Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
July 24, 2023
HURFOM | July Third Week
The human rights situation in Southeastern Burma is worsening as the international community and regional actors, including ASEAN, fail to respond with adequate measures to hold the junta accountable for their widespread and systematic crimes against humanity. The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM). The junta targets women, children, the elderly and others with artillery fire, shelling and mortars. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and an overall longing for peace and protection has once again forced civilians to bear the burden of war.
Any opposition to the dictatorship is met with violence, torture and death. According to local sources, at 9 AM on Jul 15, after the funeral service in Kaung Mu village, Dawei, eight young villagers from the Youth Association of Kaung Mu were stopped. The military inspected their phones, and two Mon youths were arrested and severely beaten. Locals said that the arrested young men, 22-year-old Nay Lin Zaw and 17-year-old Thein Htwe, were found with the three-finger salute images on their phones and were severely beaten and detained for a day at the Kanbauk Police Station:
Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
July 17, 2023
HURFOM | July Second Week
The situation in Southeastern Burma continues to deteriorate violently. Civilians have been forced to flee their homes and villages, desperately searching for refuge and protection. Even as they try to escape, the junta is relentless in firing ammunition and scores have been injured and killed while running for their lives. In addition, many suffer from preventable diseases due to the Burma Army’s ongoing blocking of aid and urgently needed resources. Civil society groups and social welfare organizations are doing their best to fill the gaps in service provisions. Still, serious risks continue undermining stability in the region and countrywide.
The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) is committed to documenting the widespread atrocities rampant along the Thai-Burma border and in the dozens of townships across our target areas of Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi region. Firing happens in Burma even when there is no conflict to provoke the regime. The attacks against civilians are indiscriminate and targeted.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
July 10, 2023
HURFOM | July First Week
Human rights violations in Mon State continue to increase steadily. In the two and a half years since the attempted coup, military impunity is in every facet of life in Southeastern Burma. Civilians continue to carry the burden of their livelihoods being strained. Extortion is ongoing at checkpoints, and indiscriminate firing regularly threatens the safety of local people. The affiliation of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) to the junta has also caused divisions.
At the end of June, the 31st local military battalion launched indiscriminate artillery attacks on Kyouk Eye village, Khaw Zar Sub-township, Southern Ye Township, Mon State, killing a local woman. The NMSP visited the victims’ houses to offer financial support. However, local Mon people have criticized them for their conduct in this incident and are questioning their political stance with the junta:
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
June 26, 2023
HURFOM | June Week Four
As June nears an end, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) remains deeply concerned over the rise of atrocities perpetrated by the junta against civilians. Over the last week, women were targeted by the regime in a series of arbitrary arrests and abductions. The lawlessness that continues to consume the daily affairs of citizens is all the more evident that more than anything – the junta fears the people themselves who refuse to accept their dictatorship. This was especially clear following the arrest of nine women who participated in a flower strike to mark the birthday of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Mawlamyine, Mon State. On June 19, the arrested and imprisoned State Counselor’s 78th birthday was commemorated by flower strikes.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
June 19, 2023
HURFOM | June Week Three
As the people’s calls for justice and accountability grow, it is all the more concerning that some ASEAN countries refuse to condemn the military’s violence and gross negligence. Across the last week, it was revealed that the outgoing Thai Foreign Minister was planning secret meetings with the military junta. The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) joined regional civil society organizations in expressing concern and frustration in further coordinating meetings that go against the people’s will. These meetings must not take place at the risk of legitimizing the junta.
While authoritarian leaders corroborate, the Burma Army continues its widespread attacks against civilians nationwide. In Southeastern Burma, indiscriminate firing by junta-backed soldiers indicates the impunity that goes unchallenged at the cost of human lives. According to residents, the junta troops shot and killed a young, internally displaced man from Ya Nge village, Thayet Chaung Township, Dawei District, on the afternoon of June 11. He fled as fighting descended upon Min Dap, Tain Kon, Ka Myaing, Ya Nge, Kyauk Kha Mauk, Kyaul Min Kon and Kanet Thiri villages.
The victim was 23-year-old Ko Wai Yan Hein, who was shot while trying to escape to a safe place with his family when the junta troops arrived. He was targeted while returning home to take medicine for his ill mother:
Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
June 12, 2023
HURFOM | June Week Two
Fighting in Southeastern Burma has displaced over 500,000 people in Karen State alone. The military junta is losing their war on the people as fierce opposition results in mass casualties. And yet, the response by the regime is to engage in more conflict, particularly in areas which target civilians. The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) remains committed to documenting human rights violations to bring urgency to the situation. A response rooted in the voices of the people who have long called for targeted sanctions, a global arms embargo and cross-border aid.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
June 5, 2023
HURFOM | June Week One
The military junta has increased their animosity towards civilians as indiscriminate firing and unprovoked attacks claimed the lives of many this week, including women, older adults and children. Even those with disabilities are not spared by the bullets of the regime’s guns. Burma Army soldiers have no military strategy other than to shoot when they declare someone a target. Unfounded accusations and allegations of loyalties to opposition groups are ongoing as dozens are charged and detained without evidence. The rule of law in the courts has lost all credibility, so many dare not even appeal their cases. Without justice, there cannot be any accountability through domestic legal systems.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
May 29, 2023
HURFOM | May Week Four
As yet another month ends, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) remains deeply concerned over the country’s fragmented state of affairs, particularly from a human rights perspective. While morale plunges, lawlessness and disregard for the protection of the people are causing a rapid decline in safety and security. The circumstances have made it increasingly difficult for HURFOM to conduct our fieldwork and activities as informers and junta-backed militias target anyone affiliated with the pro-democracy movement.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
May 22, 2023
HURFOM | May Week Three
Airstrikes and mortar shelling continue to threaten the stability of local people in Burma. The indiscriminate attacks by the military junta are relentless, even amidst emergency response efforts for those injured in Cyclone Mocha, which has devastated parts of the country. The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) remains deeply concerned at the escalation of assaults, especially those which have targeted civilian homes and infrastructure.
Read moreWeekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region
May 15, 2023
HURFOM | May Week Two
As the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) documents the military junta’s ongoing atrocities and war crimes, impunity only continues to thrive as the international community fails to respond. During the most recent ASEAN summit last week, regional leadership refused to take progressive steps forward to hold the Burma Army accountable.
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