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Press Release: IDP Communities Struggling to Survive as COVID-19 Restrictions and Quarantine Measures Causing Destitution in Southeastern Burma/Myanmar

For Immediate Release

HURFOM, 15 July 2020: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in remote communities in southeast Burma/Myanmar are struggling to survive. COVID-19-related restrictions on the freedom of movement in these areas—often under the administration of multiple ethnic armed organizations (EAOs)—make it almost impossible for villagers to access livelihoods, generating looming food shortages, exacerbated by the start of the rainy season. In response to these issues, HURFOM is publishing: “Left Behind and Destitute: How IDP Communities in Southern Burma/Myanmar Are Struggling to Survive during COVID-19”  (English / Burmese).

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MNEC facing a shortage of qualified teachers due to limited salary rates 

HURFOM: The Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) has a limited budget that provides a small salary to its school teachers. As a result, education activists have noted  the MNEC is facing great difficulties appointing qualified teachers for Mon national schools.

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First time voters worry about how to ensure their vote counts in the General Election

HURFOM: The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on July 1, 2020 that the 2020 general election will be held on November 8.

However, for some living in remote or rural regions of the country, the election and voting process brings different worries.

Metropolitan populations have regular and easy access to the UEC or political parties so they have few problems with the voting process.  But the rural population in remote areas do not know how to cast their ballots, and voting processes have changed over time. 

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International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Achieve Justice by Combating Impunity

On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Women’s League of Burma (WLB), Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma), Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), Vimutti Women’s Organization (VWO) and Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) are calling for an end to torture, and for reparation and justice for torture surviors. 

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Mawkanin fire victims need help after homes destroyed

HURFOM: On June 22, 2020, 27 houses in Ward #3, of Mawkanin village, Ye Township, Mon State caught fire. 18 houses were burnt to ashes and 9 houses were damaged. A problem with electrical wiring is thought to be the cause of the fire. 

Those who lost their homes have been struggling to rebuild and cope on a daily basis since the fire. 

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2nd round of livelihood supports underway due to Covid-19

HURFOM: The President’s Office announced on June 19th, 2020 that for the second time the government will provide food packs to those facing livelihood hardships due to Covid-19.

The Mon State government listed more than 70,000 households that are eligible to receive supports for the second time.

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UEC to provide assistance for voters with disabilities

HURFOM: For the upcoming general election to be held in November 2020, there will not be a separate polling station for voters with disabilities in Mon State. Instead, U Hein Lin Htet, Secretary of the Mon State Election Sub-commission announced there will be a different approach.

The chief and the staff of polling stations will facilitate better voting processes for these voters. “We are planning on locating 958 polling stations in Mon State. Not every station has voters with disabilities. There is a separate polling station where the school for the blind is located. However, Mon State doesn’t have (such a school). But the handbook for the Chief of the polling station now includes a directive on how to assist voters who are disabled,” said the Secretary.

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Seven villages under NMSP unable to vote in 2020 election due to security concerns

HURFOM: People living in seven villages in the Ye Chaung Phya region, a New Mon State Party controlled area in Ye Township, Mon State will lose their right to vote in the 2020 election.

“We’ve been making a huge effort for the people in Ye Chaung Phya to get the right to vote. But we aren’t allowed to collect a voter list. There are challenges,” said an activist who lives in Ye Town.

Activists filed a report to the Ye Township Administrator seeking the ability to  collect names for a voter list in seven villages of Ye Chaung Phya area, but the Kyaung Yaw village Administrator said there are  security concerns in the area. As a result the Ye Administrator has not approved the request.

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Four people drown in lake made by excavation company

HURFOM: In early 2018, with the permission from the Mon State government, Golden Geo Myanmar Co., Ltd and Royal Eagle Myanmar Development Co., Ltd began excavations searching for fabled caches of buried gold and other valuables. The treasure was thought to have been left by retreating Japanese troops during World War II at Mount Mane Bala nearby Thanbyuzayat, Mon State.

The companies found nothing and the Mon State government stopped the project. However,  in January 2020, the Royal Eagle company began excavations again.

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Legal aid provider attempts rape in exchange for legal advice

HURFOM: On June 7, 2020, a legal aid provider from Kadar Ward, Paung Town, Mon State attempted to rape a woman who came to him to seek legal advice, according to the Ward Administrator.

The woman is facing marital problems and went to the legal aid provider’s home to consult on the problem. According to the victim, the aid provider demanded sex in exchange for legal services. She was also physically assaulted but was able to escape. 

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