{"id":9696,"date":"2023-05-03T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=9696"},"modified":"2023-08-07T10:52:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T00:52:44","slug":"southeast-asia-snapshot-49","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/southeast-asia-snapshot-49\/","title":{"rendered":"Southeast Asia snapshot #49"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/tag\/sovinda-po\/\">SOVINDA PO<\/a>  |   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Myanmar junta conducted an air strike on an anti-junta gathering<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>On 11 April 2023, the Myanmar military conducted an air <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/international-anger-as-air-strikes-kill-dozens-in-myanmar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">attack on a village gathering<\/a> organized by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/myanmar-junta-confirms-deadly-airstrike-on-rebel-forces\/7046767.html#:~:text=FILE%20%2D%20Military%20officers%20march%20during,Myanmar%2C%20March%2027%2C%202023.&amp;text=Myanmar's%20ruling%20junta%20has%20confirmed,forces%20were%20holding%20a%20ceremony\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">members of the People\u2019s Defence Force<\/a> (PDF), the military arm of the National Unity Government, in the northwest Sagaing region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The air strike killed <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2023\/04\/12\/asia\/myanmar-junta-deadly-airstrike-aftermath-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">at least 165 people<\/a>, including 27 women and 19 children. It is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/04\/11\/world\/asia\/myanmar-airstrike.html\" target=\"_blank\">the deadliest attack<\/a> since the junta seized power in 2021. The site&nbsp; reportedly hosted people from around six villages who had <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/thewire.in\/world\/death-toll-from-myanmar-air-strike-rises-to-110-including-children\" target=\"_blank\">gathered for a feast to mark the<\/a> opening of a local administration office when the junta conducted its aerial attack. The strike took place at 8 am when an attack helicopter dropped bombs hitting the site along with a regional <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/myanmar-junta-confirms-deadly-air-strike-on-village-17b21c4\" target=\"_blank\">storage area for gunpowder and mines<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The junta later confirmed that the strike was aimed at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/myanmar-junta-confirms-deadly-airstrike-on-rebel-forces\/7046767.html#:~:text=FILE%20%2D%20Military%20officers%20march%20during,Myanmar%2C%20March%2027%2C%202023.&amp;text=Myanmar's%20ruling%20junta%20has%20confirmed,forces%20were%20holding%20a%20ceremony\" target=\"_blank\">killing members of the PDF and acknowledged<\/a> that civilians had also been killed in the blast. The United States expressed its <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2023\/04\/12\/asia\/myanmar-junta-deadly-airstrike-aftermath-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">deep concern and called upon the regime<\/a> to cease such horrific violence. The United Nations also <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/international-anger-as-air-strikes-kill-dozens-in-myanmar\" target=\"_blank\">condemned the attack<\/a>. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights believed that the air raid <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-65238250\" target=\"_blank\">has constituted crimes<\/a> against humanity and war crimes. A spokesperson for EU foreign affairs and security policy said the EU <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/apr\/12\/myanmar-airstrike-on-civilians-sparks-global-outcry-as-witnesses-describe-attack\" target=\"_blank\">deeply shocked by the latest atrocity<\/a> committed by the military regime. Relatives and volunteers <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/death-toll-from-myanmar-juntas-aerial-massacre-of-villagers-in-sagaing-tops-110.html\" target=\"_blank\">looked for survivors and casualties<\/a> following the strike. ASEAN <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2023\/04\/13\/asean-strongly-condemns-deadly-airstrike-in-myanmar.html\" target=\"_blank\">has also \u2018strongly condemned\u2019 the strike<\/a> and called upon the junta <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/4\/13\/asean-strongly-condemns-deadly-myanmar-air-attack\" target=\"_blank\">to end all forms of violence immediately<\/a>. The Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, said \u201cany attack on civilians is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/asean-condemns-air-strikes-myanmar-pazi-gyi-sagaing-region-junta-3414666\" target=\"_blank\">reprehensible and cannot be condoned<\/a>\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The military\u2019s air strike on civilians in this village gathering was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/2549521\/junta-airstrike-condemned\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the deadliest<\/a> since seizing control in 2021, and showed to the world that it was prepared to kill&nbsp; civilians in large numbers in their pursuit of the PDF.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The US Secretary of States Antony Blinken visited Vietnam<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>On 15 April 2023, the United States Secretary of States Anthony Blinken paid a visit to Vietnam to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/blinken-starts-vietnam-visit-amid-hopes-deeper-ties-counter-china-2023-04-15\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">solidify the US &#8211; Vietnam alliance<\/a> during his travels to the Group of Seven <a href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20230416_19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(G7) foreign minister\u2019s meeting in Japan<\/a>, from 16 \u2013 18 April 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his short visit, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.upi.com\/Top_News\/US\/2023\/04\/15\/secretary-state-antony-blinken-vietnamesse-leader-visit\/7691681579957\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blinken met with<\/a> the Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/International\/wireStory\/us-vietnam-pledge-boost-ties-blinken-visits-hanoi-98602393\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strengthen America\u2019s ties with Vietnam and to counter<\/a> an increasingly assertive China. The US Secretary of State also reiterated the US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/apr\/15\/us-looks-to-boost-ties-in-vietnam-as-china-reportedly-refuses-to-reschedule-blinken-visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emphasis on the importance of human rights<\/a>, and promised a <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/us-vietnam-blinken-china-b208e75ba674ae7f6c77e481f818031a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sprawling new USD 1.2 billion<\/a> embassy in Hanoi to demonstrate the US commitment to Vietnam. The US also sees Hanoi as a key component in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstpost.com\/world\/blinken-visits-hanoi-pledges-to-take-us-vietnam-relations-to-even-higher-level-12458892.