Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) reports

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Description: "Foundation of Fear. Since 1992, the Karen Human Rights Group has been documenting villagers? voices on the human rights situation in southeast Myanmar. 25 years on, KHRG presents this extensive review, an analysis of villagers? current concerns seen in the light of 25 years of testimonies on human rights and abuse. By revisiting these testimonies we can understand ongoing obstacles to peace, security and freedom for local community members in southeast Myanmar, and prevent human rights abuses from being forgotten, silenced and, crucially, from continuing and being repeated..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2017-10-00
Date of entry/update: 2017-12-16
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ), Karen
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Tha Htoo (Thaton) Township, Doo Tha Htoo (Thaton) District, during the period between September 2022 and January 2023, including constant indiscriminate shelling committed by the State Administration Council (SAC) resulting in property destruction, casualties and fear. On November 10th 2022, SAC Military Training Number #9 arrested Kaw Kya Ther villagers by accusing them of being informants for the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and detained them in the camp. As a result, fighting broke out between SAC and PDF, and SAC conducted indiscriminate shelling in the area. On January 11th 2023, the SAC indiscriminately shelled mortars into Maw Lay village tract in three different instances, injuring three villagers, after a drone attack by the local PDF and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). On February 9th 2023, SAC Artillery Unit #314 fired mortars into plantations in Shwe Yaung Pya village tract, injuring another civilian. Villagers are facing livelihood insecurities as a result.[1] Arbitrary arrest of villagers, fighting and shelling On November 10th 2022, State Administration Council (SAC)[2] Military Training Number #9, under Light Infantry Division (LID)[3] #44, based in Ah Lan Ta Ya camp arrested Kaw Kya Ther (Htoe Bo Lin) villagers [unknown number], from Way Raw (Win Yaw) village tract[4], Tha Htoo Township, accusing them of being spies for the People’s Defence Force (PDF)[5]. The next day, on November 11th at about 8:42 pm, fighting broke out between PDF forces, combined with the local Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[6], and SAC Military Training #9 at Ah Lan Ta Ya camp, which is led by the Deputy Battalion Commander [unknown name] and Major Chit Win Thu. During the fighting, SAC shelled eight rounds of mortar into Kaw Kya Ther village, Way Raw village tract, Tha Htoo Township. Therefore, six houses owned by Kaw Kyaw Ther villagers were damaged by the mortar shells’ explosion. During the fighting, three SAC soldiers including Major Chit Win Thu were killed, PDF soldiers confiscated some ammunition from the SAC, and rescued the detained Kaw Kya Ther villagers. Constant shelling conducted by SAC soldiers into villages Since the 2021 coup in Burma, indiscriminate and deliberate shelling conducted by the SAC has been one of the most common attacks [against civilians] happening in Tha Htoo Township, Doo Tha Htoo District. For instance, the SAC K--- army camp, under the command of LID #44, is located in the centre of K--- village, Maw Lay village tract, Tha Htoo Township, beside the village’s main road. SAC troops usually conduct shelling in K--- village [since their camp is located in the centre, and so they shell the surroundings]. One villager from K--- village, Naw[7] H---, reported to KHRG: “I can’t even count [the number of shelling incidents]. Sometimes, they [SAC] shelled every day. […] Three months ago [around September 2022], a mortar landed on my house. And the shrapnel hit my aunt’s house too. […] They [SAC] shelled [mortars] regularly.” Since the [2021] coup, SAC soldiers in Tha Htoo Township have conducted shelling into the villages surrounding their army camps as retaliation after being attacked by local KNLA or PDF soldiers. Other times, they [SAC soldiers] have done it [conduct shelling] when receiving information from their informants about an imminent attack by KNLA and PDF. However, sometimes the SAC has conducted shelling for unknown reasons. Some of the mortars landed on farms and plantations owned by villagers and nearby villages, such as Y--- village, P--- village, L--- village, or K--- village. Some mortars landed in the villages, beside houses, schools and monasteries. Therefore, local villagers, especially villagers who live close to the army camps, have been facing high [security] risks to their lives and fear. They have also suffered injuries and property damage and destruction. According to Naw H---, the witness from K--- village: “Sometimes [mortar shells landed] in our village, near the school, near the monastery, ... Children who attended school know best [have experienced it]. Children [in school] were scared and cried loudly. […] During a shelling [incident in 2022], young children like my nieces were only seven and nine years old. They told me: ‘Moegi [term of affection for women]! [Hearing] mortar shells’ [explosion] sound makes me feel scared. We dare not to walk on the first floor [of the school]; we stay on the ground floor under the bed. Moegi! When the school closes, pick me up, okay?’. I feel pity for the children. […] My niece is only nine years old. She is very intelligent. She said: ‘Moegi, once the shells landed nearby, and I was scared, so I cried and the teacher hugged me. [All children in] the whole school were crying.’ When I heard that, my heart Ummm [felt worried; anxious]!” In January 2023, the army camp in K--- village was operated by SAC battalions under LID #44 and some of their soldiers were based in the monastery. On the morning of January 11th 2023, local PDF and KNLA attacked K--- army camp with a drone. As retaliation, the SAC indiscriminately shelled about five mortar rounds around K--- village area. Two of the mortar shells landed in K--- village, in the Muslim community area. The mortar shells injured two villagers, and killed two of their bulls -which cost about five million kyat [2,378 USD[8]]. It also destroyed one motorcycle, and several parts of their house. Another house was also damaged. The two victims are married and have children. Their children were safe because they were at school. The damages caused major impacts on the family’s livelihood and well-being. After the incident, their neighbours immediately took them to the local W--- clinic, under the Karen National Union (KNU)[9]-controlled territory, for medical treatment. On the same day, from 7 pm to 11 pm, SAC battalions under LID #44 based in K--- army camp shelled three more mortar rounds in K--- village. Two mortar shells landed on a villager’s rubber plantation and one mortar shell landed beside a villager’s house. Before this shelling incident [in the evening], no armed group, either PDF or KNLA, had attacked them [the SAC] and villagers did not receive any prior warning about the shelling. Villagers do not know why the SAC indiscriminately conducted the shelling [in the evening]. The two mortar shells that landed on a rubber plantation also damaged one farm hut, including the roofing. Fortunately, the hut owner was not in the hut [during the incident] so nobody got injured or killed. At about 11 pm, another mortar shell landed beside a villager’s house in K--- village and the shrapnel injured a 52-year-old villager, named Saw[10] O---, on his thigh. The incident happened when he was visiting his friend; the house owner. He was outside of the house chatting with the house owner who was inside the house. The victim explained [to KHRG]: “When I was going [to the friend’s house], [I heard] the sound of [mortars] exploding coming from K--- [army camp] two times. […] When there were no more sounds, I went to the villager’s [his friend’s] house in the village. Soon after I spoke one or two words [with the house owner], mortar shells landed [beside me]. And the shrapnel hit me. […] As soon as I got hit, I fell down. […] My blood flowed down [he sustained heavy blood loss], so it got dark [he fainted].” After, villagers surrounding the incident place went to help Saw O--- by providing first aid, bandaging the wound with a longyi [piece of clothing]. Villagers brought him to a monastery by motorcycle to get medical treatment from an SAC medic who is based in the monastery. The SAC medic injected some [unknown] medication and bandaged the wound. During that night, villagers could not bring him immediately to the Thaton Town hospital [run by the SAC] because of the curfew (enforced by the SAC between 6 pm to 6 am) and the risk of stepping on landmines on the way planted by armed groups. Therefore, he had to wait the whole night and then villagers took him to Thaton hospital the next morning by car. The cost was 50,000 kyat [23.78 USD] for transportation and he had to be in the hospital for eight days. The total cost was about one million kyat [475.51 USD] for medical treatment. According to the victim, Saw O---: “When we went [to the hospital] and I got the X-ray, shrapnel was visible [in the test result]. The doctor took out everything [all shrapnel]. The shrapnel was very big and very long.” When KHRG conducted the interview on January 26th 2023, Saw O--- had already been discharged from the hospital. He could not walk properly yet, so he was not able to work on his farm for his family livelihood. He still had to go to the hospital for further treatment and checks. Therefore, he struggled financially to pay the medical fees for the whole medical treatment. On February 9th 2023, at 10:06 am, SAC Artillery Unit #314 fired 80mm mortars into the rubber plantations near I--- village, Shwe Yaung Pya village tract, Tha Htoo Township, in KNU-controlled territory. Two mortar shells landed in a rubber plantation, damaging 13 rubber trees owned by a villager named Naw A---. A 52-year-old villager named Saw B---, from I---, was minorly injured by the shrapnel on his face, near the eyebrow. Further background reading on the situation of indiscriminate shelling in Southeast Burma can be found in the following KHRG reports: “Taw Oo District Short Update: House burning, indiscriminate shelling and air strikes by the SAC in Htaw Ta Htoo Township (September to November 2023)”, March 2024 “Dooplaya District Situation Update: SAC indiscriminate shelling and healthcare and livelihood challenges (February to April 2023).”, February 2024. “Mu Traw District Situation Update: SAC air strikes, arrest of villagers, and indiscriminate shelling causing casualties, and landmine explosion, March 2022 to February 2023”, January 2024. Striking Fear: Impacts of State Administration Council (SAC) shelling on villagers' lives in Southeast Burma (January to October 2023), December 2023. Footnotes: [1] The present document is based on information received in December 2022 and January 2023. It was provided by a community member in Doo Tha Htoo District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions on the ground. The names of the victims, their photos and the exact locations are censored for security reasons. The parts in square brackets are explanations added by KHRG. [2] The State Administration Council (SAC) is the executive governing body created in the aftermath of the February 1st 2021 military coup. It was established by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 2nd 2021, and is composed of eight military officers and eight civilians. The chairperson serves as the de facto head of government of Burma/Myanmar and leads the Military Cabinet of Myanmar, the executive branch of the government. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the role of SAC chairperson following the coup. [3] A Light Infantry Division (LID) of the Burma Army is commanded by a brigadier general and consists of ten light infantry battalions specially trained in counter-insurgency, jungle warfare, search and destroy operations against ethnic insurgents. They were first incorporated into the Tatmadaw in 1966. LIDs are organised under three Tactical Operations Commands, commanded by a colonel, three battalions each and one reserve, one field artillery battalion, one armoured squadron and other support units. Each division is directly under the command of the Chief of Staff (Army). [4] A village tract is an administrative unit of between five and 20 villages in a local area, often centred on a large village. [5] The People’s Defence Force (PDF) is an armed resistance established independently as local civilian militias operating across the country. Following the February 1st 2021 military coup and the ongoing brutal violence enacted by the junta, the majority of these groups began working with the National Unity Government (NUG), a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Burma/Myanmar, which then formalized the PDF on May 5th 2021 as a precursor to a federal army. [6] The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) is the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU). [7] Naw is a S’gaw Karen female honorific title used before a person’s name. [8] All conversion estimates for the kyat are based on the February 7th 2024 mid-market exchange rate of 1,000 kyats to USD 0.48 (taken from https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/mmk-to-usd-rate). [9] The Karen National Union (KNU) is the main Karen political organisation. It was established in 1947 and has been in conflict with the Burma government since 1949. The KNU wields power across large areas of Southeast Burma and has been calling for the creation of a democratic federal system since 1976. Although it signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015, relations with the government remain tense. [10] Saw is a S’gaw Karen male honorific title used before a person’s name..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2024-03-11
Date of entry/update: 2024-03-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "On Monday, February 5th 2024, State Administration Council (SAC) forces conducted 10 air strikes and fired six mortar shells into two villages in Deemaw Soe Township, Karenni State. The attacks killed seven civilians and injured at least 20 people, most of them children. In one hour, two schools, a church, and six civilian buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) strongly condemns these attacks by the military junta deliberately targeted at civilians and calls on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further suffering. As reported by the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG), the strikes on February 5th, at 10:15 am, targeted two schools. In Daw Si Ei School, four boys between 12 and 14 years old were killed, and at least 15 children, including some under the age of three, were injured. The second attack, which targeted Loi Nan Pha School, caused the death of one man and two teachers, and five other civilians sustained injuries. A church and six buildings belonging to local villagers and displaced persons were also damaged. Air strikes and shelling into villages are part of wider, systematic attacks by the SAC in Eastern Burma and other ethnic areas, where fighting with local armed resistance forces has escalated since the 2021 coup. These SAC attacks not only specifically target civilian settlements, critical infrastructure, and places of refuge for thousands of internally displaced persons, but also show intentional targeting of buildings dedicated to education. Children benefit from a special protection under international humanitarian law because of their unique vulnerability and needs. Intentionally attacking buildings dedicated to education puts children at exceptional risk and render them even more vulnerable. International humanitarian law requires a distinction to be made between civilian and military objectives, and therefore the SAC attacks on civilian objects, particularly educational and religious buildings, are a serious violation of the law of armed conflict. Moreover, intentionally attacking protected buildings may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). International criminal law further imposes criminal liability on superiors who order the commission of crimes or fail to prevent or punish the criminal activities of their subordinates. SAC leaders are responsible for ordering air strikes through the chain of command and shall be held accountable for these heinous crimes. The international community must take immediate and concrete action to end these abuses, including by: Supporting coordinated and targeted sanctions on the supply of weapons and aviation fuel to the military junta, on oil and gas revenues, and sanctions against junta officials. Supporting ongoing investigations and trials and seeking additional ways to hold the Burma Army leaders accountable for their many crimes. Increasing financial support for local organisations working on the ground to assist the civilian population in need..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2024-02-07
Date of entry/update: 2024-02-07
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Introduction: The villagers in Southeast Burma (Myanmar) have been facing conflict for as long as they can remember. Generations have grown up amidst the fighting, and have lived their whole lives under a fear of attacks. The 2021 coup reinvigorated the open and direct violence of the Burma Army, under the command of the State Administration Council (SAC), in locally-defined Karen State. These attacks are deliberately directed towards civilian areas and communities, including by indiscriminately shelling villages and plantations. From January to October 2023 alone, KHRG recorded more than 192 incidents of indiscriminate shelling committed by the SAC, which killed and wounded villagers, destroyed civilian houses, buildings, and plantations, affected livelihoods, and caused displacement. This briefing paper investigates the consequences of SAC shelling in civilian areas and its impacts on the lives of rural villagers in Southeast Burma. The first section gives an overview of the history of violence and oppression in the region by the Burma Army. The second section presents the immediate consequences of shelling on villagers, including deaths and injuries, the destruction of property, and livelihoods harmed. The third section analyses longer-term impacts, including displacement, persistent fear among villagers, restricted access to education, and the heightened risk of unexploded ordnance (UXOs). Finally, a security and legal analysis of the current situation is conducted, and recommendations addressed to relevant stakeholders are presented..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-12-25
Date of entry/update: 2024-01-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Size: 2.41 MB (Original version) - 14 pages
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Description: "This Incident Report describes events that occurred in Bu Tho Township, Mu Traw (Hpapun) District in February 2023. On February 16th 2023 at 9 am, Saw Y--- (55 years old) and Naw W--- (32 years old) from H--- village, Ma Kah Heh village tract, stepped on landmines when they went to cut bamboo. From the landmine explosion, Saw Y--- was injured on his right leg and Naw W--- was injured on both of her legs, resulting in amputations. They were treated at two different hospitals. No organisation has provided support to the victims, but H--- villagers provided some support for food and medical costs. Saw Y--- and Naw W--- have been facing problems to secure their families’ livelihoods after they were injured. The landmine contamination in the surrounding areas creates fear for villagers living in H--- village.[1] (Excerpt) Part 3 – Complete Description of the Incident Describe the Incident(s) in complete detail. For each incident, be sure to include 1) when the incident happened, 2) where it happened, 3) what happened, 4) how it happened, 5) who was involved, and 6) why it happened. Also describe any villager response(s) to the incident, the aftermath and the current living situation of the victims. Please use the space prepared below, and create an attachment if needed. On February 16th 2023 at 9 am, two villagers, father and daughter, from H--- village, Ma Kah Heh village tract, Bu Tho Township, Mu Traw District, went to cut bamboo to fence their farmlands. When approaching the place to cut bamboo, Saw Y--- (55 years old) stepped on a landmine, injuring his right leg [that had to be amputated]. His daughter, Naw W--- (32 years old), stepped on another landmine when she went to help her father. Her legs were seriously injured by the landmine’s explosion, resulting in amputations of both legs. Hearing the sound of an explosion, H--- villagers learned about the incident, and contacted other villagers nearby, as well as local Karen National Union (KNU)[6] leaders working in the area. After hearing about the incident, the local KNU leaders and some villagers from H--- village went to get the two injured villagers from the incident location [close to the village] and brought them back to the village. The two victims were later sent by car to a hospital managed by the State Administration Council (SAC)[7] located in Hpapun Town. One of the victims explained that the SAC healthcare workers did not want to provide proper care to them because it was not an SAC landmine that the injured villagers stepped on. To be able to receive proper healthcare, [H---] villagers discussed among themselves and agreed to provide food, such as chicken and other, to [SAC] healthcare workers [to ensure the victims received treatment]. Residents of H--- believe that the landmines that injured Saw Y--- and Naw W--- were planted by KNLA soldiers from Battalion #15 because the KNLA had informed some villagers about the planting of landmines in the area beforehand. KNLA soldiers had informed some villagers one week earlier when they planted the landmines in the surrounding area, where Saw Y--- and Naw W--- had stepped on the landmines. The KNLA also asked A--- villagers, from Ma Htaw village tract, Dwe Lo Township, to inform villages nearby about the contaminated area. The place of this landmine incident is located close to SAC Infantry Battalion (IB)[8] #19 and #642 camp. The villagers from H--- village, including the victims, have never attended Mine Risk Education (MRE) training [The Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) is running an MRE program in the region]. Neither Saw Y--- nor Naw W--- received support from any organisation since they were injured from the landmines’ explosion. In the fourth week of February 2023, after one week at the SAC-managed hospital in Hpapun Town, they were sent to another hospital in town [unknown name]. It has not been possible to contact the victims since they were visited and interviewed in the [first] hospital [in Hpapun]. Saw Y--- and Naw W--- did not receive any support even after they had been discharged from the hospital [as explained by a local villager]. Saw Y--- used to secure his family’s livelihood by working as a daily labourer and Naw W--- used to wash clothes at hospitals and houses for her income before the 2021 military coup. The victims are facing difficulty securing their livelihoods because their [injured] legs were amputated and so they cannot work. Villagers living in H--- village are afraid to work on their farmlands because of landmine contamination in the surrounding areas, and it has created more fear now that two villagers have been seriously injured from landmine explosions..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-12-19
Date of entry/update: 2023-12-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "This Short Update describes events occurring in K’Ser Doh Township, Mergui-Tavoy District in June 2023, including fighting between the State Administration Council (SAC) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) on June 8th 2023 which resulted in the displacement of ten thousand local villagers in Kleh Muh Htee area. On this day, the SAC conducted indiscriminate shelling into villages, causing a female villager to suffer a severely injured leg. Moreover, two villagers from A--- village were arrested and forcibly disappeared by the SAC. Additionally, a villager from A--- village was arrested and brutally tortured by the SAC, accused of being affiliated with a local armed resistance group. The SAC burnt down and looted many of the displaced villagers’ houses during the fighting in A--- village. The SAC also fatally shot a displaced villager in B--- village, Kleh Muh Htee area, on June 11th, 2023.[1] Indiscriminate shelling, displacement, house burning On June 8th 2023, the State Administration Council (SAC)[2] entered A--- village, Kleh Muh Htee area, K’Ser Doh Township, Mergui-Tavoy District. The battalion number of the SAC troops that entered A--- village is unknown, although according to local villagers, the SAC troops that most commonly operate in the area are Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[3] #403, #404 and #405. As they entered the village, fighting happened between the SAC troops and the combined armed forces of People’s Defence Force (PDF)[4], who were based in an adjacent village, D--- village, Kleh Muh Htee area, K’Ser Doh Township. They fired at each other with artillery and guns from a distance. These two villages [D--- and A--- villages] are attached to each other [like one village]. Due to the fighting, some mortar shells landed and exploded in the villages, causing local villagers to flee in fear. A woman named Daw[5] M--- was also injured by the shelling during the fighting before she could flee. Daw M--- is currently undergoing treatment in Dawei Hospital to recover from her injuries. Her leg was broken and required metal plates to be implanted to fix the broken bone. During this fighting, villagers from six villages fled for safety. They took refuge in other villages such as F---, G---, and C--- villages. Some of the villagers stayed in their relatives’ houses and some stayed in the monastery. The displaced villagers are from A--- village, D--- village, Ka Neh Thi Ri village, Kyweh Min Kon village, Kyauk Hk’Mauk village and Pain Neh Kyun village, Kleh Muh Htee area, K’Ser Doh Township, Mergui-Tavoy District. These villagers are facing many challenges, including livelihood challenges, and a lack of food and healthcare. One displaced villager said: “We are so scared of the mortars and guns so we ran into the nipa palm trees when hearing the sounds of shelling. We had to crouch in the water so that the soldiers didn’t see us. It was so devastating. We have seen people displaced on Facebook [posts] but we never thought this would come to us. We had to survive it horribly.” The total number of households in the displaced villages is over 3,000, which is estimated to include 10,000 villagers. These villagers still dare not return to their villages [as of October 2023] because the SAC is still settled in A--- village at the monastery on E--- hill. These SAC soldiers have continued to fire rounds of mortar shells into the village and regularly patrol the village because of suspected PDF forces operating in the area. Some villagers could not bring any extra clothes when fleeing from the village. When the shelling stopped, villagers sneaked into the village to collect some clothes and food. A villager in A--- village said: “It only took 5 minutes to get to the village [from the hiding place]. When we reached our houses, the scene that we saw was saddening. Our houses were destroyed by shelling and were burnt down. All our property was looted.” [At least,] six villagers’ houses in A--- village had been burnt down by the SAC. Arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance When the fighting happened on June 8th 2023, five villagers, including two women and three men from A--- village, were arrested. The parents of the two female villagers and one male villager paid 500,000 kyat [238 USD][6] so they could have their children released. However, the two other male villagers were taken [by the SAC soldiers] and no one knows where they were taken to nor their current condition [under detention]. These two villagers are U O---, 50 years old and U P---, 48 years old. Their families were not able to search for them because they are also having to flee for their lives after the attacks on their village. A villager in A--- village said: “We have over 1,500 households in our village. When we fled, we could not care for each other. We heard from the PDF soldiers that the village is full of corpses. We don’t know who are these corpses.” The villagers who fled the fighting are ordinary villagers who work on farming and casual daily work. Some of them do not even have a house to return to because the SAC burnt it. Villagers dare not go back to the village to identify the dead bodies because the SAC is still conducting shelling in the village. When the fighting occurred in A--- village on June 8th 2023, the SAC also arrested another local villager, Maung[7] N---, who is 29 years old and of Dawei ethnicity He was detained for two days and brutally tortured during the detention. As he expressed: “When they [SAC] arrested me, they questioned me a lot about whether PDF [are] present in the area, and accused me of being a PDF. They hit me with the butt of the gun on my head and my hands. When I suffered pain on my body, I held my hands, and they continued to torture me. Four soldiers were torturing me there. I was detained for two days. During the detention, some soldiers were a bit kind and they gave me rice to eat. During the detention, the SAC soldiers told me ‘How would you compare yourself to the Tatmadaw [Burma Army]? The Tatmadaw has good weapons, enough manpower, enough military power, how would you compare [them to local resistance groups]?’ I felt like falling into hell during the two days of detention. They burned me with a cigarette, they punched me, hit me, kicked me all over. After two days of detention, the fighting happened between that SAC troop and the PDF, and the SAC shelled three mortars. After that, they took a break. They just tied me loosely when taking a break. Therefore, I could untie myself and escape. I did not have any shoes as I fled to the forest. I fled and reached this displacement site.” About two weeks before the incident, the SAC also arrested around 40 local villagers in A---, Kleh Muh Htee area, including Maung N---. These villagers were also tortured during their detention. They were all later released by the SAC. According to Maung N---, the torture from his second arrest left him with more serious injuries on his head, face, arm and legs. When he was released, his face around the eyes was cut and his whole face was covered in bruises. His wrists and ankles were wounded because of the metal chains that the SAC used to restrain him during the arrest. According to him, the SAC soldiers mostly used the butt of the gun and their boots in torturing him as they felt more pain to punch him with their fists. Regardless of the threat to life, some displaced villagers continued to try to sneak into the village for emergency needs. On June 11th 2023, a villager named L---, who is 19 years old, from B--- village, Kleh Muh Htee area, K’Ser Doh Township, was shot and killed by the SAC soldiers when he returned to the village to collect medicine for his mother. His mother has a chronic illness and she could not bring her medicine with her when fleeing. Currently, the Karen National Union (KNU)[8], local community support groups and organisations such as Ta K’Paw, P’Neh Ta K’Paw, as well as the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and local religious groups, are providing support in the aftermath of these attacks. These organisations provide some food and healthcare support to the displaced villagers. Further background reading on the situation on indiscriminate shelling, killing, arrest, torture, house burning, displacement and enforced disappearance in Southeast Burma can be found in the following KHRG reports: Doo Tha Htoo District Situation Update: Two villagers were killed and 17 villagers were injured by SAC’s indiscriminate shelling in Kyeh Htoh Township (December 2022 to February 2023), August 2023 Mu Traw District Short Update: SAC indiscriminate shelling resulting in injured and killed, April 2023, July 2023 Briefing Paper: Deadly Encounters: Killings of civilians by armed actors in Southeast Burma (October 2022 - April 2023), June 2023 Footnotes: [1] The present document is based on information received in July 2023. It was provided by a community member in Mergui-Tavoy District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions on the ground. The names of the victims, their photos and the exact locations are censored for security reasons. The parts in square brackets are explanations added by KHRG. [2] The State Administration Council (SAC) is the executive governing body created in the aftermath of the February 1st 2021 military coup. It was established by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 2nd 2021, and is composed of eight military officers and eight civilians. The chairperson serves as the de facto head of government of Burma/Myanmar and leads the Military Cabinet of Myanmar, the executive branch of the government. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the role of SAC chairperson following the coup. [3] A Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) comprises 500 soldiers. However, most Light Infantry Battalions in the Burma Army are under-strength with less than 200 soldiers. Yet up to date information regarding the size of battalions is hard to come by, particularly following the signing of the NCA. LIBs are primarily used for offensive operations, but they are sometimes used for garrison duties. [4] The People’s Defence Force (PDF) is an armed resistance established independently as local civilian militias operating across the country. Following the February 1st 2021 military coup and the ongoing brutal violence enacted by the junta, the majority of these groups began working with the National Unity Government (NUG), a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Burma/Myanmar, which then formalized the PDF on May 5th 2021 as a precursor to a federal army. [5] Daw is a Burmese female honorific title used before a person’s name. [6] All conversion estimates for Kyat in this report are based on the official market rate as of October 17thth 2023 at 1 USD = 2,097 MMK, conversion rate available at https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/. [7] Maung is a Burmese male honorific title used before a person’s name [8] The Karen National Union (KNU) is the main Karen political organisation. It was established in 1947 and has been in conflict with the Burma government since 1949. The KNU wields power across large areas of Southeast Burma and has been calling for the creation of a democratic federal system since 1976. Although it signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015, relations with the government remain tense..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-11-17
