Myanmar pro-democracy activist to accept US award; Over 1,000 migrant workers blocked from jobs overseas

Myanmar pro-democracy activist to accept NED Award The U.S. non-governmental organization National Endowment for Democracy (NED) announced that Nan Lin, a pro-democracy activist from Burma who co-founded the University Students’ Unions Alumni Force, will accept the 2026 Democracy Award on behalf of “pro-democracy community organizers of Burma’s Spring Revolution” at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, in the U.S. state of Virginia, this September. The U.S.-based NED stated in its press release on July 8 that the 2026 Democracy Award goes to those in Burma “sustaining civic participation and community resilience.” Nan Lin shared on social media that the award honours all people in Burma who have dedicated their lives to the fight for democracy and freedom. He also commended his fellow activists from different generations, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Following the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, Nan Lin was forced underground, where he organized peaceful protests against military rule. Nan Lin was jailed for several months in Yangon in 2015-16 for demonstrating against the military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) administration, which governed Burma from 2011-16. His current whereabouts are unknown. 12 People’s Defence Force members killed in Sagaing Region At least 12 People’s Defence Force (PDF) members have been killed by regime forces during fighting in Sagaing Region’s Indaw and Ayardaw townships since June 24. The PDF’s Monywa District Battalion is under National Unity Government (NUG) command. Ayardaw and Indaw are located 25-209 miles (40-336 km) northeast and north of the region’s capital Monywa. A PDF member told DVB on the condition of anonymity that two of the 12 members were killed during fighting with regime forces in Indaw’s Maeza and Nanthe villages on July 3, which ended with the recapturing of both villages. The military doesn’t disclose its number of casualties. The fighting is part of an ongoing regime counteroffensive to reassert control over all of Indaw Township after retaking Indaw town on April 30. At least 15 regime troops and 10 PDF members were killed during fighting in Ayardaw on June 24, according to the PDF. Ayardaw is contested between the PDF and regime forces. The military has regained control of Sagaing’s Khampat, Mawlu, Indaw, Tigyaing and Banmauk towns from the NUG/PDF so far this year. The NUG still administers Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye and Myothit. Over 1,000 migrant workers blocked from jobs overseas The regime’s Department of Labor has denied exit clearance to over 1,000 migrant workers attempting to return to their overseas jobs, sparking widespread allegations of extortion and bureaucratic overreach. The affected individuals, all holders of the mandatory Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC), had returned between April and May. Upon attempting to depart, they were barred from leaving the country. An OWIC service provider who assists migrant workers told DVB that the rejections stem from the regime’s bid to capture foreign currency. Workers are being blocked for failing to provide concrete evidence that they transferred 25 per cent of their overseas salary back to Burma through regime-approved official banks. Furthermore, workers are being penalized for failing to produce newly mandated endorsement letters. News by Region KACHIN—A section along Kanpaikti-Myitkyina highway in Sadon town collapsed during a landslide following a heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Sadon is located 52 miles (83 km) east of the state capital Myitkyina and 96 miles (154 km) north of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters of Laiza. The Kanpaikti-Myitkyina highway, which links Kachin to China’s Yunnan Province, reopened in October 2025, after it was shut down following the KIA seizure of Kanpaikti in 2024. Portions of the mountainous highway are in danger of collapsing due to continuous heavy rainfall, according to residents. KAREN—The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that nearly 2,000 regime troops are advancing on Hpapun (Mutraw) Township in its Brigade 5 territory by using artillery and aerial attacks. A regime counteroffensive began in Hpapun, located 110 miles (177 km) north of the state capital Hpa-An, on May 5. A KNU Brigade 5 spokesperson told DVB that regime forces have been firing artillery from their positions 20 miles (32 km) south of Hpapun. A total of 15 schools operating in the township have been forced to shut down due to retaliatory airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force since June 1. SAGAING—Over 10,000 residents from at least 12 villages in Kanni Township have been forced to flee their homes due to attacks from the Burma Navy along the Chindwin River since Monday. Kanni, located 40 miles (64 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa, was seized by PDF in 2023. A PDF member told DVB that four Burma Navy vessels and 38 supply boats carrying food, weapons and ammunition departed Monywa on Saturday. A Kanni resident told DVB that the vessels arrived in Kanni on Monday, destroying an unknown number of homes. No casualties were reported.