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">its Indo-Pacific strategy and seeks<\/a> to expand Washington\u2019s influence in the region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Vietnamese foreign minister believed this was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/world\/u-s-vietnam-pledge-to-boost-relations-during-blinkens-visit-to-hanoi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an auspicious time to elevate<\/a> both countries&#8217; partnership while the US Secretary of State reiterated the US commitment to supporting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-33\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strong, prosperous, independent, and resilient Vietnam<\/a>. Many believed the visit was a strong boost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/us-secretary-of-state-vietnamese-pm-talk-of-deeper-ties-between-nations\/7051697.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">for a higher bilateral relationship<\/a> between the US and Vietnam, while Human Rights Watch believed Antony Blinken should have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2023\/04\/12\/us-secretary-state-should-press-vietnam-rights-during-visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pressed Vietnam on human rights<\/a> during his visit. Although some observers viewed this trip as being important for the US\u2019s strategy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/blinken-in-vietnam-to-boost-ties-with-an-eye-on-china\/a-65332062\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">counter China\u2019s influence<\/a> in the region, others believed that despite now having&nbsp; strong ties, Hanoi is still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejakartapost.com\/world\/2023\/04\/15\/us-vietnam-say-they-hope-to-boost-ties-as-blinken-visits-hanoi.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cautious, fearing its ties with the US could impact<\/a> its relations with China.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Blinken\u2019s visit paves the way for a further upgrading of relations between the US and Vietnam, it also strengthens the US\u2019s long term influence in Southeast Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Myanmar Junta released 3,113 prisoners for the New Year<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>On 17 April 2023, in a surprising move, the Myanmar military <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/myanmars-junta-pardons-over-3000-prisoners-new-year-military-statement-2023-04-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">released 3, 113 prisoners<\/a>, including 98 foreigners, to mark the Thingyan New Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 98 foreign prisoners were <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/prisoners-new-year-myanmar-amnesty-1bb7f254b7f6a858f1970aa4f8f69744\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pardoned and will be deported back<\/a> to their countries. But it is not clear if the released-prisoners <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2023\/04\/myanmar-junta-releases-3000-prisoners-in-new-year-amnesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">included any of those arrested for resisting<\/a> the junta since the 2021 coup. However, it was stressed by the junta that if the freed convicts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nst.com.my\/world\/world\/2023\/04\/900599\/myanmar-junta-free-3000-prisoners-buddhist-new-year-amnesty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reoffend<\/a>, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/myanmar-junta-frees-3000-prisoners-on-buddhist-new-year\/a-65343476\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">will serve the remainder of their sentence<\/a> with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/myanmars-junta-pardons-over-3000-prisoners-for-new-year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">additional penalty<\/a>. Despite the so-called \u2018New Year amnesty\u2019, the number of <a href=\"https:\/\/myanmar-now.org\/en\/news\/more-than-3000-prisoners-pardoned-in-myanmar-new-year-amnesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prisoners released<\/a> in 2022 and 2023 was lower compared <a href=\"https:\/\/myanmar-now.org\/en\/news\/nine-activists-among-more-than-23000-freed-as-part-of-thingyan-amnesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to the 23,000 prisoners released<\/a> in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although there were a <a href=\"https:\/\/morningstaronline.co.uk\/article\/w\/myanmar-junta-releases-over-3000-prisoners-lunar-new-year-holiday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">total of 17,460 prisoners<\/a> detained across Myanmar, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/myanmar-junta-to-free-3-000-prisoners-in-new-year-amnesty-eec4c4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">including the ousted leader<\/a> Aung San Suu Kyi,&nbsp; the former minister of Planning and Finance \u2013 Kyaw Win \u2013 was the only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/myanmar\/myanmar-new-year-amnesty-04172023015550.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">political prisoner pardoned by the junta<\/a>. Some believed this amnesty was done to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/world-news\/myanmars-junta-free-3-000-prisoners-in-buddhist-new-year-s-holiday-gesture-101681722516287.