Date of entry/update: 2023-11-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Introduction Since the 2021 military coup, the Burma military junta, calling itself the State Administration Council (SAC), has carried out violent attacks against civilians throughout the country in an effort to crush all dissent and opposition to its rule. These attacks include assaults against villages and abuses against villagers in Southeast Burma. Since the coup, KHRG has received reports of increased human rights violations committed in Karen State, in particular where the Burma Army has targeted civilians instead of armed groups. While the United Nations’ Security Council has acknowledged the SAC’s targeting of civilians, little analysis has focused on the underlying logic that informs these attacks, particularly in ethnic states. Without an in-depth investigation into these patterns of abuse, the struggles of villagers and the conflict dynamics in Karen State cannot be fully understood. A careful investigation into these matters can also inform national, regional and international measures to protect civilians in Burma and to advance meaningful peace and justice in the country. For these reasons, this report provides an analysis of the Burma Army’s practices of deliberately targeting civilians in Karen State, looking specifically at how villagers in Southeast Burma understand and articulate human rights violations committed by the Burma Army. The report examines patterns of retaliatory abuses, as recounted by villagers, as well as other incidents of violence against villagers in the region documented by KHRG since the 2021 coup. The report clarifies the illegal and inhumane consequences of the SAC’s activities and identifies several factors underlying the SAC’s violence against civilians: the SAC targets villagers, considering them as “enemies”, averse to the regime due to their support of anti-coup protests or because of their perceived link with ethnic armed groups. SAC military also commits abuses against villagers to spread terror in the region and impose their rule, as well as to deter attacks by local armed forces against them. Under-supplied SAC soldiers also loot villagers’ properties. On numerous occasions, the targeting of nearby villages occurs after skirmishes between SAC and local resistance forces in the area. Lastly, villagers who refuse to comply with SAC orders are often targeted in overt retaliation. Military attacks against civilians are not accidental, nor are they the result of the Burma Army’s inability to distinguish civilian targets from military ones. Instead, these attacks are deeply rooted in an established practice of scapegoating in Southeast Burma, wherein villagers are blamed as a group for their perceived opposition to the military. Villagers are subjected to collective punishment, as the SAC launches punitive attacks against them for acts committed by other individuals considered to belong to the same group. By targeting civilians this way, the SAC violates international law, including by committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Key Findings The military junta regularly targets civilians in Southeast Burma, in a deliberate manner, instead of directing their attacks to armed resistance groups, which has devastating and outspread consequences for local communities. These abuses take the form of air strikes and indiscriminate shelling towards villages, shooting villagers on sight and arbitrarily arresting them, and destroying and looting their properties, among others. Several distinct, yet often overlapping patterns can be identified in villagers’ testimonies explaining the mechanisms behind the SAC’s targeting of civilians. These patterns share a notion of scapegoating and collective punishment linked to the Burma military’s perception of villagers in Karen State as opponents and thereby prompting any retaliatory action against them, leading to grave abuses against civilians. Conventional understandings of the conflict in Southeast Burma fail to grasp key conflict dynamics on the ground. The reality is not a two-party conflict between the SAC troops and ethnic armed organisations (EAOs), with neutral civilians collaterally impacted. Rather, civilians are targeted intentionally and systematically by the military junta, thus showing its disregard for human life and its illegitimacy. The SAC attacks launched against civilians are in breach of international human rights, humanitarian and criminal law, particularly the interdiction of discrimination against any person on arbitrary grounds, as well as the prohibition of targeting civilians based on the principle of distinction between military and civilian targets. Military leaders must be prosecuted as such. Armed conflict is only one end of the spectrum of resistance against military control within society in Karen State, and villagers’ agency strategies are key to the civilian opposition against the military. Such efforts should be creatively supported, and conflict-sensitive understandings of the situation should be included in regional and international discourses and responses in Burma aiming for the protection of civilians and meaningful peace. Villagers’ voices and demands for decisive measures against and protection from SAC’s abuses are met with inaction by the international community, enabling the human rights and humanitarian crisis to worsen. Moreover, the lack of a meaningful response may push villagers towards taking up arms, and increase militarisation in the country. Recommendations To the international community, ASEAN, NGOs, funding agencies, and individual governments: Acknowledge that the military junta is the root cause of the current human rights and humanitarian crisis, and refrain from giving any legitimacy to the junta, including by signing agreements with them and presenting credentials to them. Call on ASEAN to suspend Burma’s ASEAN membership until a democratically-elected civilian government is restored; abandon the current Five-Point Consensus and develop a new plan that addresses the critiques outlined by numerous stakeholders; and cooperate with international and local actors to end the junta’s violence against the people of Burma. Support current investigations and proceedings to prosecute junta leaders, and seek out all additional opportunities (through ad hoc tribunals, universal jurisdiction and other mechanisms) to hold the Burma military accountable for its vast array of crimes. Broaden the scope of accountability in future proceedings to include SAC crimes committed against Karen peoples, not yet covered by current investigations, as well as to investigate the war crime of collective punishment and the crime against humanity of persecution. Increase financial support for and collaboration with local human rights organisations and actors operating on the ground to ensure that the widest representation of voices and experiences of oppressed peoples in Burma are considered. Acknowledging the SAC practice of purposely targeting civilians in Southeast Burma, ensure increased and adequate humanitarian assistance and protection, including support for victims of air strikes, displacement, property destruction, torture, arbitrary arrest, and other abuses. Ensure that the SAC is unable to hold decision-making power over the distribution of aid, and that funds are not indirectly being rerouted through the SAC. Consult and include local actors and communities in decision-making regarding humanitarian response and the resolution of the crisis, and prioritise and strengthen methods of service delivery and communication that rely on local CSO/CBOs and ethnic service providers. Urge neighbouring countries to ensure that their authorities do not deny entry to people crossing the border seeking refuge, as well as to allow the passage of aid into Burma through cross-border aid organisations and local CSOs already operating in the area. Suspend exports of aviation fuel and all arms transfers to Burma, including weapons, munitions, surveillance technologies, and other military and security equipment, and take action to avoid contributing to these supply chains, whether directly or indirectly. Support coordinated and targeted sanctions against junta officials suspected of responsibility for international crimes and other serious violations of international law, as well as against their affiliated companies..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-06-16
Date of entry/update: 2023-06-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "1. Introduction “If they shoot anyone they see [on sight] like this, all villagers will be gone.” Testimony of Saw N---, a 51-year-old villager from O--- village, Kaw Nweh village tract, Kaw T’Ree Township, Dooplaya District.[1] Since the 2021 coup[2], the human rights and security situation in locally-defined Karen State[3] has worsened, with reports of violations committed by the State Administration Council (SAC)[4] increasing in the region, including air strikes, indiscriminate shelling, burning of civilian properties, arbitrary arrests, torture and deprivation of humanitarian aid. Killing cases are also regularly reported to KHRG across all seven districts in its operation area, with at least 45 cases of killings reported between January 2022 and April 2023. Of these, 22 took place in the past few months, between October 2022 and April 2023. The actual number of killing incidents is likely much higher than this. This briefing paper took as its subject of analysis 14 cases of killings of civilians by armed groups across Karen State, committed between October 2022 and April 2023, underlining their deep impact on the communities regarding villagers' safety and livelihood. Of the cases analysed for this briefing paper, 11 incidents were perpetrated by the SAC and its allied forces, and three were committed by local resistance armed groups. This paper provides a contextual and historical overview of the unsafe situation in Southeast Burma. It then shows evidence and patterns of killing incidents faced by villagers, in particular when encountering soldiers while travelling. It concludes with a security and legal analysis of the situation in the region, and ends with a set of policy recommendations for stakeholders. 2. Contextual overview: Decades of abuses, renewed since 2021 The 2021 coup, staged by the State Administration Council (SAC), provoked a storm of pro-democracy protests throughout the country in opposition to the regime, known locally as the Spring Revolution, and escalated the civil war between the military and local ethnic armed organisations throughout Burma. Early peaceful pro-democracy protests and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)[5] began in the cities, especially in Yangon, with the goal to restore the civilian government. The military responded violently to the peaceful protests: at least 3,520 civilians who joined the pro-democracy movement have been killed by the military junta since the coup, with the exact number likely to be much higher, according to Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP).[6] Many people supporting anti-coup efforts in Burma, especially CDM and National League for Democracy (NLD)[7] members, have fled to territories under the control of ethnic armed groups like Karen State,[8] after the Karen National Union (KNU)[9] released, in the early days after the coup, their position rejecting the military junta and providing help and protection for all civilians who sought safety.[10] Human rights violations in Southeast Burma, however, did not start with the 2021 coup. They are closely linked with military policies adopted by the Burma Army as early as the 1960s, and with the impunity enjoyed by their military leaders for past violations. One of those policies, the “four cuts” strategy, aimed to target civilians and sever alleged ties between ethnic armed groups and local communities, by cutting off their access to food, funds, intelligence, and recruits. Shoot-on-sight policies were also adopted by the military in ethnic states. Such policies led to countless human rights violations over the past 70 years, causing widespread fear among the civilian population. In 1994, Naw P---, a 27-year-old female villager from Hpa-an District, told KHRG: “Now I’m still afraid. I never want to see SLORC[11] [Burma Army] soldiers again. If I hear of them, I'll run away. If we don't run, they shoot us, and if we run, they also shoot at us. The soldiers said: ‘Don't run away’ but then they shot at us, so we must run to escape.”[12] In such an atmosphere of terror and hostility, where any contact with Burma Army soldiers was potentially fatal, civilians lived in constant fear for their lives. 30 years later, and in particular after the coup, soldiers continue to shoot at villagers following the same patterns as in the past, leading to a resurgence of killing cases. 3. Factual summary: Deliberate killings of civilians This chapter presents incidents of killings of civilians by the SAC from October 2022 to April 2023, documented by KHRG in its operational area. Three patterns can be identified in the incidents: KHRG data shows that Burma Army soldiers killed villagers by (1) shooting them on sight; (2) chasing the villagers that were fleeing these encounters and murdering them; or by (3) halting civilians they encountered, before arresting, torturing and killing them. Local resistance armed groups have also committed killings of civilians, reportedly. A. “Shoot on sight” policy Since the 2021 coup, villagers in Southeast Burma risk being targeted by SAC soldiers whenever they move. Out of the 14 incidents documented between October 2022 and April 2023 analysed for this report, six incidents involved male villagers who were shot on sight, and killed, as they were on their way to support their families’ livelihood. One incident of shooting-on-sight took place in Doo Tha Htoo District, one in Taw Oo District, one in Kler Lwee Htoo District, one in Mu Traw District, and two incidents took place in Dooplaya District. For instance, on March 24th 2023, during a patrolling mission, ten SAC Infantry Battalion (IB)[13] #8 soldiers from Bilin Town, led by Lance Sergeant Moe Zaw, kept guard for their troop’s security beside a road in Q--- village, Daw Ya village tract, Tha Htoo Township, Doo Tha Htoo District. At about 11:30 am, two villagers, aged 18, were travelling by foot to work on construction in the village, when they encountered the SAC troops patrolling. When the SAC soldiers from IB #8 saw the villagers, they shot and killed both of them on the road.[14] On December 31st 2022, at around 7 am, the Northern Thandaung Aye Chan Yay Armed Group[15] attacked the SAC Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[16] #413 at Hton Bo Gyi army camp, located near A--- village, Baw Saw Law area, Daw Hpa Hkoh Township, Taw Oo District. An hour after the fighting, at around 8:30 am, Saw Aung Thu Ya Than, a local villager from Leik Tho Town, unaware of the clash, was travelling to Toungoo Town with his motorbike to buy food for his family to celebrate New Year's Day [under the Gregorian calendar]. Before he crossed an SAC checkpoint, the SAC soldiers posted there hid nearby. As witnessed by local villagers, when the villager had already passed the checkpoint, the SAC soldiers fatally shot him in the back. The victim’s family did not receive any compensation for this arbitrary killing. Instead, the SAC forced them to pay a fee to retrieve the villager’s body and his motorbike.[17] In Dooplaya District, one incident took place on April 3rd 2023, at 10:00 am, when SAC soldiers temporarily based in the monastery in Cb--- village, Aww Hpa Kyi village tract, Kaw T’Ree Township, shot and killed a villager beside the monastery, as he was on his way to Kawkareik Town.[18] Another incident took place on April 24th 2023, at 11:00 pm, on Kyainseikyi Town Road, Kyainseikyi Township, when the SAC IB #32 shot and killed a 28-year-old Muslim villager named K---. The villager was living in the Noh Poe refugee camp, located in Thailand’s Tak province, but had left the camp at 8:00 pm to go to Kyainseikyi Town for a visit.[19] On the morning of October 22nd 2022, after a fight broke out with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[20] at R--- place, S--- village, T’Hkaw Pwa village tract, Moo Township, Kler Lwee Htoo District, a woman was shot and killed by an SAC battalion [unknown number]. The villager had been sick and was unable to flee fast enough, so the soldiers reached her. After killing her, the SAC soldiers also looted her money and jewellery.[21] In Mu Traw District, on February 7th 2023, at 4:30 pm, SAC soldiers from IB #349, based at Hpah Ghaw Loh army camp, Saw Muh Plaw village tract, Lu Thaw Township, shot at Saw W--- and Saw H---, from Y--- village, Saw Muh Plaw village tract. The two villagers were on their way back home after hunting in the forest at A--- [place] to feed their families. Two bullets hit 28-year-old Saw W--- and penetrated his head, killing him on the spot. Saw H--- fled the shooting by crawling silently among the bushes, before running away. He was fired at by the SAC soldiers again, but was able to escape. Villagers went to the incident place the next day and brought back Saw W---’s corpse to their hiding site in E--- area. Saw H--- recalled: “When I heard the sound of gunfire, he [the victim] fell down next to me. He laid on my chest and [was] bleeding. I looked at him, he was not breathing. I crawled among the dense bushes and the SAC soldiers chased me from behind. I could not run as the bushes were so dense. I got [out] from the bushes slowly […]. Then, the SAC soldiers stopped firing. Then, the SAC soldiers fired a few more [rounds]. After that, I went down to the stream and went up to the mountain.”[22] The cases mentioned above show the SAC's practice of shooting villagers on sight. Since the coup, the SAC is by default hostile to anyone they encounter travelling in Southeast Burma, and hence villagers face serious risks to their lives. When villagers face SAC soldiers on the road, fleeing and running away often appears to be their only option, even though SAC soldiers do not hesitate to shoot fugitives. B. Shooting of fugitives As illustrated above, SAC soldiers often kill villagers whenever they see them. Many villagers, therefore, choose to flee as fast as they can whenever they see the SAC, fearing arrest, detention, torture, disappearance and killing. Although posing a risk to their lives, this strategy sometimes allows villagers to escape. For this reason, many villagers reported that they flee when they see SAC soldiers. For instance, on January 13th 2023, the SAC based in Wa Ma village marched to Wah Ma Hkee village, Wah Ma village tract, Noh T’Kaw Township, Dooplaya District. The soldiers broke villagers’ doors, entered their houses, searched their properties and looted the villagers’ chickens. On the same day, fighting broke out between the SAC and the KNLA in T--- village, Wah Ma village tract. After the fighting, two villagers encountered the SAC, who ordered them to stop on the road. As the villagers did not stop, the SAC shot and arrested them. Villagers assumed that the two villagers were tortured and killed.[23] In another case, on March 12th 2023, the SAC Light Infantry Division (LID)[24] #77, IB #598 and #589 combined forces marched to four village tracts in Hsaw Htee Township, Kler Lwee Htoo District, in the KNU-controlled territory. On March 13th 2023, at around 10 am, the SAC troops entered Bb--- village, where they encountered three local villagers driving on a motorbike on the road. The villagers were coming from an internally displaced persons (IDPs) site to check their homes and to get some food for the KNLA. When they saw the SAC, the villagers stopped the motorbike immediately and ran, while the SAC soldiers shot at them. One of the villagers, Saw V---, was hit and the other two escaped. According to the two survivors, Saw V--- did not die on the spot when hit, as they heard him cry for help. However, the two villagers were too afraid to return and help him due to the SAC troops’ presence. The SAC troops camped in Bb--- village for two days. On March 15th 2023, villagers retrieved the corpse of Saw V---, and saw wounds on his back and injuries in his head and brain. His clothes had also been changed to a KNLA soldier uniform that was too small for him. The local authorities and villagers assumed that after he got wounded on his back, the SAC shot and killed him, and then changed his clothes. Due to this incident, Saw V---’s family members and other Bb--- villagers had to flee outside of the village. A local villager explained to KHRG that, the “SAC did it [change clothes to a KNLA uniform] in order to claim that this villager was a KNLA soldier, and they could get credit for killing one KNLA soldier and report it to their upper leader. The SAC did it to claim he [Saw V---] is [a soldier] from the KNLA, and not a villager.” [25] In Mergui-Tavoy District, on October 17th 2022, a 40-year-old villager named U X---, from Z--- village, Ler K’ Saw Township, was shot and killed by the SAC as he was travelling with his son to buy a generator in Bokepyin Town, to support his family’s livelihood. The SAC soldiers who guarded the road ordered them to stop, but they were scared of the SAC, so they ran away. The SAC soldiers then shot at them. His son survived, but since he got hit in his back and elbow, he had to get medical treatment. All these incidents show the constant feeling of fear prevalent among villagers in Karen State, caused by increased and indiscriminate SAC attacks. Any encounter with SAC soldiers can be fatal, so villagers run away when they meet SAC soldiers on the road. High militarisation and harmful military policies abovementioned, such as the four cuts, might encourage SAC soldiers to open fire on fleeing villagers, with no regard for human life. Many times, villagers are just shot on sight by SAC for no apparent reason. C. Torture and killing after arrest The villagers know from decades of experience that meeting with the SAC often leads to arrests, torture, detention, and death. For instance, on October 15th 2022, fighting broke out between about 200 SAC soldiers and KNLA Battalion #3, Company #1, as the SAC entered Pyin Ka Do Kon village tract, Kyeh Htoh Township, Doo Tha Htoo District. On October 21st, a combination of several SAC troops of about 100 soldiers entered I--- village, Pyin Ka Do Kon village tract and looted villagers’ properties, and burned nine villagers’ houses, including U J---’s house. Before the SAC troops arrived, all I--- villagers fled, but U J--- decided to return to the village to look after his house and other properties, after taking his children to a safe place. He encountered these SAC troops just before he arrived in his village. The SAC arrested him, tortured him and then killed him next to his house. After the SAC left I--- village, the village head returned to the village through the forest to look for U J---. The village head saw the corpse of U J--- near his house. His head had been blown apart, which villagers assumed was done by a gunshot.[26] In Taw Oo District, two villagers from L--- village, Per Htee area, Htaw Ta Htoo Township, were going to look for turmeric in another village on April 7th 2023. The two villagers encountered SAC LID #22 soldiers on the way, who arrested them for unknown reasons. When local villagers learned that the two villagers had disappeared, they searched for them and found their corpses on April 16th 2023. Villagers reported that the two victims were not wearing military uniforms when they left the village, but when they saw their corpses, one of them was in a soldier uniform, and their hands were tied behind their backs with nylon. [27] D. Killings by local armed resistance group The 2021 coup resulted in increased militarisation in Southeast Burma, including the appearance of new armed groups, which has created a more unsafe environment for villagers. Villagers do not only have to be constantly afraid of being killed by SAC troops, but also of being killed by local armed groups that operate in the communities if suspected of being spies. For instance, on February 2nd 2023, the local People Defence Force (PDF)[28] troops came to M--- village, M’No Ro area, Ler K’Hsaw Township, Mergui-Tavoy District and arrested three villagers including the M--- village administrator, and took the three villagers with them, accusing them of being SAC spies. They released the two villagers, but not the village administrator. The M--- village administrator was U F---, a 70-year-old elder. The PDF troops killed him while detained. Villagers found his corpse on the morning of February 5th 2023.[29] Although less common than SAC attacks, killings of civilians by local armed groups constitute human rights violations, are illegal under the law of armed conflict, and worsen the security context of villagers in Karen State. 4. Analysis: Impacts on villagers’ lives and violations of international law and standards In a context where villagers are facing violent attacks from SAC soldiers, every encounter with them could be fatal. Killings in Southeast Burma usually follow a pattern: during or following military activities, the SAC soldiers come across villagers in nearby areas and kill them. For this reason, villagers try to avoid meeting with SAC soldiers but, in many instances, villagers cannot avoid these encounters because they are caught by surprise by the arrival of the soldiers near their village, or because they meet them on the road. The SAC then arrests, detains, tortures, disappears and kills villagers. If villagers flee to avoid such deadly encounters, they are usually shot at. This Burma Army practice of attacking civilians in Karen State is not something new. As explained above, it is linked to harmful ideologies prevailing through the Burma Army, picturing villagers as potential enemies due, in part, to perceived links or alignment with resistance groups. These ideologies fuel the Burma Army’s "four cuts" strategy and shoot-on-sight policies, still enforced in Karen State today. Decades of such human rights violations have generated widespread terror and traumatised communities. This context of fear, increased militarisation, and constant suspicion generates tension in the region, also tied to cases of local armed resistance groups killing civilians suspected to be SAC informants. The SAC practice of killing civilians on sight impacts villagers’ security and lives. Cultivating and working in a field, travelling to town to buy items, or any other ordinary activities of villagers’ daily lives becomes a dangerous exercise; any road can become a trap, and even remaining in their village can be deadly. This creates a deep fear for villagers in Southeast Burma, specifically towards the SAC. This fear makes it harder for them to go and work on their farmlands to secure their livelihood, particularly while the SAC is present in the area, or after a member of the community has been killed. If villagers are not able to work on their farmlands, go to the market to sell and buy essential products, or commute to their place of work and earn money, their livelihoods are also threatened. The SAC often targets male villagers: of all incidents analysed for this report, all but one of the killings reported to KHRG concerned male villagers. Therefore, the families of victims are also deeply impacted by fear and livelihood insecurity after the death of the main breadwinner. Faced with these human rights violations, villagers utilise avoidance strategies, which have been used for decades in Southeast Burma. The SAC is continually arresting, torturing and killing civilians in rural communities, so villagers evade these abuses by fleeing right after they receive information about SAC presence in or near their communities, and by running for their lives when they see SAC troops on the way. As mentioned above, they do so at great risk to their lives. The killings of civilians violate international law. The ‘right to life’ is one of the most fundamental of all human rights, found in the third article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and essential to accomplish ‘human dignity’, set out in the very first article of the Declaration. All authorities have a duty to respect it, protect it, and fulfil it. Life is not protected only in times of peace, but also in times of war, since murder is prohibited according to the 89th rule of customary International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The targeting of civilians is also forbidden by the very first customary rule of IHL, while acts of violence made to terrorise the civilian population are prohibited by its second rule. The SAC is moreover trying to conceal that it kills civilians, by disguising the bodies with military uniforms or by disappearing the victims. The way in which the SAC kills civilians is against the 87th rule of customary IHL, which requires treating people humanly. The grave breach of such fundamental prohibitions constitutes war crimes and, if committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, the act of murder is also a crime against humanity. Furthermore, the consequences that killings and the climate of fear have on the livelihood of villagers are compromising numerous other rights, such as the right to food, the right to security of person, or the right to an adequate standard of living. Torture is also prohibited in all the bodies of international law, to the point that it constitutes an ius cogens rule, which applies at all times and in all situations. As evidenced by the incidents being continuously documented by KHRG, the security and human rights situation in Southeast Burma has continued to worsen since the 2021 coup. In particular, a constantly high number of cases of killings of villagers have been reported to KHRG throughout 2022 and 2023. Urgent action needs to be taken in order to immediately protect civilians in Burma, as the SAC systematically targets and kills civilians, in blatant disregard for human life and international laws and standards. Moreover, the longer time the SAC enjoys impunity for their attacks, the more the situation in Karen State will worsen, leading to further violations, terror and insecurity. In turn, this will mean heavier, deeper impacts for communities and further help needed to accomplish peace, welfare and justice for ethnic villagers in rural Burma. 5. Recommendations For international stakeholders, NGOs, and regional and foreign governments: Acknowledge the grave crimes committed by the military junta and refrain from supporting it or granting it legitimacy, including by signing agreements with it, presenting it with credentials, and inviting its leaders to international forums and functions. Support local civil society, community-based organisations (CSO/CBOs) and ethnic service providers that prioritise human rights, including by working with them to develop support systems for victims of violations, including for the relatives of villagers killed, arrested and tortured by SAC soldiers and other local armed groups. Support efforts to hold the Burma military accountable for its vast array of crimes in impartial and independent courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ), and national courts in countries with universal jurisdiction laws. Broaden the scope of accountability of international investigations to include crimes committed against Karen peoples, not yet covered by current proceedings. Support coordinated and targeted sanctions against junta officials suspected of being responsible for carrying out international crimes and other serious violations of international law. For armed groups: Give orders to the soldiers to end their attacks on civilians and abide by human rights and international humanitarian law, and make sure that those orders are respected at all times. Respect the exercise of the right to life, including by ending the arresting, torturing, and killing of civilians and by protecting their livelihood. Footnotes: [1] Unpublished raw data from March 20th 2023. [2] On February 1st 2021, the Burma Army deposed the democratically elected government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), transferred power to Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander in-Chief of Myanmar’s Armed Forces, and invalidated the NLD’s landslide victory in the November 2020 General Election. [3] Karen State, or Kaw Thoo Lei, as defined by the Karen National Union (KNU), covers Kayin State, Tanintharyi Region and parts of Mon State and Bago Region. The KNU uses different boundaries and location names for the areas under its control, dividing Karen State into seven districts. Karen State, located in Southeast Burma, is primarily inhabited by ethnic Karen people. Most of the Karen population resides in the largely rural areas of Southeast Burma, living alongside other ethnic groups, including Bamar, Shan, Mon and Pa’Oh. [4] The State Administration Council (SAC) is the executive governing body created in the aftermath of the February 1st 2021 military coup. It was established by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 2nd 2021, and is composed of eight military officers and eight civilians. The chairperson serves as the de facto head of government of Burma/Myanmar and leads the Military Cabinet of Myanmar, the executive branch of the government. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the role of SAC chairperson following the coup. [5] On February 2nd 2021, healthcare workers at state-run hospitals and medical facilities across Myanmar spearheaded what is being referred to as a Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) consisting of labour strikes in protest against the February 1st 2021 military coup. The movement quickly spread to include civil servants from all sectors of the government who are walking off their jobs as a way of non-recognition and non-participation in the military regime. Because of the popularity of the movement, and its seminal role in wider protests across the country, some people have begun using it as a catch-all phrase to include other protest forms like boycotts and pot-banging. On February 2nd 2021, healthcare workers across Myanmar spearheaded a Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and initiated labour strikes to protest against the February 1st 2021 military coup. The movement quickly spread to other branches of public service, eventually turning into to a nationwide, large-scale civil disobedience campaign. [6] See: aappb.org/?lang=en [7] The National League for Democracy (NLD) is the political party that governed Burma/Myanmar from 2016 to January 2021. Led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD won landslide victories in the 2015 and 2020 General Elections. The NLD government was deposed by the Burma Army in the February 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, after which elected President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers, their deputies and members of Parliament. [8] KHRG, “Military Atrocities and Civilian Resilience: Testimonies of injustice, insecurity and violence in Southeast Myanmar during the 2021 coup”, November 2021. [9] The Karen National Union is the main Karen group opposing the government. [10] Burma News International, “KNU Offer Anti-Coup Protestors' its Protection”, February 2021. [11] The State Law and Order Restoration Council, which replaced the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) following the September 18th 1988 coup d’état by then General Saw Maung (later Senior General). The SLORC was officially dissolved in 1997 by Senior General Than Shwe and was replaced by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). [12] KHRG, “SLORC Shootings & Arrests of Refugees”, January 1995. [13] An Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Burma Army comprises 500 soldiers. However, most Infantry Battalions in the Tatmadaw are under-strength with less than 200 soldiers. Yet up-to-date information regarding the size of battalions is hard to come by, particularly following the signing of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). They are primarily used for garrison duty but are sometimes used in offensive operations. [14] Unpublished raw data from March 31st 2023. [15] Aye Chan Yay A’pweh, which translates as ‘Peace Group’, is a (former) government-sponsored militia first formed in 1998, led by U Ko Gyi. It is sometimes referred to as the Northern Thandaung Aye Chan Yay A’Pweh. It has operated mainly out of a base in the upper region of the Kyaung Haung area in Daw Hpa Hkoh Township, Taw Oo District near the Karenni State border, but there are also small camps in Daw Hpa Hkoh Township, Taw Oo District. The group previously made a peace agreement with the Tatmadaw in 1998, but since the 2021 military coup, it has engaged in armed conflict with the military junta. [16] A Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) comprises 500 soldiers. However, most Light Infantry Battalions in the Tatmadaw are under-strength with less than 200 soldiers. Yet up-to-date information regarding the size of battalions is hard to come by, particularly following the signing of the NCA. LIBs are primarily used for offensive operations, but they are sometimes used for garrison duties. [17] KHRG, “Taw Oo District Incident Report: A villager died after he was shot by SAC troops in Daw Hpa Hkoh Township, December 2022”, January 2023. [18] Unpublished raw data from April 6th 2023. [19] Unpublished raw data from April 24th 2023. [20] The Karen National Liberation Army is the armed wing of the Karen National Union. [21] Unpublished raw data from October 2022. [22] KHRG, “Mu Traw District Incident Report: A villager was fatally shot by SAC soldiers while hunting in the forest, February 2023”, April 2023. [23] Unpublished raw data from January 25th 2023. [24] A Light Infantry Division (LID) of the Tatmadaw is commanded by a brigadier general, and consists of ten light infantry battalions specially trained in counter-insurgency, jungle warfare, search and destroy operations against ethnic insurgents . They were first incorporated into the Tatmadaw in 1966. LIDs are organised under three Tactical Operations Commands, commanded by a colonel, three battalions each and one reserve, one field artillery battalion, one armoured squadron and other support units. Each division is directly under the command of the Chief of Staff (Army). [25] Unpublished raw data from March 29th 2023. [26] Unpublished raw data from January 12th 20023. [27] Unpublished raw data from April 28th 2023. [28] The People’s Defence Force (PDF) is an armed resistance established independently as local civilian militias operating across the country. Following the February 1st 2021 military coup and the ongoing brutal violence enacted by the junta, the majority of these groups began working with the National Unity Government (NUG), a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Burma/Myanmar, which then formalized the PDF on May 5th 2021 as a precursor to a federal army..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-06-08
Date of entry/update: 2023-06-08
