Myanmar Domestic News Updates – Aug 30, 2025 Morning
📌📌 1. NUG Ministry of Defense Prohibits Underage Recruitment
August 29
Radio NUG
The Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on August 29 that children under the age of 18 are prohibited from serving in the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs).
The statement noted that minors who had previously taken up arms in local defense groups due to the military dictatorship will be returned to their parents, and efforts are being made in collaboration with relevant organizations to ensure that they have access to educational opportunities.
The ministry affirmed its compliance with the Child Rights Law (Law No. 22) enacted by the Union Parliament in 2019, as well as with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC-OPAC).
Furthermore, it stated that since 2021, its official declarations and codes of military conduct have instructed the protection of vulnerable groups—including children—and the prevention of the Six Grave Violations, which include the recruitment of children as soldiers, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
In its March 2024 recruitment policy, the NUG explicitly stipulated that only individuals aged 18 and above may be accepted into the defense forces. It also warned that any breach of this regulation would result in action under military laws.
The ministry emphasized that this latest announcement reaffirms NUG’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and upholding international law.
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📌📌 2. JFM Urges Sanctions Against Washington-Based Lobby Firms Representing the Junta
August 29
Radio NUG
Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has called for sanctions against the Washington D.C.-based lobbying firms McKeon Group and DCI Group, which have been representing Myanmar’s unlawful military junta to advance its international relations and trade interests.
According to reports, on August 1, McKeon Group signed a contract worth USD 360,000 with the junta, while DCI Group had previously signed a contract worth USD 3 million with the regime.
These contracts are aimed at enhancing the junta’s international relations and securing benefits in the natural resources sector.
JFM strongly condemned these firms, stating that they are acting on behalf of a junta that continues to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity with impunity. JFM declared:
“Lobbyists in D.C. cannot wash their hands clean while the Myanmar military is drenched in blood. No amount of lobbying will cleanse them.”
Additionally, JFM warned that payments made by the junta may involve money laundering or assets stolen from the people of Myanmar. It demanded that these lobbying firms disclose their sources of income and auditing processes.
The contracts were signed after the junta renamed its “State Administration Council (SAC)” to the “State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC)”, in what JFM described as an attempt to create a loophole to evade international sanctions.
JFM urged Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States to urgently add the SSPC to their sanctions lists.
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📌📌 3. Rohingya Refugees Mass-Deported from India
August 29
Radio NUG
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Indian authorities have, since May 2025, been forcibly deporting Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh and Myanmar. Hundreds of refugees have been arrested and detained, with some subjected to cruel treatment.
In BJP-ruled states, Rohingya and Bengali-speaking Muslims have been labeled as “illegal immigrants” and deported. Among those deported were 192 refugees registered with the UNHCR, who were sent to Bangladesh, while 40 Rohingya were forcibly pushed into the sea near Myanmar’s coast, according to reports.
“India’s deportation of Rohingya refugees shows disregard for human life and international law,” said Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia Director.
There are about 40,000 Rohingya in India, with 20,000 registered with UNHCR. Although India has not signed the UN Refugee Convention, under international law it is prohibited from returning refugees to places where their lives are at risk.
Refugees reported being beaten, having their belongings confiscated, and being threatened by authorities. India’s Supreme Court is set to decide on the status of the Rohingya on September 23, but it had already rejected an appeal in May to halt the deportations.
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📌📌 4. Disappearance of Cyclo Drivers After Being Hired for Work
August 29
Radio NUG
According to the Rangoon Scout Network, several incidents occurred in August in which trishaw (cyclo) drivers in parts of Yangon Region were hired by groups of people and then disappeared without further contact.
On August 27 around noon, two young trishaw drivers in Ward 16, Hlaing Township, near West Pe 50, 3rd Street, were hired by a group of people who paid them to help with a house move. They were taken away in a car but subsequently lost all contact.
On August 23, in Kyimyindaing Township near the night market trishaw gate, a trishaw driver and another man were hired by a group who claimed they needed help moving belongings to Pyay. Both have since gone missing.
Similar incidents also reportedly occurred this week in Tamwe Township, near Myitta Nyunt ward.
Locals suspect these cases may involve deception and abduction for forced military conscription training, and warnings have been issued for slow-vehicle drivers to remain cautious.
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📌📌 5. Relief Funds Provided for Homes Destroyed by Airstrikes in Mantong and Namtu
August 29
Radio NUG
According to a statement from the Ta’ang Women’s Organization, the Ta’ang Reconstruction Committee (Northern Shan) has provided relief funds to support families whose homes were destroyed by the junta’s aerial bombings in Mantong Township and Namtu Township during May and June.
In Aung Chan Thar Ward, Mantong Township, 14 homes were destroyed, while in Manli Village, Namtu Township, 12 homes were destroyed. In addition, support was also provided for a school building and monastic quarters that were damaged.
These updates were reported by Radio NUG correspondent Khur Shel.
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