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HURFOM convenes “Farmers and Land Users” seminar in Moulmein

HURFOM: On February 14 to 15, participants from 20 organisations attended a “Farmers and Land Users” seminar, organised by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) in Mon State’s capital Moulmein.

HURFOM organised the event in cooperation with a group of Mon State CBOs, with help from a working committee of activist farmers interested in land rights. The seminar, targeted at farmers in eastern Salween, was held in Paing Khit Hall, located in Myaintharyar quarter of Moulmein.

In total 94 representatives were in attendance, coming from 20 organisations based in Ye, Paung, Yebyu, Chaungzon, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Kyiakmayaw and Moulmein townships.

The seminar was held with the goal of explaining the strengths and weaknesses of current land laws, particularly in terms of protections offered to farmers and land users. The seminar also aimed to document farmers’ cases, in the hope of using this information to influence future land policy.

In addition, it was hoped that the seminar might offer space for healing for farmers who lost their land to confiscation.

HURFOM committee member Nai Oung Mon described, “The main point is that we would like to see our Mon farmers understand their rights better, and for them to more effectively understand land laws. After hearing about land disputes all over the country, we want to support farmers in Mon areas.”

Participants discussed difficulties faced by land users across the country and sought advice on how to resolve land conflicts in their areas. Particular focus was given to the issue of customary land tenure, with many farmers at risk of losing land that, while handed down in their families for generations, lacks official paperwork.

Ma Thida, a seminar attendee from Tarana village in Kyaimayaw Township, described the problems she herself had faced when her family’s land was sold without their knowledge or consent, “In our township, there are cases where the landowners do not know that their land has been sold. Our family was one of these cases. Of course we want our land back.”

Speaking to seminar participants, U Myint Thwin explained the current laws governing different types of land, and offered advice to those facing land conflicts.

U Myint Thwin told HURFOM, ”The government and relevant departments never give talks on this issue…There is no law to protect these farmers. [The law] only hurts them. Currently, according to the vacant and fallow land policy, farmers can be compensated for their crops [when land is confiscated], but it is not easy for them to secure this compensation.”

The seminar concluded with participants agreeing on nine points and demands.

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