Militarization in ethnic areas obstacle to national reconciliation

April 22, 2009

In order to have control over the different ethnic areas and the non-Burman population, the current military regime had adopted a policy of militarization. What is meant with this militarization policy?

First, the SPDC is deploying more military troops with various battalions and artillery regiments in the areas where the fighting happens and then moved thousands of troops to there. Then they also moved soldiers’ families and created soldiers’ villages. In order to create soldiers’ villages, they confiscate more land.

Secondly, the Burmese Army troops have implemented an assimilation policy through the education and administration sectors. If the ethnic national schools are opened, they will force them to close or arrest ethnic teachers and make many disturbances.

Thirdly, villagers suffer from forced labor and conscription as forced porters. They suffer when the regime builds military barracks, roads and other projects. Then, villagers are forced to guard their own villages.

If peace or national reconciliation is to happen in Burma, the issue of militarization must be addressed. No progress can be made without dealing with past human rights violations and violations against the ethnic people’s economic rights.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Commentary