Summer paddy abuse intensifies in Kamawat village, Mudon Township

December 28, 2009

HURFOM, Mon State: According to a source in Kamawat village, Mudon Township, the Mudon Township Department of Irrigation and Agriculture has forcing farmers in the region to grow summer season rice paddies since the beginning of November 2009, to compensate for the loss of this year’s rainy season crop; a Kamawat headman has reportedly been using the summer paddy orders as an opportunity to levy various extortion taxes on Kamawat villagers. Sources reported to HURFOM’s reporter that for the last 2 months, they have been forced to pay exorbitant prices for ploughs, rice seeds, and fertilizer. Read more

IB No. 48 kills 3 in Pegu Division

December 17, 2009

HURFOM, Pegu: According to a former village resident, three Hsaw Law Kho villagers were killed and over a dozen more were tortured by Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 48, in Than Tha Bin Township, Thaungoo district, in Pegu division on November 5th. Read more

The Difficulties of Migrant Women

December 17, 2009

WCRP: In January 2007, 17-year-old Ma Than and her best friend Ma Cho, 18-years-old, left Khaya village, Pa-an Township, Karen State, Burma, and travelled to Mahachai Thailand. In hopes of earning better wages and providing for their families, the girls and 3 friends arranged the trip with a local broker. The broker promised them prosperous jobs and charged each 450,000 kyat for travel costs. Read more

Residents forced to contribute unpaid labor and money in reconstruction and repair of DKBA barracks

December 16, 2009

HURFOM, Pa-an: Residents of Pa-an township area in Karen State have been forced to take part in the repair and reconstruction of 2 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) barracks. Villagers have been forced to contribute manual labor and building materials, or pay an arbitrary fine to DKBA battalion commanders, according to local sources. Read more

Mon Students Receive Health Education

December 15, 2009

WCRP: The Mon National Education Committee (MNEC), and the Mon National Health Care Committee (MNHC), will be facilitating a health program for children ages 5-12 from Mon National schools. The program, called the School Health Program, will provide Mon National schools with Vitamin A, deworming medicine, and a special curriculum designed to explain the importance of basic body care. Read more

32 Women Rescued from Brothel

December 15, 2009

WCRP: 32 Mon women were rescued by an underground Mon Migrant Union from a brothel in Chumphon province, near Ranong, Southern Thailand.The Union is an unofficial organization known throughout parts of southern Thailand for aiding migrant workers and preventing trafficking. Read more

MOMC No. 5 commandeers trucks in Thaungoo District

December 15, 2009

HURFOM: Truck owners in Than Tha Bin Township in Thaungoo district, Pegu Division, were forced to transport food supplies and weaponry to Burmese military camps in the region, under the orders of Military Operation Management Command No. 5, lead by Commander Khin Maung Sint. Read more

Excessive DKBA extortion targets hard-hit elephant owners

December 1, 2009

HURFOM: Democratic Karen Buddhist Army DKBA has taxing owners of elephants and oxen in Mi Palaing village and nearby villages in Kawkreik Township, Karen State. Villagers have reported having trouble paying due to economic hard times which have diminished incomes.   Read more

Burmese government pressure on communities for support in 2010 election

December 1, 2009

Introduction:

While the Burmese government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has yet to release the election rules for the coming 2010 election, the SPDC has been proactive in preparations to secure its grip on power within a newly formed civilian government.  The result has been a systematic effort by preexistent government controlled civilian groups and military forces, to create a climate untenable for the development of resistance or political thought separate from the SPDC party
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The 2008 Constitution and the 2010 Elections: Without Inclusiveness, Problems Will Remain Unresolved

December 1, 2009

The general population of Mon State and other parts of Burma think that the 2010 elections, and any new transformation of power that might result from them, will just be like ‘putting old wine into the new bottle’.  The “taste” will be the same, and their suffering of various political, economic, cultural, and human rights violations will be similar.   Read more

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