Identified as Principal Obstacle to Peace, Says NUG Representative to Czech Republic
U Lin Thant, the National Unity Government (NUG) representative to the Czech Republic, stated that the international community now recognizes the Myanmar military and its leadership as the main culprits preventing peace in Myanmar.
“There was a time when the international community viewed the Myanmar military as an essential institution within the country—one that was necessary for reforms and transitions. But now, it has come to understand and accept that the true and principal perpetrators obstructing peace in Myanmar are the military and its commanders,” he said.
The violent military junta, he added, has neglected the needs of the people in the aftermath of the earthquake and continues to carry out daily aerial bombardments and heavy artillery attacks.
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๐๐ 5. Italian Book Highlights Students’ Pivotal Role in Anti-Coup Movement and Historical Youth-Led Struggles for Freedom in Myanmar
A book presentation event highlighting the significant role of students in Myanmar’s Spring Revolution and the long-standing efforts of young students in the country’s fight for freedom was held in Bologna, Italy.
Authored by Licia Proserpio, a researcher and lecturer from the University of Bologna, the book explores Myanmar’s Spring Revolution, the involvement of students and universities, and their broader societal contributions. The event took place on April 16 at 6:00 PM local time at the Amilcar Cabral Library in Bologna.
The book underscores the central role students played in the resistance movement following the 2021 military coup and offers historical context on student-led pro-democracy struggles in Myanmar. Zo Bilay, a student researcher specializing in human rights at the University of Bologna, also participated in the discussion alongside the author.
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๐๐ 6. Cremation Fees Increased at Cemeteries in Mandalay
Cremation service fees have been increased at cemeteries across Mandalay, according to confirmation provided to Radio NUG on April 21 by a local social welfare association in the city.
“Previously, cremation costs were 6,000 MMK for children and 12,000 MMK for adults. The new rates are now 12,000 MMK for children and 24,000 MMK for adults. We were informed that the new rates have come into effect today,” the association representative said.
The revised fees apply to all cemeteries in Mandalay, including Taung-Inn, Myauk-Inn, and Eait-Ngai cemeteries.
Mandalay is among the cities that reported the highest number of earthquake-related casualties following the March 28 earthquake in the Sagaing region.
These news items were reported by Tharki, a correspondent for Radio NUG.
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