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Description: "This Incident Report describes events that occurred in Waw Ray (Win Yay) Township, Dooplaya District in April 2022, including the rape and killing of two adolescent sisters. Four local male villagers, including an uncle of the victims, were involved in this incident. Excerpt Part 3 – Complete Description of the Incident On April 24th 2022, Naw S---, 12 years old, and Naw R---, 9 years old, disappeared after going out to find [wild] vegetables in the [nearby] plantations. They are the daughters of U A--- and Naw W---, living in Lay Hpoh village, Kwee K’Saw Kyee village tract, Waw Ray (Win Yay) Township, Dooplaya District. After realising that the two girls had disappeared, their family, relatives and other villagers looked for them around the village and nearby plantations. Finally, the bodies of the two girls were found on April 25th 2022 between 9 am and 10 am, one mile away from the village. Following that, family and villagers informed the local village leaders, the Karen National Police Force (KNPF) and local Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Company #2 about the incident so that they would examine and investigate the case. The two girls were found dead, with extensive wounds and bruises all over their bodies. Their hands and feet were bound. A community member who saw the corpses explained: “When they were found, they were lying on the ground. Their hands were bound and a piece of cloth was tied around their eyes. But their clothes were on them. […] They had injury marks on their bodies. Naw S---’s head was smashed flat from her ear to her eye on the left side. […] She had injuries on her back like she was dragged on the ground. Naw R--- also had injuries on the left side of her head. Both of her legs seemed to be broken as they were all twisted. There were bruises all over their [both girls’] body and groin. Both of them had their anus torn.” Local authorities also found some semen in the female organs [vagina] of both victims. The local authorities who examined the bodies were the village security officers, the village head, the KNPF, the KNLA and health workers from Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) and Burma Medical Association (BMA). The local authorities and villagers believe that the victims were raped, tortured and killed. According to a local health worker, we [those investigating] did not have any examination materials at the local level. She explained, “I did not have any technologies to use for checking the body. I just went to check whether the bodies of the children had any signs related to sexual violence or not. I just used materials to protect myself such as gloves and a mask. There were no other materials that we used for checking.” However, the clothes of the victims were taken by the KNPF for the investigation [no further information was provided regarding that investigation]. According to the local villagers who provided information [including the victims’ family], initially, the KNPF and KNLA could not identify any perpetrator. However, they questioned some villagers who seemed to have a suspicious connection to this incident. Among them, Saw Hpa Eh Tee, an uncle [brother of the mother] of the victims, was questioned by the KNPF because he also disappeared on the day that the incident happened. However, the KNPF released him after a few days of questioning. He was released because there was no evidence. The KNPF and KNLA continued to investigate more clues and evidence with the help of local security. Meanwhile, the parents also visited a shaman [AL1][TB2]in the area to help find out more clues. During one visit to a shaman on April 30th 2022 in Payathonesu Town [Waw Ray Township], the spirit of their daughters entered the body of the shaman and said that “the person who killed us is Uncle Saw Maung Chit Soe” [not an actual uncle of the victims; uncle is used here merely as a familiar term]. Another shaman also said that the perpetrators’ houses are not far from the victims’ house, and that [one of] the perpetrators has dark skin and is aged around 30 to 40 years old. With these clues, the KNPF assigned some village security officers to continue trying to identify suspects, and also to monitor the situation of any suspected villagers. During the investigation, the security guards became suspicious of Saw Maung Chit Soe due to some of his words and activities. According to the victims’ parents, Saw Maung Chit Soe’s actions were suspicious because he was friendly to the victims’ family before the incident happened (he used to visit their home often), but after the incident happened, he did not visit the victims’ family anymore. When the victim’s parents visited him, he would not face them. He had some marks on his face like it was scratched by someone. And he would put on Th’Na Hka [traditional make up applied in the form of a paste made from ground bark] on his face, as though to cover up the scratch marks. According to the neighbour, he never applied Th’Na Hka to his face before. The village security officers reported the situation to the KNPF who later ordered the village security officers to bring any suspected villagers to the KNPF office in Thay K’Teh village in order to conduct an in-person investigation. On May 24th 2022, the village security officers sent Saw Maung Chit Soe, together with two other suspected villagers, Saw Soe Win Than and Saw Eh Doh Htoo, to be investigated by the KNPF. The uncle [AL3][TB4][Saw Hpa Eh Tee] was sent on May 26th 2022. Eventually, the perpetrators confessed to the KNPF and KNLA that they committed this abuse. [According to the confessions,] at first, the uncle Saw Hpa Eh Tee and a Lay Naw villager, Saw Eh Doh Htoo, convinced the children [two girls] to follow them to the incident place [a plantation near the river]. They had already been watching for when the two children would leave home to find vegetables in the plantations. They [the two perpetrators] went ahead of them [the girls] and waited at the stream. When the two girls arrived at the plantation, the perpetrators approached and convinced them to follow them further for fishing and finding vegetables. When they arrived at the stream, four perpetrators met up and brought the children to the incident place. When they arrived at the incident place, the perpetrators tore the sarongs off of the girls, which they then tore up in order to tie up the girls. Only three of the men (not the girls’ uncle [Saw Hpa Eh Tee]) raped the girls. However, he [Saw Hpa Eh Tee] remained just beside the girls while they were raped. The three perpetrators (not Saw Hpa Eh Tee) were drunk. According to the confession, the perpetrators had been planning this for weeks and they made it happen when they got the chance. The case is currently [at the time of the initial interviews] being handled by the township KNPF and local Karen National Union (KNU) authorities. According to the victims’ family, the case will be processed further according to KNU law. The victims’ family is concerned about retaliation from the perpetrators and the perpetrators’ families if the perpetrators are not arrested and punished or if they are only sentenced for a few years. [In many rape cases, even if found guilty, the perpetrators are only required to provide financial compensation to the survivor and/or family.] The family, especially the mother and father of the two girls, are still experiencing trauma and mental health issues due to this violent abuse inflicted upon their daughters. The mother could not sleep or eat properly since the incident happened. She is always in bed. She has not been going around in the village or outside as she used to do. They are in need of counselling. They have spent almost 1,000,000 kyats [USD 476.19] to follow the case, including travel costs, so they are also experiencing financial hardship now. Follow up: On September 28th 2022, the KNU Dooplaya District Court determined the punishment for each of the perpetrators. Saw Eh Doh Htoo was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and hard labour, Saw Soe Win Than was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment and hard labour, whereas the two other were given the death sentence. [KHRG did not receive further information about whether the latter two were put to death, but according to KNU policy, punishment is implemented 40 days after the sentencing.]..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2023-01-08
Date of entry/update: 2023-01-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Over the past month, violence against civilians in Southeast Burma reached new heights as the State Administration Council (SAC) escalated its military offensives. Already engaged in heavy assaults to cripple resistance and cut off resources and humanitarian support since the 2021 coup, the military junta continues to perpetrate gross human rights violations throughout Karen State, including arbitrary arrest and torture, the burning down of entire villages, the use of human shields, and relentless air strikes and shelling. Forced displacements continue to rise, as do the number of civilian deaths and grave injuries. The SAC is intentionally targeting civilian areas in its air and ground attacks, thus forcing villagers to flee; destroying civilians’ homes, farmlands and livestock, local schools, and medical clinics; and placing villagers in constant fear of life. Since the 2021 coup, there have been more than 60 SAC air strikes in Karen State, almost all centred on villages. At least 32 civilians have been killed by these air strikes.[1] Unexploded ordnance from these air attacks have landed inside villages or in villagers’ farmlands creating additional risks and insecurity, as does the planting of new landmines. In some areas, indiscriminate shelling into and near villages is taking place on a near daily basis. The estimated number of displacements in Karen State since February 2021 is now over 200,000. Despite the international community’s condemnation of the military junta and its assault on the people of Burma, little concrete action has been taken to end the violence. The ongoing intensification of attacks and human rights violations is proof that current efforts are insufficient. One villager in Karen State, after being interrogated and tortured by SAC soldiers in March 2022,[2] asked: “Is the international community just going to watch while civilians have to go through things like this? Is there no longer anything they can do to help us?” The SAC’s actions are in breach of international humanitarian law, and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. KHRG condemns these heinous acts, and calls on the international community to take actions that show the people of Burma that there is still reason to trust in the UN, international human rights and justice mechanisms, and the principles that underlie international humanitarian action. Use of human shields, and burning of houses in Doo Tha Htoo (Thaton) District Human rights violations perpetrated by the SAC and affiliated forces have significantly increased in Bilin Township, Doo Tha Htoo District since August 2021. Reports of forced labour, including the use of civilians as human shields, looting, and direct threats against villagers have multiplied. On May 1st, two air strikes were conducted, and as a result, 10 houses in Lay Kay village, Bilin Township, were burned down and another 66 were seriously damaged. SAC troops at Lay Kay army camp have continued to fire mortars into surrounding villages, injuring a woman with a 2-month-old baby on June 22nd. In May 2022, over 150 villagers in T’Kaw Hpoe and Weh Pyar village tracts, Hpa-an Township, were arrested and forced to act as human shields and porters. Many were detained for around 2 weeks. Beginning June 1st, SAC troops from Artillery Unit #9 conducted heavy artillery fire into Waw Ray village tract, Tha Htoo (Thaton) Township, for six days straight after an SAC company commander and military medic were captured by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). As a result, more than 3,000 villagers in the area were forced to displace. An SAC officer from Artillery Unit #9 also threatened to burn everything between Hton Bo Gyi and Hton Bo Lay villages in Waw Ray village tract. On June 25th, the SAC set fire to Hton Bo Lay village, after looting homes, the school and monastery, and taking villagers’ livestock. At least 66 houses and 30 thatch huts were completely burned to the ground. Increased fighting and indiscriminate shelling in Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) District Since June 2022, ground attacks have escalated in Ler Doh Township, Kler Lwee Htoo District. From June 10th to 13th, and June 25th to July 2nd, SAC troops along with the Phyu Saw Htee (a pro-junta militia group), fired into different villages in Ain Net village tract, resulting in the displacement of 1,489 villagers from six villages. Five villagers were also injured. On June 12th, SAC troops also fired into Lian Pin Wen village, Lian Pin Wen village tract, displacing an additional 1,184 villagers (259 households). On July 2nd 2022, SAC troops entered into Ler Muh Per village, Ler Muh Per village tract, Ler Doh Township and shot dead four villagers and injured another. SAC soldiers looted villagers’ homes and set fire to the village, destroying 12 houses and several vehicles. In response to the capture of four SAC army camps by the KNLA on July 2nd, the SAC conducted air strikes and heavy shelling in nearby villages in Moo (Mone) Township, killing four villagers and injuring one. These offensives resulted in the displacement of at least 3,202 villagers from 81 villages in Moo Township. Following the air strike and shelling, the SAC entered multiple villages and arrested and tortured 16 villagers. Air and ground attacks, fighting and displacement in Mu Traw (Hpapun) District Villages in Mu Traw District, particularly in areas near Hpapun Town and Kamamaung Town, have experienced ongoing attacks. There have been at least 28 air strikes in Mu Traw District alone since the 2021 coup, with the first attack taking place in late March 2021. Most villagers have been forced to flee, seeking refuge in the jungle or along riverbanks, with little access to humanitarian support. The most recent attack occurred on July 4th 2022, when two SAC aircraft bombed an Arakan Army (AA) camp located near the Thai-Burma border, in a Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled area. The attack destroyed multiple buildings including a clinic. Afterward, one of the SAC’s jets entered into Thai airspace, over Phop Phra area of Tak Province, leading local residents to take shelter in bunkers and evacuate the schools. Yet Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha referred to the incursion as “not a big deal”. Relentless air strikes in Dooplaya District The SAC launched 17 air strikes in Dooplaya District, primarily Kaw T’Ree (Kawkareik) Township, between December 2021 and May 2022. On June 27th 2022, SAC resumed its bombardment of Kaw T’Ree Township, first sending three fighter jets into Au Kree Hta village, Choo Kalee village tract. The attacks in the area continued for six consecutive days, with bombs also being dropped in nearby Thay Baw Boh village tract. The July 1st air attack on Thay Baw Boh village killed two villagers and injured three more. One of the bombs did not explode and remains in the village. The next day, the SAC conducted air strikes in Lay Ghaw village, Thay Baw Boh village tract, injuring four villagers, including an 11-year-old boy. Due to these attacks and ongoing indiscriminate shelling, about 1,000 local villagers fled once again to the Thai-Burma border. Most villagers continue to be pushed back by Thai authorities. KHRG makes the following recommendations: Since the pursuit of justice is one of the most visible forms of accountability and will show that human rights violations and impunity for these acts will no longer be tolerated, there is an immediate need to prosecute military leaders for their past and present crimes. The international community should: Support current investigations and proceedings by intervening in the genocide case at the ICJ, and pushing for an ICC referral and acceptance of the NUG’s declaration delegating jurisdiction of the court to investigate and prosecute mass atrocity crimes that occurred in Burma since 2002. Seek out all additional opportunities (through hybrid courts, ad hoc tribunals, universal jurisdiction and other existing mechanisms) to hold the Burma military accountable for its vast array of crimes committed against Karen peoples, as well as other ethnic and religious minorities. Develop and support International Accountability Platforms, and increase support for human rights organisations operating on the ground. Meanwhile, it is imperative that adequate humanitarian assistance and protection for ethnic populations who are facing violence and atrocities at the hands of the Burma military be ensured. The international community should: Consult and sign MoUs with the NUG and Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), rather than the SAC, to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis across the country. Urge neighbouring countries to ensure that their authorities do not deny entry to people crossing the border seeking refuge. Prioritise and strengthen methods of service delivery and communication that rely on local CSO/CBOs and ethnic service providers that have the ability and networks (due to consistent access and trust from the community) for local implementation of support programmes. Include local CSO/CBOs and ethnic service providers in decision-making processes since these actors have already worked for decades to provide support and services to local communities, and are the most knowledgeable about current needs and challenges..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2022-07-19
Date of entry/update: 2022-07-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "This interview describes events that occurred in Kaw T’Ree (Kawkareik) Township, Dooplaya District in March 2022. The SAC LIB #355 indiscriminately fired a mortar shell into Htee Moo Hta village, Noh Hpoh village tract, Kaw T’Ree Township, Dooplaya District on March 24th 2022. A 17-year-old girl was hit in the head by a fragment of mortar and died immediately. Additionally, one male and two female villagers were injured by the indiscriminate shelling. Local villagers’ property was also damaged.[1] Interview | Htee Moo Hta village, Noh Hpoh village tract[2], Kaw T’Ree (Kawkareik) Township, Dooplaya District (March 2022) Name: Naw[3] E--- Gender: Female Age: 47 Religion: Buddhist Ethnicity: Karen Family Status: N/A Occupation: Health worker Could you please start to explain what happened during the incident? In the early morning [of March 24th 2022], there was gunfire at the Asia Highway [fighting broke out between the State Administrative Council (SAC)[4] and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[5] on the highway between Kawkareik and Myawaddy towns]. I heard the sound of gunfire for just two or three minutes. We were getting ready to move out of [flee from] the house but just before we stood up, a mortar shell [fired by the SAC Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[6] #355] was already falling down on my home and [a fragment of exploded shell] hit my niece. I did not even reach [manage to get] underground [to hide in the bunker]. What is the distance between the Asia Highway and your place? The distance from my village to the highway is only about two or three miles [3.2 to 4.8 kilometres]. So, did they literally fire into the village or did the fighting happen in the [surrounding] area? Yes, the fighting happened [between the SAC and KNLA] by the side of the Asia Highway [outside of the village]. After the fighting broke out, the brutal Burma [SAC] soldiers fired [a mortar shell] into the village. What time was it? It was early morning, just past about 5:00 am. She [the victim] had already cooked a rice meal by that time [normally consisting of rice with curry or soup]. After she cooked [her meal], she put the dirty plates in the washing place. Just as she went to put the plates [in the washing place], the shelling immediately fell and [a fragment] hit her. [The plan was,] once she put the plates away, we would go underground [to hide in the bunker]. Did anyone go underground [to the bunker under their house]? We hadn’t gone down yet. Our neighbours around here were about to go and hide in the bunker because of the gunfire. It [the gunfire] was heard [by the villagers] for just a moment, but it was not for long [so they did not make it to the bunker]. How many people were inside the house during the gunfire? During the gunfire, only two of us, my niece and I, were inside the house. As I do not have a husband, I adopted one of my nieces. So I consider her my child because she is my older brother’s child. I have looked after her since she was very little and I supported her in school until high school Standard [Grade] Ten. Due to the unstable situation at school [school closures due to the coup and COVID-19], she came back to stay at home. How did the mortar shell hit her? The fragment of mortar shell hit her directly on her head. When I looked at my niece, her skull was broken and her brain was falling out. How could I help her? Were you by yourself when you saw her get hit and fall down? Yes, I [was by myself when I] saw it all because it was just the two of us [in the house]. I immediately went to pick her up and hug her. As the shelling was still going on, our neighbours around us would not dare to come and help us. I was angry about that at first. I said to the other villagers that, “I was very helpful to you in the past. Even when you were sick and injured, I had to take you [to get treatment] and look after you at night. When the problem has turned to me, none of you even take a look at me”. A few minutes later, when the shelling stopped, two or three of the villagers came to [help] me. What is the name of your niece and how old is she? Her name is Naw Bleh Cho. She is 17 years old. She was born in 2005. She is still very young. Exactly, it has cost me a lot to support her at school. As it [the incident] happened so quickly, it has been unbearable for me. I do not feel normal yet when I think of her. Also, my house and my flowers and plants are very damaged. It will still cost a lot to repair the damage. The shelling fell on the roof, so the rooftop as well as the floors are all broken. What else is damaged? The other damaged property includes the rooftop of my rice barn and one of my concrete water containers for bathing; it did not break the water container itself but the cement floor around is broken into pieces. Are there any other damages or casualties in the village? Three other villagers were injured. They are U[7] N---, 45 years old and his wife, Naw L---, 38 years old. They are husband and wife. The other injured villager is Naw M---, aged 35 years old. Naw L--- got a minor injury to her lower calf but it was not severe. Her husband was injured in the stomach from the exploded fragment and fell down immediately, but the fragment did not go inside his belly. Naw M--- was hit in her waist and the shrapnel exited through her buttocks Is their house close to yours? Yes, their house is close to mine. Naw M---’s house is just on the other side of the road from my house. She was chopping firewood underneath the house [raised house] during the shelling. Where are they undergoing treatment now? We did not know where to transfer Naw M----, so we just took her to the public hospital at Thingannyinaung Town. For the husband and wife [U N--- and Naw L---], they were not severely injured so they just underwent treatment in the village [from a health worker] and then came back to stay at their house. Has Naw M--- been discharged from hospital? She has not been discharged yet as her condition is very severe. She might have to stay there for more than 10 days. Who took her to hospital? Just the villagers from here, Htee Moo Hta village. After she was hit [by the fragment of mortar], was she still conscious? She, the woman who was transferred to the hospital, was still conscious after she was hit. But she felt dizzy and did not dare to look around. She was not unconscious. Did anyone provide support to pay for the expenses for the treatment [of all the injured villagers]? I do not know anything about that. They have to pay for everything by themselves. For my niece, one of the KNLA officials provided a donation of over 300,000 kyats [USD 162.03][8]. I do not remember his name. Do you know which armed group fired the mortar shell? It might be the Burma soldiers [KHRG’s researcher confirmed that it was SAC LIB #355]. I do not think that the Karen [KNLA] soldiers have that type of artillery. After the incident happened [the shelling], how did you arrange the funeral [for your niece]? I kept her for one night at my house, and yesterday [March 27th 2022] we took her and buried her at a cemetery [according to Buddhist practices]. Were there any other damages due to the shelling? The car of U N--- [one of the injured villagers] was damaged. The mirror of the car was hit by a fragment from the exploded mortar. So, how many mortar shells fell on your house? One mortar shell fell on my house but exploded into many fragments. If two or three shells had fallen on us, we would have all died. Even though just one fell, the fragments injured people horribly. It was only one shell [that was fired into the village]? Yes, it was just one. U N--- and his three or four children [who were at home with him at the time] were shielded by the bathroom. If the bathroom had not been there, it would be terrible to imagine. I have to thank God for the protection. Are there any authorities from armed groups or the village head who have come to provide support and look after you? I do not see such things. Did they [the SAC] give any warning before firing the mortar? We had heard from the village head that they [SAC soldiers] said, “If anyone fights against us, we will fire mortars into the village.” So they [village authorities] warned us to be cautious when staying in the village. After the incident happened, did any of the Burma [SAC] soldiers enter to check the situation in the village? No, they did not come. How would you like to express your feelings on this incident? If I have to say something about it. It gravely affects my life. You can imagine that I supported my niece in attending school so that she would become an educated person. I am not a wealthy person so I have had to try very hard for her to get a chance to attend school. To get an education today, the priority is money. I am not rich because I just farm and sell rice. Then, I sent my niece to school with the income that I get from farming. I supported my niece from Standard [Grade] Five until Ten. The [school] expenses cost a lot. How much do you think it would cost if you have to repair all the damaged materials in your home? Umm, nowadays, everything is valuable and expensive. The zinc roofing of my barn alone already cost over 100,000 kyats [USD 54.01]. If I have to repair all the damaged materials, I think it would cost up to 1,000,000 kyats [USD 540.10] or much more. How do you feel about this incident? It put us in a state of fear and anxiety. The villagers are more concerned for their security because of the shelling into our village. As there are many villagers here, someone will [undoubtedly] be hit if a mortar falls into the village. If they [the SAC] still continue activities like this in the future, it would cause a lot of suffering to the villagers. They do not tell us when they will start fighting. Sometimes, we are in bed at night [when they start fighting]. How can you stay alert to the shelling while you are sleeping? That’s why. There will be much more difficulty if the situation continues like this. How do most villagers here secure their livelihood? My village is in a mountainous area close to [Myawaddy] town. Most villagers farm (work on hill farms or plantations). Villagers will not go to Bangkok or move to another village to find other work. We just stay in our own homes. What do you do to earn a livelihood? For me, I just farm and serve as a health worker with my experience and knowledge from attending a medical training offered by the Myanmar government [prior to the coup]. What would you like to tell the local authorities including the village head and soldiers, about taking action and responsibility? I do not want to put more of a burden on them [local authorities]. Even if they take action [against armed groups] for the situation today, such situations can [are likely to] keep happening in the future. If it continues like this, the village leaders will have more concerns. That’s why I do not want to put a burden on them. I also work for the community. I have been working as a medic for over 20 years. I know everything about the villagers’ concerns, from my experience [as a health worker]. How has this incident impacted the villagers’ movements outside the village? Are they afraid to go out? The night after the shelling, the village head called a meeting about whether the villagers wanted to move out [displace] or not. But how can the villagers move if they do not have [cannot bring] food supplies with them? Healthcare is also important because there are a lot of elders and children in the village. So the villagers responded to him by saying that they would not move. We will just stay like this until we die. We will just carry on with our livelihoods and stay [in the village] as long as we can. Is it also hard to move? Yes, it is extremely hard to move. Where can we move to in the [local] area? Even if we move to the mountains, we will have to bring our food with us and then the weather is also unstable. If the medicine supplies are not sufficient for healthcare, especially for children and elders, you cannot hide in the mountains, can you? That’s why if we move, we will suffer more. What are the other villagers’ perspectives about this incident? Regarding the shelling, some of the villagers also feel angry because the people who fight are soldiers, but the shelling affects the villagers. This upsets them. The Karen soldiers fight against Burma [SAC] soldiers. If the Burma [SAC] soldiers were humane, they might fight the soldiers directly. Instead, they oppress the villagers by shelling into the village, so villagers are affected the most. What will you do with your life now? I am not sure about the rest of my life as I am growing old. I will just continue to do my work as much as I can. What else do you want to express or share? With today’s situation on my mind, I do not want such things like shelling into our village to affect us. If possible, we also do not want to see our villagers injured like this. But we cannot prevent the activities of soldiers, can we? As we cannot prevent [military activity], we just have to suffer when it happens. It is very bad to be a civilian. If the authorities [any of the authorities, whether the SAC or ethnic armed groups] do not permit travelling, we cannot do anything and we just have to stay under the control of the authorities. Right now, do the villagers feel secure to travel? We do go to buy things from Thingannyinaung Town, but if the sun is rising higher [it is during the day] we have to travel with caution. Are there any soldiers who check you when you travel along your way? There has been no checking so far. It is only three miles to Thingannyinaung Town. It is quick to reach there. The villagers do not go further than that. They just shop there for a bit and come back. Previously, where did you usually shop? We used to buy [products] from Ra M’Tee [Myawaddy] and Kaw T’Ree [Kawkareik] towns before. If the villagers wanted to buy products from Myanmar they went to Kaw T’Ree Town, while some purchased products from Thailand from Ra M’Tee Town. Due to the unstable situation today, prices are getting higher and higher. Villagers are struggling the most with this situation. In your village, are there any bunkers that you have made for hiding? Yes, some villagers have made them recently but some of the bunkers were dug a long time ago and have now been fixed. Did you recently make a bunker for hiding? Yes, we made a bunker at the beginning of 2022 when we heard about the incident [airstrikes and attacks] in Lay Kay Kaw Town.[9] Has almost every individual made a bunker? Yes, almost everyone has made a bunker. But some, two or three families, share the same bunker. Currently, some villagers do not even dare to sleep inside their house at night. They just sleep at the entrance of the bunker. Are people still sleeping in the bunker since the recent shelling? Yes. [However,] after the incident [shelling on March 24th], there has not been anymore shelling into the village. Even when there was shelling, it landed outside of the village. So the situation is a bit better than before. Further background reading on the situation of fighting and indiscriminate shelling Dooplaya District in Southeast Burma can be found in the following KHRG reports: “Southeast Burma Field Report: Intensification of armed conflict, air and ground attacks, and widespread human rights violations, July to December 2021”, March 2022. “Dooplaya District Short Update: A woman was killed by mortar shrapnel during indiscriminate shelling by armed groups, February 2022”, March 2022. “Dooplaya District Situation Update: Indiscriminate shelling, fighting, forced labour, peace talks, and the COVID-19 pandemic, August to September 2021”, February 2022..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2022-05-18
Date of entry/update: 2022-05-18
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Description: "Introduction This Field Report presents and analyses information collected by KHRG field researchers and covers the period between July and December 2021.[1] The reporting period was marked by increased armed conflict and attacks, which spread to locations in KHRG’s operational area that had reported little to no fighting or shelling during the initial five months following the February 1st 2021 military coup[2]. It was also marked by an increase in human rights violations, including forced labour, the use of human shields, torture, killings, theft and looting, and the planting of landmines. Burma (Myanmar)[3] is party to several human rights treaties and is bound by principles of customary international human rights law prohibiting arbitrary deprivation of life; torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and arbitrary deprivation of liberty. During the current reporting period, KHRG documented multiple cases of forced labour and the use of civilians as human shields. In most cases, villagers were forced to serve as both porters and human shields as State Administration Council (SAC)[4] and Border Guard Force (BGF)[5] troops engaged in troop rotation and the transport of rations and ammunition between army camps in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU)[6]. Both forced labour and the use of human shields constitute violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and other human rights conventions. In many cases, these acts have been combined with other rights violations like beatings or torture, the deprivation of food and water, and various threats, including threat to life. In Bilin Township, Doo Tha Htoo (Thaton) District, villagers living between Lay Kay and Yoh Klah army camps were subjected to repeated demands for forced labour and ‘navigation’ over the course of several months. In particular, skirmishes and ambush by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[7], due to SAC and BGF trespass while travelling between their camps, systematically led SAC and BGF troops to round up any villagers they found along the way to protect themselves from further attack. At times, skirmishes and ambushes took place while villagers were forced to porter or navigate, putting them in grave danger. Villagers also experienced looting and other security threats as SAC and BGF soldiers camped in or near their villages while traveling between their army camps. A surge of armed conflict and attacks, including airstrikes, took place in the Lay Kay Kaw area of Dooplaya District in December 2021 after SAC and BGF troops entered the area and conducted raids and arrests while searching for Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)[8] participants and People’s Defence Force (PDF)[9] members. Established at the time of the earlier ceasefire agreements to welcome back former refugees and IDPs to their country, Lay Kay Kaw New Town was supposed to serve as the symbol of a new era of peace and unity. Instead, the former refugees and IDPs who live there found themselves fleeing once again for their lives as fighting erupted throughout the area. Over 10,000 people were displaced in just over a week. Possibilities for seeking refuge in Thailand remain extremely limited. Most displaced villagers were either pushed back by Thai authorities or forced to set up temporary encampments along the river. Mu Traw (Hpapun) District had been the target of major offensives, including airstrikes, during the first five months of the coup. Although there were no further airstrikes in Mu Traw District from July to December 2021, most parts of the district continued to experience heavy conflict and military activities. In some areas, fighting and shelling took place on a near daily basis during the current reporting period, thus many villagers continue to face displacement. Those who have remained in their villages have endured repeated threats by SAC soldiers, including battalion commanders, who seek to punish civilians for the activities of the KNLA. Such acts are in clear violation of international humanitarian law, which forbids reprisals against civilian persons and objects. Fighting continued in Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) District, leading to some displacement. While no fighting or shelling was reported for Taw Oo (Toungoo), Mergui-Tavoy and Hpa-an districts prior to July 2021, during the current reporting period, KHRG documented the emergence of fighting in both Taw Oo and Mergui-Tavoy districts. In the case of Mergui-Tavoy District, the fighting occurred between the SAC and a local group of PDF fighters. Military activity, like troop rotation and reinforcement, sending rations and ammunition, and patrolling, continued to increase throughout all districts, except Hpa-an District (for which KHRG received no reports). These activities often included or took place alongside other activities, such as the increased use of checkpoints, direct threats against local villagers, arbitrary arrests, and opening fire while in villages, that led to heightened insecurity for local villagers. Theft and looting, particularly of food items, crops and livestock, became more systematic as the presence of SAC soldiers in rural areas, including KNU territory, spread. Most of the theft and looting during the current reporting period occurred while SAC and BGF troops passed through villages or were temporarily camped in the area. Theft and looting have often taken place after villagers have been forced to flee their homes, and in some cases have been combined with the destruction of property. Looting and the destruction of property are prohibited under various components of international humanitarian law, including Additional Protocol II (Article 14) concerning the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, like foodstuffs, crops and livestock.[10] Other serious human rights violations like torture and killings took place during the current reporting period. As the SAC continued to target anyone seen as opposing the military regime, it undertook violence against civilians while searching for people whom they suspected of having an affiliation with the PDF and CDM. On multiple occasions, SAC soldiers tortured and beat local civilians following bomb explosions in the area. SAC soldiers intentionally shot at civilians, killing three. In one of the killing cases, local villagers believe the victim was also tortured by the SAC prior to being killed. Landmine contamination and the planting of new landmines continued to be a serious problem, with landmines being placed in civilian areas, along transportation routes and near critical infrastructure, as well as in areas that villagers depend on for their livelihood. Two deaths and injury to eight villagers, including one child, were reported for the current reporting period. All reported incidents took place in Mu Traw District. Villagers were often not made aware of the landmine contamination in their area. KHRG also received reports of time bomb explosions. In July 2021, Burma was hit with a third wave of COVID-19 infections, this time reaching rural areas in KHRG’s operational area. Often whole villages reported experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, but due to lack of testing facilities, there was no way to confirm that all of these were positive COVID-19 cases. However, in Mergui-Tavoy District, where the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) actively engaged in testing, positive cases were found in every township of the district. The spread of the virus has been particularly worrisome in situations of displacement with reports of the virus spreading among groups who have displaced, since many are unaware that they are infected. Displaced villagers may also find themselves crowded together in hiding places, making the likelihood of infection greater. Access to healthcare services in general continued to be an issue due to restrictions on movement, brought about both by efforts to contain the spread of the virus and by increased military activities and armed conflict. Access to education also continued to be an issue due to widespread school closures tied to the spread of COVID-19, the CDM and refusals by students to attend SAC-run schools since the military takeover. Most Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD)[11] schools remained open and experienced increased enrolments as students who previously attended government schools sought to continue their studies in KECD schools. The additional enrolments have placed heavy strain on KECD schools, and some have begun requiring parents to pay educational fees or rice (for the teachers) to keep the schools running. The livelihood situation of villagers has grown more critical. Villagers reported being unable to work on their farms or plantations or travel to access work as day labourers. A number of factors have prevented villagers from carrying out their regular livelihood activities: displacement, conflict, ongoing military activity, landmine contamination, travel restrictions tied to COVID-19, increased checkpoints and security concerns while traveling, and fears of being apprehended to serve as forced porters or human shields. Many villagers are also now facing severe food insecurity as a result..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2022-03-30
