Myanmar’s military regime has drawn widespread condemnation following the arrest of a six-year-old girl and 15 others in connection with the assassination of a retired army general and former diplomat.
The arrests were announced Friday in the junta-controlled Global New Light of Myanmar, which labeled the detainees, including the child, as “terrorists.” The child is reportedly the daughter of the alleged assassin.
The slain official, 68-year-old Cho Htun Aung, a retired brigadier general and former ambassador, was fatally shot in broad daylight on May 22 in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. His death marks one of the most high-profile killings since the military seized power in a 2021 coup.
The junta alleges that the group responsible for the assassination is linked to the Golden Valley Warriors, an anti-regime resistance group. Officials claim the suspect confessed to receiving 200,000 Myanmar Kyat (approximately $95) for the killing, and accused the opposition-aligned National Unity Government (NUG) of supporting the operation — a charge the NUG has denied.
“It is not true that we are paying people to kill other people,” NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt said in response to the allegations.
State media published a photo of the arrested child, sparking outrage after her face was clearly shown on junta-linked platforms. Human rights advocates have condemned the military for violating international protections for children and for using minors in its propaganda campaign.
Since the military takeover in February 2021, Myanmar has spiraled into violent conflict, with anti-junta groups and ethnic militias battling government forces and expanding control across various regions. Urban centers, including Yangon, have seen a rise in guerrilla-style attacks.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), more than 29,000 people have been detained since the coup, including over 600 children. At least 6,700 civilians, including 825 children and 1,646 women, have been killed in the unrest.
Despite mounting international criticism, the military maintains that its actions are aimed at restoring “peace and stability,” though independent observers and rights organizations say the regime is increasingly targeting civilians in its crackdown.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze
