Myanmar Domestic News Updates – May 18, 2025 Morning
๐๐ 1. Union Minister U Aung Myo Min Participates in the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025 in Gwangju
May 17
Radio NUG
Union Minister for Human Rights of the National Unity Government (NUG), U Aung Myo Min, attended the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025 held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju, South Korea, on May 17 at the official invitation of the organizers. He delivered a presentation addressing the human rights situation in Myanmar, according to reports.
During the event, the Union Minister delivered a presentation titled "YANGON: A City of Resilience Against Political Violence," in which he discussed the long-standing nonviolent resistance of the people against the military’s political violence. He highlighted various forms of peaceful protest throughout different eras—including flower strikes, umbrella strikes, and silent strikes—demonstrating the persistent efforts of the public to resist authoritarianism through nonviolent means.
The forum was part of a broader series of commemorative events marking the 45th anniversary of South Korea’s pro-democracy uprising, which began in Gwangju on May 18, 1980. The World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025, organized under the leadership of the Mayor of Gwangju, included U Aung Myo Min as a lead discussant in the “Cities Against Violence” session.
The World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) is held annually with the aim of promoting and empowering cities worldwide that uphold and value human rights. The forum is attended by international human rights organizations and scholars, including representatives affiliated with the United Nations Human Rights Council. It was also reported that during the forum, the organizing committee presented a donation of USD 2,000 to Union Minister U Aung Myo Min to support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.
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๐๐ 2. Public Dialogue Between Union Minister U Aung Myo Min and Myanmar Nationals to Be Held in Incheon
May 17
Radio NUG
The Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government has announced that Union Minister U Aung Myo Min will hold a “Public Dialogue” with Myanmar nationals currently residing in South Korea. The event will take place on May 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Multipurpose Labor Welfare Hall in Incheon City, Republic of Korea.
During this dialogue, discussions will include efforts to bring the Myanmar military to justice in international courts, including within the Republic of Korea, for the war crimes committed by the military junta. Additionally, updates on the current progress of the Spring Revolution will also be shared.
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๐๐ 3. Deputy Minister U Maung Maung Swe Urges PDOs to Coordinate with PDFs to Defeat the Military and Protect Civilians
May 17
Radio NUG
On May 9, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, U Maung Maung Swe, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the National Unity Government and in charge of Civil Affairs at the People’s Defence Organization (Pa Ka Pha) Headquarters, met with members of the People’s Defence Organization – Naypyidaw, including its special operations units, according to a statement from the Naypyidaw Regional Leading Committee of the Pa Ka Pha.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister emphasized that since members of the People’s Defence Forces are drawn from the general public, they must live in close connection with civilians and carry out grassroots mobilization activities. He also discussed implementing strategic operations in the Spring Revolution and stressed the importance of PDOs collaborating with PDFs to eradicate the military junta and to remain constantly prepared to respond promptly in protecting civilians in times of danger.
Police Captain Naung Cho, the regional Pa Ka Pha in-charge for Naypyidaw, presented updates on the current organizational structure of the Pa Ka Pha, ongoing activities, and future implementation plans. Following the briefing, leaders and members from township, district, and regional Pa Ka Pha committees participated in a discussion session, providing inputs and receiving guidance. The meeting concluded successfully around 5:00 PM.
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๐๐ 4. Funeral Ceremony Held for Former KIO Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra
May 17
Radio NUG
A funeral and memorial ceremony for the late Lanyaw Zawng Hra, former Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), was held on May 17, during which his remains were laid to rest, according to reports.
Lanyaw Zawng Hra passed away at the age of 87. Due to health issues, he stepped down from his position as KIO Chairman in 2018, handing over leadership to the current Chairman, General N’Ban La.
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๐๐ 5. Ethnic Armed Organizations Send Condolence Messages to the Funeral of Former KIO/KIA Chairman and Prominent Kachin National Leader Salang Lanyaw Zawng Hra
May 17 – Radio NUG
Following the passing of Salang Lanyaw Zawng Hra, former Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and revered Kachin national leader, at the age of 87 on May 15, 2025, at 7:15 AM, numerous ethnic organizations expressed their condolences by sending official messages to his funeral ceremony.
Among those sending messages of sympathy were the Arakan National Council (ANC), Karen National Union (KNU), Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), and the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC).
The Arakan Army (AA) and Karen National Union (KNU) both sent letters conveying their sorrow to the family, relatives, and organization of the late leader, noting that they too share the deep sense of loss over his passing.