Date of entry/update: 2022-03-31
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Description: "The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), along with the wider Karen community and other ethnic and civil society organisations, welcomes and expresses support for the three ongoing proceedings against perpetrators of genocide and mass atrocities against the Rohingya people: the genocide case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the forced deportation investigation before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the more recent universal jurisdiction case in Argentina. The Karen people have long suffered the types of atrocities that Rohingya people have faced at the hands of the Burma/Myanmar military. We hope these cases will bring justice and accountability, and put an end to the Burma/Myanmar military’s long-standing impunity for systematic and widespread human rights abuses. These three proceedings offer the possibility for perpetrators of crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations in Burma/Myanmar to finally be exposed and brought to justice. Bringing such cases to justice at the national level is nearly impossible. There have already been eight ineffective inquiries into the situation in Rakhine State alone since 2012. Investigators for the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar have previously stated that “any hope that Myanmar’s national justice system will provide justice and truth for human rights violations committed by the military would be unfounded. The provisions of Burma/Myanmar law, the structure of the legal system and the judiciary’s lack of independence and legal competence make that impossible. Far from uncovering the truth, Myanmar’s domestic justice system will, on the contrary, punish those who seek it.”[1] As such, ethnic minorities in Burma/Myanmar hold hope in international tribunals to take notice of their calls for human rights abuses to be investigated, and count on these international actions to help bring justice to victims and survivors, and an end to ongoing crimes.[2] Ethnic minorities have however waited for decades for the recommendations of international bodies to be implemented effectively so that the Burma/Myanmar military’s gross human rights violations and atrocity crimes finally come to an end. Since 1992, successive UN Special Rapporteurs on Myanmar have reported consistent and systematic patterns of violations and abuses against minority communities throughout Burma/Myanmar. In some cases, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur have suggested that these violations amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes, thus warranting investigation by the ICC. For decades, ethnic civil society, community-based and human rights organisations, like KHRG, have documented the atrocities committed by the Burma/Myanmar military, providing credible evidence of serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, destruction of property, torture and inhumane treatment, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour, recruitment of children into armed forces, and indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilians, including targeting of places of worship, hospitals, schools, and using civilians as human shields. And yet international justice and accountability mechanisms have yet to hold the Burma/Myanmar military accountable, or bring justice to the people who have endured these atrocities. The proceedings currently under way provide hope, but further reveal the difficulty of seeking justice on the international level. After The Gambia filed a case against the Burma/Myanmar military before the ICJ in 2019 alleging that the atrocities committed against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State constituted a violation of the Genocide Convention, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi publicly denied these allegations. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar later submitted objections questioning the ICJ’s jurisdiction and The Gambia’s eligibility to file the case, which has resulted in further delays in the proceedings. Despite the legally-binding provisional measures issued by the ICJ to protect the Rohingya people from further acts of genocide until a final decision can be rendered, the Burma/Myanmar military has continued to perpetrate acts of genocide against the Rohingya, and to commit a multitude of atrocities against other ethnic and religious minorities in Burma/Myanmar, both before and since the 2021 coup.[3] Later in 2019, the ICC authorised the opening of an investigation into alleged international crimes related to the 2016 and 2017 waves of violence against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State. The investigation is currently limited to crimes, including future crimes, committed at least in part in Bangladesh, or any other State Party to the Rome Statute, from the date such State Party ratified the Rome Statute (June 2010 in the case of Bangladesh). As such, the majority of crimes committed by the Burma/Myanmar military would be left out. If accepted by the ICC, the National Unity Government’s recent declaration (in July 2021) accepting ICC jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute all international crimes committed in Burma/Myanmar would, however, allow expansion of the investigation to include those committed within Burma/Myanmar, and to crimes dating back to July 2002, the earliest date permitted by the Rome Statute.[4] In November 2021, an Argentine appeals court ruled that a case to investigate and hear testimony on alleged war crimes committed in Burma/Myanmar against the Rohingya under the principle of universal jurisdiction could proceed. As the first universal jurisdiction case on the situation of the Rohingya, this investigation is a landmark. The possibility of accountability and wider international impact is strong, not only because the case will cover the full range of crimes committed against the Rohingya in Burma/Myanmar, but also because it will hear victim testimonials, thus honoring the rights of victims to be heard and tell their stories in a court of law. Multiple opportunities therefore currently exist to deliver justice and end impunity. Because accountability proceedings to investigate the Burma/Myanmar military’s atrocities against other ethnic minorities have yet to be undertaken, the possibility for justice and ending ongoing violence for other ethnic minority groups in Burma/Myanmar hinges heavily on the outcome of the Rohingya proceedings. Since the February 2021 coup, the Burma/Myanmar military has intensified its perpetration of atrocities against ethnic minorities, making these proceedings even more urgent, essential and long overdue. Its attacks on the entire civilian population as people voice their opposition to the coup has further demonstrated the military’s disregard for human life and human rights. The failure of the international community to adequately respond to the atrocities committed against ethnic minorities since the 1990s has led to this point. The continued impunity and lack of international accountability has only emboldened the Burma/Myanmar military to continue perpetrating atrocity crimes. Now is the time for concrete action to address problems of accountability and impunity in Burma/Myanmar. For justice to be delivered and ongoing violence to end, the international community must demonstrate widespread support for the proceedings of these courts, as well as a willingness to seek out all additional opportunities to hold the Burma/Myanmar military accountable for its vast array of crimes. KHRG, the Karen community and ethnic and civil society organisations thus make the following recommendations: Additional states should join Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands to intervene in the genocide case at the ICJ, and/or provide financial or legal support. Individual states, and particularly states sitting on the UN Security Council, should publicly declare support for an ICC referral, regardless of possible veto of a resolution by Russia or China. The Prosecutor should accept the declaration made on 17 July 2021 by the NUG under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute; and extend the territorial scope of his investigation to cover crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC committed in Myanmar since 1 July 2002. More states should allow the use of universal jurisdiction laws to hold the Burma/Myanmar military to account for its crimes. States must provide more financial support to CSOs in and from Burma/Myanmar that are documenting human rights violations and providing information used by the United Nations, governments and other justice organisations. More focus should be given in future UN resolutions and reports on the situation in Burma/Myanmar on the failure to implement previous recommendations, rather than repeating the same recommendations year after year. Acknowledging the lengthy timeframe for investigations and proceedings, states should ensure adequate humanitarian assistance and protection for ethnic populations who are facing violence and atrocities at the hands of the Burma/Myanmar military. All states individually and collectively at the United Nations and other international and regional organisations should refuse to lend legitimacy to the military junta and impose targeted economic sanctions and a global arms embargo. For more information, please contact: Naw Htoo Htoo: +66 87 205 1856 Saw Nanda Hsue: + 66 81129 7564 Signed by: Albany Karen community, Albany, NY Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Athan - Freedom of Expression Activist Organization Australia Karen Organisation Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK Burmese Women's Union Calgary Karen Community Association California Karen Youth Forum Chin Human Rights Organization Committee of the Internal Displaced Karen People Democracy for Ethnic Minorities Organization Edmonton Karen Community Youth Organization European Karen Network Future Light Center Future Thanlwin Gender Equality Network Generation Wave Human Rights Foundation of Monland International Karen Organisation Kachin Women's Association Thailand Karen American Association of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Karen Association of Huron, SD Karen Baptist Churches USA Karen Community Association UK Karen Community in Norway Karen Community in the Netherlands Karen Community of Akron, OH Karen Community of Austin, TX Karen Community of Canada Karen Community of Czech Republic Karen Community of Finland Karen Community of Hamilton Karen Community of Iowa, IA Karen Community of Ireland Karen Community of Israel Karen Community of Kansas City, KS & MO Karen Community of Kitchener & Waterloo Karen Community of Leamington K Karen Community of Lethbridge Karen Community of London Karen Community of Louisville Karen Community of Minnesota, MN Karen Community of North Carolina Karen Community of Ottawa Karen Community of Regina Karen Community of Saskatoon Karen community of Tennessee Karen Community of Thunderbay Karen Community of Toronto Karen Community of Windsor Karen Community of Winnipeg Karen Community Society of British Columbia Karen Environmental and Social Action Network Karen Finland Culture Association Karen Organization of America Karen Organization of Illinois, IL Karen Organization of San Diego Karen Organization of San Diego - Signed Karen Peace Support Network Karen Society of Nebraska Karen Student Association, University of Nebraska Karen Swedish Community Karen Thai Group Karen Women's Organization Karen Youth Education Pathways Karen Youth Networks Karen Youth of Norway Karen Youth of Toronto Karen Youth Organization Karen Youth UK Karen-Canadian Education Alliance Karenni Civil Society Network Karenni Human Rights Group King N Queens Organization Korea Karen Organization Korea Karen Youth Organization Let's Help Each Other Metta Campaign Mandalay Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State) Oversea Karen Organization Japan Pa-O Women’s Union Progressive Voice Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas Synergy - Social Harmony Organization Ta'ang Legal Aid Utica Karen Community, NY Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar Women's League of Burma Footnotes: [1] Human Rights Council, “Statement by Mr. Marzuki DARUSMAN, Chairperson of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council,” 18September 2018. [2] Karen Grassroots Women’s Network, The Karen Grassroots Women’s Network Welcomes Cases Against Burma for Genocide, 8 December 2019. [3] Fortify Rights, U.N. Security Council: Take Urgent Action Against Myanmar Military Junta, 7 December 2021. [4] NUG Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Statement of the National Unity Government of Myanmar on the 4th Anniversary of the Atrocity Crimes Against the Rohingya People in 2017, 24 August 2021..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-12-20
Date of entry/update: 2021-12-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Today, December 10th, people from around the world observe Human Rights Day to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”) in 1948. Because of the February 2021 military coup, this year’s Human Rights Day is an especially solemn and painful occasion for the people of Myanmar. The human rights violations being committed against the people of Myanmar since the coup are a direct result of the failure to end the Myanmar military’s longstanding oppression of ethnic and religious minorities. Thus, it is fitting that this year’s theme for Human Rights Day is Equality, as it serves as a reminder of what may come to pass when the principle of equality is disregarded. The human rights principle of “Equality” is found in Article 1 of the UDHR, which states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Since February 2021, people across Myanmar have been protesting against the junta –– a regime that has consistently sought to undermine the principle of equality, impose discriminatory practices and sentiments, and embed them in the legal, political, economic and social framework of the country. From the outset of the coup, people of all ages, ethnicities and religions in Myanmar have come together to peacefully demonstrate against a military dictatorship that pays no regard to human rights and uses its power to discriminate and oppress. Participants of the Civil Disobedience Movement (“CDM”), composed mostly of professionals in the public sector, have sacrificed their careers, freedoms, and lives by refusing to work for the junta. Similarly, young people have been on the frontlines fighting for their rights, often supported in the background by older civilians who also are standing against the military dictatorship in the hope of building a Myanmar in which the rights enshrined in the UDHR will become a reality for all. In their struggle against dictatorship, people across Myanmar have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention; torture, including sexual and gender-based violence; and enforced disappearance; with many being murdered by the junta in their defense of human rights. Ethnic minorities in rural areas, who have long been the target of military abuse are once again facing challenges and threats to their lives, livelihoods, and physical security and integrity. Since the military coup, armed conflicts occurring between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed organizations have intensified. As early as March 2021, the Myanmar military began an airstrike campaign in Southeast Myanmar that often-targeted civilian areas. These airstrikes destroyed villages, killed many civilians, and caused mass displacement of villagers from their homes and ancestral lands. Southeast Myanmar continues to be heavily militarized by the junta. Civilians are unable to go about their daily lives due to the high risk of being killed, injured, or detained by the Myanmar military. Furthermore, there has been a recurrence of the military’s use of civilians for forced labor and as human shields, which were common forms of human rights abuses under past military regimes. Despite facing these abuses, rural villagers have been active in supporting the anti-coup movement and in protecting those who have placed themselves on the line in the defense of human rights. Local villagers have provided shelter and protection to CDM participants, ousted members of parliament, protesters and human rights defenders, and Myanmar military defectors. They have also participated in peaceful protests, even in the face of heavy military presence. In recognition of the painful events of the past ten months, as well as the long history of ethnic oppression by the Myanmar military, the Karen Human Rights Group honors the people of Myanmar who continue to fight for a new Myanmar that recognizes that all are equal in dignity and rights. We also strongly urge the international community to remain steadfast in their support for the people of Myanmar, and to refrain from aiding or assisting the junta’s commission of human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations. This means actively refusing to give any legitimacy to the junta, and refusing both direct or indirect recognition of the junta as the government of Myanmar. It also means cutting ties with all businesses that support the junta or are implicated in the provision of weapons to the junta and its affiliates. Finally, we commemorate all those who have lost their freedoms and even their lives as a result of their resistance to the junta, in service to the fight for a federal democracy that respects, protects, and fulfills the human rights of all people of Myanmar equally..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-12-10
Date of entry/update: 2021-12-10
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Description: "Today, September 21, the world commemorates the International Day of Peace. This annual event was created by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1981. It is a day on which armed actors across the world are expected to cease hostilities for 24 hours as a celebration of the spirit of peace and the shared hope that we will one day live in a world where conflict is resolved without resorting to violence. This year, International Day of Peace is observed in the context of the February 2021 Myanmar military coup. Since this day, the junta has committed serious crimes and violations of international law against the people of Myanmar, including but not limited to the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors, arbitrary killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence. Other fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of expression have also been severely curtailed through the restriction of internet and communication services, as well as the junta’s enacted laws that criminalise the legitimate exercise of free expression. All of these have happened against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic that has continued to have detrimental effects on the health and livelihood of the people. Since March 2021, in Karen State, there has been intense fighting between the State Administration Council’s (“SAC”) military and ethnic armed groups. In particular, the SAC’s military has conducted airstrikes and ground attacks that are indiscriminate in nature. The aerial bombings and mortar shelling have caused death and serious injury to villagers, as well as the destruction of homes and other civilian objects. In turn, this has led to a severe humanitarian crisis marked by the displacement of thousands of villagers from their homes and ancestral lands, food shortages, and the lack of adequate healthcare in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased militarisation and resumption of intense armed hostilities in Karen State have also led to other violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. KHRG and KWO have been receiving reports of soldiers pillaging villages, the use of women as human shields, forced labour, as well as the use of landmines by all armed actors in a seemingly indiscriminate manner that have maimed and even killed villagers who were often on their way to work at the markets or farms. The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world.” For Myanmar particularly, this message is a reminder that the ethnic people of the country, who have been marginalised, must have a seat at the table concerning all matters relating to the resolution of the current crisis and the future of Myanmar. It is also a reminder that for peace to be sustainable there has to be justice and accountability for the crimes committed by all armed actors regardless of their ethnic affiliations. In commemoration of International Day of Peace, KHRG calls on the SAC and all other armed actors to observe this important event by participating in the international ceasefire. Let this Day of Peace be a moment of reflection on the countless deaths that have occurred as a result of the conflict and remember the shared responsibility of all actors in bringing about peace in Myanmar..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-09-21
Date of entry/update: 2021-09-21
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Description: "The Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) and the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) strongly condemn the use of women as human shields by the Burma Army in Karen State and other ethnic areas. Women in particular face many risks in being used as human shields, being subjected to forced labour, to torture and sexual violence, and to assaults in military custody. This type of inhumane treatment by the Burma Army must end immediately and all soldiers responsible for subjecting women to this harrowing ordeal need to be held accountable without impunity. Rampant militarization throughout the country is threatening the stability and security of civilians who are living in fear amidst ongoing attacks. On August 19th 2021, at 1:00 PM, the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #341 and LIB #410 from Ler Toh army camp, based at Hkaw Poo village tract, Bu Tho Township, Mutraw district. When the soldiers arrived, they confronted and arrested three women villagers. The soldiers kicked and stepped on them and asked them many questions. These two military battalions forced three women to carry their materials and equipment and used them as human shields until they reached Kyaw Hta Loh River, where they were released after sustaining minor injuries. And on September 1st at 2:00 PM, after a skirmish between the SAC and the KNLA soldiers at Paing Kalan Done village tract, Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District, SAC soldiers took Naw Mu Htee Kaung, 30 years old, and used her as a human shield by placing her in front of them as they marched farther into KNU territory. Using civilians as human shields is forbidden under international humanitarian law. The Burma Army’s use of sexual violence in conflict areas is nothing new. However, what is increasingly frustrating is that the crimes committed by the Burma Army remain unpunished. Rape and other forms of gender-based violence have been systematically used by the Burma Army as a weapon of war for decades. The cases mentioned are not isolated incidents. KWO and KHRG remain extremely concerned at the growing level of unrest in Burma. No one should ever be subjected to the terror of being used as a human shield. Throughout the country’s turbulent history, women have never been safe and this is yet another example of how their lives are at risk. Weak rule of law, which has been in place for decades, only undermines their struggle further, and pursuits for justice and accountability have been hijacked by the junta. Last month, KWO received reports from the ground about an increase in Border Guard Forces and Burma Army soldiers in Karen State. The state-backed regime is forcing villagers to go to their bases and use them as human shields. They also stayed in the villages and looted villagers’ properties such as money, jewellery, motorbikes, tractors, food supplies, livestock, and destroyed houses. Burma Army drones and airplane surveillance in Karen areas have caused fears among villagers of potential airstrikes. The increase in fighting is directly linked to the expansion of Burma Army operations. Since the coup, KHRG has documented an increase in militarization in Karen State. The increase in military presence, fighting, shelling, and airstrikes have caused mass displacement and civilian casualties. Women and girls are especially affected by mass displacement. According to KHRG’s documentation, women have been forced to give birth and to take care of their new-borns in the caves and jungles, without access to adequate maternal care. The international community must do more to act on behalf of the people of Myanmar. We call on the UN Security Council to refer the Burma/Myanmar situation to the International Criminal Court and to declare a no-fly zone in Karen areas. Humanitarian support must be provided for those fleeing from fighting. In addition, steps must be taken to refrain from all engagements with the junta and the so-called State Administration Council, and instead to recognize the National Unity Government, who represents the people’s voice. Further, human rights must be a priority at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly later this month where a pivotal decision will be made on who will be the chosen representative for Burma/Myanmar. UN bodies must recognize that the people of Burma/Myanmar overwhelmingly reject the junta and their unlawful attempts to seize democracy in the country. KWO and KHRG urge the protection of all civilians in the country and for the UN to act swiftly and with conviction to intervene in the declining state of human rights in Burma/Myanmar..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-09-03
Date of entry/update: 2021-09-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Today, August 9, we celebrate the indigenous people of the world who are the protectors of their land and natural environment. In many parts of Myanmar, different groups of indigenous people possess unique practices, traditions and culture. Unfortunately, indigenous groups in Myanmar face many challenges that threaten their enjoyment of their rights and identity. Decades of conflict have brought suffering on ethnic groups like the Chin, Rohingya, Shan and Karen. At the same time, Myanmar’s ethnic people have also faced other violations of their rights including threats to their distinct cultures, languages, and identities; as well as development projects by the Tatmadaw leading to land confiscations, forced displacement, and negative environmental and social impacts. On June 11, 2021, KHRG and Karen Rivers Watch released a joint statement condemning the State Administration Council’s (SAC) announcement to push ahead with the construction of the Hatgyi hydropower mega-dam on the Salween River. KHRG reiterates that the construction of the Hatgyi dam will be severely detrimental to the ecosystems in the area, as well as to people’s livelihoods, wellbeing, and cultural identity. Further, construction of the Hatgyi dam will exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis in Southeast Myanmar caused by the ongoing SAC military offensives. Since the February 2021 coup, hostilities between the SAC and ethnic armed organizations have intensified across the country. In Southeast Myanmar alone, the SAC has indiscriminately bombed and shelled villages which has killed, injured, and forcibly displaced thousands of villagers. Villagers who have been forced to flee into the jungles and caves, or across the Salween River into Thailand are in desperate need of basic supplies such as food, water, shelter, and medicines. Many villagers are also afraid to return to their lands as they fear the SAC’s indiscriminate airstrikes and ground artillery attacks. In addition to the suffering faced by indigenous people as a result of intensified conflicts in ethnic lands, the COVID-19 pandemic also adds to the suffering of the ethnic people in Myanmar. In rural areas of Southeast Myanmar alone, where healthcare services are extremely limited, many villagers have no choice but to turn to home-based care. Rather than allowing patients access to life-saving medical care through non-SAC channels such as ethnic healthcare providers, in early July the SAC prohibited the sale of medical oxygen to private clinics and individuals throughout the country. At the same time, the SAC is actively undermining the Karen National Union’s COVID-19 response policies in Karen State. Recently, the SAC has destroyed the KNU’s COVID-19 screening checkpoints and disapproved of KNU travel restrictions in Karen State because of the potential impact on the movement of SAC soldiers in the region. The SAC’s weaponization of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many avoidable deaths. As the COVID-19 pandemic and the SAC’s military coup have introduced new challenges to Myanmar’s indigenous people, KHRG would like to call upon the international community to not only support the country’s ethnic groups in defence of their rights, but also to celebrate their resilience in the face of adversity and persecution..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-08-09
Date of entry/update: 2021-08-09
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Description: "KHRG is concerned about the State Administration Council’s (SAC) mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to a spike in COVID-19 related deaths throughout the country, including in Karen State. Instead of facilitating access to vital medical care, the SAC is posing as the sole provider of healthcare and using the COVID-19 pandemic as a political weapon to legitimize their illegitimate authority. The decisions the SAC has made thus far about access to resources, services and information concerning COVID-19 have not only led to an escalating crisis, they have prevented other key actors from helping manage the spread of the virus and address the health needs of the people of Myanmar. The SAC’s perverse policy of centralizing control over the COVID-19 response infrastructure despite evidence demonstrating its inability to manage a pandemic has led to many avoidable COVID-19 related deaths, particularly during this third wave. Reportedly, the SAC has only been allowing access to medical oxygen and other COVID-19 related treatment through hospitals under military control, many of which were public hospitals prior to being taken over by the military. Many of these hospitals are also now refusing to treat patients who they suspect have been involved in the pro-democracy movements. Distrust of the SAC has also led many people to seek private medical treatment, including from healthcare professionals who have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, as well as from ethnic healthcare providers. In rural areas, where healthcare services are already extremely limited, many villagers have no option but to turn to herbal treatments and home-based care strategies that are not sufficient to handle the more serious symptoms of COVID-19. Rather than allowing patients access to life-saving medical care through non-SAC channels, in early July the SAC prohibited the sale of medical oxygen to private clinics and individuals throughout the country. According to some reports, the SAC has also been seizing and confiscating oxygen sent by charities and NGOs destined to aid populations in ethnic areas. Public hospitals are also unable to provide adequate healthcare to COVID-19 patients as these hospitals are understaffed since many healthcare professionals have rightly refused to work for the illegitimate SAC by joining the Civil Disobedience Movement, or have been forced to go into hiding because of threats by the SAC. Likewise, the SAC has failed to manage the spread of COVID-19 in Myanmar’s prison system which led to a protest on July 23rd at Insein prison, in which prisoners demonstrated against their lack of access to healthcare. In Karen State, the SAC is actively undermining the Karen National Union’s (KNU) COVID-19 response policies. Our sources tell us that on July 17th, the SAC destroyed a KNU COVID-19 screening checkpoint at T’Kaw Boe village tract, Hpa-an Township, Doo Tha Htoo District. Also, after the KNU strengthened travel restrictions in Karen State in order to help contain the spread of the virus, the SAC sent a letter to the KNU disapproving because of the potential impact on the movement of SAC soldiers within the region. These actions by the SAC only serve to worsen the spread of COVID-19 in rural ethnic areas where testing kits are not easily accessible, and where COVID-19 prevention supplies and resources have long been scarce, making these populations even more vulnerable to the life-threatening impacts of COVID-19. Curbing travel restrictions to allow for the movement of troops also increases security risks for local villagers because it makes possible the ongoing attacks and violence on the part of armed forces in these areas. The SAC’s weaponization of the COVID-19 pandemic to assert its authority over the country is clearly evidenced by the actions it has taken to disrupt COVID-19 response and prevention services provided by private clinics and ethnic healthcare providers. The humanitarian crisis that is currently unfolding must no longer be left in the hands of the SAC to resolve. Many deaths could have already been avoided, and more deaths will continue if action is not taken soon. KHRG condemns the SAC’s disregard of article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Myanmar’s legal obligation to ensure the right to health and medical services. The SAC’s weaponization of the pandemic constitutes retrogressive measures not permitted under article 12. KHRG also condemns the SAC’s overall failure to honor the core tenets of human rights which include the right to life and the duty to protect life. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the UN has repeatedly reminded States that the right to health and access to healthcare is inherent to the right to life, and that human rights need to be put center-stage. It is imperative that those parties who are working towards these ends are allowed to act, and engage in the COVID-19 response and prevention measures that the SAC is trying to thwart..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-08-02
Date of entry/update: 2021-08-02
