NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

On 10 November, the UN Security Council convened a special meeting on Myanmar and expressed its 'deep concern at further recent violence across Myanmar. They called for an immediate cessation of violence and to ensure the safety of civilians.

On 9 November, the Guardian reported that Britain’s deputy UN ambassador has voiced concerns a military build-up in Myanmar’s north-west bears similarities to the Rohingya genocide of 2017.

On 8 November, the OHCHA Chief Mr. Martin Griffiths called on the Myanmar armed forces — and all parties — to facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. According to him, “humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating. Across the country, there are now more than 3 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance because of growing conflict and insecurity, COVID-19 and a failing economy. Without an end to violence and a peaceful resolution of Myanmar’s crisis, this number will only rise.”

On 3 November, the Financial Times reported that the Myanmar soldiers have torched more than 100 homes and two churches in the country’s restive north-west Chin state. It has revived memories of the military’s violent 2017 assault on Rohingya Muslims.

On 2 November, Reuters reported that Myanmar’s junta is using fake accounts to denounce opponents and press its message that it seized power to save the nation from election fraud (‘information combat’).