“They think we are not human”: Strategic abuses threaten local economy
August 6, 2010
Summary
This month the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) documents the perpetuation of human rights violations by the State Peace and Development Councilís (SPDCís) army units that are reminiscent of the previous anti-insurgent ë4-cutsí policy. Despite the supposed discontinuation of these systematized abuses, research clearly indicates that these violations are continually put in use to target ethnic groups located in the southern part of Mon State and northern part of Tenasserin Division.
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We all must suffer: Documentation of continued abuses during Kanbuak to Mayingkalay pipeline ruptures
July 5, 2010
Introduction
The Kanbauk to Mayingkalaly gas pipeline has been in operation for nearly 10 years, and continues to be the direct motivating factor for human rights abuses committed by Burmese military battalions that inundate the area. In addition, despite the operational status of the pipeline, villages and farms abutting the pipeline continue to be haunted by lasting effects of poor construction, technology, and a lack of interest on the part of the current junta in persevering the environment, or the lives and wellbeing, of local residents.
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Like water poured in the sand: Southeastern Burma in a post-ceasefire world
May 26, 2010
Introduction:
On April 22nd, 2010 the New Mon State Party publicly announced its final refusal of the State Peace and Development Council’s (SPDC) Border Guard Force (BGF) proposal. The refusal was issued despite widespread reports that Southeast Command Major General Ye Myint had informed the party at an April 7th meeting that such a move would lead to a return of the NMSP’s “pre-ceasefire relationship” with the SPDC[1]. Read more
Women’s Rights Study on Mon Women’s Day
May 24, 2010
Introduction
On February 24th, 2010, Mon nationals from various areas in Thailand and southern Burma celebrated the 6th anniversary of Mon Women’s Day (MWD). Celebrations took place in Baleh-Donephai, an Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) resettlement site in southern Burma. During the celebration WCRP conducted a cross-sectional qualitative survey about: domestic violence, economic despair, livelihoods and the role of women in the family. Read more
When Frogs Eat Frogs: Systematic Abuses by DKBA Forces Against Karen Communities
May 4, 2010
A Karen proverb says, ‘Frogs are extinct because they eat each other.’ Now, like this proverb, the same ethnic groups oppress each other, so they will be extinct and get nothing beneficial.
A village headman in Kawkareik Township
In some cases, they [DKBA troops] are worse than the Burmese military. As they speak Karen language, they are defined as Karen, but their manner is the same as Burmese Army.
Saw Phoe Thar, a 63 year old resident of Kook Ka Rate, Karin State. Read more
Cycles of abuse: How extortion of remittances from Burmese workers perpetuates worker migration
April 5, 2010
Introduction:
Announced in 2008 the Royal Thai Government (RTG) instituted a project of ‘National Verification’, intending to issue temporary passports for Thailand’s estimate 1.8 to 3 million migrant workers1. While migrant workers from Laos and Cambodia were able to registered at offices provided by their home country within Thailand, the vast majority of migrants, of whom nearly 1.5 to 2 million are Burmese, were forced to travel back to Burma to either return home or register at offices in Myawaddy, Tachilek and Kawthaung.
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Oil and Water: The Impact of Government salary increases on democratic prospects
March 8, 2010
Introduction:
In early January 2010, the Burmese government State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) announced a nationwide salary increase for all government employees. Under the announcement No. 104/2010, from the SPDC Department of Finance and Customs in Nayphidaw, the pay hike was implemented concurrent with the SPDC’s heavy-handed campaign to secure civilian support during the 2010 election. The pay hike raised the salary of all active members in the government workforce a flat 20,000 kyat per month, regardless of position or rank. Download report as PDF [143 KB] Read more
“We have to try”: Mounting pressure in election preparations and responses from the Mon State community
February 5, 2010
Introduction
Between December 2009 and early January 2010, South-East Command Major General That Naing Win issued a series of orders to local and regional Burmese government administrators in Mon State, mandating that their offices begin lobbying the residents of the areas under their administrative control for political support, in preparation for the 2010 election. These orders coincided with a rapid increase in human rights abuses targeting the citizens of Mon State. Download report as PDF [176 KB] Read more
Election preparations round off a year of abuses against farmers in Mon territory
January 3, 2010
Introduction:
As preparations by the Burmese State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for the elections slated for 2010 mount, an increasing amount of pressure will be placed on already burdened rural agricultural communities in Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Ye and Kyaikmayaw Townships. As previously noted in HURFOM’s October and November election reports, these preparations have targeted rural communities with the intention of securing political dominance in advance of the government’s announcement of the 2010 electoral rules. In taking farmers and community members from their time sensitive-cultivation and harvests of rice crops that are critical for community survival and economy, these preparations have place an excessive burden on agricultural populations. Download report as PDF [ 328 KB] Read more
Burmese government pressure on communities for support in 2010 election
December 1, 2009
Introduction:
While the Burmese government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has yet to release the election rules for the coming 2010 election, the SPDC has been proactive in preparations to secure its grip on power within a newly formed civilian government. The result has been a systematic effort by preexistent government controlled civilian groups and military forces, to create a climate untenable for the development of resistance or political thought separate from the SPDC party
line. Download report as PDF [ 144 KB] Read more
Latest Headlines
- NUP campaign promises immunity from regime abuses
- ND-Burma Network release groundbreaking report on SPDC taxation abuses
- SPDC soldiers arbitrarily shoot villager and boy
- SPDC Battalion uses forced porters as human shield against land mines and further attack
- “They think we are not human”: Strategic abuses threaten local economy
- Ceasefire Concern, Security tightened in Gas Pipeline Areas
- American Specialist Children’s Hospital in Mawlamyine Overflowing with Patients
- Cultivators and local inhabitants face threat to livelihood and life after LIB No. 273 bans travel outside villages in northern Tenasserim Division:
- HIV child hopes for the future
- SPDC continues systematized abuse of villager’s vehicles in Yebyu Township
Articles in Mon (PDF Format)
