Myanmar: Amidst amnesty, attacks on health workers and CDM support groups continue

On October 18, the military regime in Myanmar announced that they would pardon 1316 people who had been sentenced and drop charges against 4320 people who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) since February 2021. However, many reports have noted that whether the military has actually released the said numbers of political prisoners since October 18 remains to be verified.

PSI is delighted that among the released detainees was Daw Myo Myo Aye, the director of The Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM).

PSI is delighted that among the released detainees was Daw Myo Myo Aye, the director of The Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM). Daw Myo Myo Aye was arrested on April 15 and was charged under Penal Code 505A for participating in the anti-coup movement. She was denied bail and remained detained for the last six months with severe health problems and limited access to medical facilities.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of the military re-arresting at least 110 political detainees soon after being released to face the additional charges. And many released detainees have now gone into hiding, fearing re-arrests. “It was never an absolute amnesty for political detainees... Re-arresting a political prisoner soon after release is a form of physical and mental torture, not only to the political detainees, but their families and loved ones,” a recent report from AAPP (Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma) states.

On the same day (18th October) that the military announced amnesty, the military forces violently hit the peaceful protestors with cars and forcibly detained more than 10 injured civilians in Mandalay. Myanmar has now become the deadliest country for people on strike, attributing over 60% of protesters killed around the world so far in 2021. As of 23rd October 2021, over 1190 people have been killed by the military; and over 7000 people are still under detention.

Myanmar has now become the deadliest country for people on strike, attributing over 60% of protesters killed around the world so far in 2021.

Amidst the amnesty, the military’s deliberate attacks on health workers continue across the country. Within the month of October:

• the military forces have raided a charity clinic in Yesagyo-Magway division and destroyed the medical equipment;

• a medical doctor and 2 medics who were treating internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Sagaing region were arbitrarily detained and their medicines and related accessories confiscated;

• a CDM doctor, Aye Min Oo from Seik Khon village, who is known for treating patients in the Covid 3rd wave was forcibly taken away; and

• a CDM doctor, Naing Htoo Lwin, who has been treating IDPs and wounded patients in Chin state was shot and killed by the military forces.

The military regime has also been trying to cut off the support going towards the CDM strikers. One of the groups supporting striking health workers that PSI has been supporting has been targeted by the military recently. The military shut down one of the organiser’s bank accounts on the same night without a warning or an explanation. The organiser has now gone into hiding amid safety concerns.

The military regime has also been trying to cut off the support going towards the CDM strikers.

“The military has not changed its mind. They continue to crackdown on peaceful protesters; they continue to forcefully detain CDM workers. Within a night, some of our bank accounts were seized without a notice. And the next day, a secret document from the military was leaked, containing names and bank account details of people whom they suspect of supporting CDM workers. The military is trying to block the support for CDM workers and punishing those who support them,” said Zinthi*, a CDM support organiser.

Zinthi and her collective have now temporarily closed their Facebook group and instead have been using other secured communication channels. “We are going to carry on supporting CDM workers. Their ongoing strike is a critical challenge to the military regime. We are taking more caution than before. But we are not going to stop supporting the healthcare workers who continue to strike despite the threats of being hunted down, arrested and tortured,” said Zinthi. PSI has been supporting CDM Support Groups such as Zinthi’s, which has an outreach to 207 health workers across the country.

*Name has been changed for security reasons.