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MTO (June 24) Following the destruction of a military Mi-17 transport helicopter by resistance forces using drones in Myaing Township, Magway Region, the military has been continuing airstrikes in the surrounding areas,
Alan Clements Mizzima. In recent months, I have spent considerable time living along the Thai-Myanmar border. There, I have met displaced families, former political prisoners, democracy activists, ethnic leaders, humanitarian aid workers, and young people whose lives have been shaped by conflicts they did not choose.,Most of them have lost homes, livelihoods, communities, and loved ones. Their entire futures have been cut short by war, military dictatorship, and displacement. Yet, what has remained most profoundly in my mind is not the scale of their suffering, but their enduring humanity.,What I have seen, again and again, are people who refuse to allow fear, violence, and loss to define the primary meaning of their lives. Former political prisoners speak more about the country they still wish to help build than about what they have endured. Young activists speak not only of resistance but also of accountability. Community leaders discuss not only injustice but also the difficult work of reconciliation that will be so necessary in a post-conflict era.,As I listened to their stories along the border, a question that has accompanied me for nearly 50 years resurfaced in my mind. What kind of society is it that allows everyone to feel genuine dignity, security, freedom, and a sense of belonging? ,My relationship with Myanmar began long before the current crisis. In 1979, I entered the country as a young Buddhist monk and spiritual seeker. Like many who first encountered Myanmar, I experienced the extraordinary generosity of its people. I saw a culture deeply shaped by compassion, humility, and spiritual resilience. At the same time, I saw a society living under the shadow of authoritarian rule. There, kindness was often accompanied by fear, and knowledge was frequently paired with silence.,What began as a spiritual journey became something else over time. Over the decades, Myanmar has become one of my greatest teachers. I have seen students confront immense dangers to challenge military power. I have seen monks walk peacefully into danger for truth and purity of spirit. I have seen journalists willing to face imprisonment rather than abandon their commitment to writing the truth.,I have come to know democracy leaders, former political prisoners, ethnic representatives, and countless ordinary people whose courage is unlike anything I have encountered anywhere else in the world. Those experiences have taught me that political freedom cannot be understood merely as the absence of oppression. What ultimately defines a country are not the things it rejects, but the things it aspires to become. While the removal of dictatorship is essential, it alone cannot build a democratic society. Democracy requires a deeper foundation. It requires a culture that recognizes the equal worth of every person.,This fundamental principle lies at the heart of one of the modern world’s most important documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Written in the aftermath of immense violence, its authors affirmed that recognition of the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace.,That understanding remains profoundly relevant today. In a century marked by the resurgence of authoritarianism, deepening political polarization, mass displacement, and competing forms of exclusion, the question of human dignity is paramount for the future of democratic life.,Myanmar’s modern history illustrates both the urgency and the difficulty of this challenge. Myanmar’s unique diversity has been one of its greatest strengths. Yet, that diversity has often been exploited, politicized, or weaponized. Ethnic, religious, and political differences have frequently been transformed from opportunities for mutual enrichment into sources of division. The result has been generations of conflict, which continue to shape Myanmar’s present.,And so, I continue to ponder a pivotal moment in Myanmar’s modern history. On August 23, 2016, Myanmar’s democratically elected State Counsellor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and one of today’s most prominent political prisoners, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, invited former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to lead an Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.,Whatever one’s assessment of subsequent events, the deeper meaning of that initiative deserves careful consideration. The commission sought to address one of Myanmar’s most difficult and emotionally sensitive challenges. At its core was the recognition that a stable democratic future cannot emerge if large groups of people are excluded—a commitment to inclusion.,Sustainable peace can never be maintained through perpetual exclusion. Democracy cannot flourish if entire communities feel unseen, unheard, and unwanted.,Kofi Annan spoke the simple yet profound words: that despite our differences in religion, language, and appearance, we are all one human family. Those words are relevant not only for Myanmar but for a broader human predicament. Societies around the world are confronting the question of whether they will see diversity as a threat or embrace it as a strength. The health of democratic culture depends increasingly on how that question is answered.,The challenge for Myanmar is military rule
An online gambling ring was raided and busted by the Thai police in Mae Sot city, on the Thai-Myanmar border. On the morning of June 23, Thai police entered a building in Mae Sot city and arrested a total of nine people,
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) says it will review the blacklisted country’s efforts later this year to decide on whether further action is needed. The FATF is an intergovernmental body that sets and promotes int
Photo – Illegal migrant workers wait for interrogation at the provincial office of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) on June 13, after being arrested at a construction site in Mueang district, Phuket provin
Mizzima The European Union (EU) has designated Myanmar as one of nine global crises where the bloc is leading humanitarian efforts, as newly released U.N. data warns that a severe drop in international funding is worseni