The PSLF/TNLA also issued a condolence letter expressing solidarity in mourning with the KIO, a long-time ally, and with the family members of the former Chairman.
Likewise, the ABSDF acknowledged the former KIO Chairman’s role as a leading figure in the ethnic resistance and extended condolences to fellow comrades in the ethnic revolutionary movements, families of the bereaved, and all associated national leaders and fighters.
Additionally, the PNLO and PNFC issued a statement expressing their shared grief alongside the bereaved family, the KIO/KIA, and the Kachin people.
The statement noted that Salang Lanyaw Zawng Hra lived a simple life and was a dedicated leader who made selfless contributions to the liberation and welfare of the Kachin people. Importantly, he had the foresight and integrity to pass on his leadership responsibilities to a new generation of comrades while still in office, setting a strong and exemplary precedent within the organization. As a prominent leader, he was instrumental in affirming the KIO’s commitment to pursuing a federal union system, showing the public a clear political direction.
During his tenure as KIO Chairman, Zawng Hra played a crucial role in unifying ethnic forces. He was key in the formation of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) Joint Armed Forces and led the historic Laiza Conference in 2013, hosted at the KIO’s headquarters in Laiza. The conference brought together various ethnic armed revolutionary groups for collaborative dialogue. As a result, the Laiza Agreement—a joint declaration on building a federal union and securing long-term peace—was adopted. He was also pivotal in the establishment of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) to help initiate the drafting of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
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๐๐ 6. SAC-M Urges China to Leverage Its Considerable Influence to Immediately End the Military Junta’s Brutal Attacks on Children
May 17
Radio NUG
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) has urged China to immediately use its significant and well-established influence over the military junta to halt the regime’s ongoing brutal and indiscriminate attacks on children.
The call follows the deadly aerial bombardment of a school in Dee Pa Yin on May 12, which claimed the lives of 22 people, including several children. It also draws attention to earlier atrocities, such as the September 16, 2022, airstrike on a school inside Let Yet Kone Monastery, which killed 12 individuals, including 7 children. SAC-M emphasized that these incidents are part of a persistent pattern in which the junta repeatedly targets schools, resulting in mass killings.
According to SAC-M’s findings, China has for a long time provided the junta with military support, including aircraft and aerial bombs. Furthermore, Chinese assistance has enabled Myanmar’s domestic arms factories to produce aerial munitions, further facilitating airstrikes against civilian populations.
Since the onset of the four-year-long revolution, the junta has been overwhelmingly reliant on external intervention and support, with China being its primary source of backing.
SAC-M also pointed to China's unprecedented intervention in pressuring the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to hand over control of the city of Laukkaing back to the junta. Less than a month after that intervention, the junta perpetrated a massacre of children, highlighting the devastating consequences of China’s interference in favor of the regime.
SAC-M criticized China’s usual refrain that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, stating that this claim is patently false. The organization's statement emphasized that China's actions in Myanmar have laid bare the duplicity of that claim.
According to SAC-M, China has shown little concern for Myanmar’s sovereignty in pursuit of its strategic interests. The junta, the statement said, has become a proxy force that China can instrumentalize for its own geopolitical leverage.
Therefore, SAC-M called on China to use its immense influence to bring an immediate end to the junta’s cruel and violent actions against children.
As part of this demand, SAC-M stressed that China must cease all support in the form of:
- Fighter jets and other combat aircraft,
- Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
- Aerial bombs,
- Dual-use goods and technologies,
- Aviation fuel,
- And other critical components used in the domestic production of aerial bombs in Myanmar.
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๐๐ 7. MMK 12.9 Million in Public Donations Provided for 43 Seriously Injured Victims of the Ohn Taw Twin School Airstrike
May 17
Radio NUG
A total of MMK 12.9 million in public donations has been provided to support 43 individuals who were seriously injured in the military junta’s airstrike on the Ohn Taw Twin village school in Dee Pa Yin Township. The victims include students, teachers, and staff among the 102 individuals who were wounded in the attack, according to local sources from the township.
The donations, amounting to MMK 300,000 per person, were distributed directly to the affected individuals by village committee leaders, based on a verified list. The contributions were made on behalf of generous public donors.
In addition, local community leaders have issued a heartfelt appeal for continued support to assist surviving students, teachers, and other victims of the airstrike.
The news was reported by Radio NUG correspondents Min Sitt Thway and Khur Shel.
#SpringRevolution
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