Junta Implements Cybersecurity Law with Severe Penalties for VPN Use and Online Infractions

January 3, 2025

On January 1, the junta officially enacted Cybersecurity Law No. 1/2025 under Article 419 of the Constitution. The law comprises 16 chapters and 88 articles outlining severe penalties for unauthorized VPN use and various online offences, including fines and imprisonment.

The law mandates penalties of up to six months in prison and fines of up to 20 million kyats for those caught using VPNs without approval. It also includes penalties for cybercrimes such as online fraud, illegal gambling, and unauthorized financial transactions, with prison sentences ranging from two to seven years and significant fines.

The junta claims the law aims to protect national stability and authority by preventing cyberattacks and ensuring control over digital spaces. However, local legal experts and rights groups have raised concerns that the law primarily targets free expression and access to information.

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Local authority ignores rise of theft and robbery cases in Ye

December 27, 2024

HURFOM: In 2024, theft and robbery cases were on the rise in wards in Ye Town, Ye Township, Mon State but an appropriate response from the local authority and the police forces was lacking.

On December 19th, 2024, a house in Thiri Nadar Ward, Ye Town was burgled.  A motorbike, two million in cash, a water pump, wire cable, an iron door and other valuable things were stolen.

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Junta extorts big business owners to commemorate 150th anniversary of Thanbyuzayat Town

December 27, 2024

HURFOM: December, 2024 is the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Thanbyuzayat Town, Mon State and the military junta is planning to celebrate with a 3-day festival that will run from December 27th to the 30th.

The junta is expected to allocate hundreds of millions of MMK for the anniversary festival and is extorting money from the local big business owners.

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Junta arrests young men: Extorts and forces them to join army

December 27, 2024

HURFOM: In recent months, the number of disappearances of young people in Mon State has been on the rise.  Most have been arbitrarily arrested by the military junta.

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Number of displaced persons reaches nearly 70,000 in Tenasserim

December 26, 2024

HURFOM: Within 11 months, from January to November, 2024, the number of displaced persons in Tenasserim Division has reached 68,330, according to a report by the FE5 Tanintharyi, a local research organization.

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Two local women sentenced to 15-year imprisonment each in Ye

December 26, 2024

HURFOM: On December 22nd, 2024, the junta controlled Ye District Court has sentenced two local women who lived in Aung Mitta Ward, Ye Town, Mon State to 15-year imprisonment each after accusing them of supporting the People Defense Force.

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Junta’s regiment kills villager and arrests sixteen residents in Yebyu

December 25, 2024

HURFOM: On December 17th, 2024, local resistance forces attacked and now control the military junta’s “Microwave Tower Military Base” in Kan Bauk Ye Kan Taung, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division.

After the defeat, the junta sent additional troops in eight military trucks on December 18th and launched operations in Pa Ya, Kway Ma Phor, Dike Ta Kaw, Khaung Pyan and Zar D villages.

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Three civilians injured by junta’s artillery attack in Kyike Hto

December 25, 2024

HURFOM: At noon on December 21st, 2024, local resistance forces using drones, attacked the “Moke Pa Lin” security gate, in Kyike Hto Township, Mon State.

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Junta’s soldiers rob shop run by villager in Tenasserim

December 25, 2024

HURFOM: On December 14th, 2024, two soldiers with the military junta robbed a shop run by a villager in Htan Pin Gone village, Za Well village tract, Tenasserim Township, Tenasserim Division. The soldiers took his mobile phone and cash.

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Junta destroys eight village roads in Tenasserim

December 25, 2024

HURFOM: According to local sources, between December 4th and the 10th, 2024, the military junta destroyed eight village roads in Tenasserim Township, Tenasserim Division.

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