Mizzima The Magway People’s Defence Force (PDF) announced on Tuesday that its fighters successfully shot down a Myanmar military Mi-17 helicopter in Myaing Township, located within Pakokku District, Magway Region. A repr
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has withdrawn its forces from a camp in Myingyan District, Mandalay Region, to avoid a direct military confrontation after forces under the National Unity Government (NUG) raided the si
Junta airstrikes in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State, killed seven civilians, including a pregnant woman, and injured over 10 others within three days, according to local administrative and defense officials.The casualties
Mizzima A decline in international assistance is compounding the suffering of millions of people in Myanmar as the conflict situation worsens after five years of conflict-related violence, according to a report published by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on 22 June. The report covers the period from August 2025 to the end of January 2026 – from the military’s announcement of elections through to the conclusion of the voting period. Credible sources verified a minimum of 702 civilian deaths during the six-month reporting period, mostly in the central regions and Rakhine, the report found. Of these, 476 deaths were due to airstrikes, with 111 deaths, including 43 women and 10 children, occurring before the start of voting in December. The report detailed serious human rights violations amid ongoing conflict-related violence, lack of respect for the rule of law, denial of humanitarian assistance, and the impact of the military-controlled elections. At the same time, foreign actors continue to transfer arms, their parts and components, ammunition and munitions, as well as jet fuel and other dual-use items to the Myanmar military, the report said, adding that this risks facilitating violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for humanitarian access to be urgently provided. “As if the people of Myanmar have not suffered enough at the hands of the military, they have now seemingly been forgotten by those outside the country,” Türk said. “Funding for localised protection efforts was in many areas the only solace from the suffering caused by constant targeting and indiscriminate attacks by the military. This pullback just compounds that injury.” “The international community should hold up a mirror to themselves, and ask: after a decade of grievous suffering, are we going to fail the people of Myanmar yet again? The answer must be no,” Türk said. Community-based groups, civil society organisations, and local governance systems have had to take on the responsibility of creating and managing their own civilian protection mechanisms across Myanmar, the report said, providing a measure of relief that falls far short of needs. The decline in international assistance has also led to major cuts, closures, and layoffs across civil society organisations, with ethnic media and women’s organisations disproportionately affected, according to the report. Reductions or suspensions of humanitarian and community-based programmes – a including assistance for displaced people, education programmes, and psychosocial support – have increased the population’s vulnerability, the report said. The post UN rights chief says Myanmar’s people ‘forgotten’ as foreign aid pulls back amid ongoing attacks appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.
A coalition of environmental and human rights organizations has raised concerns over the first carbon credits issued under the Paris Agreement’s international carbon market mechanism, alleging that a Myanmar-based projec
A Thai woman appeared in a Myanmar court on Tuesday in her trial on an immigration-related charge linked to allegations that she killed her ex-husband, a U.S. diplomat, according to an attorney familiar with her case. Pa
FOR the functioning of a government’s administrative machinery, the financial resources that need to be allocated and spent are operated through tax revenues collected from various sources. In order to run such operation
TO gain the trust of investors in the international tourism sector, hotel and tourism businesses must be free from corruption, stated Daw Myat Su Thin, director of the Anti-Corruption Commission Office (Yangon). She made
THE Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) sold US$890,500 to edible oil-importing companies and over $130,000 to CMP companies on 22 June. CBM sold over $2.88 million to edible oil-importing companies and $84,000 to CMP companie
THAILAND extended the zero-tariff maize import deadline for two months, according to the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association. Thailand earlier gave the green light for maize imports under zero tariff (with Form D), betwe
NO plan to register over 80,000 motorcycle sidecars in Yangon, but to be licensed after replacement with three-wheeled motorcycles. More than 80,000 motorcycle sidecars currently operating in the Yangon Region cannot be
THE Maubin Township Department of Rural Development, under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Ayeyawady Region, held meetings with local residents on the village concrete road projects completed under th
DEPUTY Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw received Mr Abhay Thakur, Ambassador of India at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. They cordially exchanged views on matters relating to the promot
In mid-June, a high-level delegation led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), traveled to Shan State to conduct peace talks with two major armed groups al
THE managing director of the Myanma Port Authority (MPA) met the newly elected Central Executive Committee of the Myanmar International Freight Forwarders’ Association (MIFFA) to discuss port digitalization and future ar
GOVERNOR of the Central Bank of Myanmar Dr Khin Naing Oo received Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Abhay Thakur and his team at the Central Bank of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. They held cordial discussions on issues
