Myanmar pro-democracy activist to accept US award; Over 1,000 migrant workers blocked from jobs overseas

[L to R] An unidentified protestor, prominent pro-democracy activists Nan Lin, Khant Wai Phyo and Tayzar San protest against the regime’s 2025-26 elections at Zay Cho Market in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township in December 2025. (Credit: Nan Lin)

Myanmar pro-democracy activist to accept NED Award

The U.S. non-governmental organization National Endowment for Democracy (NED) announced that Nan Lin, a pro-democracy activist from Burma who co-founded the University Students’ Unions Alumni Force, will accept the 2026 Democracy Award on behalf of “pro-democracy community organizers of Burma’s Spring Revolution” at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, in the U.S. state of Virginia, this September.

The U.S.-based NED stated in its press release on July 8 that the 2026 Democracy Award goes to those in Burma “sustaining civic participation and community resilience.” Nan Lin shared on social media that the award honours all people in Burma who have dedicated their lives to the fight for democracy and freedom. He also commended his fellow activists from different generations, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Following the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, Nan Lin was forced underground, where he organized peaceful protests against military rule. Nan Lin was jailed for several months in Yangon in 2015-16 for demonstrating against the military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) administration, which governed Burma from 2011-16. His current whereabouts are unknown.

12 People’s Defence Force members killed in Sagaing Region

At least 12 People’s Defence Force (PDF) members have been killed by regime forces during fighting in Sagaing Region’s Indaw and Ayardaw townships since June 24. The PDF’s Monywa District Battalion is under National Unity Government (NUG) command. Ayardaw and Indaw are located 25-209 miles (40-336 km) northeast and north of the region’s capital Monywa.

A PDF member told DVB on the condition of anonymity that two of the 12 members were killed during fighting with regime forces in Indaw’s Maeza and Nanthe villages on July 3, which ended with the recapturing of both villages. The military doesn’t disclose its number of casualties. The fighting is part of an ongoing regime counteroffensive to reassert control over all of Indaw Township after retaking Indaw town on April 30.

At least 15 regime troops and 10 PDF members were killed during fighting in Ayardaw on June 24, according to the PDF. Ayardaw is contested between the PDF and regime forces. The military has regained control of Sagaing’s Khampat, Mawlu, Indaw, Tigyaing and Banmauk towns from the NUG/PDF so far this year. The NUG still administers Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye and Myothit.