Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 24
(MoeMaKa) September 25, 2024
Famine as a Possible Consequence of Conflict, and Execution of Those Sentenced to Death
Since the resurgence of internal armed conflict over the past three years, the violence has spread to more extensive regions, and the impact of the war has been devastating. Civilian casualties and damages have escalated dramatically compared to previous times. The scale of destruction, the loss of livelihoods, and the difficulty in even recording these losses have become overwhelming.
Unlike past internal conflicts that were often seasonal, with clashes occurring mostly during the dry season, this war has been ongoing year-round. The continuous blockades, trade restrictions, and heavy taxes imposed by armed groups have made essential goods, food, and basic supplies extremely expensive, plunging communities into severe hardship.
Reviewing the events of the past three years, just when it seemed that the worst had been reached, further deteriorations occurred, deepening the humanitarian crisis. People are now facing worsening living conditions, food shortages, lack of access to medical care, and children deprived of education.
Adding to this misery, natural disasters such as floods have impacted vast areas. Communities have been facing floods for weeks, leading to the risk of famine in the coming months due to food shortages. Large areas of agricultural land in regions such as Mandalay, Bago, and Naypyidaw have been devastated, with tens of thousands of acres damaged. Crops have been submerged, making immediate recovery in farming nearly impossible.
The increasing possibility of famine follows the impacts of both conflict and natural disasters.
Recent news suggests that five individuals sentenced to death for the killing of railway police officers on a Yangon circular train are facing imminent execution. This follows the July 23, 2022, execution of Ko Zeya Thaw, Ko Jimmy, and two others. News of impending executions, which surfaced on social media this past week, is based on reports of preparations at Insein Prison, but independent media have not been able to confirm this information due to the lack of official accountability from the military junta.
The potential execution of these five individuals has stirred significant attention, but it could also be a psychological operation by the regime to spread fear. The death penalty is a deeply emotional issue, particularly for the families of political prisoners, who find this news heartbreaking. At the same time, extra-judicial killings by the military, intelligence forces, and police, though less publicized, occur almost daily across Myanmar.
Such executions are rarely reported in the media, as they often only become known after the fact. Despite their frequency, these extrajudicial killings have not garnered the same level of public attention as the formal death sentences. Incidents like being shot at military checkpoints or being tortured to death during interrogations happen regularly, not just in conflict zones but even in major cities like Yangon and Mandalay.
While the upcoming executions have captured headlines, it’s crucial to recognize that extra-judicial killings are also widespread and must be regarded with the same seriousness.