IEC Grants Amnesty to Convicted Loikaw Principal and Four Others
On May 9, the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) issued Order No. 09/2024 announcing that, following a submission by the Amnesty and Supervisory Board and on humanitarian grounds, it had granted amnesty on May 8 to five people, including U Khin Aung Myint, Rector of Loikaw University in Kayah State, and Daw Thida, Pro-Rector, who had each been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine of 900,000 kyat under the Unlawful Associations Act.
The five granted amnesty are U Khin Aung Myint, Daw Thida, Daw Hla Lay Myint, Daw Yin Yin Hlaing and Daw Moe Moe Tun. The IEC had taken them into custody when fighting broke out in Loikaw on November 13, 2023, charged them under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, and issued a final verdict on February 25, 2024.
A total of 193 Non-CDM staff and family members detained along with them were investigated by a "Special Investigation Team on Non-CDM" and, after signing pledges including "not to take part in any mechanism of the terrorist military council", "not to contact schools/offices" and "to stand together with the people in line with the people's will", were sentenced to exile on November 28, 2023.
Related updates
Mandalay Region Interim Political Arrangement
The "Mandalay Region Interim Political Arrangement" (draft) has been written with 12 chapters and will soon be adopted. The draft has been officially released so that revolutionary political forces across the country, including Mandalay revolutionary forces and the public, can review it and send suggestions, and it is being further revised based on the suggestions received. Chapters 1 to 3 of the draft cover objectives, values and basic principles, and Chapter 4 covers fundamental rights, entitlements and duties. Chapters 5 to 10 cover the structure of the Mandalay region and its legislative, executive and judicial branches, Chapter 11 covers amendment of the arrangement, and Chapter 12 contains general provisions.
Introducing the Arrangement for Transitional Constitution (AFTA)
As the Spring Revolution has championed "ending military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union", discussions on the constitution have been taking place since February 2021. Revolutionary forces have rejected and opposed the 2008 Constitution, controversially adopted under military dictatorship, and revolutionary organizations have declared it void. During the revolution, Parts 1 and 2 of the Federal Democracy Charter have been issued and used as a constitutional framework. The roadmap set out in the charter also includes, as one of its stages, drafting a constitution for the post-revolutionary transition period during the revolution itself.
NUG Deputy Minister of Human Rights Granted Leave from Duties
The NUG announced on March 7 that Khun Bedu Htan, one of the deputy ministers of the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights, had been granted leave from his duties.
PSLF Declares Meeting in Kunming Unsuccessful Despite Three Discussion Points
On February 19, the Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) announced that although three points, including a ceasefire, were requested and discussed during the meeting where both sides’ troops met, the discussions were difficult. As a result, it was concluded that the meeting would only end with an agreement to meet again under the leadership of Mr. Deng Xijun, the special envoy of the Chinese government.