Eight pro-democracy activists sentenced to 37 years; Myanmar military escalates civilian killings

Eight pro-democracy activists sentenced to 37 years The Yadanabon University Students’ Union (YUSU) stated on Tuesday that its former chairperson, Htet Myat Aung, and seven other pro-democracy activists were sentenced to 30 years under the Election Protection Law and seven years under the Counter-Terrorism Law by a regime court on Monday. “Protesting a fraudulent election is an act of courage, not a crime, and no 37-year sentence from an illegitimate junta can silence the fundamental right to speak out,” said Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a pro-democracy activist and Advocacy Coordinator for the Action Committee for Democracy Development (ACDD). The YUSU statement on July 28 condemned their “unfair” prison sentences. Myanmar military escalates civilian killings, ACLED warns Myanmar’s military has sharply escalated attacks on civilians since a ‌new pro-military administration took office in Naypyidaw, a conflict monitor The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) Project reported on Monday, It added that the onslaught was a result of the tactics deployed by Burma’s new Commander-in-Chief Ye Win Oo, who took over on March 30–11 days before Min Aung Hlaing was inaugurated as president. “Since the ruling junta in Myanmar reconfigured its military command structure in March, ​civilians have been subject to the military’s worsening repression and intensified aerial bombing campaign,” ACLED stated in its report published on July 27. “These adjustments ⁠included the regular deployment of specialised groups of two to five jet fighters executing sustained airstrikes against single targets.” Malaysia foreign minister calls for review of UNHCR Malaysia should reconsider whether to allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to operate in the country unless it imposes stricter controls on issuing refugee ​documents, Foreign Minister Mohamad ‌Hasan said Tuesday after authorities detained more than 100 Rohingya asylum seekers in Kuala Lumpur outside the agency’s office after being evicted from their homes in ​Penang state. He said the government, through the home ministry, was currently working ​to ensure that the screening process for refugees was carried out ⁠jointly by the UNHCR and local authorities when issuing documentation. “We want cooperation and strict screening. If they do not want to ​cooperate, in my opinion, it is time for us to reconsider the presence of UNHCR in the country,” Hasan was quoted in state media. News by Region ARAKAN—Residents in Minbya and Pauktaw townships told DVB that the Arakan Army (AA) unveiled new town entrance signs and held renaming ceremonies in the two towns on Tuesday. But the AA has not released any statement confirming that it has renamed Minbya and Pauktaw. A resident living in Minbya, which was seized by the AA in 2024, told DVB on the condition of anonymity that nobody objected to the renaming. Minbya is located 38 miles (61 km) east of the state capital Sittwe. A renaming ceremony was also held by the AA in Pauktaw, located 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Minbya. MANDALAY—Residents of Taungtha Township told DVB that unidentified armed men abducted the regime’s township immigration officer from her home in Thit Kone village on Tuesday. Taungtha is located 82 miles (132 km) southwest of the region’s capital. Resistance forces have seized partial control of Taungtha. Residents claimed that the regime immigration officer was widely known for accepting bribes in connection with the issuance of the National Registration Card (NRC). They added that four armed men entered her home. Regime authorities are reportedly investigating the abduction. SHAN—Residents in Mabein Township are in terror following two airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force that struck an urban ward on Tuesday, causing an unconfirmed number of civilian fatalities. A regime fighter jet targeted the town despite the absence of fighting in the area.