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Description: "The Tatmadaw, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, initiated the military coup on February 1, 2021 which forcibly seized power from the democratically elected National League for Democracy and pushed Myanmar into the current state of nationwide political instability marked by ongoing impunity for human rights violations and an exacerbating humanitarian crisis. Since then, security forces have been employing extremely violent tactics against the general populace in major cities –– tactics which have been regularly used to persecute ethnic minorities even before the coup, especially in the peripheries of the country. From the outset, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar warned that the atrocities committed by the junta since the coup could amount to crimes against humanity.[1] Some of these atrocities entail the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and strikers;[2] killings of at least 884 people;[3] arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of thousands of people including journalists, activists and others opposed to the coup;[4] raids of homes without warrants to arrest and detain those suspected of being in opposition to the coup;[5] and torture of detainees.[6] In conjunction with these acts of violence against civilians is the Tatmadaw’s unlawful use of article 419 of the 2008 Constitution to form the State Administration Council (“SAC”) [7] through which it then enacted several amendments to Myanmar’s domestic laws which have encroached upon the fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar. Specifically, article 419 permits the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services (“Chief of Defence Services”) to form a body to exercise powers of the executive, legislature, and judiciary after the President declares a “state of emergency” (article 417) and transfers all branches of the government to the Chief of Defence Services (article 418).[8] Experts on Myanmar’s Constitution have pointed out, however, that the Tatmadaw’s February 1 declaration of a “state of emergency” under article 417[9] is absent of any legal basis, as it is impossible for allegations of voter fraud during the November 2020 elections ­to amount to a “state of emergency”. According to experts, article 417 relates to a situation in which the sovereignty of the country is threatened through “violent and wrongful forcible means” which involves the use of force.[10] Further, the Tatmadaw’s declaration of a “state of emergency” is unconstitutional as the Constitution only gives the President, who was arrested and detained by the Tatmadaw since February 1, the power to declare a state of emergency.[11] It is manifest that the SAC is an illegal entity and that any powers it exercises (executive, legislative, and judiciary) including the amendments it enacts are invalid under the Constitution. 2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE The amendments the SAC enacted in the weeks following February 1 also bear adverse consequences for the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Myanmar under international human rights law. Therefore, this brief examines the legality of some of the amendments in accordance with some of Myanmar’s legal obligations under international human rights law. Taking note that Myanmar is not a state party to some international human rights treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”),[12] this brief also identifies relevant non-binding principles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”) and ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (“AHRD”). At the same time, this brief demonstrates the SAC’s attempts to legitimize its human rights violations by using its illegitimate authority to enact invalid amendments to Myanmar’s domestic law to institute a climate of impunity for its human rights violations. Finally, it includes some recommendations on actions that ASEAN, the National Unity Government, and states can take to protect and promote the fundamental rights of the people of Myanmar. The analysis of this brief is limited in scope. The four amendments examined in this brief, outlined in Section 3 (Overview of Selected Amendments), were selected based on their prominence in the news at the time that the concept of this brief was conceived in early March 2021. Similarly, the scope of analysis in Section 4 (Applicable International Law) and Section 5 (Analysis) is a non-exhaustive account of the relevant international human rights standards applicable to Myanmar. The examined human rights laws and principles focus on night raids, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and restrictions of social media platforms and internet shutdowns as these featured most prominently in the news within the period of February to April 2021 during which the concept of this brief was under discussion. In recent months, more of the SAC’s atrocities have come to light particularly its perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence against girls, women, and members of the LGBTIQ community.[13] In this regard, further research could focus on a gender-analysis of the coup which could, for instance, include some of Myanmar’s relevant human rights treaty obligations such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Ultimately, we hope that this brief would serve as a resource for civil society and community-based organizations to conduct further advocacy and research aimed to raise awareness on the SAC’s use of its illegitimate authority to enact “laws”[14] to encroach on the human rights of the people of Myanmar. 3. OVERVIEW OF SELECTED AMENDMENTS AC Law No. 3/2021 enacted the Fourth Amendment of the Ward or Village-Tract Administration Law. In particular, the amendment to section 17 requires any person living in a ward or village-tract to inform the ward or village-tract administrator of the arrival and departure of any overnight guests not listed in the family unit and not residing in the same ward or village-tract.[15] Violation of section 17 leads to a “fine not exceeding ten thousand kyat”, or a prison term not exceeding seven days if the person defaults on the fine.[16] SAC Law No. 4/2021 enacted the Amendment of Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of the Citizens. The SAC suspended rights protected in sections 5, 7, and 8 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of the Citizens.[17] By suspending these provisions, authorities are permitted to enter into homes and private properties without a warrant for purposes of search, seizures, and arrests (section 5); to detain a person without a warrant for more than 24 hours (section 7); to intercept all forms of communications without a warrant (section 8); and to collect and seize all information and data gathered from intercepts (section 8). SAC Law No. 5/2021 enacted the Law Amending the Penal Code. Amongst other changes to the Penal Code is the amendment of section 505 (a). Section 505 (a) has been broadened to allow authorities to prosecute individuals, inter alia, for causing or intending to cause “fear to a group of citizens or to the public”; for spreading “false news”; or for “affect[ing], hinder[ing], damag[ing] the motivation, discipline [or] health” of a civil servant.[18] SAC Law No. 7/2021 enacted the Law Amending the Electronic Transactions Law. Relevant to this brief is the inclusion of section 38 in the amendment to the 2004 Electronic Transactions Law (“ETL”).[19] Section 38 (b) imposes criminal sanctions on a broad range of conduct regarding the handling of digital information. Specifically, a person (A) could be sanctioned for obtaining, disclosing, using, destroying, modifying, or disseminating any personal data of another person (B) without B’s approval. Section 38 (c) imposes criminal sanctions on anyone who creates “misinformation and disinformation” in the digital space with the intent of “causing public panic, loss of trust, or social division.” Section 38 (d) imposes criminal sanctions on a broad range of cybercrimes perpetrated with the intent to threaten national sovereignty, national security, and the rule of law, notions which are undefined in the provision. Some of these cybercrimes include preventing unauthorized access into one’s own digital platforms such as networks, computers or digital data (supposedly if a person takes measures to prevent authorities from conducting unlawful surveillance); and attempts to hack into digital platforms. Section 38 (e) imposes criminal sanctions on a range of cybercrimes committed with the intent to “deteriorate” Myanmar’s foreign relations with other states. These cybercrimes include vague and unclear language such as “attempts of unauthorized access and hacking cyber sources”. 4. APPLICABLE INTERNATIONAL LAW A. Prohibition Against Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home or Correspondence Myanmar ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (“CRC”) in 1991. Article 16 (1) of the CRC imposes a legal obligation on Myanmar to ensure that “no child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honor and reputation.”[20] Further, article 16 (2) also requires Myanmar to enact laws to protect the child from the prohibitions set out in article 16 (1).[21] Finally, Myanmar has a non-derogable obligation to “respect and ensure”[22] these rights under article 16 by making the best interest of the child a primary consideration,[23] through undertaking all appropriate measures including legislative and administrative.[24] Myanmar is also a signatory to the UDHR. Specifically, article 12 provides that “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with [their] privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”[25] In a similar vein, article 21 of the AHRD holds a similar provision to article 12 of the UDHR, even going a step further to explicitly protect personal data from arbitrary interference.[26] B. Prohibition Against Arbitrary Deprivation of Liberty Legally binding on Myanmar is customary international law’s absolute prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of liberty, wherein no derogation is permitted under any circumstances.[27] According to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the content of the prohibition under customary international law includes arbitrary arrest and detention of a person which include measures such as house arrest and secret and/or incommunicado detention.[28] Further, an arrest and detention can be considered “arbitrary” even if authorized and enforced by law if “premised upon an arbitrary piece of legislation or is inherently unjust.”[29] C. The Right to the Freedom of Expression Under article 19 of the UDHR, the right to the freedom of expression constitutes the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”[30] A similar provision can be found in article 23 of the AHRD.[31] While Myanmar is not a party to the ICCPR, the scope of the freedom of expression under the UDHR may be understood through the Human Rights Committee’s[32] (“HRC”) interpretation of article 19 of the ICCPR, as the ICCPR is a codification of the same protections provided for in the UDHR. The HRC noted that the freedom of expression includes the right to express and receive communications of every form that is capable of transmission.[33] As regards to legitimate restrictions to the right, it may only be restricted for the protection of the rights or reputations of others, of national security or public order, or of public health or morals.[34] Further, restrictions must fulfill three cumulative requirements to be legitimate (also referred to as the three-part test): 1) They must be “provided by law” meaning they have to be formulated with sufficient precision so as to allow individuals to regulate their conduct;[35] 2) be “necessary” for a legitimate purpose;[36] and 3) be “proportionate” to the interest they serve to protect.[37] 5. ANALYSIS A. The Facilitation of Impunity for Arbitrary Raids, Arrests and Detentions Part of the SAC’s tactic to stifle dissent in efforts to assert total control over the country has been to arbitrarily arrest and detain people suspected of being in opposition to its rule by encroaching on privacy. Security forces have been arbitrarily arresting and detaining people after finding any shred of evidence considered to be offensive to the junta through arbitrary inspections of mobile phones. Further, security forces without warrants have been entering into homes and offices to arrest and detain people aligned with the anti-coup movement such as protestors, members of the opposition party, healthcare workers, and lawyers.[38] The SAC has even gone so far as to arbitrarily arrest and detain children. As of March 22, Save The Children alone reported that it had responded to a total of 146 cases of child arrests and detentions, of which 17 are still in detention.[39] Meanwhile, UNICEF reported on March 4 that its partners estimated that since the coup more than “500 children have been arbitrarily detained. Many of those arrested or detained are being held incommunicado.”[40] To evade arrest and detention by security forces, those aligned with the anti-coup movement including protestors, activists, and members of the Civil Disobedience Movement, have sought refuge in the homes of relatives, friends, and other local residents.[41] Security forces, however, have issued threats against residents warning that they too would be arrested if found harboring those they deem as fugitives.[42] Recent reports indicate that security forces have resorted to arresting and detaining family members and friends of those they sought to arrest but were unable to locate during raids, effectively taking hostages.[43] Former detainees have reported being tortured by security forces. Accounts of torture include beatings, being placed in stress positions, and even mock burials.[44] Some detainees were even tortured to death.[45] Further, reports indicate that security forces use sexual and gender-based violence as a form of torture.[46] In one account, security forces stripped naked a transgender woman and raped her by penetrating her with a bottle.[47] These acts of torture, raids, and arbitrary arrests and detentions are accompanied by the SAC’s enactments of the Fourth Amendment of the Ward or Village Tract Administration Law and the Amendment of Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of Citizens. The contents in the provisions suggest that the SAC issued the amendments to enable its security forces to conduct raids as well as to arbitrarily arrest and detain anyone with impunity, as illegitimate as these “laws” may be. At the same time, these amendments contravene Myanmar’s international legal obligations under treaty law protecting children against the arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence; and under customary international law protecting against arbitrary arrest and detention. These amendments are also incompatible with the same principles in the AHRD and UDHR. i. Section 17 of the Fourth Amendment of the Ward or Village-Tract Administration Law violates Myanmar’s obligations under the CRC and are incompatible with the UDHR and AHRD The SAC’s amendment of section 17 of the Fourth Amendment of the Ward or Village-Tract Administration Law requiring the registration of overnight guests, violates Myanmar’s obligations under article 16 of the CRC. The enforcement of the amended section 17 against children constitutes an “arbitrary interference” of their privacy, family or home under article 16 (1) of the CRC.[48] The Human Rights Committee’s interpretation of the meaning of “arbitrary interference” in article 17 (1) of the ICCPR is relevant to Myanmar’s violation of article 16 since article 16 (1) of the CRC protects the same rights as that of article 17 (1) of the ICCPR,[49] ­ the difference being that article 16 (1) focuses specifically on children. In particular, it states that the meaning of “arbitrary interference” includes laws that counter “the provisions, aims and objectives” of the protections afforded to a person’s privacy, family or home.[50] It follows then that the amended section 17 amounts to an “arbitrary interference” within the meaning of article 16 (1). Further, amended section 17 –– permitting such sweeping and arbitrary encroachment on the prohibition against arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence –– contradicts article 16 (2) which guarantees that children have “the right to the protection of the law against such interference.”[51] Moreover, the amendments are incompatible with the principles enshrined in article 12 of the UDHR, as well as article 21 of the AHRD. Containing a similar provision to article 12 of the UDHR,[52] article 21 of the AHRD states “every person has the right to be free from arbitrary interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence.”[53] ii. Suspension of sections 5 and 8 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of the Citizens contravenes prohibition against arbitrary interference with the right to privacy, family, home or correspondence The SAC’s suspension of sections 5 and 8 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of the Citizens[54] contravenes Myanmar’s non-derogable obligations[55] under the CRC to “respect and ensure” rights,[56] including article 16, are applied to every child within its jurisdiction by adopting all appropriate measures; and by placing the best interest of the child as a primary consideration in all matters.[57] Further, the amendments violate article 16 (1)’s prohibition of arbitrary interference with the child’s “privacy, family, home or correspondence, [and] to unlawful attacks on his or her honor and reputation”,[58] as it permits authorities to interfere, without a warrant, in virtually all aspects of the private lives of any citizen. At the same time, it is incompatible with article 16 (2) as it denies children within its jurisdiction of their right to protection from arbitrary interference with, or attacks on their rights enshrined in article 16 (1).[59] In a similar vein, the suspension of sections 5 and 8 are inconsistent with the principles in article 12 of the UDHR and article 21 of the AHRD, which declared that every person within its jurisdiction has the right to be free from arbitrary interference with their privacy, home, or correspondence,[60] including personal data.[61] iii. Suspension of section 7 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of the Citizens contravenes the prohibition against the arbitrary deprivation of liberty under customary international law The SAC’s suspension of section 7 enables security forces to arbitrarily arrest and indefinitely detain[62] individuals it considers as threats to its rule, including opposition political leaders, anti-coup protestors, and human rights defenders. It breaches Myanmar’s obligations under customary international law prohibiting the arbitrary arrest and detention of any individual and under any circumstances,[63] which includes laws that authorize “automatic and indefinite detention without any standards or review.”[64] B. The Infringement on the Enjoyment of the Right to the Freedom of Expression The digital space has been a platform for the people of Myanmar ­­to organize themselves domestically and to mobilize international support against the coup. Equally, it serves as a medium for journalists, citizen journalists, and other activists to criticize the SAC, as well as to document and expose human rights violations perpetrated by security forces. The SAC’s response, particularly in the early months of the coup, was to restrict access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as to enforce regular nationwide internet blackouts.[65] Part of its strategy to stifle dissent has also been through the amendment to section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, as well as the amendment to the ETL. The amended provisions curtail the enjoyment of the right to free expression by criminalizing an array of conduct under, inter alia, dubious pretexts of national security and public order which are incompatible with the standards required to constitute permissible restrictions to the freedom of expression under international human rights standards. i. Section 505 (a) fails the “necessity” test making it an illegitimate form of restriction to the freedom of expression Section 505 (a): Imposes a prison term of a maximum of 3 years, or a fine, or both on any person that: (i) causes or intends to cause “a member of the Defence Service or any civil servant” to disobey or to be disloyal to the government by hindering or damaging their motivation, discipline or health; or (ii) causes or intends to cause “fear to a group of citizens or to the public”; or (iii) intends to spread or spreads “fake news when knowing or believing that the news is false”; or (iv) commits or intends to commit a criminal offence against a member of the civil service.”[66] The SAC’s use of section 505 (a) to prosecute individuals and to sue news agencies who have reported on the coup and exposed human rights violations[67] is incompatible with legitimate restrictions to the freedom of expression. Under international human rights law, restrictions to free expression must be “necessary” for the protection of the “rights and reputation of others”, or protection of “national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.”[68] Contrary to this standard, the SAC has been regularly prosecuting journalists for reporting on the facts of the coup.[69] Additionally, it has also charged and prosecuted ordinary citizens voicing their opposition to the coup on social media, celebrities supporting anti-coup protests, as well as youths involved with the anti-coup movement.[70] ii. The ETL amendments fail the “provided by law” and “proportionality” tests to constitute permissible restrictions Section 38 (b): “Any person, if convicted of obtaining, disclosing, using, destroying, modifying, disseminating or sending personal data of a person to another without approval, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 1 to 3 years […].”[71] Even supposing that the purpose of section 38 (b) is for the protection of privacy, the language is overbroad such that it is incompatible with the principle of proportionality which requires that restrictions be the least intrusive of measures to prevent jeopardizing the exercise of the right to the freedom of expression.[72] Under the amendments, “personal data” is defined as any information associated with a person.[73] In turn, the formulation of the amendment could impose criminal sanctions on anyone who, for instance, discloses or sends information on individuals responsible for human rights violations to international criminal or human rights investigative organizations. Under human rights standards, restrictions to free expression “may never be invoked as a justification for the muzzling of any advocacy of multi-party democracy, democratic tenets and human rights.”[74] Section 38 (c): “Any person who is convicted of creating misinformation and disinformation with the intent of causing public panic, loss of trust or social division on cyberspace shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 1 to 3 years […].”[75] The vague and undefined terms, “misinformation and disinformation” and “public panic, loss of trust or social division”, are incompatible with the meaning of “law” under human rights standards. Restrictions must be formulated with sufficient precision such that individuals are able to regulate the content that they produce and publish in the digital space.[76] The current formulation would allow authorities “unfettered discretion”[77] in using the law to retaliate against journalists, activists and academics who expose the SAC’s human rights violations.[78] Section 38 (d): “Any person who is convicted of [cybercrimes] such as preventing or making it difficult to access a cyber resource; or attempting to hack into a cyber source without permission; or using more than permitted; and inserting or installing dangerous malware with the intent to hurt someone; [or] with an intent to threaten or disturb national sovereignty, security, peace and stability, rule of law, and national solidarity, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 2 to 5 years […].”[79] Section 38 (e): “Any person who commits acts of cyber-attack on cyber resources which have been kept confidential for reasons of national or international security, such as attempting to access without authorization into or hacking into such cyber resources, with the intent to deteriorate the relationship between the country and other foreign countries, or on behalf of the interest of a foreign country, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years […].”[80] The provisions in section 38 (d) and section 38 (e) criminalize a wide range of conduct in the digital space by employing justifications of “national sovereignty, security, peace and stability, rule of law, national solidarity”, as well as the protection and preservation of Myanmar’s foreign relations.[81] Chiefly, these imprecise and overbroad exceptions under the pretext of national security are in non-conformity with human rights standards requiring that restrictions be “provided by law”[82] and be “proportionate”.[83] In turn, these “amorphous” notions of national security serve as a weapon for the SAC to curtail the enjoyment of legitimate free expression.[84] For instance, it is unclear what types of conduct section 38 (d) covers when it criminalizes “preventing or making it difficult to access a cyber resource […] or using more than permitted”[85] under the pretext of national security. Free Expression Myanmar has suggested that the provision could be used to prosecute journalists and activists for using a VPN to bypass the SAC’s internet restrictions or for using encryption when working to expose and report on the SAC’s human rights violations.[86] 6. RECOMMENDATIONS The grim reality is that unless the SAC steps down from power it will continue to perpetrate atrocities against the people of Myanmar and oppress the country with these illegitimate “laws”. This reality signifies the need for relevant actors to stand with the people of Myanmar in their resistance to the SAC. To this end, we have identified measures that ASEAN, the National Unity Government, and states can take to validate the human rights of the people of Myanmar through the international human rights protection regime. Recommendation to ASEAN: In addition to pursuing the Five-Point Consensus,[87] member states in their engagements with the SAC must make the promotion and protection of human rights provided for in the AHRD a central part of their diplomatic efforts. Notwithstanding the non-binding nature of the AHRD, the enshrined principles including those identified here are minimum human rights standards afforded to the people of Myanmar that member states have a stake in promoting and protecting should the AHRD be recognized as a credible regional human rights instrument. Recommendations to the National Unity Government: Declare that the SAC’s amendments following the events of February 1 are null and void as a matter of domestic law. As an illegal entity under Myanmar’s constitution, the SAC is unauthorized to amend or enact laws. At the same time, the SAC’s “laws” contravene Myanmar’s human rights obligations under treaty law and customary international law. Commit to ratifying the outstanding international human rights treaties beginning with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Commit to ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as a first step to pursuing accountability for past and present alleged international crimes including crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes. Recommendation to states: Adhere to the principle of non-refoulement under international law. Meaning that anyone who faces a real risk of being arbitrarily detained, tortured, or murdered by the SAC should not be involuntarily returned, expelled, or extradited to Myanmar..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-07-30
Date of entry/update: 2021-07-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) stands firmly for human rights and is concerned by the news of 25 men found killed in Waw Lay, Ka Nae Lay area, Kaw T’ree Township, Dooplaya District in June 2021. In interviews with The Irrawaddy and Karen Information Center (KIC), the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) justified the killings, claiming that these men were spies working for the military junta, and adding: “we have had to do what we are supposed to do as we are fighting a war.” KHRG strongly condemns this mass killing. Extrajudicial executions constitute “willful killings” and are thus in serious violation of the Geneva Conventions, specifically Common Article 3, which addresses non-international armed conflict, and which the KNU has formally committed to abiding by. Also, under the International Human Rights Law, the prohibition of the arbitrary deprivation of life, the right to humane treatment, and the right to a fair trial applies to everyone including those alleged to be spies. KHRG welcomes the announcement by the Karen National Union (KNU) of a full investigation into this incident. Given KNDO is an armed wing of the KNU, KNU has a responsibility to conduct an impartial investigation. KHRG will watch for the results of the KNU’s investigation into this case and calls on the KNU to hold accountable those found to be responsible for this crime and to take appropriate judicial action against the perpetrators. KHRG is committed to the defense of human rights and the need to end impunity for violations, regardless of who the perpetrators may be. KHRG calls for accountability for all human rights violations and abuses committed by any actor during the present military coup and under past regimes..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-07-22
Date of entry/update: 2021-07-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Today, World Refugee Day, KHRG is calling on the international community and relevant stakeholders to stand for the protection and survival of the 71.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) around the world who have been uprooted from their homes and ancestral lands. Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, there has been a sharp increase of political instability and civil war resulting in the forcible displacement of local ethnic communities and they are in the emergency need of humanitarian support. However, the State Administration Council (SAC) has been ignoring requests for needed humanitarian support for the local ethnic communities who are fleeing from armed conflict. In addition, we have seen that the SAC is blocking access to humanitarian support and destroying humanitarian aid meant for the displaced communities. This is a violation of international humanitarian law. Due to the increase in political instability and the intensification of hostilities, IDPs and refugees are unable to return to their places of origin in southeast Myanmar. They fear that if they return to their homes their safety would be threatened by the ongoing hostilities in southeast Myanmar; the Tatmadaw' s indiscriminate shelling and bombings of villages; landmine contamination; ongoing militarization; political instability; and the risk of abuse by the Tatmadaw, Border Guard Forces (BGFs) and some Ethnic Armed Organizations. Their main concerns are safety, access to land, and loss of livelihood. In addition to the political instability and civil war in Myanmar, the COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of insecurity in the already deteriorating human rights and humanitarian crisis. In our recent report Left Behind we found that the country’s COVID-19 response and support infrastructure collapsed after the military coup. In order to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and IDPs to their places of origin, KHRG recommends the following: • The international community, including the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, and ASEAN must strongly pressure the SAC to stop attacking civilian areas, and unarmed civilians. • Neighboring countries of Myanmar must protect the people fleeing from Myanmar and provide them with security and humanitarian aid. • SAC must stop the interruption and blockade of humanitarian aid to IDPs and others affected by the conflict. • SAC must allow stakeholders supporting communities affected the COVID-19 pandemic to operate freely. SAC must also resume the COVID-19 response and support operations. • The international community must recognize the actors providing humanitarian aid in ethnic areas and must collaborate with and support them..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-06-20
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Today is International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The term “conflict-related sexual violence” refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict. The term also encompasses trafficking in persons when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation. Sexual violence is often used deliberately as a weapon in armed conflicts; this holds true for the conflict in Myanmar. In the decades-long conflict with the Karen National Union, the Tatmadaw has allowed its soldiers to commit sexual violence on civilians with impunity. Between January 2012 and November 2018, KHRG received 52 reports covering 27 cases of sexual violence, including seven cases in 2018 alone.1 KHRG still receives reports of sexual violence cases as recent as 2019.2 Since the military coup on February 1, women and girls throughout the country are even more vulnerable to sexual violence. Women and girls have been subjected to sexual violence and other forms of gendered harassment while being held in detention facilities. In particular, sexual violence has been used by security forces, including members of the military, police and prison guard, when interrogating women and girls.3 The practice of impunity by the Tatmadaw is what has allowed such widespread sexual violence to occur. Perpetrators are rarely, if ever, held accountable for their crimes which encourages further violations in the future. Most victims of conflict-related sexual violence still have not received justice and, in many cases, have not even had the chance to report on, or speak about what happened to them. Sexual violence survivors should be given the opportunity to speak out, to receive remedy which includes physical and mental health support, and the means to reintegrate into society without any prejudice or discrimination. KHRG urges ethnic organizations to help the survivors receive the kind of support listed above. The international community, including organizations with a mandate to investigate and/or to prosecute international crimes, must ensure that perpetrators in the past, present and future, are held accountable for their crimes without any excuses. States must also place pressure on the Tatmadaw to stop the perpetration of sexual violence and ensure accountability within their ranks. Failing to address and investigate abuses will only prove that the military and other security forces can continue to commit sexual violence with impunity..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-06-19
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "1. Indiscriminate shelling by SAC forces in Bilin Township:On April 4th 2021, Border Guard Force (BGF)[2] [and State Administration Council - SAC] soldiers[3] [from Lay Kay SAC army camp] indiscriminately fired mortar rounds at Lay Kay village, Lay Kay village, P’Ya Raw village tract,[4] Bilin Township, destroying one farm hut belonging to a local villager. Fortunately, the owner was not inside the hut on the night of the incident. [Another civilian building was also damaged.].....2. Fighting breaks out during a protest in support of the NUG in Thaton Township: On April 23rd 2021, at around 8 am, fighting broke out between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[5] and an unknown SAC unit from Thaton army camp. The incident happened on the highway between Thaton town and Yangon town, beside Kaung Kyet shop, Thaton Town, Thaton Township. On that day, local civilians were holding a protest in support of the National Unity Government (NUG)[6] under the protection of KNLA soldiers. However, fighting broke out after SAC soldiers arrived at the protest location.....3. Indiscriminate shelling by SAC forces in Bilin Township: On April 23rd 2021, the SAC Artillery Unit #314 based in Htee Hpoe Nya Lee Hkee army camp, near Kyaw T’Raw village, Shway Yaw Pya village tract, Bilin Township indiscriminately fired mortar rounds at nearby villages such as Ma Yan Gone, Mi Chyaung Aaing and Htee Nya Paw, among others. Since April 23rd 2021, Artillery Unit #314 has been regularly firing artillery rounds at local communities, especially those located in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU).[7] These rounds are bigger and have a longer range than 120mm mortar rounds. The platform they are fired from must be moved by truck. The SAC artillery rounds landed in villages such as T’Rer Hkee, T’Rer Wah, Yo Poe and Htee Poo Wah [among others], T’Rer Hkee village tract. As a result of the SAC indiscriminate shelling, one Ma Yan Gone villager, Saw[8] T---, sustained a shrapnel injury to his leg. Many plantations local villagers rely on for their livelihoods have also been damaged, and no compensation was provided to their owners. Moreover, about 3,000 villagers from the areas affected have been fleeing their villages since April 27th. The only villagers who still remain in the area [hiding in the forest near their villages] are the villagers who do not have relatives in towns or in other places.....4. Villager killed in crossfire after being forced to transport SAC soldiers: On April 23rd 2021, an unidentified villager from Myaink Teh Su section, Kyeik Kaw Thein Seik town, died during a skirmish between the KNLA and SAC Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[9] #406, Military Operations Command (MOC)[10] #8 [under the authority of Battalion Commander Kyaw Yaw Hla] beside the vehicle road near Chaw Bee Na and Kaw Ler villages, Kaw Ler village tract, Thaton Township. Before the incident, the victim was delivering bricks to Noh Htoe Day village, Maw Lay village tract. He encountered SAC LIB #406 soldiers from T’La Aww Poe Klah army camp on his way back from Noh Htoe Day village. The soldiers forced him to stop and to take them on his truck to an unknown location, so he could not refuse this order. Unfortunately, [the truck was ambushed by] KNLA [soldiers] along the way. The driver was killed during the ensuing skirmish. Some SAC soldiers were also killed, and others got injured. Local villagers think that these LIB #406 soldiers were on their way to help the SAC troops involved in the fighting in Thaton town [see Section 2].....5. BGF activities in Bilin Township: Most of the SAC military operations between Ta Paw army camp, Ta Paw village tract and Lay Kay army camps, P’Ya Raw village tract, Bilin Township are conducted by the BGF. [According to information received by KHRG, BGF soldiers make up around 90% of the SAC forces in the area.] Between April 27th and May 3rd 2021, BGF Battalion #1014 led by Bo[11] Tin Way and Battalion Commander Bo Maung Chit sent about 200 soldiers to Doo Tha Htoo District. Local villagers do not know where these soldiers are from and they claim that they were sent to relieve the troops based in Ta Paw and Lay Kay army camps. On April 29th 2021, fighting between the KNLA and BGF broke out when these BGF soldiers arrived at Baw Ta Pro village. The soldiers then crossed the Baw Naw Kloe River at Ha Ta Reh Place[12] and headed towards Ta Paw army camp, Ta Paw village tract, Bilin Township. They reached the camp on May 1st 2021. While staying at the camp, the BGF indiscriminately fired mortar rounds at nearby villages, destroying one farm hut belonging to a Ta Paw villager on May 1st 2021. The BGF troops spent the night at the camp before continuing their journey towards Lay Kay army camp on May 2nd. They always fired mortar rounds indiscriminately when arriving and leaving their camps to clear the road [and surrounding areas of KNLA soldiers]. On May 3rd and 4th 2021, the BGF in Lay Kay army camp fired mortar rounds at nearby villages. At least five of these rounds did not explode. One house was damaged and one villager sustained injuries as a result of the shelling. In addition, Saw Z---, a Lay Kay villager, also sustained a shrapnel injury on May 3rd and his car’s windows were damaged. In the afternoon of May 3rd 2021, BGF soldiers ordered Lay Kay villagers to provide four trucks for their soldiers’ return to Ta Paw army camp, but the villagers could only provide three trucks. [The truck owners had to drive the BGF soldiers back to Ta Paw army camp.] KHRG does not know whether these villagers received payment. Even though the truck owners were afraid and did not feel safe, they had to take the soldiers back to their camp nonetheless. Local civilians do not know where the BGF troops went after that. Some BGF soldiers who used to be based in Lay Kay army camp remained there after the new troops arrived, so villagers assume that the BGF sent reinforcements instead of just relieving their troops this time. According to a KHRG researcher, several skirmishes broke out while the BGF was sending more soldiers to relieve its troops based in the area because local villagers could hear gunfire every day. However, the KHRG researcher and local villagers could not tell whether it was the sound of fighting or indiscriminate shelling. The fighting paused after the BGF troops [that were relieved] returned to their area of origin in early May 2021. However, fighting is still on-going along the border between District 5 [Mu Traw] and District 1 [Doo Tha Htoo]. Moreover, from April 27th to May 18th 2021, SAC helicopters also conducted a couple of reconnaissance missions over Bilin and Thaton townships..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-6-18
