Weekly Analysis: Social Relief Organizations Targeted by the Military Junta

October 21, 2024

Across target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi region, the junta continues to deploy terror tactics to discourage support for the resistance. Since the attempted coup in Burma on 1 February 2021, the military has used violence as a retaliatory response to the widespread uprisings and condemnation of their failed power bid. Social relief organizations and humanitarian aid workers have been primarily targeted.

On October 9, the junta charged three members of the ‘Pai Shin Mae’ Emergency Rescue group in Thanbyuzayat, Mon State, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The members, including the group’s chairman, U Ye Min Htike, along with Ko Win Kyi and Ko Too, were arrested on the night of September 18 at 9 PM and have since been prosecuted under Section 50(j) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

“They were accused of donating money and supporting rice to the People’s Defense Forces,” shared a resident of Thanbyuzayat, explaining the reasoning behind the charges.

The arrested members have been detained at the Thanbyuzayat police station following their transfer from military intelligence, where they are awaiting trial. Their families were allowed to visit them after the transfer.

The crackdown on social aid groups has intensified since the coup, with members being frequently arrested and accused of aiding resistance forces. In this case, three more rescue group members were arrested on September 21. However, by the end of September, several of the detained individuals were released, and on the night of October 7, three more members, including Ko Ye Hlaing Oo and Ko Zaw Wan, were freed.

Since the military takeover, social aid workers in Mon State, especially in Thanbyuzayat and Mudon Townships, have faced constant arrests, with two volunteers previously sentenced to prison on similar allegations.

Overview of Main Cases

Injuries from Artillery Shelling in Thein Zayat Township
Three members of a family, including grandparents and their grandchild, were injured when an artillery shell fired by the military junta struck their home in Thein Zayat Township, Mon State. The incident occurred on October 12 at 3 PM, despite no active fighting in the area.
Fatal Artillery Strike in Kyainnseikyi Township, Karen State
On October 12, a 10-year-old child and a man were killed after the military junta indiscriminately fired artillery shells into Kyakhatchaung village, Kyainnseikyi Township. The attack was launched by Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 284.
Eight People Arrested with Alleged Ties to Opposition Groups
At least eight residents from Paung Township were arrested on suspicion of being members of local armed resistance groups. Families and close associates have expressed concerns about enforced disappearances.
Drone Strike Injures Civilians in Dawei
A villager was shot dead, and six others, including children, were injured in a drone strike during a recent offensive by junta troops in Long Lone Township, Dawei District. Local sources report that the military also burned down a house as part of their operations. Since October 13, the junta has been launching attacks on several villages, including Nyin Maw, Got Ainn, and Oak Ye Phyu, in Long Lone Township.
Woman Injured and Homes Destroyed in Drone Attack
An elderly woman was injured and three homes were destroyed following a drone attack by the military junta in West Ban Law village, Tanintharyi. The incident occurred on October 8 at 1 PM when junta troops stationed at Kyauk Bone Mountain dropped eight bombs using two drones.
Social Relief Group Targeted by the Junta
On October 9, the junta charged three members of the ‘Pai Shin Mae’ Emergency Rescue group in Thanbyuzayat, Mon, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The members, including the group’s chairman, U Ye Min Htike, Ko Win Kyi, and Ko Too, were arrested on allegations of supporting the resistance.