THE 13th-day of the third Pyithu Hluttaw’s second regular session was held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, presided over by Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn. During the session, Hluttaw representatives raised eight questions c
UNION Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung received BIMSTEC Secretary-General Mr Indra Mani Pandey at the Union Minister’s guest room in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. During the meeting, they held a co
PRESIDENT of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing responded to the queries raised by local media from Myanmar on his State Visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping. The full text of the translated interview with local media is as follows: U Kyaw Zaw Lin, Chief Editor of Eleven Media Group: Within 100 days of assuming office as President, the President had already met the leaders of two major countries, India and now China. Before that, foreign ministers from five countries also came to Nay Pyi Taw to meet the President. According to available information, more foreign ministers and other diplomats are also expected to meet the President. In that context, how do you think this shift, from the diplomatic isolation of the past five years to the current situation, could bring positive outcomes for Myanmar and its people? President: International diplomatic relations among countries are an important sector for the respective states. This includes diplomatic relations in general – relations between leaders, relations between governments, diplomatic engagements, and economic ties. There are many dimensions to it. So, regarding the five-year period you mentioned earlier, it was said that the country was isolated. In fact, we have been making efforts – real efforts. However, various political actions were taken against us. It is fundamentally political in nature. Therefore, we decided to firmly implement the political system we have chosen. Because we have been carrying out that system properly, such conditions have emerged. We have already successfully made the change. We will continue to strengthen this. If so, I believe Myanmar’s participation in international relations can improve beyond its previous level. In response to your earlier question about whether other countries will participate, the answer is yes -- they will be coming. Invitations have been sent out, and there are also countries that have invited me to visit them. Additionally, the Foreign Minister and their counterparts from relevant ministries are engaging in similar activities. Organizations, including youth groups and other institutions, are extending invitations in various forms, and we are also welcoming visits from them. This means these are all opportunities for the country. If we make good use of them, we must use them properly and sincerely. We cannot use them for exploitation or self-interest. If there is an intention to exploit, then nothing will ever become stable. If we act sincerely and correctly, then stability will be achieved. Both our current political system and economic system are genuinely aimed at working for the good of the country with sincerity. SEE PAGE 5 In international relations as well, we engage with sincerity. I do not distinguish based on who has strengths or weaknesses; we pursue an independent and active foreign policy with all countries. This is truly the most solid approach. We are engaging with India and China based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Therefore, if we proceed on this basis, I would say Myanmar’s future is very promising. Myanmar Narrative Think Tank Chairman U Ko Ko (Ko Ko – Sethmu Tekkatho): If we look at China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Myanmar’s potential for regional connectivity together, it is said that Myanmar could serve as a strategic land bridge connecting China, ASEAN, and the Indian Ocean. As a land-bridge country, what plans do you have to enhance Myanmar’s role in this regard?
NATIONAL Security Adviser and Union Minister for the Ministry of the President’s Office U Tin Aung San received BIMSTEC Secretary-General Mr Indra Mani Pandey yesterday morning at the reception hall of the Ministry of th
THE President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has confirmed the appointment of the following Heads of Service Organizations on the expiry of the one-year probationary period. Name Appointment (1) Dr Kyi Kyi Than
MYANMAR Tourism Federation is endeavouring to operate direct flights between Yangon and Phnom Penh in collaboration with Cambodia, President U Yan Win said. Through such bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Cambodia
FIVE member companies of the Myanmar Rice Federation inked 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 11 Chinese companies and associations at the Myanmar-China Investment and Trade Networking Summit (MCITP-2026) held on
TICKETS for the Yangon-Mawlamyine DEMU train service will be available for purchase online from 24 June, according to the Mawlamyine Railway Station. At present, the Online Railways Ticketing and Payment System (ORTP) is
While the government must design policies that precisely achieve its strategic objectives, it must ultimately align those initiatives with the public will to maintain civic trust. He emphasized the importance of addressi
AS the country already possesses abundant above-ground and underground natural resources, people should have the ability and willingness to work. They must also actually put in the effort and work, stated President of th
Ayeyarwaddy Times June 23 An explosion occurred at Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) factory, leaving 54 people injured and 18 missing, authorities have announced. Following the explosion in the industrial city of
A group of 134 current and former parliamentarians from 11 countries has urged ASEAN member states to call for the immediate and unconditional release of detained Myanmar civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all poli
The United Nations stated on June 22 that the Myanmar army is responsible for the deaths of over 700 civilians in the past six months. A new UN report indicates that at least 702 civilians died during the period from Aug
Myanmar, under its caretaker government formed through sham elections, will serve as the next Secretary-General of BIMSTEC for a three-year term starting next year. This was learned after a meeting held yesterday, June 2