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

February 26, 2024

HURFOM, Fourth Week of February 2024

Over the last week, in target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), women were targeted by the military junta. The escalation of violence on the ground in Burma has impacted civilians the harshest, particularly in conflict-affected areas where women and children are among the majority of those displaced.

The regime also is enforcing stricter measures on mobility while repressing rights related to freedom of expression. This comes alongside a worrying rise in arbitrary arrests and abductions, which are rooted in baseless assumptions and a lack of evidence. In Mon State alone, according to a report by the New Ramanya Federal Force (NRFF), 105 civilians were killed, and more than 900 were unjustly arrested since the attempted coup.

As the junta increases its presence, women are being targeted for their pro-democracy activities. two sisters, Daw Cho Cho and Daw Nyo Nyo, aged 40, were captured by the Mawrawaddy Navy at 11:00 PM. on the 17th of February. On February 15th, Min Thar villager Daw Kay Jar Oo, a teacher who is also a member of the Civil Disobedience Movement, was abducted when she was returning from shopping in Kanbauk village.

“There are more and more cases of the Mawrawaddy Navy entering and arresting people at homes at night. Some have escaped,” said a Kanbauk local.

On the night of February 15th, a young woman from Tha Boot Chaung village, Thae Chaung village tract, Yebyu Township, was also abducted. Four women were arrested in Kanbauk by the regiment in the four days from February 15th to 18th.

“The phones of individuals arrested are being checked with advanced technology. Those who have many contacts with the arrests are captured again. Many people are all locked in one room together,” said a recently released person Since the beginning of this year, the Mawrawaddy Navy has been arresting and interrogating the locals in the Kanbauk area.

In Mawlamyine, Mon State, a young woman was arrested by the junta after members of a military lobby group on the messaging application, Telegram, urged them to arrest her.The user of a Facebook account, Thiri Yadanar Mg, was accused of supporting opposition groups on her social media page.

The junta issued a statement accusing her of posting information that affected ‘national peace and order’ when she wrote: “[The junta] is running out of bullets,” as well as supportive posts of the Spring Revolution. Now, Thiri Yadanar Mg is being investigated under Section 505-A of the Penal Code.

Ordinary people, including those from Thanbyuzayat Township, are worried that they will be accused and arrested on baseless allegations.

While women and children are among the majority of those displaced, women-led organizations are active on the ground and, despite the risks, are providing services and support, including awareness raising and humanitarian aid. They have provided women and children with legal assistance, monetary and material support and vocational training. Still, they face many challenges in delivering their services due to threats and restrictions from the military junta.

As the role of women evolves, they are pushing the boundary of preconceived gender norms in Burma, which stipulates that women only be assigned to responsibilities within the home. Women are sacrificing their physical and mental well-being, including economic security, in the fight for freedom in the country to ensure a better future for everyone.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News