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: "Civil Disobedience Movement: In early March, we learned that people involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)[2] were fleeing to Dooplaya District to escape from the SAC military’s[3] torture and killing. Many people who joined the CDM came to these townships. They are teachers and doctors. They have to flee because SAC soldiers are trying to arrest them and kill them. They fled to the Karen revolutionary areas [to the areas controlled by the Karen National Union - KNU].[4] More and more people involved in the CDM are coming every day. As of March 7th 2021, 1,310 government staff involved in the CDM had sought refuge in the KNU areas of Dooplaya District. They are from Ayeyarwady Region, Kawkareik, Mawlamyine and Hpa-an. They used to work for the following agencies: Ministry of Health and Sports, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Internal Affairs (Myanmar Police Force, Fire Service Department), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement, Ministry of Defence (SAC military), Ministry of Justice, and Myanmar Economic Bank. There are also municipal employees, Township-level staff and village administrators [General Administration Department]. [There could be even more people involved in the CDM in KNU areas]. Some name lists have not been sent [by local administrators] to the [KNU] Township and District [authorities] yet [local authorities must report new arrivals of people involved in the CDM to the KNU]. Some of them [people involved in the CDM] are hiding in villages and the village heads have not sent their names yet [to the KNU authorities]. We are not sure whether more people involved in the CDM will come to our areas.....Military activity: The SAC military cut down bamboo in A--- village, Pone Yay village tract,[5] Kaw T’Ree Township to strengthen their army camp [KHRG was not able to establish the exact date]. The local villagers told them that SAC soldiers were not allowed to trespass into the restricted areas.[6] [The soldiers did not threaten or do anything to the local villagers but they did not listen to them and trespassed anyway]. Their commanding officer was Aung Zaw Lin, a deputy company commander from Infantry Battalion (IB)[7] #13, Column #1. The SAC military is stepping up its activities in the local areas. Since the military coup,[8] the local villagers have been seeing more SAC soldiers in the jungle or bushes around the villages, including in Kheh Hkoh [a place where villagers go to collect T’La Aw leaves], between B--- and C--- villages, Kyauk Hkee village tract, Kawkareik Township. Therefore, the local villagers are now afraid to go and collect Ta La Aw leaves. Since the protests against the military coup started, it has not been easy for patients to go to the hospital [because healthcare staff is participating in the CDM]. They have to buy medicine from outside [at the pharmacy]. One of the children from D--- village, Waw Loo village tract, Kaw T’Ree Township had a motorbike accident. He was sent to the hospital, but there was no one to look after him, give him medicine and clean his wounds. [KHRG was not able to establish the exact date of this incident]. The students who attend Myanmar government schools could not go to school this year. Since the first wave of Covid-19, they have to work instead. However, Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD)[9] schools are still open. Local villagers/civilians are concerned that fighting [between the SAC military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[10]] might break out. They have to live in fear now. Some of them are getting ready and storing food such as rice because they worry the situation might go back to what it was the past [before the 2012 preliminary ceasefire].[11] We realised that the SAC military had been stepping up its activities since March 7th 2021. They patrol at night, but we are not sure whether they are trying to find and arrest people who joined the protests; or if they are trying to find KNLA soldiers and shoot them. It creates concerns among local villagers. The SAC military also sent drones to KNU-controlled areas. SAC soldiers are now checking people on the main roads. They check people who go to Seikkyi Town, and sometimes they even check their phones. This is not happening every day, but they conduct surprise checks. On March 19th 2021 at midnight, SAC soldiers from IB #32 shot at a group of Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA)[12] soldiers in Kyainseikgyi Town. The DKBA soldiers were in the streets after 9 pm despite the curfew. They [SAC soldiers] could not kill any of them but they arrested one of them. We do not know what they did to him. The SAC military declared a curfew. No one can go out after 9 pm since March [but not everyone knows about the curfew]. These are just some of the SAC military activities this month [in March].....Anti-coup protests : In reaction to the military coup, protests were organised and held in every township of Dooplaya District. The demands of the protesters are: 1) Restore democracy; 2) Abolish the military dictatorship; 3) Free the detained people; 4) Abolish the 2008 constitution; 5) Establish a federal Union; 6) We do not want influential nationalism [Burmanisation]; and 7) All ethnic groups should be united. On March 9th 2021, around 500 villagers from Thay Baw Boe, Maw Hkee and Su Klee village tracts, Kawkareik Township planned to hold a protest against the military coup in Myawaddy. However, they were stopped by DKBA and SAC soldiers on their way [to the city], so they could not hold the protest in Myawaddy. On the same day, local villagers from Aw Hpa Hpa Doh village tract, Kawkareik Township held a protest against the military on the Asia highway. The local villagers from Kawkareik Township and Kruh Tuh Township held a protest on March 22nd 2021, and they plan to hold more protests in the future. They are going to hold protests in each of those townships on March 25th 2021. We heard that the SAC soldiers do not want the local villagers to hold protests. Therefore, we do not know what the situation will be on the days of the protests and we will have to monitor it. There are ongoing protests against the military because the local villagers are against military rule..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-06-18
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
Size: 449.85 KB
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Description: "Introduction: From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were concerns about what would happen in Myanmar, given its extremely weak health infrastructure, its long history of conflict and political instability, and its large impoverished and at-risk population. The low spread of the virus in Myanmar through the first half of 2020 however led some to believe that the Myanmar government was getting it right. The World Health Organisation’s country representative in Myanmar boasted in July 2020 that “Myanmar has done extraordinarily well so far”. He cited Myanmar’s “whole-of-government” approach, adding: “So the country has really gone all out to strengthen the public health side and preparedness and response, which has been critically important to try and make sure we have as few cases as possible in Myanmar.” Although the Myanmar government’s COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (entitled “Overcoming as One”) made claims about being a coordinated action “leaving no-one behind”, many of the positive actions of the government have not reached the entire population. Aid and support have remained insufficient in most rural areas, like that of Southeast Myanmar, which is largely populated by ethnic minorities who are already vulnerable due to protracted and on-going conflict, displacement, and ethnic oppression by the central government. Thus Myanmar’s “success” should and can only be gauged through a closer look at COVID-19 response and impact in rural ethnic areas. Very early on in the pandemic, despite the relatively slow spread of the virus, political fractures and infrastructure weaknesses due to Myanmar’s long and on-going history of conflict could be seen not simply in the government’s response, but that of other stakeholders, like Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), locally based civil society organisations, and NGO/INGOs. In a brief report on the situation in Southeast Myanmar during the first wave of the pandemic, KHRG noted the poor coordination and collaboration between stakeholders and the delayed and uneven response to the crisis. KHRG argued that “the lack of coordination between political stakeholders has meant that villagers and local leaders have struggled to obtain information and consistent training and regulations, and has left too much of the responsibility of figuring out what to do in the hands of those who lack information and resources to effectively organise awareness and prevention”. Not only did this poor coordination result in the forced removal of screening checkpoints by the Tatmadaw, KHRG also found the rise of conflict and tension between villages, increasingly critical challenges to livelihood, as well as the breakdown of local systems of mutual aid. Given the early indications that COVID-19 response and support were failing in some of the most vulnerable areas in Southeast Myanmar, KHRG continued to monitor the situation to more fully assess the structural weaknesses and barriers that might lead to crisis as the pandemic entered a second wave of outbreaks beginning in August 2020. Increased threats of infection in rural areas did in some cases lead to new efforts at awareness and prevention, but in general sparked heightened restrictions by both the Myanmar government and the Karen National Union (KNU). Thus rather than working to increase individual knowledge and responsibility on the part of villagers, most measures ended up being in the form of broad restrictions like travel bans and school closures that have had significant negative impact on villagers’ lives. These restrictions also seemed to be matched by a reduction in the range of stakeholders providing services and aid. Although the government has provided small amounts of financial and material assistance to households in need, villagers living in KNU-controlled and some mixed control areas have been excluded, leaving local authorities and CSO/CBOs to figure out solutions to support these communities. Most rural areas in Southeast Myanmar have not (yet) experienced widespread local transmission of the virus, and thus impacts have been more clearly tied to restrictions and prevention measures as opposed to the full-on health crisis seen elsewhere. But because of the already extremely vulnerable situation of many rural communities, the livelihood impacts are themselves at risk of creating a humanitarian crisis. The poor handling thus far of information and prevention, as well as of testing and treatment, may also have wider implications if outbreaks start occurring in the more remote areas. On February 1st 2021, the Myanmar military seized power by staging a coup against the newly elected government. Although this report focuses on the situation prior to the coup, the infrastructure and services (albeit insufficient) that the central government, EAOs and other stakeholders have put in place over the past year are in the process of being dismantled. Public healthcare services in some areas have come to a halt, and there have been major disruptions to communication, transportation, supply chains, and banking services. COVID-19 testing has been largely reduced, with little reporting now taking place. Any plans for widespread vaccination seem to have been entirely interrupted. If rural areas of Southeast Myanmar have not yet faced widespread problems of infection, all of this is likely to change. As local doctors have pointed out: “Since the military takeover, the COVID-19 response has stalled. Mass public rallies and protests are both serving a critical function for resistance and unity, but also as likely superspreader events for virus transmission. Without adequate testing, public compliance and goodwill for isolation, access to acute clinical care, and continued immunisations, the implications for COVID-19 spread, morbidity, and mortality are substantial.” Thus, there is need more than ever to find solutions to bring support and aid to rural villagers, whose situation has already deteriorated and become more precarious over the past year. With the military now in control, there is even less likelihood that support and services will reach rural ethnic communities. Although this report covers the period prior to the coup, and describes an infrastructure that may now barely exist, the problems created by COVID-19 and the government’s response have not disappeared, and will need to be addressed. Furthermore, the underlying political dynamics that impede the development of a support infrastructure capable of addressing the needs of rural ethnic minorities continue to play out. The report thus begins by providing a brief overview of the political dynamics that have shaped access to services and COVID-19 response. Followed by that is a discussion of COVID-19 reporting and testing, and the prevention measures that have been put in place to address the rise in COVID-19 cases. The discussion then turns to impacts on livelihood, access to different forms of support, and the situation of healthcare and education..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group
2021-05-27
Date of entry/update: 2021-05-28
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
Size: 1.37 MB (55 pages)
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Description: "Today, at the Myanmar Press Freedom Center in Yangon, the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) launched its latest report, ‘Beyond the Horizon: Local Perspectives on Peace, Justice and Accountability in Southeast Myanmar’. This report explores the issue of transitional justice by examining the legacy of past human rights violations and the current human rights situation in Southeast Burma/Myanmar, as well as the perspectives of 95 local villagers on the peace process and access to justice. In 2015, the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement created possibilities for positive change after decades of conflict. However, the consequences of past abuses continue to impact the daily lives of local people, often combining with new forms of abuses to compound their economic marginalisation. As the peace process is now at a deadlock, it remains unclear to what extent it will be able to address these issues. Although most respondents reported that they now feel safer, problems persist. Traditional forms of abuses, such as killings, sexual and gender-based violence, physical abuse, forced labour and extortion still occur. In addition, the rights of rural Karen communities over natural resources and land are being totally disregarded. The Tatmadaw is also increasing its presence across the region, and skirmishes between armed actors undermine the local people’s trust in the peace process. Respondents reported that, during the pre-ceasefire period, they were often prevented from accessing justice by their rightful fear of armed actors, a lack of judicial independence and rule of law, and the absence of civilian jurisdiction over Tatmadaw abuses. In the current ceasefire period, villagers are also being denied justice because the parallel justice systems existing in Southeast Burma/Myanmar are inconsistent, lack resources and are plagued by corruption.
Source/publisher: "Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)" (Chiang Mai) via "Reliefweb" (USA)
2019-11-17
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 4.11 MB 3.5 MB 1.69 MB
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Topic: Rape or other sexual violence
Topic: Rape or other sexual violence
Description: "During the 2018 rainy season, Naw H--- was raped by a close male relative in A--- village, Ta Nay Hsah Township. He lured the victim into his hill farm and raped her in his hut. Naw H--- has an intellectual disability. She did not tell anyone about the rape, but the village leaders questioned her when she started showing signs of pregnancy. At first, she did not tell them who the true perpetrator was, but she ultimately accused her relative after giving birth to a child. The village leaders arrested and interrogated him on April 27th 2019. He admitted that he had raped Naw H---. Therefore, the village leaders subjected him to physical punishment, after which he was released. The perpetrator was not brought before a formal court of law. The victim received no compensation and still lives in the same village as the perpetrator. Currently, Naw H--- is staying with another close relative, and her child was adopted by someone living abroad..."
Source/publisher: "Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)"
2019-09-09
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
Size: 156.81 KB
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Description: "This Field Report analyses information collected by KHRG field researchers between January and June 2019. Reports received at a later stage but covering events that took place during that period were also taken into account. KHRG documented that the Tatmadaw[1] reinforced its presence all across the region, and supplied more weapons and ammunition to its army camps. It also trespassed into areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) to engage in contentious road constructions activities, resulting in several skirmishes with the Karen National Liberation Army in Hpapun and Nyaunglebin districts. This increase in militarisation and periodic fighting caused displacement and security concerns among the local population, and could be detrimental to the on-going peace process. Since March 11th 2019, the people using land that has been classified as vacant, fallow or virgin without an official land use permit can be charged with trespassing and face up to two years in prison under the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Management Law (VFV Law). Customary land owners were only given a six-month period to apply for a permit, and most failed to meet the deadline because of lack of awareness or difficult access to land registration services. Their lands can now legally be reallocated for other purposes by the government. This development further aggravated land tenure insecurity in Southeast Myanmar and now threatens the livelihoods of countless subsistence farmers..."
Source/publisher: "Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)"
2019-09-03
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Description: "This Field Report analyses information collected by KHRG field researchers between January and June 2019. Reports received at a later stage but covering events that took place during that period were also taken into account. KHRG documented that the Tatmadaw[1] reinforced its presence all across the region, and supplied more weapons and ammunition to its army camps. It also trespassed into areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) to engage in contentious road constructions activities, resulting in several skirmishes with the Karen National Liberation Army in Hpapun and Nyaunglebin districts. This increase in militarisation and periodic fighting caused displacement and security concerns among the local population, and could be detrimental to the on-going peace process. Since March 11th 2019, the people using land that has been classified as vacant, fallow or virgin without an official land use permit can be charged with trespassing and face up to two years in prison under the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Management Law (VFV Law). Customary land owners were only given a six-month period to apply for a permit, and most failed to meet the deadline because of lack of awareness or difficult access to land registration services. Their lands can now legally be reallocated for other purposes by the government. This development further aggravated land tenure insecurity in Southeast Myanmar and now threatens the livelihoods of countless subsistence farmers..."
Source/publisher: "Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)"
2019-09-03
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Sub-title: This Situation Update describes events that occurred in Win Yay, Kawkareik and Kyainseikgyi townships, Dooplaya District, between December 2018 and February 2019. These include human rights abuses such as school corporal punishment by a KECD teacher; thef
Description: "Access to the Karen Education and Culture Department’s (KECD)[3] education system has improved in Win Yay Township over the last few years, and most of the schools have started teaching Karen language already. However, some teachers don’t respect school hours or give heavy punishment to the students. In 2018, KECD primary school teacher Ma Tin Cho reportedly beat two students in H--- village, Kyainseikgyi Township, because they were not wearing Karen shirts. As a result, their parents stopped sending their children to this school, as one of them reported to KHRG: “Wewill send our children back toschool only when we can affordto buy them Karen shirts.” Therefore, they had to send their children to the closest Myanmar government school or to S--- village’s school, Chaung Hson village tract, Kyainseikgyi Township...On February 23rd and March 15th 2019, Tatmadaw soldiers came to the P--- resettlement site, Lay Wah Plo (Kyain Kyaung) village tract, Kyainseikgyi Township to check how many households and inhabitants there were in the village following the recent return of refugees from Thai camps. They also questioned locals about which organisations were operating there. That situation raised security concerns among returnees, as the Tatmadaw has a long history of perpetrating human rights violations against civilians in Southeast Myanmar.[5] The returnees also face livelihood difficulties. Since they were not given agricultural lands to work on, most are engaged in intermittent, casual work. They also do not feel safe because of there are have been some thefts in P---, and drug dealers also operate in the area..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-08-01
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-02
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 292.5 KB
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Topic: Arbitrary arrest and detention, Arbitrary taxation and demands, Food Security/Right to livelihood, Land Confiscation
Sub-title: In 2000, the Asia World Company [1] confiscated around 1,000 acres of local people's land in Ler Muh Lah Township, Mergui-Tavoy District, resulting in livelihood difficulties for local civilians. Some of the victims were also held captive and subjected to
Topic: Arbitrary arrest and detention, Arbitrary taxation and demands, Food Security/Right to livelihood, Land Confiscation
Description: "What have you experienced during these 60 years? Have you experienced any land problems, human rights violations, or other issues? We lived a normal life here in the village and the Tatmadaw [forced us] to relocate and live near the road in 1976 and 1977. It was not easy to secure our livelihood there. Therefore, we came back and lived together here in the village. Then we built houses and other buildings step by step to rebuild our village. In 1976 and 1977, we were blessed as no one was killed. Now, some of us are working on plantations and some are working on hill farms and plain farms. We heard that one company came into the village and confiscated the local people’s land. But we don’t know when it was. Do you know about that? Yes, it was the Asia World Company. They came in 2000 […] and planted palm oil trees in the local areas without telling us anything. We could not prioritise and concentrate on that issue because we had to work for our livelihood, and we didn’t know what to tell them or how to tell them. They planted in the whole area where our village lands were located. Sometimes, they even had arguments and problems with us. One year after they planted the [palm oil trees], their workers burned the lands and then attacked and threatened the local people and demanded money from them. I also experienced it myself. They said that I burned their plants and they arrested me and held me for over one week. They took me to their place and then asked me to give them between 30,000,000 kyats and 50,000,000 kyats (between USD [4] 19,852 and USD 33,086). I did not do anything wrong so I did not give them any money. Later on they released me and they also arrested my ten workers. It was really hard..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-07-31
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-02
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
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Topic: Compensation for abuse, Killing, Violent abuse
Topic: Compensation for abuse, Killing, Violent abuse
Description: "The incident happened on April 5th 2019 outside of W--- village, Win Yay Township, Dooplaya District, in a mixed control area. Around 3:30 AM, two Tatmadaw deserters from LIB #339 and LIB #275, Nyein Chan and Myint Wai, reached a local motorbike workshop located 15 minutes away from the village. When the owner refused to give them a motorbike, one of the soldiers shot him with his service rifle. The brother of the owner, who lived nearby, was also shot when he arrived at the scene. Then, the two deserters entered his house and shot a woman and children who were sleeping inside. They also shot the family members who tried to run away. In total, 7 persons were killed and one was injured. All the victims were from two local Muslim families. One of the family members, U F--- managed to escape. He ran to the village and reported the case to the village administrator, U H---, who immediately called the KNPF in Hpah Prah. When the KNPF reached the crime scene at around 3:50 AM, the perpetrators were already gone. They were later arrested by the KNPF, one at a KNLA checkpoint in Lut Shan and the other one outside W--- village, and handed over to the Tatmadaw. The Myanmar police from Three Pagodas Pass first banned the family from burying the dead bodies, presumably for investigation purposes. KNLA Battalion #16 ultimately allowed the family to proceed with the burials, as these should take place as soon as possible according to Islamic belief. The two deserters remain in military custody awaiting trial. Tatmadaw soldiers based in the area told KHRG that they are likely to face death penalty. However, local people do not know how the Tatmadaw is processing the case. Crimes committed by military personnel are handled by Myanmar’s military justice system. Proceedings of military courts are not public, which makes it difficult to obtain reliable information about pending cases.[2] Local people only found out about the killings in the next morning. Some of them were scared because they felt threatened by this incident. U H--- said that Tatmadaw soldiers from Strategic Operations Command’s (SOC) W--- military camp patrol every night around the village, which causes security concerns among civilians. He also said that weak leadership and management in the area contributed to this incident. He recommended to put an end to the mixed control system to fix these shortcomings, and advocated for the demilitarisation of the area: “We are minorities. We should only have one ruling system. The Tatmadaw should not stay next to the village anymore. We cannot predict whether this kind of incident will happen again. If something happens, it will be dangerous for us because the Tatmadaw established their camp close to the students [children have to travel in front of the camp to go to school] and to our religious land. This can cause additional concerns whenever innocent villagers are killed.” Operations Commander Soe Moe Kyaw from W--- SOC offered to give 5,000,000 kyats (USD 3267.17) to the victims’ family members in compensation, but U H--- said that they refused and asked for 10,000,000 kyats (USD 6534.35) per dead victim. As a result, no compensation was provided to the families for their deceased relatives. Daw P---, a woman who was injured during the incident, was admitted to hospital at her own expenses. She has now been discharged. A local interfaith organisation helped her with 1,000,000 kyats (USD 653.44). Commander Soe Moe Kyaw also gave her 1,000,000 kyats in compensation for her injury...."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2019-07-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Topic: Food Security/Right to livelihood, Forced Labour
Topic: Food Security/Right to livelihood, Forced Labour
Description: "The incident took place in March 2018 in K--- village, Meh Klaw village tract, Bu Tho Township, Mutraw (Hpapun) District. U L --- other people from K--- village were working as informal day labourers on a road construction project between Mah Htaw and Htee Tha Bluh Hta village tracts for the Min Bagan Company. The company started the project in January 2018 and hired local people to work on the road and bridge construction. The operation was part of a community development project planned by the government. The Min Bagan company ran out of funds for the road construction and halted the project in March 2018. After that, U Thein Zaw, a Min Bagan Company engineer, did not pay the day labourers in full. Instead, he kept the money for himself and repeatedly postponed the payment. The day labourers should have received between 5,500 kyats (USD 3.62) [4] and 6,000 kyats (USD 3.95) per day for men and between 4,000 kyats (USD 2.63) and 5,000 kyats (USD 3.29) for women, but eighteen of them are still waiting for their wages to be paid in full. Even though the company promised to pay them, it has not done so yet. In total, U Thein Zaw still owes 1,612,000 kyats (USD 1,060) to U L--- and the other day labourers. The day labourers depend on their wages to secure their livelihoods and provide for their family, as they do not own enough lands to live off subsistence farming. As a result of non-payment, they went into debt to buy food, which caused them economic difficulties and anxiety. Ma E---, one of the day labourers, expressed her feelings to KHRG: “I felt really angry because we didn’t have money to buy goods.” As they still had not received their money, the day labourers discussed with K--- village leaders possible ways of taking action. They drafted and signed a complaint letter to reclaim the rest of their wages from the company, which they sent to the Chief Minister of Kayin State, Nan Khin Htway Myint, on August 13th 2018. After the road construction project was halted, people from K--- village were only able to engage in intermittent, informal work. Since January 2019, they have been working as day labourers on a road construction project for the Sein Sin Kyel Company. They now receive their wages on time, which has allowed them to pay back their debts. The project they are working on should be completed in July 2019. In June 2019, when a KHRG researcher followed up the U L---, he explained that he could not even contact U Thein Zaw anymore. In addition, he said that the complaint letter they submitted to the Chief Minister of Kayin State remained unanswered..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-06-28
Date of entry/update: 2019-07-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 421.15 KB
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Description: "Back in 1995, the population of Y--- village was forced to relocate to O--- village because of the conflict. That year, more than ten community members were killed while serving as forced porters for the Tatmadaw, prompting the locals to flee the village. They displaced again to H--- village from 1996 to 2001, before going back to Y--- village in 2002. In 2004, the Tanintharyi A Lin Yaung Company, a rubber company, confiscated all the customary lands in Y--- village to plant rubber trees. They confiscated over 450 acres, two-thirds of which was covered in cash or subsistence crops and trees, and expelled the returnees from the village. No compensation was provided to the victims, none of which had an official land title. The local population did not want to leave, but they had to after the company threatened to call upon the Tatmadaw to oust them. The Tanintharyi A Lin Yaung Company is owned by U Aung Lin. He is the husband of Daw Yee Yee Cho, who is currently serving as a member of the Tanintharyi Region Hluttaw (Parliament) for the National League for Democracy. Both of them live in Tavoy (Dawei). The local population had to stay in the nearby L--- village from 2004 to 2010. In 2010, they relocated to A--- village and stayed there until 2017. In A--- village, they received humanitarian assistance from the Karen National Union (KNU) in the form of rice, yellow beans, oil and small solar panels. However, it was not enough to cover their daily needs so some of them had to work as day labourers. In 2014, they reported their case to the Karen Affairs Minister of Tanintharyi Region. At the end of 2017, the local Myanmar authorities returned 150 acres of land to the local people community to live on, mostly land on which rubber trees had been planted before. As a result, in 2017 and 2018, some families were able to return to Y--- village, while others moved to other places. About 36 households are now living in Y--- village, 187 people in total. Each household was given two acres of lands. They had to cut down the rubber trees and clear the land to build their houses. However, returnees do not have enough land to farm on to secure their livelihoods. Most of them cut bamboos to make mats, which they sell in order to buy rice. Some are engaged in intermittent, informal work for up to MMK 5,000 (US $3.29) a day. Because of a lack of farmlands, the living conditions of the local population are very poor. People in Y--- village face food shortages and do not have safe shelters. They do not have access to proper toilets and cannot afford to buy mosquito nets to protect themselves from diseases such as dengue or malaria. In addition, they do not have access to healthcare services. Access to water is also a problem because of the lack of wells. Locals mostly get water from the river, but its salt levels are sometimes too high for domestic use. Because there is no school, children cannot access education in the village, and have to travel long distances to study in neighbouring villages..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-06-03
Date of entry/update: 2019-07-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 567.12 KB
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Topic: Development project, Food Security/Right to livelihood, Indiscriminate firing of mortars / small arms, Injury, Internally Displaced Persons, Land Confiscation, Refugees, Right to education, Right to health
Topic: Development project, Food Security/Right to livelihood, Indiscriminate firing of mortars / small arms, Injury, Internally Displaced Persons, Land Confiscation, Refugees, Right to education, Right to health
Description: ""In the camp, food rations were reduced, and we no longer received bamboo or wood to fix our homes. We faced challenges for our family livelihoods and we had to sneak out of the camp to go collect wood and bamboo. This is why I decided to return to Myanmar.” Naw Y---, a recently repatriated refugee Between February 20th and 23rd 2019, more than 500 men, women and children from five refugee camps, including Karenni refugee camps, in Thailand, returned to Myanmar.[1] This third refugee repatriation process was facilitated by the Thai and Myanmar governments, the UNHCR, and other humanitarian aid organisations. To shed light on this process and understand how resettled refugees are adjusting to their new lives, KHRG conducted interviews with 13 repatriated refugees in Mae La Way Ler Moo (Mae La Hta)[2] and Lay Hpa Htaw[3] resettlement sites in March and April 2019. These refugees – six men and seven women – came from Nu Poe, Ban Don Yang (Thaw Pa) and Mae La (Beh Klaw) refugee camps. KHRG also interviewed three local leaders responsible for the resettlement sites from the Karen National Union (KNU) and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC). The testimonies of the recently repatriated refugees reveal a stark reality. The journey to their new homes was spent cramped in the back of dusty trucks, without enough food or water. A lack of basic social services, agricultural lands and income-generating opportunities awaited them on their arrival to resettlement sites. Resettled refugees are also concerned by the close proximity of Tatmadaw army camps to their new homes, and by the fact that the land surrounding resettlement sites is contaminated by unexploded ordnances (UXOs)..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-06-20
Date of entry/update: 2019-07-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 715.01 KB
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Description: "From February until early April 2019, intermittent confrontations between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA resulted in the displacement of at least 108 people in Kheh Der village tract. The fighting broke out because the Tatmadaw is undertaking controversial road construction works despite the objection of local communities and the KNU. Sporadic armed clashes leading to displacement In early February 2019, a Tatmadaw soldier was shot and injured in Muh Theh while he was building a road between the villages of Muh Theh and Pa Kaw Hta (Hkee). This incident occurred in a KNU-controlled area in Kheh Der village tract, Kyaukkyi Township, Nyaunglebin District. KHRG has not been able to confirm who fired at the soldier. Local people believe that he was shot because the Tatmadaw was engaged in road construction activities despite repeated objections from the local community and KNU leaders. On February 23rd 2019 around noon, a second Tatmadaw soldier was shot while he was operating a backhoe to build a road in Aee Thar Plaw [area], Kyaukkyi Township. In retaliation, the Tatmadaw fired two artillery shells and other weapons toward the area where they thought the shot came from. According to local people, no further fighting occurred that day. The shelling did not result in civilian casualties or property damage. Following this incident, the Tatmadaw sent reinforcements to provide security for the road construction. On March 27th 2019 at 7:00 AM, fighting broke out between the KNLA and Tatmadaw soldiers between Muh Theh and Pa Kaw Hta (Hkee), reportedly because the Tatmadaw trespassed into KNU territory in violation of an oral agreement with the KNLA. No casualties were reported. These clashes are a clear violation of section 5 (a) of the NCA, which states that the Tatmadaw and Ethnic Armed Organisations shall not engage in armed attacks in ceasefire areas. In addition, both the Tatmadaw and the KNLA failed to act with the necessary diligence to avoid this confrontation, as they should have under section 7 (a). On April 2nd, 2019, a first group of local people fled Pa Kaw Hta (Hkee). Because of the fighting that broke out, they did not feel safe staying in their village. They cleared new lands, preparing a space where the rest of the village could settle. On April 4th, 2019, more dismantled their houses to move to this new place, which is located a 30-minute walk from the village. In total, 108 people from 34 households have already moved there, and they now face livelihood difficulties and difficulties accessing water. They told KHRG that they fled to protect themselves from renewed fighting between the KNLA and the Tatmadaw. They did not feel safe staying in Pa Kaw Hta (Hkee) because their village was close to the road. Other community members from Kheh Der village tract are now worried that fighting between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA might recur, and have started preparing to flee their villages should the situation worsen..."