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">score political points and burnish the image<\/a> of the junta. The junta\u2019s council secretary, Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe said the act was \u201cto <a href=\"https:\/\/myanmar-now.org\/en\/news\/more-than-3000-prisoners-pardoned-in-myanmar-new-year-amnesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bring peace of mind\u201d and was carried out \u201cin consideration of&nbsp;<\/a> humanitarian concerns\u201d.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The junta has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/4\/17\/myanmar-military-pardons-more-than-3000-prisoners-for-new-year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">releasing prisoners annually<\/a> during the Myanmar New Year since 2021, following in the tradition of previous military regimes. It is clear that the junta is now using this strategy to legitimize itself and more convicts may be released from prison in the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Singapore hangs a man for drug smuggling&#8211;the first execution in 6 months<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Singaporean government <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/asia\/southeast-asia\/article\/3217763\/singapore-resume-executions-after-6-month-break-weve-been-holding-our-breaths-critics-say\" target=\"_blank\">hanged<\/a> a Singaporean man on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/News\/world\/2023\/04\/21\/Singapore-to-execute-man-for-conspiring-to-smuggle-more-than-1kg-of-cannabis-\" target=\"_blank\">26 April 2023 for smuggling<\/a> one kilogram of cannabis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr. Tangaraju Suppiah was hanged for his attempt to sneak cannabis into Singapore. This punishment was <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/singapore-death-penalty-drug-execution-a0d7c958cc1358602fc422c7a86dcb71\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the first execution in the island-state<\/a> following a 6 month pause in executions. He was detained in 2014 over <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/International\/wireStory\/singapore-resume-executions-after-6-month-break-98718781\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drug consumption and failure to report<\/a> for a drug test. He was later given a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/singapore-resume-executions-6-month-103919048.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mandatory death sentence by the High Court in 2018<\/a>. The last death penalty was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.laprensalatina.com\/singapore-hangs-11th-prisoner-of-year-ngo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carried out in October 2022<\/a> with the case being related to drug trafficking and highlighting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastasiaforum.org\/2022\/10\/21\/singapore-executes-its-war-on-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">extreme nature of death penalty sentences<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Malaysia\u2019s parliament has recently <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/malaysian-mps-vote-to-axe-mandatory-death-penalty-\/7033683.html\" target=\"_blank\">voted to abolish its death penalty<\/a>, in early April, Singapore has continued its strong stance against illegal drugs with its decision to execute Mr. Suppiah. This act <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.taiwannews.com.tw\/en\/news\/4869698\" target=\"_blank\">sparked international outcry<\/a> while Singaporean activists have <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theonlinecitizen.com\/2023\/04\/20\/singaporean-activist-and-human-rights-lawyer-raise-concerns-over-impending-execution-amid-troubling-case-detail\/\" target=\"_blank\">raised concerns and called for reform<\/a>s to Singapore\u2019s legal system. Amnesty International viewed the decision as a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dawn.com\/news\/1748845\" target=\"_blank\">violation of international law<\/a> and others think the island-state\u2019s execution strategy has <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/patriotdetroit.com\/news\/national\/singapore-to-resume-executions-after-6-month-break\/a0d7c958cc1358602fc422c7a86dcb71\" target=\"_blank\">done little to stop<\/a> drug traffickers and organized syndicates. But the Singapore government has defended its approach as a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newser.com\/article\/a0d7c958cc1358602fc422c7a86dcb71\/singapore-to-resume-executions-after-6-month-break.html\" target=\"_blank\">necessary measure to protect their citizens<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although many international observers were not in favour of Singapore\u2019s decision to execute Mr. Tangaraju Suppiah, this death sentence clearly showed the country\u2019s intolerance and unforgiving posture towards any form of illegal drug-related activities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"author label\"><strong>AUTHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Sovinda<\/strong> <strong>Po<\/strong>&nbsp;is a Research Assistant at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\">Griffith Asia Institute<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SOVINDA PO | Myanmar junta conducted an air strike on an anti-junta gathering&nbsp; On 11 April 2023, the Myanmar military conducted an air attack on a village gathering organized by members of the People\u2019s Defence Force (PDF), the military arm of the National Unity Government, in the northwest Sagaing region.&nbsp; The air strike killed at<a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/southeast-asia-snapshot-49\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Southeast Asia snapshot #49&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":8755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1731,1413,1056],"tags":[1066,417,1008,1079,1777,444],"class_list":["post-9696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sdg16","category-south-east-asia-snapshot","category-politics","tag-myanmar-military","tag-singapore","tag-south-east-asia","tag-sovinda-po","tag-us-secretary-of-state","tag-vietnam"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Jill Moriarty","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Southeast Asia snapshot #49 | Griffith Asia Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SOVINDA PO | Myanmar junta conducted an air strike on an anti-junta gathering&nbsp; 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