Barber Mullan

  With its strategic ally the Russian Federation dominating the headlines by continuing to show scant regard for human rights in its invasion of Ukraine, Myanmar’s Tatmadaw appears to feel justified to continue with its own human rights violations across the country. Earlier this month, we tracked four mass hostage takings in Sagaing Region, as well as the use of civilians as human shields in Myanmar’s rural areas as the Tatmadaw desperately attempts to stem a growing insurrection against its rule. Shelling of villages is commonplace. This past weekend, we tracked at least 108 violent incidents across Myanmar including simultaneous IED, small arms fire and grenade attacks in Yangon, the attack of residential houses of SAC staff, tax and electricity offices, military checkpoints as well as municipal government offices. The SAC will continue with violent reprisal attacks against communities they perceive are supportive of PDF groups. Taking into consideration the above, as well as th...

  The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) concluded its 13th National Congress last week. Nguyen Phu Trong (“Trong”) was re-elected as General Secretary of the Party, despite both his age and having already served two terms. The other positions in the country’s traditional ‘four-pillar’ leadership model will not be confirmed until the next meeting of the National Assembly in a few months. However, even before the Congress concluded there were leaks as to who would hold office. [1]   The publication of the new Politburo places Nguyen Xuan Phuc (“Phuc”), Pham Minh Chinh (“Chinh”) and Vuong Ding Hue (“Hue”) immediately behind Trong and is consistent with the earlier leaks. * Full title - Communist Party of Vietnam Central Commission of Personal and Organisation BM&A presents its analysis on the new leadership line-up as well as the possible policy implications and challenges. Brief bios Trong  became Party Secretary in 2011 and will now serve a third term, despite also brea...

  Vietnam   was widely lauded for its response to COVID in 2020, resulting in just 1,465 cases of infection and 35 deaths by the end of December 2020. Restrictions on international travel were comprehensive but domestic travel had resumed and the economy managed to grow by 2.9% last year, making Vietnam one of very few countries to avoid a recession.   Cases, mortality, rate of change, and geographical scope At the end of April 2021, cases rose sharply from below 20 to over 500 a day (25th May). The cumulative number of cases is now 15,740 (28th June), up from 1,465 at the end of 2020. Over the same period, mortalities have risen to 76 from 35. Vietnam   has responded with lockdowns and the caseload has peaked. The seven-day average has fallen to 335 on the 26th of June, down from a high of 377 on the 19th. Though cases have been recorded across the country, the highest concentrations were in the adjoining northern provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh. These industria...