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Burmese government action in advance of 2010 election

W ith the approach of the 2010 election, HURFOM believes that transparency in the Burmese military government’s role in election preparations is necessary.  By documenting the actions of Burmese government and its subsidiary groups throughout Mon state, HURFOM hopes to illustrate the deliberate and sweeping role the government plays in safeguarding its own power in the formation of the future “civilian” government. Read more

Peaceful Spirit in September 2007

This September marks the 2nd anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, which recognizes the peaceful demonstration of Buddhist monks in 2007 and the brutal treatment they received from the ruling regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).  The Buddhist monks were simply demanding peace, but the regime gave them riot police and soldiers with bullets and beating. Read more

Empty Rice Baskets: An Analysis of the Causes and Implications of the August 2009 Flooding in Mon State

Introduction:

Once known as the ‘rice basket’ of Asia, Burma’s long-standing reputation as a leading rice exporter has dwindled as its economy has collapsed after years of rule by several generations of military juntas. Within the country, the leading role of rice as a food product and commercial cash crop has persisted. Yet despite its significant role in Burmese agriculture, the rice paddy farmers of Mon state, who have long been the backbone of rice production in Burma, are finding it increasingly difficult to continue to provide for their own livelihoods and those of their families.

The threat to paddy farmers is twofold, due to both man-made catastrophes as well as natural disasters. Due to the poor design and management of the Win-pha-non and Kataik dams, farms and villages throughout the area have been flooded as spillways running from the damn have failed. Thanks to excess rainfall, farmers in the 6 divisions of Mon State have lost hundreds of acres of rice paddies due to flooding. However, in addition to the destruction of their cash crops, paddy farmers face further loss of income and property from the abusive economic management practices of the Burmese government’s State Peace and Development Council’s (SPDC) agricultural programs.  Despite flooding, seasonal limitations, and lack of funding, government administrators demand that farmers replant their crops to meet government rice quotas.  While they are provided with no economic support, farmers are still expected to meet the quota or face the seizure of their land, and in some cases, forced manual labor.

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Background

Mon state is well known for its strong agricultural output and favorable climate.  Because of its value as an agricultural region, Mon state is home to 7 dams.  The 2 dams responsible for the widespread flooding that HURFOM has been documenting are the Win-pha-non and the Kataik dams.  Both these dams, according to sources close to the SPDC, were built to contribute to the prevention of flooding and to assist local farmers in the cultivation of rainy season and summer paddy fields.

In August 2009 particularly intense seasonal rains fell. In response, government administrators released excess water from the Win-pha-non and Kataik dams. In addition to widespread flooding from the excessive monsoon rainfall, the release of dam water has proved catastrophic, as water has been spilling over the poorly designed dam’s runoff canals around the area. Read more

Harming the Young: Sexually Abused Children in Burma and the Migrant Communities of Thailand

WCRP:

Introduction

Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is notorious for its oppression of the democratic opposition led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and for human rights violations against ethnic nationalities who participate in liberation movements. In response to these violations and constant suppression, citizens are continually fleeing Burma. Read more

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