Domestic News Updates – April 05, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. List of Political Prisoners Killed in Obo Prison Due to Earthquake Released
April 5
Following the earthquake that struck on March 28, the women’s wards (Wards 1 and 2) at Obo Prison collapsed. As a result, the following political prisoners—who were unlawfully detained—tragically lost their lives in the incident:
Ma Moe Thu Zar Khine
Daw Le Le Soe
Daw Khin Hone Shwe
Ma K K Win
Ma Pa Pa Win
Ma Phu Wai Wai
This has been confirmed by the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) after conducting investigations.
According to PPNM’s findings, at least 12 people were killed at Obo Prison due to the earthquake. Among the confirmed deceased were the six political prisoners listed above. The network has issued this statement to inform the general public and the bereaved families.
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๐๐ 2. Justice For Myanmar: All BIMSTEC Member States Are Implicated in the Military’s Crimes
April 5
Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a human rights group, has stated that all BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) member countries, including Thailand, have been complicit in the crimes committed by the Myanmar military junta by allowing junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to attend a BIMSTEC summit.
JFM condemned both the Thai government and BIMSTEC member states for permitting Min Aung Hlaing's participation and thereby becoming entangled in the junta's international crimes.
According to JFM, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, along with other BIMSTEC members, continue to supply the Myanmar military with weapons, related equipment, and financial support—thus contributing to its crimes.
While structures destroyed by the recent powerful earthquake in Myanmar still contain many unextracted bodies and widespread devastation remains, Min Aung Hlaing attended the BIMSTEC Summit, JFM pointed out.
Furthermore, the junta has not only blocked humanitarian aid and rescue efforts for earthquake victims but has also continued airstrikes in quake-affected and other regions, JFM added.
JFM also criticized BIMSTEC members for having signed a 2022 agreement with the junta that facilitated sharing of information, arrests, acquisition of testimonies from detainees, and investigative cooperation—thus assisting the junta in surveillance, military-police cooperation, and evading accountability for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
JFM emphasized that the actions of BIMSTEC countries, including Thailand, clearly implicate them in the junta’s ongoing international crimes.
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๐๐ 3. Thailand Is a Key Military Supplier to Myanmar Junta, Says JFM
April 5
Thailand is a critical supplier of arms to Myanmar’s military junta, according to Justice For Myanmar (JFM). The Thai government also financially supports the junta, enabling the continuation of serious crimes, JFM said.
This statement comes as BIMSTEC member countries’ complicity in the junta’s international crimes has become increasingly evident.
According to a UN Special Rapporteur’s report, Thai-registered companies exported over USD 120 million worth of weapons and related equipment to Myanmar during the 2023 fiscal year.
Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas company, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), is involved in major offshore gas projects in Myanmar, and revenue from these gas sales helps the junta generate foreign income, JFM reported.
These activities, JFM said, directly tie the Thai government to the junta’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.
India, too, remains a major military supplier to the junta—alongside Russia and China—exporting arms and defense-related equipment.
Based on import-export records, India’s state-owned arms manufacturers continue their weapons shipments to Myanmar, with no sign of reduction, JFM confirmed.
JFM called on BIMSTEC governments and the international community to end their cooperation with the junta and to prioritize the lives of the Myanmar people.
Daw Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for JFM, stressed the urgent need to cut ties with the junta and shift focus toward protecting Myanmar civilians.
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๐๐ 4. Milk Tea Alliance Thailand Warns Myanmar Protesters of Possible Attacks in Thailand
April 5
Milk Tea Alliance Thailand (MTAT) issued a warning on April 5 advising Myanmar nationals participating in protests in Thailand to be vigilant due to the risk of attacks.
The warning comes amid widespread Thai protests led by university students and civil society groups opposing the Thai government's invitation of Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who is responsible for the killing of over 6,000 civilians in Myanmar.
MTAT expressed concern that Myanmar protesters may face violence, harassment, threats, and physical attacks not only from ultranationalists but also potentially from state authorities following protests.
They warned that in the event of arrest, deportation to Myanmar could occur, and even if not deported, securing bail—even with strong documentation—could be extremely difficult.
Even those with proper documentation might see their existing rights revoked or face barriers to future visa renewals or registration processes, MTAT added.
MTAT also acknowledged the limited capacity to provide assistance, especially since Thai authorities are closely monitoring protest leaders.
The group urged all participants to be mindful of their personal safety in any action they take.
They further highlighted that since the coup, the Myanmar junta led by Min Aung Hlaing has killed over 6,000 people, detained over 20,000 civilians, and carried out executions—leading to over 3.5 million people displaced within the country.
Milk Tea Alliance Thailand, formed by Thai student activists, works to raise awareness among Thai citizens about the Myanmar military’s coup, the repression it has unleashed, and its humanitarian consequences.
This news was reported and submitted by Ko Khant, a correspondent for Radio NUG.
#SpringRevolution
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