Source/publisher: Progressive Voice via "Karen Human Rights Group"
2019-04-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-05-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 835.54 KB
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Description: ''This Short Update describes a skirmish that took place between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA in February 2019. It took place after three incidents of Tatmadaw soldiers firing artillery shells indiscriminately into civilian villages. The local communities have fled into the forest, and are afraid to return to their homes and plantations. In the first week of February, the Tatmadaw transported soldiers and rations to bases in Lu Thaw Township. On February 1st, 60 Tatmadaw soldiers from LIB #593 were sent to military camps in Sha Law Kyoh area, Hkay Poo village tract. They are still present in the area. On February 4th, at 6 PM, Tatmadaw soldiers transported food rations to their camp in the Sho Kyoh Daw Hkoh area, Saw Muh Plaw village tract. At 7:30 PM, KNLA soldiers led by Bo Pa Leh and a local home guard from Company #1 ambushed two military trucks transporting rations. The KNU prohibits Tatmadaw soldiers from entering into areas under their control without receiving prior permission. This incident was one of a series of skirmishes that occurred between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA in early February in Hpapun District. On February 5th, 2019, Tatmadaw soldiers transported food rations to their temporary army camp in Shoh Hpoh Kyoh area and transported food rations and 216 soldiers to their army bases in Wah Klay Tuh area. The increase in military activities is worrying local communities in Lu Thaw Township, who fear that the increase in troop rotations and food rations could indicate a return to violent conflict. These skirmishes occurred just a few weeks after the Tatmadaw fired artillery shells into civilian villages in Lu Thaw Township...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-02-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-02-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: ''In 2016, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returned to their 11 villages in the lowland areas of Moo Township. They had been displaced since 1975, when they were forced to leave by Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion #48, commanded by Bo Min Thein. In 2012, the KNU and the Myanmar government signed a preliminary ceasefire agreement that provided for the right of IDPs to return to their lands. Community leaders went to IDP camps to establish how many of them would come back. However, fewer people returned than originally expected. Overall, only one-fourth of the IDPs went back to their lands. According to community leaders, this could be explained by the fact that returnees did not benefit from any kind of support, apart from the CIDKP digging wells and providing animal husbandry. In addition, there are no schools, hospitals and clinics in these areas. The closest clinic can only be reached through a bumpy road, and it is not easy to travel during the rainy season. Some IDPs are afraid to return because the Tatmadaw is still operating in the Hpapun area. Others also think that the political situation is not stable yet. Since their return, there are a lot of land dispute problems. Some returnees saw their livelihoods threatened when their family lands were usurped by richer villagers. These villagers took advantage of the fact that the rightful owners did not have official land ownership documents, and went to the Myanmar Land Administration Department to register the disputed lands in their names. The people who lost their lands are now experiencing serious economic difficulties, as they were deprived of their main source of income...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-01-30
Date of entry/update: 2019-02-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 319.07 KB
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Description: ''As the world observes the first International Day of Education, KHRG calls for urgent measures to be taken to ensure that all children in Myanmar can benefit from a free and high-quality education in their native language. Indeed, accessing education continues to be a challenge in rural areas of Southeast Myanmar. This situation contributes to the social and economic marginalisation of local people, further undermining the full enjoyment of their human rights and preventing them from stepping out of poverty. According to UNICEF, Myanmar has the second lowest youth literacy rate among ASEAN countries, which illustrates the failure of the government to meet its obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the country’s Constitution. Over the last years, the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement coupled with greater public investment have improved access to education in some parts of Southeast Myanmar. However, local children still lack comprehensive access to education materials and free, high-quality schools within a safe distance from their community. In parallel, educational fees and hidden costs further undermine the right to education for families facing livelihood and food security issues. Middle and high school education is particularly difficult to access due to higher fees and a lack of facilities in rural areas. Many villagers also remain displaced in refugee or IDP camps, which affects the quality and stability of their access to education. Sporadic armed clashes force others to temporarily leave their village, thus interrupting the activity of schools. KHRG also documented that trust in government teachers is undermined by cases of abuse against students, including sexual violence and corporal punishment...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-01-24
Date of entry/update: 2019-02-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Format : pdf pdf
Size: 318.9 KB 120.28 KB
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Description: ''Units from the Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion #5, stationed in the Nat Ta Lin area in 2018, rotated with Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion #84. They placed landmines near Htee Hkuh area, where KNLA military units are stationed. [Article 5 of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement states that all signatories should cease the laying of mines. Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion #5 is in violation of the NCA.] Landmines continue to be a problem in Toungoo District. The NGO Committee of Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) is running a Mine Risks Education (MRE) program to help local communities avoid the dangers of landmines, supported by Danish Church Aid. The landmines are located in Buh Has Hkee area and Maw Hkee road, starting from Th’ay Hta to Pluh Mee Hkoh area. The landmines were laid by the Tatmadaw and the KNLA prior to the ceasefire. So far, demining has not started in this area...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-01-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-02-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 219.61 KB
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Description: A fifteen-year-old girl, Naw M---, was raped by her brother-in-law Saw H---.The incident took place on Monday, 12 March 2018 at 11 PM in Poe Yay village tract, Kyainseikgyi Township. This incident happened at night, when everyone was sleeping. Saw H--- approached his sister-in-law and took off all of her clothes while she was sleeping. She woke up with a jolt and realized that she had no more clothes on her and that there was a person on top of her. When she started shouting, Saw H--- put his hands over her mouth. She could not shout or even move because her brother-in-law was much stronger than her. The perpetrator is over 30 years old. He was drunk when he raped Naw M---. He had a reputation for having a bad character and acting inappropriately towards his wife and his sister-in-law. Naw M---’s sister did not hear or witness the rape. She was sleeping at the time. The next morning, Naw M--- told her sister that she was raped. Her sister confronted her Saw H--- about this, but he denied any wrongdoing. Instead, he threw a shot glass at her.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
1970-01-01
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-25
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 667.11 KB
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Description: ''In May 2018, a soldier from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) had a dispute with local community members in Daw Ka Kloh village, Noh Taw Plah village tract, Noh T’Kaw Township. Five local villagers cut down a tree close to the field of DKBA Deputy Company Commander Saw Kee, based in Noh Moh Wah army camp. The commander of this battalion was Pa Nyein. Saw Kee was upset because he thought the tree belonged to him. He said that the five villagers did not respect him, and took advantage of his absence to cut down the tree. He behaved in an aggressive way to the local people, and threw their electric saw on the ground...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-12-19
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 467.13 KB
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Description: ''On 28 November 2018, Saw K---, the village head of T---, was on his way back from Hkaw Taw Poo [Myaing Gyi Ngu]. He was travelling with two local teachers returning from the funeral of U Thuzana. They were travelling by boat on the Pweh Loh Kloh river between Myaing Gyi Ngu and T--- village. On that day, BGF #1014 had set up an informal checkpoint at the end of the Htee Lah Beh Hta Bridge. According to local people, it was not a regular checkpoint. This particular BGF checkpoint did not allow people to cross the river after 5 PM. On 28 November 2018, Saw K--- crossed the Pweh Loh Kloh river with a few travellers. According to local witnesses, they arrived at the check point at 5:58 PM, after which the village head got off the boat and made himself known to BGF #1014. Then, the platoon commander Hpo Dah ordered a soldier, Kyeh Nee, to beat the village head. Following that order, the soldier beat Saw K--- with a bamboo stick without any explanation. Saw K--- was the only one beaten by the soldier. The local people travelling with him saw him faint after his head was hit twice. The soldier proceeded to beat his body, which left him with very serious injuries...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-12-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 535.62 KB
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Description: This incident happened on 7 February 2018 in K---Village, Ka Ma Maung Town, Hpapun district [K---Village, Htee Tha Daw Hta village tract, Bu Tho Township, Hpapun district]. ''In 2013, a KNU/KNLA-Peace Council[2] soldier, Saw Nyun Htun, confiscated 4.68 acres of land belonging to a local villager who had fled to Thailand. When the villager returned to his home in 2018, he reported the land confiscation to the Karen National Union. When he found out about this, Saw Nyun Htun threatened him. Saw Y--- lived in K---Village, but his family fled to Thailand when the conflict in the area escalated after the creation of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (“DKBA”)[3] in 1994. They registered as refugees in Mae La Ma Luang camp in Thailand. The DKBA took advantage of this situation to confiscate all their lands. Both the DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC confiscated land belonging to families that had fled the violence in the area. After the signing of the preliminary ceasefire between the KNU and the Myanmar government in 2012 and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015, the situation in Karen State became more stable. Saw Y--- decided to return to his village after more than 20 years of living in a refugee camp. He is now 47 years old and has seven children. All of them have returned with him...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-12-21
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 515.88 KB
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Description: ''On 17 January 2019, Tatmadaw soldiers trespassed into KNU controlled areas, which resulted in a skirmish with KNLA units in Hsoh Poh Kyoh, Ler Muh Plaw village tract. At 1:35 PM, the KNLA also opened fire on Tatmadaw trucks circulating near Htee Pweh and Kuh Day villages, Hpla Hkoh village tract. [Radio Free Asia reported that another skirmish took place in Baw Hser Hkoh, Ler Muh Plaw village tract on the same day, in the context of road construction activities by the Tatmadaw. The fighting resulted in the death of a Tatmadaw soldier.][2] Later that day, the Tatmadaw sent a bulldozer from Htaw Muh Pleh Meh military camp to Wa Klay Too village, Ler Muh Plaw village tract, and to Saw Muh Plaw village tract. [This confirms that the Tatmadaw is resuming road construction activities in the area. In 2018, these activities had resulted in several skirmishes with the KNLA, leading to the displacement of 3,088 civilians in the period between March and May.[3] The road project was ultimately halted on 17 May 2018 following a meeting between the KNU chairman and the Tatmadaw chief, Sen. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-01-23
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 174.85 KB
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Description: ''This Situation Update describes events that occurred in Lu Thaw Township, Hpapun District, between March and May 2018.[1] Tatmadaw soldiers entered areas under KNU control in Lu Thaw Township with the intention of building a road. This led to skirmishes with the KNLA. The Tatmadaw occupied and fired mortars in several villages, which caused the displacement of 3,088 persons. This situation threatened the livelihood of local people, as well as their access to education, food and healthcare...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2019-01-23
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 97.03 KB
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Description: ''In Beh Khoh Paw Plaw village, Tatmadaw Battalion 53 is extorting money from villagers who depend on rubber cultivation for their livelihoods. They intimidate workers into paying 20,000 kyat (US $12.61) as a monthly tax for each rubber processing machine. Tatmadaw Battalion 53 has also confiscated wood from local villagers. They forced them to hand over planks of wood that they had logged in a neighbouring forest. Tatmadaw Battalion 53 subsequently used the wood to build their army camp...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-12-17
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 356.26 KB
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Description: "In 1993, the construction of the P?Thi Dam led to land confiscations and widespread displacement. Stripped of their land, many subsistence farmers became day wage labourers, working under difficult conditions. This land confiscation continues to impact the livelihoods of local people to this day. The displaced communities have yet to receive any compensation, or even to benefit from a connection to electricity. Despite this, villagers continue to reclaim their ancestral lands through consultation and court hearings. Since the construction of the hydropower dam, this community has faced a series of successive land confiscations by private companies. The remaining land has been confiscated by the Tatmadaw. Local plantations are being used for shooting practice, threatening the security of local farmers. The community wants the Tatmadaw to withdraw the camp from their lands..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-11-13
Date of entry/update: 2018-11-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 382.48 KB
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Description: "Since early 2018, Tatmadaw has extended the area under their control and trespassed into territory controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU). They built a military road without prior permission from KNU authority and local civilians. In this context, Tatmadaw soldiers murdered the indigenous defender Saw O Moo on April 5th 2018 when he was on his way back home after a meeting to coordinate humanitarian aid for internally displaced people (IDPs). The location of Saw O Moo?s body is unknown. His family has been unable to hold a funeral according to their animist tradition. Naw K--- is calling for peace. She urges the Tatmadaw to withdraw all of their troops from her area in order for her family and other local civilians to live in peace..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 179.01 KB
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Description: "In this Interview, Naw H--- describes how she was repeatedly raped and physically abused by her employer, Hpa Tee Ng?Htun. At the time, she was working as a maid in the perpetrator?s house, while his wife was away taking care of her sick child. After he raped Naw H--- the first time, Hpa Tee Ng?Htun threatened to kill her if she spoke about this incident. He did not allow her to go back home and continued to rape her repeatedly. Naw H--- became pregnant..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 171.32 KB
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Description: "This Short Update describes fighting that broke out between Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Company #4 and the Tatmadaw Light Infantry Division #44 subordinated Infantry Battalion #2 in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District. The fighting took place on 28th August 2018 in Htee Meh Klar area, and east of T?lar Aw Koh village the following morning. On 31st August, the Tatmadaw resorted to indiscriminate shelling around Ka Nyee Naw village. These skirmishes were triggered by the Tatmadaw entering into KNLA controlled territory in search of the Democratic Karen Buddist Army splinter group, without obtaining prior consent from the KNLA. However, a KNLA commander believes that the Tatmadaw was trying to establish control of the areas in proximity to the proposed Hatgyi dam site..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-07
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-06
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 394.99 KB
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Description: "This Interview with Saw Cn--- describes different village agency strategies used by villagers to regain their confiscated lands in Htantabin Township, Toungoo District in November 2017. Since 2000, authorities of the Ba Yint Naung military training school have confiscated 1,521 acres of villagers? plantations in Htantabin Township. The Tatmadaw used these lands as firing fields for soldiers, which caused major damages to villager?s farmlands [plantations]. The Tatmadaw has not provided compensation for any of the damaged plantations..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-08-31
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-06
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 375.86 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin analyses the skirmishes that broke out between the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on the border between Mergui-Tavoy District and Dooplaya District in February and March 2018. Although both the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union are signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), skirmishes broke out several times between the MNLA and the KNLA between February and March 2018. Tensions between the armed groups increased because of a dispute about logging, in an area contested by both armed groups in Dooplaya District..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-14
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 412.58 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Bilin Township, Thaton District during the period between January and March 2018. It includes information on arbitrary tax collection by the Tatmadaw, KNU responses to drug use and drug trafficking, as well as a logging dispute. Tatmadaw Battalion commander Bo Than Zin from Light Infantry Battalion #210 under Light Infantry Division #22 arbitrarily collected taxes from villagers who own wood processing machines in Lay Kay and Ler Hklaw villages. Because the KNU does not have the means to test for drugs, they fined drug users and drug traffickers based on information provided in the community. The KNU is trying to respond to an increase in drug use and trafficking. The KNU Township and District authorities gave permission to local people to log for wood in Bilin Township. This permission was revoked once wood was sent to Bilin Town, instead of being used by the local community..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-25
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 217.49 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes the fighting that broke out between Tatmadaw and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on April 6th 2018 after Tatmadaw Light Infantry Division (LID) #22 trespassed the Karen National Union (KNU) controlled area. Armed LID #22 personnel entered Hm--- village right after the fighting took place and intimidated villagers by firing guns and making explicit oral threats. The village head was ordered to purchase a chicken for a Tatmadaw soldier. However, no remuneration was provided in return..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 255.1 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes how the Border Guard Forces (BGF) Battalion #1014 ordered civilians to serve as forced porters on the front line. When local villagers refused to serve as porters, they were asked to hand over 180,000 kyat (US $ 112) as payment from each village. This incident took place in October 2017, in a number of village tracts located Bu Tho Township and Dwe Lo Township, Hpapun District..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 396.94 KB
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Description: "Since February 2017, gold mining in Paw Hkloe has contaminated streams and waterways, upon which the local population depends on for their drinking water. The road construction between Hkay Tu Toe and Hpaw Taw The Weh Pa Meh area has caused damage to local plantations. The company contracted to build this road did not provide compensation to local villagers because they argued that the road is being built for the benefit of civilian populations. Situation Update | K?Ser Doh Township, Mergui-Tavoy District (March to May 2017) The following Situation Update was received by KHRG in June 2017. It was written by a community member in Mergui-Tavoy District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions. It is presented below translated exactly as originally written, save for minor edits for clarity and security..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 253.1 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update provides information on the restriction of Karen language in schools, environmental pollution due to lead mining, drug trafficking, and land confiscations in Tanintharyi Township, Mergui-Tavoy District. Access to learning Karen language is limited in Tanintharyi Township. Lead mining has increased in Kay Hkee and Kay villages, Tanintharyi Township. It has caused the contamination of many water streams, and has polluted the natural environment. Between January and March 2018, when the Shway Kyun Aa Man Company was building a road, they damaged 300 rubber plants owned by Saw W---. The company did not compensate him for the damaged property..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 361.6 KB
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Description: "In June 2017, Karen National Union (KNU) Thaton Township leaders held a consultation meeting about the development of a limestone quarry and cement factory. They only invited local leaders from Min Lwin village tract, Thaton Township. During this consultation meeting, they did not provide adequate information about the impact of this factory on the local community. Instead, they distributed assessment survey forms to all local community members. The lack of adequate information led to disagreements among the local community. The process of gaining the consent of the local community has been controversial. Households that live far from the Mountain were included in the process, even though they are not directly impacted by the limestone quarry and cement factory. Many households who signed their names did not realise this would constitute consent to the development project. The names of people who have emigrated to Thailand were also found among the signatures of people agreeing to the development of a limestone quarry on Min Lwin Mountain. Local people predict that the negative consequences of the limestone quarry on Min Lwin Mountain are the loss of community forest, environmental damage and the loss of biodiversity, farm lands, plantations and potential displacement due to livelihood problems..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-09-28
Date of entry/update: 2018-10-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 239.94 KB
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Description: "This Interview with Saw Z--- describes events occurring in Hlaingbwe Township, Hpa-an District, during the period between October and November 2017, including information about military activities, instances of forced labour, health and livelihoods..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-06-08
Date of entry/update: 2018-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Description: "This Incident Report describes Tatmadaw military activities that occurred in Lu Thaw Township in January 2018. They include: strengthening army camps, enlarging territory, and sending rations, trucks and backhoes with the stated objective of expanding the military operation road in Lu Thaw Township, Hpapun District. This occurred without Tatmadaw receiving prior permission from the Karen National Union (KNU) and local civilians..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-06-21
Date of entry/update: 2018-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Description: "This Interview with Naw H--- describes events occurring in Dwe Lo Township, Hpapun District, during the period between 2015 and 2017, including information about drugs, gambling, sexual assault and rape, arbitrary killing, education and health..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-06-18
Date of entry/update: 2018-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Description: "On April 5th 2018, Saw O Moo was murdered by Tatmadaw forces on the edge of Htee Hsee Hta Plaw [also known as T?Ree Plaw] farm area, Ler Mu Plaw village tract, Lu Thaw Township. He was on his way back home from a meeting to organise humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs). Until now, the Tatmadaw has refused to allow his family to retrieve his body and bury it according to the traditional Karen way. This News Bulletin will pay tribute to the important work that Saw O Moo did for his community, and will analyse how his murder violated the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) Code of Conduct..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-06-15
Date of entry/update: 2018-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
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Description: "This report presents women?s testimonies in respect of various issues during the reporting period of January 2012 to March 2016. These issues include the dangers posed to women by the presence of armed actors in communities; the effects of land confiscation and development projects on women?s livelihoods; women?s access to healthcare and education; the continued occurrence of gender-based violence; and the harms caused by landmines; forced labour; arbitrary taxation and extortion. Importantly, women?s actions and agency in the face of abuse and injustice are also documented in this report. These agency strategies are documented to highlight women?s actions as women are not passive recipients of abuse...KHRG presents the perspectives of local women on issues identified by them, including livelihoods, militarisation,health, education, and others. The report outlines human rights abuses that are of particular concern for women, including gender-based violence (GBV), and how continued human rights abuses in southeast Myanmar affect women and men differently, an aspect that is often overlooked. In addition, it highlights the agency strategies that women employ for self-protection, and the challenges they face when attempting to access justice for abuses. Finally, the report suggests ways to address the issues raised and improve the situation for women in southeast Myanmar, by giving concrete recommendations to the Government of Myanmar, ethnic armed organisations, local and international civil society organisations, and the international community supporting the peace process and in Myanmar. KHRG is confident that this report will provide a valuable resource for practitioners and stakeholders working on issues related to southeast Myanmar, and that it can be used as a tool in developing an awareness of local women?s concerns and agency. KHRG also believes that the report will be equally interesting for members of the general public who would like to learn more about women?s perspectives of the situation on the ground in rural southeast Myanmar..." pdf links in html version
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-08-03
Date of entry/update: 2016-08-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ), Karen
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Thaton Township, Thaton District between July and October 2015. It also includes updates on land confiscation, education, healthcare, military activities, and development projects. • On November 15th 2014, a Thaw Maw villager in Noh Ta Hsguh village tract reported that Tyre Factory #2 had confiscated 250 acres of land, belonging to Thaw Maw villagers. They had also planted rubber trees on the confiscated land. Due to decreasing rubber prices, the factory owners are now selling the land back to the villagers, at a price of 60,000 kyat (US $46.20) per acre. • Following the signing of the 2012 preliminary ceasefire, the Burma/Myanmar government, the Karen National Union (KNU), and other organisations have increased their education activities and support in Thaton Township. However, despite a growing number of schools and more external support, some parents are still facing financial difficulties sending their children to school. • The Burma/Myanmar government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have built new clinics in Thaton Township. Nonetheless, villagers are still facing difficulties accessing healthcare and adequate medicine. As healthcare in the towns continues to be an option mainly for the more affluent, some villagers continue to seek treatment in their villages or in KNU-controlled areas..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) - KHRG #15-101-S1 Thaton
2016-04-19
Date of entry/update: 2016-05-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 219.4 KB
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Description: "his Photo Set illustrates road construction and expansion taking place in Kyainseikgyi and Kyonedoe townships, Dooplaya District between December 2014 and July 2015. These projects, managed by Khin Zaw Company, as well as another unknown company that has been subcontracted by the Burma/Myanmar government, destroyed villagers? betel nut and rubber plantations. The affected villagers have not yet received any compensation for their losses..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-03-09
Date of entry/update: 2016-04-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 402.94 KB
Local URL:
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Description: "This Field Report includes information submitted by KHRG community members describing events which occurred in Hpapun District between January and December 2013. The report describes human rights violations, including sexual harassment, violent abuses, landmine incidents, forced labour, land confiscation, gold mining, arbitrary taxation, and theft and looting. In addition, fighting between Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers resulted in injury and displacement of villagers. The report also documents villagers? concerns regarding the stability of the 2012 preliminary ceasefire and issues important to the local communities, such as access to education and healthcare. - Between January and December 2013, villagers reported ongoing militarization and use of landmines by Tatmadaw and BGF soldiers in Bu Tho and Dwe Lo townships, resulting in fatalities and injury to villagers and livestock. - BGF soldiers committed human rights abuses such as sexual harassment, violent abuse, and demands for forced labour from villagers in Bu Tho Township. - Monk U Thuzana?s followers ordered villagers to perform forced labour for the monk?s bridge construction project. - A private gold mining enterprise has been endangering villagers? health in Dwe Lo Township. Villagers expressed their opposition to gold mining projects in the area by producing placards and posting them along the road and the river..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-03-02
Date of entry/update: 2016-04-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1.3 MB
Local URL:
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Bilin Township, Thaton District in October 2015, including updates on the 2015 general election, education, and development projects. - Villages under the administration of the Burma/Myanmar government are able to vote in the 2015 general election. However, villages located in Karen National Union (KNU) controlled areas have not been adequately informed ahead of the election. - Local Karen teachers selected to teach in villages have had to resign after Burma/Myanmar government teachers were sent to teach in Bilin Township, sparking concerns that Karen language education will be given less attention and taught outside of school hours. - Heavy rain and floods damaged paddies, and, combined with an increase in the paddy price, caused livelihood concerns among some villagers. - The main roads that have been under construction in Bilin Township since 2013 will be completed during 2016. Although useful for the villagers, the road construction has caused problems for some villagers whose lands have been damaged..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-02-25
Date of entry/update: 2016-04-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 501.81 KB
Local URL:
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Description: "This Incident Report describes a landmine incident in A--- village in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District on April 13th 2015, that left one buffalo dead and two injured as one of the animals stepped on a landmine. The mine had been planted by soldiers from Company #2 of Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1013. Saw B---, the owner of the buffaloes, had not received any compensation at the time of writing this report. - See more at: http://khrg.org/2016/03/15-68-i5/hpapun-incident-report-landmine-kills-one-buffalo-and-injures-two-bu-tho-township#sthash.p9Pj1l6B.dpuf..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-03-07
Date of entry/update: 2016-04-09
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 205.41 KB
Local URL:
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Description: Hpapun (Mutraw) District "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Dwe Lo Township, Hpapun District between August and October 2015, including forced labour, land confiscation, and livelihood issues. - Soldiers from Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion (IB) #96 in Dwe Lo Township, forced villagers in A--- valley to transport their supplies and the only compensation the villagers were given was petrol. - The Karen National Union (KNU) organised for land confiscation victims in Meh Thoo and Meh Way village tracts to receive two million kyat (US $1,547.80) per acre as compensation. - Since the signing of the 2012 preliminary ceasefire agreement, displaced persons in Dwe Lo Township have been able to return to their old villages...."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-03-09
Date of entry/update: 2016-04-09
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 458.57 KB
Local URL:
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Description: "Below are excerpts of Karen Human Rights Group?s (KHRG) interview with Ma A—, a Karen villager who describes events occurring in her village in June 2015, including land confiscation, forced relocation, attack on a village and villagers, threatening, looting, arbitrary detention and threats to children?s right to education. The interview was conducted in Thaton District in July 2015 by a community member trained by KHRG to monitor local human rights conditions."
