Civil society organisations in Arakan State called for an end to human rights abuses in Myanmar on December 10, celebrated internationally as Human Rights Day.

Tourism sector workers, including employees of hotels and guesthouses in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and are being issued a document indicating that they are “safe for guests,” said the state’s Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (DHT). 

Houses at some camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, are in need of repair as they are deteriorating, said managers of the IDP camps. 

Facebook’s parent company Meta this week said it would remove any and all pages, groups and accounts on the social media platform that represent businesses controlled by Myanmar’s military, aka Tatmadaw, which seized power in a coup more than 10 months ago.

Myanmar activists at home and abroad have called for a nationwide “Silent Strike” marking Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10. 

In the aftermath of the February 1 coup, Myanmar’s political, economic and conflict dynamics have been deteriorating and could be headed for a “worst case scenario,” warned Yebaw Myo Win, vice chairman of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) and a spokesperson for the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST). 

Recent prison sentences handed down against former President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — and a swift halving of those sentences by the junta chief — have further undermined confidence in Myanmar’s justice system under military rule.

Myanmar activists have criticised the new ASEAN chair for arranging a meeting with the Myanmar military council leader, saying it will be in vain for the international community.

Fifteen cases of Covid-19 were reported in Arakan State from December 1-8, according to the state’s Covid-19 Monitoring Group.

More than 30 species of migratory birds have arrived in Arakan State this winter, according to an environmental conservation group in the state.

Ko Sein Chit, a social acitivist from Arakan State’s Thandwe Township who is facing charges under the Counter-Terrorism Law, is being provided medical treatment in Thandwe Prison as he is suffering from a gastric illness, according to his lawyer. 

About 60 soldiers visited Kin Seik village, in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, for more than two hours on December 8, villagers said.

The number of visitors to Point Beach in Sittwe has reportedly been increasing on weekends, with the Arakan State regime council reminding beachgoers that they are expected to adhere to Covid-19 preventive regulations.

The initial trial of a freshwater shrimp hatchery in Arakan State was a resounding success, said the state’s Department of Fisheries, with preparations being made to proceed with more freshwater shrimp breeding in the coming year.

Farmers in Arakan State who are in the midst of harvesting monsoon paddy are worried about potential damage to their crops as the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has forecast unseasonal rains over the next 48 hours. 

The Arakan State High Court will decide at an upcoming hearing whether to reduce the sentences of four students in Arakan State who are facing more than two years in prison for an October 2020 anti-war protest. 

The current conduct of Myanmar’s military regime could lead to difficulties in attaining a resolution to the country’s political crisis, said Nai Aung Ma Ngay, acting leader of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST). 

Former President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were each sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at a hearing on December 6 by a special junta court in the capital Naypyidaw, before having those sentences halved by junta supremo Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, according to state media. 

At least two people were killed and several others injured and arrested after a military truck rammed into a crowd of protesters in Kyimyindaing Township, Yangon, at about 8 a.m. on December 5.