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

March 11, 2024

HURFOM, First Week of March 2024

Across the first week of March, there continued to be widespread attacks against civilians who have been abducted and detained on baseless charges. The junta is rapidly losing bases and territory across target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM). In response, the Burma Army has scaled up attacks against the people, notably those spearheading the Spring Revolution.

On the evening of 28 February 2024, another teacher affiliated with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) was abducted in Kanbauk, Yebyu, Dawei. Military junta troops arrested the 48-year-old CDM teacher, Daw Mee Mee Zaw, from Khaing Thazin Ward:

“They raided the house and abducted her. They put a black hood on her head. It’s confirmed that she was taken,” a woman from Khaing Thazin Ward reported to HURFOM. The woman continued to disclose that the CDM teacher, Daw Mee Mee Zaw, was arrested for allegedly teaching National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) education online.

At that time, a married couple, U Ko Naing, a driver employee of PTTEP International Limited (PTTEPI), a Thai oil company, and his wife, Daw May Day, a shopkeeper, were also arrested. The couple were captured on the allegation that they supported the People’s Defense Force (PDF).

According to a local source, the victims are being interrogated at the junta’s Mawrawaddy Naval Headquarters, and their families were not able to contact them. From December of last year to February 29th of this year, at least 24 residents of Phaung Taw, Ohn Pin, Kanbauk, Min Thar, and Tha Boot Chaung villages were detained by the Mawrawaddy Navy in the Kanbauk area; 14 were released, and ten are still in custody. Among them are four female CDM education staff. Most of the 11 victims in custody have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Several of the victims who were released are showing signs of severe trauma and are struggling with their mental health. There remains widespread stigma in Burma for those seeking treatments, and there are also serious gaps in the provision of these services.

Approximately 32 people have been abducted on the ground, but the names and villages of the victims cannot be confirmed. The details of the arrests are still being investigated. In the Kanbauk area, where the anti-military dictatorship movement remains strong, the military junta imposed a night curfew. Also, it restricted the ability of two men to ride together on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, civilian areas continue to be bombed by the junta. The Burma Army forces used aircraft and helicopters to attack and bombard the towns of Metta and Hein Dar Pyin village in the Eastern Forest area of Dawei Township, Tanintharyi, on 4 March. At 10:30 AM, an aircraft dropped eight bombs. Half an hour later, another Mi-2-type helicopter arrived and dropped bombs continuously, according to residents.

“There was smoke coming out of the place where it was dropped. The sound was different from an ordinary plane. We looked out and saw everything,” said a local witness.

The locals added that more than twenty bombs were being launched, despite there being no active fighting. Between 1 and 5 March, the military junta bombed the Eastern Forest area using fighter jets and helicopters. The damage caused by the air attack is still being determined.

These senseless attacks on civilian lives deprive them of their humanity and their basic rights to protection and safety. HURFOM amplifies our calls to the international community for accountability mechanisms to be urgently enforced.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News