South-east Asian leaders on Thursday urged Myanmar’s military to end violence and start a dialogue with opponents to resolve the crisis that has gripped the country. The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed their “deep concern”…
Myanmar releases more than 2,000 political prisoners in holiday amnesty
The ruling military government of Myanmar said Wednesday that it will release more than 2,000 political prisoners as a “humanitarian” gesture to mark a major Buddhist holiday. In an administrative order, the military junta said it was releasing “2,153 prisoners…
Myanmar military pardons more than 3,000 prisoners for New Year
Myanmar’s military has announced plans to release 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners, to mark the country’s traditional New Year. The statement by the military on Monday did not specify whether those imprisoned for opposing its power grab in February 2021…
ASEAN ‘strongly condemns’ deadly Myanmar air attack
Southeast Asian nations have strongly condemned the Myanmar military’s bombing of a village in the central Sagaing region that killed dozens of people, including children. The statement from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday came a day…
Myanmar junta dissolves Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, dozens of other opposition parties
Myanmar’s military government moved Wednesday to dissolve dozens of opposing parties including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The country’s election commission dissolved 40 parties in all, according to a statement published in a state newspaper, on grounds…
Myanmar rebels, junta trade blame for Monastery killings
Myanmar’s junta and anti-coup fighters traded accusations on Monday over the killing of around 30 people who were sheltering in a monastery. The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since a coup two years ago, with the military fighting…
Fire blazes through crowded Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh
A massive fire raced through a crammed refugee camp for Rohingya Muslims in southern Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless, a fire official and the United Nations said. The blaze hit Camp 11 in Cox’s Bazar, a border district where more than…
Myanmar coup anniversary: ‘Silent strike’ marks 2 years of military rule
Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar are holding a “silent strike” to mark two years since a military coup. Protesters have urged the public to remain indoors and for businesses to close for Wednesday’s anniversary. The call came as the UK, US,…
Opium production in Myanmar surges to 9 year high
The production of opium increased sharply in Myanmar after falling for seven years, according to the UN. It touched nearly 795 metric tonnes in 2022, nearly double the production in 2021 – 423 metric tonnes – the year of the…
Myanmar junta says it will hold ‘free and fair’ election but no timetable given
Myanmar’s junta said it would hold “free and fair” multiparty elections as it marked Independence Day on Wednesday. The junta, which recently wrapped up a series of closed-court trials of jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is preparing for fresh…
