The dire human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar has consistently deteriorated as the number of battles has drastically increased across the country. Since the February 2021 military coup, at least 9,300 battles between Ethnic Resistance Organizations (EROs), People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), and the Burmese military junta have broken out nationwide. Of these battles, at least 1,400 clashes took place from January to April 2023. In addition, the junta carried out 442 airstrikes during the first four months of the year, resulting in the deaths of 693 civilians in 56 townships. In the past two years, there have been 19 massacres across Burma/Myanmar and 290 civilians have been killed as a result of these atrocities. According to the UNHCR Displacement Overview of 03 July 2023, there have been 1,537,500 internal displacements across the country to date, and ongoing conflict exacerbates humanitarian needs throughout Burma/Myanmar. Based on Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)’s data, as of June 30, 2023, there have been 23,651 arrests, 3,736 fatalities, 19,295 detainments, 6,621 sentences, 115 persons facing death penalty in detainment, and 4,356 releases from detainment. Under these circumstances, women face disproportionate impact of the violence and destruction.
Cyclone Mocha in May 2023 affected 150 villages in 20 townships in Rakhine and Chin states, and Sagaing and Magway regions, intensifying the necessity for humanitarian aid. At the same time, the junta’s internet cuts have limited communication and hindered civilians’ knowledge of current events, depriving them of critical technological resources. This deprivation especially affects young people. In Myin Chan Township of Mandalay Region, civilians have not had mobile internet for more than a year and a half.