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

April 8, 2024

HURFOM, First Week of April 2024

At the end of March 2024, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) released our monthly overview inclusive of several worrying observations, including the impacts of forced conscription and the rise in crime, violence against women and the targeting of political prisoners within junta-run jails. These concerns have only heightened within the first week of April. The military continues to deceive the international community by concealing the fact that prisoners are being killed after inhumane torture.

HURFOM reported on the disappearance of political prisoner Ko Win Thiha on March 28, 2024. His death was confirmed on 3 April 2024. According to prison sources from the Dawei Political Prisoners Network, political prisoners Ko Minn Thu and Ko Win Thiha were taken from their cells with black hoods placed over their heads, tortured, and ultimately executed. They faced baseless accusations of communicating with the resistance forces from within the prison. The junta alleged they died trying to escape and disposed of their bodies without allowing their families to see them.

Political prisoners killed during interrogation by military intelligence, or those executed, tortured and beaten to death in junta custody, are denied their dignity even in death. Families are deprived of final farewells and traditional burials. The junta, to rid the evidence of their crimes, will cremate bodies, regardless of the individual’s religious affiliations. Then, loved ones are lied to and told the detainees died trying to escape. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has closely monitored and followed these cases with daily updates and reports.

Indiscriminate firing also contributes to ongoing fears by locals in Southeastern Burma. A patrolling military junta column shot a villager, age 60, named Nai Ka Rone, while he was watering vegetable plants on his farm in the southern part of Than Ka Laung village, Mon State. He was called upon by the Burma Army troops in Burmese but did not understand what they were saying, as he was not a native Burmese speaker. When he failed to reply, he was shot and killed. The increase in soldiers in the area has forced villagers to flee, fearing the same fate.

Despite the junta’s terrorizing tactics, the youth are continuing to resist. The New Rehmonnya Federated Force (NRFF) announced that Mon youths in Mawlamyine, Mon State, protested against the military dictatorship with the slogan “No to Military Slavery, build in Resilience and Unity.” The protest, led by the NRFF, took place on March 29. It challenged the military council’s failed attempt at a coup and its corrupt administration.

The NRFF spokesperson, Banyar Mehm, said the protest aimed to demonstrate the military council’s weakening grip on power and challenge its authority.

The NRFF’s statement also highlighted the junta’s arbitrary arrests and killings of youths over the past three years and the recent artillery attacks on Mon villages in Kyainnseikyi Township, Karen, which resulted in over 350 homes being set on fire. It emphasized that these actions attempted to intimidate the Mon people.

Mawlamyine has seen increased security measures in the past two years, including CCTV cameras installed by junta-backed Tech companies. Despite this, the NRFF managed to organize the protest to combine street demonstrations with military tactics, highlighting the need for such efforts due to the tightened security in the city.

The NRFF spokesperson urged all youths to participate in the revolution to shape the future of Mon State and encouraged them to join the fight in any way possible.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News