Canada’s Foreign Minister officially announced on March 8 that the country has imposed additional sanctions on 13 individuals from Myanmar’s military council, including generals, ministers, and deputy ministers, along with three organizations. These sanctions were implemented in response to the military council’s continued oppression of Myanmar’s people and are intended to increase international pressure on the regime. The sanctions target key figures within the military administration who are directly involved in the implementation of policies that have led to human rights violations and the suppression of democratic freedoms in Myanmar.
In Papun Township, Karen State, the military council conducted an airstrike on a monastery in Kyauk Kwin village, resulting in the death of the resident monk, Venerable Bhaddanta Visudha, despite there being no active fighting in the area. This incident starkly contradicts the military council’s claims of protecting Buddhism, as it demonstrates their willingness to attack religious institutions and members of the Buddhist clergy. Local residents confirmed that the bombing was unprovoked and occurred in an area where there was no military engagement, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the military’s attacks on civilian targets, including religious sites.
In Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, two military council-appointed officials – administrative officer Htun Wai and Pyu Saw Htee member Soe Lwin – were reportedly killed in a shooting incident. These individuals were part of the military council’s administrative structure and were known to be involved in implementing oppressive measures against local residents. This incident reflects the growing instability within the military council’s administrative framework and the increasing challenges they face in maintaining control over local governance structures. The event underscores the continuing resistance against the military council’s attempt to establish administrative control across the country.
