Weekly Update in HURFOM Targeted Areas [Week Three: March 2022]

March 21, 2022

HURFOM: Weekly update on the situation in Karen, Mon & Dawei since the attempted coup:
13+ Arrested
9+ Detained
9+ Inured
4+ Killed

Civilians are unlawfully being targeted & charged in military-backed courts where justice has been delayed, denied, and dismissed.

Full Analysis:

May be an image of text that says "WEEKLY UPDATE IN HURFOM TARGETED AREAS WEEK THREE: MARCH 2022 A weekly update by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) on the situation on the ground. Summary data includes Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi region. HURFOM 13+ ARRESTED 9+ DETAINED 9+ INJURED 4 KILLED Total Arrested & Detained: 2,645+ Total Injured: 386+ Total Killed: 80 These numbers are based on reports from the media, HURFOM data, network members and civil society organizations starting from February 2021. The total numbers may vary."

In HURFOM target areas of Mon and Karen States, as well as Tanintharyi region, civilians have experienced mounting terror and intimidation tactics by the unlawful junta. Innocent people continue to be unlawfully arrested and charged in courts that are closed to the public which evokes the very spirit of authoritarian rule and judgment.

A school teacher involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in Khok Khwar village, Kyaninseki Township, Karen State was sentenced to 17 years in prison on three counts. Ko Hein Htet Aung was a primary school teacher who had joined the CDM. His court hearings were finalized on 9 March by a military junta backed court in Hpa-An, Taung Kale Prison. The court decision also included hard labor. The charges include Section 505 of the Penal Code, and Section 52a of the Anti-Terrorism Law. Two young activists in Dawei have also been sentenced to 12 years in prison each by the junta-backed Dawei prison court on March 14. These two strike leaders and activists, Ko Pai Khant Zaw, 19, and Ko Set Mai Soe, 24, were arrested in Dawei and detained since May last year.

In Mon State, a young man only 21 years old, along with his friends were stopped, searched and arbitrarily abducted by the junta near Ye Township highway station on 14 March. They were alleged to be affiliated with local civilian defense forces. Midnight raids in Ye Township, Mon State in particular are ongoing. On 16 March at 10:30 PM, Ko Yi Htay and another two residents from Yan Gyi Aung Ward were abducted after their homes were raided. A couple days there on 18 March, former National League for Democracy (NLD) Chairman, U Kyaw Moe Aye had his home and property seized by the junta in Ye township. His relatives, including his brother and nephew were arrested. Among the unlawful arrests this week, an elderly 80 year old man, who is well known and experienced in the community, was also abducted in Ye township, despite not having an arrest warrant or any grounds to do so.

At the end of the week, HURFOM documented more horror. At least three innocent local villagers were killed, and seven others injured when artillery shells exploded near a pagoda in Kyauktaung village, Thaton Township, Mon State during a festival. There must be justice and accountability for those who have fallen and lost their lives to such senseless violence.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News