Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FOPA) 2025, September

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FOPA) 2025, September

Chart showing the number of non-violent public movements and peaceful demonstrations by State and Region.”

Summary

According to records verified by Athan’s media monitoring, as of the end of September 2025, a total of 52 peaceful assemblies had been carried out across Myanmar through various forms. Among these, Sagaing Region recorded the highest number, with 41 demonstrations. In addition, three protests were organized in the same region in support of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and People’s Security Force (PSF).

Findings also indicate that the military junta has intensified its efforts to hold an illegal sham election. During this period, numerous cases were documented in which the junta invoked the so-called “Law on the Prevention of Obstruction, Disturbance, and Destruction of Multiparty Democratic General Elections” to prosecute and open lawsuits against civilians.

Incident (1)

The junta has reportedly installed and begun using the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS) software in every township and police station nationwide. According to findings, hotels and guesthouses in Bagan have used this system to verify guest lists, which led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) participants.

Since May 2025, the Russian-developed PSMS system has been deployed at checkpoints, airports, and police stations. The system reportedly contains data on about 80,000 individuals and has been used to track and arrest political activists, as well as army and police defectors.

Incident (2)

On September 18, 2025, in East Hlaingthaya Township, Yangon, junta forces arrested Ko Aung Ye Htut and Ko Yan Naing Kyaw Win, accusing them of “inciting disruption to the sham election.”

Both were charged under Section 23(a) of the Law on the Prevention of Obstruction, Disturbance, and Destruction of Multiparty Democratic General Elections.

Incident (3)

On September 14, 2025, in Loikaw, Kayah State, five people — including three children aged 14 — were arrested on allegations of “election disruption.”

All were charged under Section 23(a) of the same election law.

Incident (4)

The junta announced that it had filed cases under Section 23(a) of the election law against the following groups and individuals:

• 13 members of the Karen National Union (KNU), including its chairman, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win
  
• 17 members of the Chinland Government
  
• Members of the Arakan Army (AA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF)
  
• Khit Thit Media
  

The junta accused KNU leaders of “speech-based incitement to disrupt the election,” the AA and PDF forces of “bomb attacks” targeting an election awareness event in the Ayeyarwady Region, and members of the Chinland Government on similar charges.

Khit Thit Media was charged in Nay Pyi Taw for allegedly “inciting election disruption.”

Incident (5)

On the evening of September 16, 2025, four young men — Ye Thu Ya Aung, Kyaw Wunna, Chit Win, and Pyae Tun — were arrested near the Thanchaukpin intersection in Shwepyitha Township, Yangon, after shouting “Revolution for Our Cause” while intoxicated.

They were charged under Section 23(a) of the election law. Since the coup, chanting “Our Cause!” (Dote A Yay) has been criminalized as a banned slogan.

Note

On September 8, 2025, residents of Than Gyi Village, Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region, held a protest against a checkpoint established by the Daung Ni PDF under the National Unity Government (NUG), which was allegedly collecting taxes to fund arms purchases.

A second protest took place on September 9, during which clashes broke out between villagers and PDF members, resulting in injuries on both sides.