Source/publisher: Burma Link
2015-08-26
Date of entry/update: 2016-03-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Field Report describes events occurring in Toungoo District between December 2013 and December 2014. During this period, KHRG mainly received reports from Thandaunggyi Township and surrounding areas. The report includes information submitted by KHRG community members on a range of human rights abuses and issues of importance to local communities including land confiscation, militarisation, fighting between armed groups, commercial activity carried out by military actors, violent abuse, access to education, access to healthcare, and development projects. • There have been ongoing cases of land confiscation at the hands of the Tatmadaw, for the purpose of building Burma/Myanmar government offices, establishing military target practice areas and increasingly, for plantations, commercial projects, and sale to private companies. • Militarisation in Toungoo District has continued, despite the 2012 preliminary ceasefire between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Burma/Myanmar government, with the Tatmadaw rotating troops and replenishing their rations and ammunitions at camps in remote areas. • A local militia, the Thandaung Special Region Peace Group, have been engaged in several commercial activities, including running gambling areas, logging, and stone mining, in order to raise funds to support their operations. All of these activities have had a disruptive effect on villagers, in particular the school students. • The Burma/Myanmar government has invested in providing financial support for school students in standards one to four in Toungoo District, however this has not always been effective as in some cases the money does not reach the students. • There continues to be a lack of access to adequate healthcare in Toungoo District; the Burma/Myanmar government has only built clinics in the village tracts close to main roads, there is a shortage of properly trained healthcare workers and in the case of villagers with lower incomes, treatment is often too expensive. • Between April and June 2014 there was a meeting that was headed by the Mya Sein Yaung company, with representatives from ten villages, on the subject of the company?s Reducing Poverty project being implemented in Thandaunggyi Township."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2016-02-25
Date of entry/update: 2016-02-25
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 381.98 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events occurring in Kyainseikgyi Township, Dooplaya District between March and May 2015, including violent clashes between armed groups, injury caused by a landmine, and militarisation... On March 10th 2015, fighting broke out between Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #549 and LIB #231, and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in A--- section, M--- village, lasting for around 30 minutes. KHRG is unable to confirm whether any villagers were injured during the fighting... On April 17th 2015, 31-year-old Saw B--- from D--- village was hit by a landmine which was purportedly planted by the DKBA. He sustained injuries to his feet but survived the explosion.... DKBA Battalion #901 established a new army camp in C--- village on April 25th 2015..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-11-26
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Field Report includes information submitted by KHRG researchers describing events occurring in Hpa-an District between January and December 2013. The report describes human rights violations, including drug production, sale and use, especially in Nabu Township; landmines and restrictions on the freedom of movement, land confiscation, arbitrary taxation, forced labour, extrajudicial killings and fighting between armed groups causing injury to civilians. The report also documents issues important to the local communities, such as access to education..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-01-19
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Ta Naw Th?Ree Township, Mergui-Tavoy District, during the period of January to May 2015, including military activity, access to education, and access to healthcare... In Ta Naw Th?Ree Township, the Tatmadaw have been using horses to transport rations to the border areas... A group of Burma/Myanmar government staff from Military Security Affairs, which is the Burma/Myanmar government?s intelligence agency, have also been active in the township, trying to gather intelligence on the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)... A local, anti-malaria community group entered the area and treated those who were suffering from malaria. A local non-governmental organisation (NGO) came once a month and provided vaccinations to the mothers and children in the villages. KNU health workers also visited the villages and provided medical treatment to the villagers... The Burma/Myanmar government is investing in the local government schools and sending their own trained teachers to teach in them. The Karen Education Department (KED) supports the Karen schools in Ta Naw Th?Ree Township by providing materials such as pens, notebooks, pencils, and clothes for the teachers..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-11-19
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Interview with Saw A--- describes events and issues occurring in Bilin Township, Thaton District, prior to and during October 2014, including militarisation, arbitrary taxation, restrictions on the freedom of movement, villagers? livelihoods, economic migration, education, and healthcare... Saw A---, who lives in B--- village, explains how there is an increasing amount of checkpoints in the area set up by armed groups, including the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Border Guard Force (BGF), the Karen National Union (KNU), as well as the Tatmadaw... These armed groups have been demanding crippling amounts of tax from Saw A---, who has worked as a livestock trader for over 20 years. The armed groups have been demanding around 5,000 to 10,000 kyat (US $4.45 to $8.90) in tax from Saw A--- on each pair of buffalo and cows he has with him when he passes through the various checkpoints in the area... Saw A--- also mentioned that due to a lack of career opportunities in Bilin Township, 20 young people from B--- village migrated to Thailand in search of employment..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-27
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes forced labour and military activities in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District in June 2015... On June 12th 2015, the villagers of A--- village, Meh Pree village tract, Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District were forced to do unpaid labour by Plah Thoo and Plah Yu Say from Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1014. The villagers were ordered to carry water and collect vegetables and firewood for the BGF military camp... On June 14th 2015, the Tatmadaw soldiers from Light Infantry Division (LID) #22 came into B--- village, Kyaw Pah village tract with 35 Tatmadaw soldiers and two BGF soldiers. Since they were travelling through a KNLA restricted area, they were carrying heavy weapons as a display of power. They passed through the village on their way to C--- village, where they heard that the Karen armed groups would be holding a meeting..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-12-14
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Karen and Burmese
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Description: "The Complaint Letter below was written by the Shwegyin Karen Baptist Association, a missionary association from Kyaukkyi Town, Kyaukkyi Township, Nyaunglebin District, and sent to the chairman of the Burma/Myanmar government Kyaukkyi Township Land Management Committee, on November 5th 2015. The letter concerns the Burma/Myanmar government?s construction of buildings on a Christian church compound. According to the letter, the compound has belonged to the church for 55 years. The Burma/Myanmar government has begun construction of a Cooperative Department building and plans to construct a Department of Rural Development building and commission offices within the church compound. This has been done without prior consultation with the Shwegyin Karen Baptist Association. The Shwegyin Karen Baptist Association reported to KHRG that they submitted the complaint letter to Burma/Myanmar government officials, members of the KNU, and other political parties, but they have not seen any action taken in response; instead the construction has continued. This report also includes details of earlier letters sent to authorities by the Shwegyin Karen Baptist Association in an attempt to have the church compound officially measured and recorded, to prevent the land from being confiscated..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-12-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Short Update describes events occurring in Ler Muh Lah Township, Mergui-Tavoy District between 1998 and 2013, including forced relocation, torture, arbitrary arrest, and forced labour... In 1998, villagers now living in A--- village were forced to relocate by the Tatmadaw... In June 2011, the village head of A--- village was severely beaten by Tatmadaw soldiers as he was interrogated for information on suspected village connections to the Karen National Union (KNU). Based on information he eventually gave the Tatmadaw soldiers under torture, at least 15 villagers were arrested and held in jail... During the conflict, Tatmadaw soldiers led by Officer Nay Lin Soe arrested all the male villagers in A--- village and killed the village head. They forced all the male villagers to be sentries throughout the night, beating them if they fell asleep. This caused the rest of the villagers to flee to the forest for several weeks... After being forced to relocate by the Tatmadaw, the villagers have struggled with housing on their new land; since 2009, the owner of the new land has not permitted the villagers to build any new houses. The villagers have asked the Tatmadaw for support with this, as it was them who relocated the villagers to this land, but they have not received any help..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-11-23
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This field report describes events occurring in Thaton District between January and December 2014. It includes information submitted by KHRG researchers on a range of human rights abuses and other issues of importance to local communities, including arbitrary demands, forced labour, road construction and extension, stone mining, militarisation, land confiscation and commercial agricultural projects, and community development such as education, sanitation, and healthcare... According to reports received in 2014, Tatmadaw military activities remained the same, or even decreased in some townships in Thaton District, compared to previous years. Despite this, there were still three reports regarding human rights abuses committed by the Tatmadaw in 2014. These included cutting down villagers? trees and bamboo for the purpose of repairing their camp, as well as for secretly selling them for their own profit. On two occasions, villagers were forced by the Tatmadaw to do unpaid labour for them... In terms of education in Thaton District in 2014, international organisations, such as UNICEF and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), came into the area to support education, engaging in projects such as building schools for the local villagers and supplying stationary. In addition, the locally-built Karen schools joined forces with the Burma/Myanmar government schools in order for the students to be able to continue their education after they finish the Karen primary school in their village. To enable this, the Burma/Myanmar government sent their teachers to the area; however, their teachers often leave the village since they dislike staying in the rural areas. As a result, the quality of education available to students has been low... KHRG has received 12 reports covering for-profit development projects such as stone mining, road construction and extension, and rubber and teak plantations. These projects resulted in land confiscation and destruction, livelihood problems, and restrictions on freedom of movement. Other community development projects were conducted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who built water pumps, schools, and clinics. These projects brought some improvements in education and healthcare; however, there are ongoing challenges due to a lack of proper needs assessments with villagers and delays in project implementation..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-11-19
Date of entry/update: 2015-12-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes the forced recruitment of a child soldier by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kyainseikgyi Township, Dooplaya District. A 43-year-old woman from A--- village, known as Naw A---, reported to a KHRG community member that her youngest son, Saw E---, was recruited by the KNLA in 2013, when he was 16 years old. As her son did not want to be a soldier, she reported the case to the village head and asked the local KNLA base for his release. Nonetheless, there has been no action taken by the KNLA. As a result of her son?s forced recruitment, Naw A--- also faces livelihood difficulties, since she lives with only one of her daughters and she needs her son to be released so he can help them with their livelihood needs.[1]..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-23
Date of entry/update: 2015-11-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 129.67 KB
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Description: This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Ler Muh Lah and Ta Naw Th?Ree townships, Mergui-Tavoy District, prior to and during the reporting period of January to June 2015. These include militarisation, violent abuse, land confiscation, development projects, and education. This Situation Update also describes villagers? responses to land confiscation... Villager Saw A--- was struck ten times with a stick by Tatmadaw Operations Commander (G3) Tin Soe on March 3rd 2015, as he had hung the Karen national flag in front of his house. Operations Commander Tin Soe forced Saw A--- and other villagers to remove any Karen flags from their houses... In Pa Saw village tract, Ler Mu Lah Township, the Asian World Company has used land confiscated from villagers in 1997 as a palm oil plantation. Following the signing of the preliminary ceasefire the villagers have returned to their land and rebuilt their houses amongst the palm oil trees. The Asian World Company ordered them to relocate, but the villagers refused... In 2014, further land was confiscated from villagers in Ma Saw village tract, Ler Mu Lah Township, by Malaysian company, The Myanmar Stark Prestige Plantation (MSPP). The company has begun clearing vegetation and planting palm oil trees on the land. The villagers submitted a petition to the Karen National Union (KNU) concerning MSPP?s actions and appealing for compensation... KNU and Burma/Myanmar government staff helped the villagers to reclaim 150 acres of land from U Aung Win, who had previously confiscated 1,700 acres of the villagers? land... Burma/Myanmar government schools are allowing Karen language to be taught, but the subject is not scheduled during regular school hours.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-22
Date of entry/update: 2015-11-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 321.78 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes three separate incidents of fighting that occurred on September 30th 2015, between Tatmadaw and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers in Day Wah and Kyaw Pah village tracts, Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District. This includes arbitrary arrest and detention, violent abuse of a villager, restrictions on the freedom of movement, and displacement of villagers... The deputy commander of KNLA Company #4 reported that his soldiers engaged in a fight with Tatmadaw soldiers due to the Tatmadaw soldiers failing to abide by the ceasefire agreement and crossing over their delimited area... Following one of the skirmishes, Tatmadaw soldiers violently abused a 61-year-old male villager, accusing him of providing them with false information regarding the whereabouts of KNLA soldiers. They then arrested him and ordered him to follow them for one day before finally releasing him... Due to the fighting, approximately ten households in Meh K?Naw village, Kyaw Pah village tract temporarily fled to the area surrounding Myaing Gyi Nyu Town in Hpa-an District. At the time KHRG received this information, these villagers had not yet returned to their village... Following the fighting, Tatmadaw and Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers set up a checkpoint on the vehicle road between Hpapun and Ka Ma Maung towns and stopped all cars in search of Karen National Union (KNU) members.[1]"
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-13
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 149.67 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District during the period between November 2014 to January 2015, including illegal logging, punishment, education, and livelihoods... In C--- village, Pa Heh village tract, primary school students who did not pass the examinations were punished by their teacher who made them sit down and stand up 500 to 1,000 times... Karen National Union (KNU) soldiers arrested two people found on a bamboo raft carrying logs which had been cut down on November 3rd 2014... Saw A---, the representative of the Karen Office of Relief and Development (KORD), came to hold a meeting in B--- IDP camp regarding cuts to rations and how internally displaced persons (IDPs) can earn their livelihoods in the future."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-21
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 197.58 KB
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Description: "This Interview, with Naw A---, describes events and issues occurring in Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo District, reported to KHRG in January 2015, including land confiscation, education, healthcare, and development projects... Villagers heard that a company is coming to the area to implement a development project for which they will confiscate land in B--- village, as well as in nearby villages. The villagers submitted a complaint letter to the township administrators stating their objection to the project, as they were afraid that their lands for which they do not have land grants will be confiscated... Students are receiving a poor education as school teachers are often absent, as they frequently leave the village to visit their homes, which can take up to two weeks per trip. Further to this, some of them have expressed that they do not want to teach at all... As there is no health clinic in B--- village, villagers must travel to Toungoo Town for medicine or treatment whenever they are sick."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-15
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 165.34 KB
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Description: "This Short Update describes the general situation in Nabu Township, Hpa-an District during the period between April and March 2015, including updates on health and education, as well as improvements to villagers? freedom of movement... Since the preliminary ceasefire was signed in 2012, the villagers have been freer to work for their own living, rather than being subjected to forced labour. Villagers have also been able to travel more freely, as the number of landmines being planted in the area have also been decreasing... Prior to the preliminary ceasefire, there were only Karen National Union (KNU) funded schools in Nabu Township. Since 2012, the Burma/Myanmar government has opened many of their own schools there, however villagers see this situation as unstable, as the nationwide ceasefire has not been signed yet and it is unclear if students will be able to depend on the Burma/Myanmar government teachers in the long term..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 133.25 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update provides information on villagers? livelihoods, healthcare, development projects, Burma/Myanmar government military bases, and the activities of wealthy businessmen in Thaton Township, Thaton District, during the period between January and February 2015. Since the signing of the preliminary ceasefire agreement, organisations such as World Concern, the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), and United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children?s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have entered Thaton Township to conduct local development projects. Most of the projects are aimed at building schools, installing toilets, digging wells, distributing school materials, and conducting vocational training... On February 5th 2015, Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #3, led by Battalion Deputy Commander Zay Ya Win, arrived in the area to stay in A--- monastery in order to observe the activities of the local village heads... Burmese private companies have begun construction of a caustic soda factory in B--- village, Noh Ta Hsguh village tract, Thaton Township... The villagers from Hpa-an and Thaton townships gathered together and held a meeting to discuss how to regain their land that was confiscated to make way for the construction of the caustic soda factory..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-05
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 320.2 KB
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Description: "This Photo Set depicts events and issues in Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo District reported to KHRG between December 2014 and February 2015, including militarisation, land confiscation, as well as military activity by both the Tatmadaw and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Villagers report being concerned regarding the Tatmadaw?s resupply of rations into remote areas of Thandaunggyi Township during the ceasefire period, as well as the Burma/Myanmar government?s prioritisation of the construction and repair of roads used by the military over other public roads..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 244.1 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes issues occurring in Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo District during the period between January and February 2015, including ethnic/religious discrimination, forced labour, education challenges, healthcare disparities, development projects, civilians? situation, administration, and military movements. Sein Than Aung, a police officer in Thandaung Myo Thit Town, is an ethnic Rakhine and discriminates against his subordinates who are ethnic Karen and Muslim... In Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo District, teachers are reported to not be teaching effectively; they write down the lesson without explanation and then proceed to play games on their mobile phones. As a result, students find it hard to understand what they are supposed to be learning... Rather than providing the community with the proper injection against elephantiasis, the healthcare workers in Thandaunggyi Township gave out pills to community representatives that they tasked with dispensing the pills to their communities. After ingesting the pills, many people suffered severe side-effects from the medication, including dizziness and vomiting, but there was no response to villagers? complaints from the health workers... A private company affiliated with the Burma/Myanmar government that was tasked with erecting electrical infrastructure from Thandaung Myo Thit Town to Baw Ga Lee village in Toungoo District, used villagers? forced and unpaid labour to dig the holes for the electrical pylons..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-10-07
Date of entry/update: 2015-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 190.77 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes the shooting and subsequent death of Saw A---, a villager from B--- village, Htee Tha Daw Hta village tract, Bu Tho Township. Saw A--- was shot on March 15th 2015 between 7 and 8 pm. The perpetrator was Private Saw Kyaw Ka of Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1013 Company #3, led by Company Second-in-Command Hpah Yuh Khay. The villager was on his way to go spear fishing when he came across the BGF and was shot by accident, as it was already dark outside. When the injured villager protested the BGF shooting of villagers, he was shot twice more. The BGF left Saw A--- at the place where he was shot and he was only sent to Hpa-an Hospital when his fellow villagers came for him later that night. He was under treatment for two days before passing away in the hospital on March 17th 2015. He was buried in the graveyard of Hkaw Taw Town. As a result of Saw A---?s death, his family has been facing livelihood issues so his wife met with Battalion #1013 Commander Maung Hla Kyaing to demand that he compensate her by providing her with financial support for one month. Although the commander agreed, no compensation has been paid out yet..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-09-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 505.41 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Bu Tho and Dwe Lo townships, Hpapun District between April 2014 and February 2015, including the embezzlement of public funds, child labour, and fraudulent gambling. Hpapun District administrator U Aung Than Zaw oversaw the construction of bridges in Bu Tho Township, paid for with government funds. He spent only 14,400,000 kyat (US $12,933.36) of the allotted 30,000,000 kyat (US $26,944.50) on actual bridge construction. The remaining 15,600,000 kyat (US $14,011.14) he used to fund his own business. Two cases of child labour occurred in Hpapun District: one in S--- village, Ma Htaw village tract, Dwe Lo Township; and one in G--- village, Meh Klaw village tract, Bu Tho Township. The two underage workers were employed in construction work and the abuse occurred due to a lack of awareness regarding child labour rights. On September 27th 2014, casino owner U Myint was arrested and taken into custody by Hpapun Township police for cheating people out of their money at the casino..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-09-11
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 601.32 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Shwegyin Township, Nyaunglebin District between October 2014 and January 2015, including gold mining, environmental damage, logging, militarisation, arbitrary taxation, and restrictions on villagers? freedom of movement. It also describes the changing human rights situation during the ceasefire period. According to the report, the overall human rights situation is improving in Shwegyin Township compared to before the signing of the Jaunary 2012 preliminary ceasefire agreement between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Burma/Myanmar government. However, villagers report still being concerned regarding ongoing human rights abuses, Tatmadaw presence in the area, and the stability of the current preliminary ceasefire..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-09-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 202.72 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes the displacement of villagers in Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District as a result of fighting that took place during July 2015 between Tatmadaw and Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) soldiers over control of a recently completed section of the Asian Highway. This information was provided by monk U T---, in whose monastery many of the displaced villagers sought refuge. This News Bulletin also lists several specific incidents of fighting and the implications of these incidents on the surrounding villages. As a result of the fighting, more than 1,000 villagers from more than five different villages in Kawkareik Township temporarily fled their homes and sought shelter at monasteries in Kawkareik Town. The schools in these villages were forced to close temporarily out of fears over the safety of the students, who were consequently unable to attend their lessons. The displaced villagers struggled to maintain their farms and plantations, as well as to look after their livestock during the fighting. The villagers slept at the monasteries throughout the night, as they were afraid that they would be ordered to porter for the Tatmadaw soldiers if they had stayed in their villages. On July 6th 2015, two villagers who were travelling on a path near to where Tatmadaw soldiers had taken up position for fighting were shot dead in Hlaingbwe Township, Hpa-an District, see more at ?Recent fighting between Tatmadaw and DKBA soldiers leads to killing and displacement of villagers in Hpa-an District, July 2015,” KHRG, August 2015. On July 7th 2015, a primary school building in Kawkareik Town was hit and damaged by a grenade reported to have been fired by two DKBA soldiers. However, no students or teachers were harmed as the incident took place at 7 am before the school had opened for the day.[1]..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-09-03
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format :
Size: 196 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes an incident in which the Burma/Myanmar government police force and Burma/Myanmar Department of Forest Management destroyed and burnt down 97 villager houses, displacing approximately 500 villagers in B--- village, Hpa-an Township, Thaton District in June 2015. Despite holding Karen National Union (KNU) issued land grants, villagers were ordered by the Burma/Myanmar government to move out of their village since the government demarcated the area as a forest reserve. However, villagers reported that this land was the location of their old village, which they had to leave behind in 1983 during altercations between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The villagers also noted that even though the government demarcated the land as a forest reserve, there are no big teak or ironwood trees there. In addition, businessmen from Hpa-an Town came and planted rubber trees and the Tatmadaw sometimes use the area for target practice. The Chief Minister of Kayin State, U Zaw Min, threatened villagers into signing a document stating they agree to dismantle their houses and would not live on that land anymore. In attempting to prevent the destruction of their village, villagers sought help from Saw P---, who attempted to advocate on their behalf, to no avail. When the villagers refused to dismantle their village, the Burma/Myanmar government police arrested 25 villagers, one monk and one KNU/KNLA-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) member and continued to raid the village, burning and looting villagers? houses, and planting teak trees. In the aftermath of the raid, approximately 100 villagers fled to Myawaddy with the help of Saw P---, since they do not dare to live in the village any longer. A KHRG researcher also interviewed one of the fleeing villagers and a full interview can be found here.[1] For an in-depth analysis of recent trends in land confiscation in southeast Burma/Myanmar see KHRG?s latest thematic report, ??With only our voices, what can we do??: Land confiscation and local response in southeast Myanmar..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-26
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format :
Size: 196 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes a violent threat made on April 25th 2015 by senior monk U Nyan Ni Ka to the siblings of Maung A---, who was killed by Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers from Battalion #1011 on April 24th 2015. Monk U Nyan Ni Ka threatened the siblings when they came to request compensation for Maung A---?s death. Monk U Nyan Ni Ka said he would cut them all with his knife. As a result of this threat, Maung A---?s siblings were frightened and had to return to their village without receiving the full amount of money that they had expected to receive. For more information on the killing of Maung A---, see: ?Hpa-an Incident Report: Violent abuse and killing committed by BGF soldiers in Myaing Gyi Ngu Town, April 2015,” KHRG, August 2015..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-28
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format :
Size: 196 KB
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Description: "This Photo Set depicts road construction, including the Asian Highway, in Kyainseikgyi and Win Yay townships, Dooplaya District between November 2014 and January 2015. Villager testimony describes land confiscation and the destruction of houses, shops, and plantations in order to make way for the roads. Villagers also report a lack of compensation for the land and crops destroyed as a result of the road construction...."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-17
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Karen and Burmese
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 182.52 KB 192.73 KB 204.53 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes the confiscation of villagers? land committed by Border Guard Force (BGF) Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye, who oversees Battalion #1015 and Battalion #1016, and Cantonment Area Supervisor U Kyaw Hein on May 1st 2015. They then resold the land to the Steel Stone Group to be used for road construction and infrastructure development. The villagers reported the incident to the Karen National Union (KNU) requesting compensation for their land and calling for restrictions on the BGF commanders? power. KHRG also received a complaint letter submitted to the KNU Agriculture Department by a community representative of 14 villagers whose lands have been confiscated, including those listed in this incident report, requesting the KNU aid them in reclaiming their land: see, ?Complaint letter to KNU Agriculture Department in Paingkyon Township regarding land confiscation,” KHRG, July 2015..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-17
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Karen and Burmese
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 455.9 KB 285.31 KB 195.33 KB
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Description: This Interview with Ma A--- describes events occurring in B--- village, Hpa-an Township, Thaton District in June 2015, including land confiscation, forced relocation, attack on a village and villagers, threatening, looting, arbitrary detention and threats to children?s right to education. "The villagers who lived in B--- village, whose ancestors lived there, and who had obtained the land titles to that land from the Karen National Union (KNU), had their village burned and looted by Burma/Myanmar police and officials from the Burma/Myanmar Department of Forest Management between June 22nd and 25th 2015, under the claim that it had been designated a forest reserve... Prior to the raid, on February 1st 2015, U Zaw Min, the chief minister of Kayin State, forced 15 villagers from B--- village to sign a document in which they agreed to demolish their houses and move elsewhere within seven days. This deadline was later revised to June 21st 2015 when the police came to B--- village... Ma A--- reported that on June 2nd 2015, around 50 police officers came into B--- village and arrested 25 villagers, including the interviewee?s husband and father, in addition to her younger brother, who had already been in jail for two months at that point. None of these villagers have been released at the time of writing. Other villagers have fled to the forest, monastery or their relatives? houses to avoid being arrested... While the police were demolishing the villagers? houses, they also looted the village, taking villagers? valuables and the goods Ma A--- sold in her shop... Following the destruction of the village, approximately 100 villagers, including Ma A---, fled to Myawaddy with the help of Saw P---... There are six school-age children in the group that fled to Myawaddy. Their newly built school in B--- village was also destroyed..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-26
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format :
Size: 196 KB
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Description: "This Situation Update describes events and issues occurring in Kyainseikgyi, Kawkareik and Kyonedoe townships, Dooplaya District during the period between January and February 2015, including fighting between armed groups and updates on education and healthcare... On February 27th 2015, fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the Border Guard Force (BGF) against General San Aung?s group from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). It resulted in the deaths of four soldiers, including one soldier from the Tatmadaw, two from the BGF, and one from the DKBA... Villages in Kyainseikgyi Township report needing Karen language textbooks in order to teach their students properly... Local shopkeepers are owed money by road constructors from the Burma/Myanmar government who borrowed money from them during the construction process and have not repaid their debt..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-14
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 289.76 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes events occurring in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District in June 2015, including explicit threats and the indiscriminate firing of small arms and mortars by Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers. The first incident took place on June 13th 2015, when the soldiers of Htoo Lwe Baw Company from BGF Battalion #1015 shelled mortars and fired small arms into P--- place, in G--- village, injuring villagers? livestock and damaging their rubber plantations. The second incident was perpetrated by Second Lieutenant Tha Beh from BGF Battalion #1014, who on June 17th 2015 threatened to kill one or two villagers for allegedly supporting the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The villagers fear the BGF soldiers because they have previously committed numerous abuses toward the villagers in the area and continue to threaten their lives and livelihoods both physically and verbally.[1]..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-06
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 253.88 KB
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Description: "This Interview with Saw A--- describes events and issues occurring in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District, during January 2015, including improvements in education, villager opinions about the ceasefire, and land confiscation.... The Karen Education Department (KED) said they will raise each teachers? salaries from 4,500 baht (US $133.48) to 7,500 baht (US $222.47) per year starting in 2014 in B--- village... Saw A--- expressed his opinion on the ceasefire agreement between the Burma/Myanmar government and the Karen National Union (KNU), saying that he does not have faith in the current ceasefire... Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #340 confiscated villagers? land in Hpapun area and put up a sign declaring it to be the battalion?s land. The villagers remain the legal landlords but the LIB is exercising de-facto control. The interviewee?s brother had submitted a complaint about this to the KNU Land Department several times in 2014 and, although he was told the land will be returned, there has been no observed progress towards land reclamation or compensation..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-11
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 307.84 KB
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