Myanmar junta sentences Win Htein to 20 years for treason
AFP
Myanmar's military sentenced Win Htein, a close aide of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to 20 years in prison on Friday, his lawyer said, the first high-ranking member of her party to be jailed by a junta court.
Former member of parliament and NLD speaker Win Htein was handed 20 years in jail for treason by a special court in the capital Naypyidaw, lawyer Myint Thwin told AFP.
He added that he would appeal the sentence, and that his client was in good health.
US condemns Myanmar junta for 'abhorrent attacks' in Chin state
AFP
The United States said Sunday it is "gravely concerned" about reports that Myanmar's security forces committed human rights violations and destroyed more than 100 homes as well as Christian churches in western Chin state.
"These abhorrent attacks underscore the urgent need for the international community to hold the Burmese military accountable and take action to prevent gross violations and abuses of human rights, including by preventing the transfer of arms to the military," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement, using Myanmar's previous name.
On Friday, local media and witnesses reported that junta troops had shelled the town of Thantlang after a confrontation with a local self-defense force.
Former U.S. ambassador Bill Richardson heading to Myanmar
Mizzima
Former U.S. ambassador and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is heading to Myanmar on a private humanitarian mission that will focus on pandemic support, his spokesperson said Sunday AP reported.
Richardson said his center has a long history of supporting the people of Myanmar, but he didn’t mention the coup in his trip announcement or detail who he planned to meet with while there.
Ma Ba Tha holds rally to support military
Mizzima
Some Ma Ba Tha monks led a rally in support of the military in Thayawady township Bago region (West) and each participant received 15,000 kyats, according to participants.
More than 200 military supporters started marching in front of Lokananda Pagoda to the Thayarwaddy District Football Stadium and a talk was held on October 31.
The rally was jointly held in Letpadan and Minhla townships, Thayawaddy. Some of the participants were reportedly family members of the local based military battalion.
Global democracy under attack despite Biden push
AFP
US President Joe Biden has vowed a major push to promote democracy worldwide. But since he took office, democracy has faced repeated setbacks.
Among three nations whose democratic transitions had inspired the most hope, Myanmar and Sudan have seen generals roar back, sacking civilian leaders and suppressing street protests, while in Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring a decade ago, the president seized wide-ranging powers.
Military juntas have also grabbed power in the West African nations of Guinea, Mali and Chad, while in Afghanistan, Taliban insurgents seized power after a US troop withdrawal brought the quick collapse of the Western-backed government.
