Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region

June 5, 2023

HURFOM | June Week One

The military junta has increased their animosity towards civilians as indiscriminate firing and unprovoked attacks claimed the lives of many this week, including women, older adults and children. Even those with disabilities are not spared by the bullets of the regime’s guns. Burma Army soldiers have no military strategy other than to shoot when they declare someone a target. Unfounded accusations and allegations of loyalties to opposition groups are ongoing as dozens are charged and detained without evidence. The rule of law in the courts has lost all credibility, so many dare not even appeal their cases. Without justice, there cannot be any accountability through domestic legal systems.

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) continues to document human rights violations, though with very high risks to their lives, as reporting becomes more challenging. HURFOM remains committed to ensuring the fall of the military dictatorship and ensuring the concerns of the people and their struggles are heard.

Due to the lack of accountability, local people are concerned about the safety of their lives, and criticism of the reckless fighting in the area by armed groups, including the junta, is rising. On May 26, at 9 PM, a 22-wheeled truck was attacked by a mine between milepost No. (135/2,3). One person was killed, and two were injured. The truck driver U Than Min Theik, Ko Hein Zin Win and Ma Khin Zar Hlaing was hit by a mine near Kali Kyung village.

Ko Hein Zin Win died on the spot due to being hit by a mine. It is unknown which group carried out the attack. On May 22, at 10 PM, a truck loaded with paving stones was driving from Pha An to Nay Pyi Taw and was attacked by a mine, injuring a 2-year-old child and mother. On the night of May 21, a passenger car was hit by a mine on the Yangon-Mawlamyine road in Kamar Sai village, Don Won village tract, Thaton Township and three passengers were injured.

The use of human shields also persists, despite, according to local sources, the junta raided Yay Wine village, Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region, burned two homes, and captured at least eight local people as human shields at about noon on May 28th:

“Everyone in the village has been fearful since the junta entered. There are no people in the neighbouring villages either. Two houses were burned. There are still more than 30 soldiers in the village,” said a local.

Due to the arrival of the junta, the residents of Ye Wine, Myin Mak Tak, Khaung Tain Pyin, Pa Khat Inn, Kin Kon and Ye Ai villages are fleeing to safe places. “The junta troops continue to commit their crimes and burn houses and arrest people. The excuse for doing so is always baseless accusations.”

The fighting led to more deaths of innocent people. The Karen National Union (KNU) Doo Playar District Administrative confirmed that at least three innocent people living in the villages of Kyone Do Township in Karen State were injured, and six houses were destroyed due to the junta’s indiscriminate artillery attacks. On May 28 at 8:00 PM, the Light Infantry Battalion 546 attacked the village with 120-mm and 105-mm artillery weapons. They fired on the village with mortars, injuring three innocent people, including a 15-year-old child, and destroying six houses.

According to previous records, nine people were injured in May alone, and fourteen houses were damaged due to heavy weapon attacks around Kyone Do Township. A resident confirmed the indiscriminate artillery shots of the junta military in the southern part of Kawkaraik: “They shoot into the village every day. If not during the day, they shoot at night. Sometimes homes, people, and pets are injured. Sometimes the weapon falls far away; sometimes, it falls in a village close to the city. It is not safe to live.”

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News