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Sand on the meat: citizen voices on election intimidation, manipulation and loss

The following accounts compiled by HURFOM field reporters detail the voices of election participants as the November 7th polling day unfolded.  These civilians were the predominant eyewitness observers to the on the ground operation of the election in Burma. These detailed accounts provide information that confirms concerns of widespread government election manipulation and ballot fraud practiced by Burmese government staff, soldiers, and the key government backed party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Download report as PDF [295KB]

The following abuses of the election polling station rules fall in to several categories that are briefly detailed below. Predominately all abuse of election and polling rules came from either government staff or pro-government USDP members. Government staff included polling station employees, soldiers, administrative staff and members of the election commission (EC) that have dictated rules throughout the entire period of this election. Read more

Welcoming the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Genuine National Reconciliation

Along with the people in Burma and international community, the Mon people and Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) are glad to see that Burma’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was released on November 13.

Many people expect she can make a change for Burma, as she also officially spoke about building up a ‘national reconciliation’.  But since the regime change after November 7 was not significant, whether she can move forward or deal with the regime in getting genuine national reconciliation remains a question. Read more

12 Karen women village heads remain detained on International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

HURFOM, Kawkareik: While November 25^th marks International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the SPDC continues to implement systemic violence against women as a political tool throughout Burma. The following is an account of 12 women village heads that remain detained with no explanation, and no clarification of their health or whereabouts. Read more

Villagers from NMSP territory taken as porters by SPDC during continued conflict

After the recent outbreak of post election fighting between the Burmese SPDC forces and the DKBA, local residents in Three Pagodas Pass sub-township have been forced to serve as porters for the SPDC battalions. The abduction of residents within NMSP territory is a direct violation of the ceasefire, and signals a significant escalation in the SPDC’s disregard for ceasefire conditions it had previously set. These villagers face an extreme threat to their lives as porters taken during active conflicts often are used as either human shields against incoming fire, to trigger ambushes, or as human landmine clearers. Taking residents as porters is also likely to cause significant economic hardship, as the majority of the area residents are dependent on income from daily labor. Read more

9 year old girl killed during fighting at Three Pagodas Pass

WCRP: A 9-year-old girl was hit in the spine and killed by shrapnel from an explosion at around 4pm yesterday in Three Pagodas Pass. The explosion was caused by a shell fired from a State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) mortar at Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) rebels and landed on the ground amidst civilians caught between the two forces while attempting to escape from the fighting. Read more

Thousands flee from Three Pagoda Pass Town, support and basic supplies a concern

Due to fighting which began yesterday in Three Pagodas Pass town between the DKBA and local Burmese SPDC forces, an estimated 10,000 refugees have now fled over the Thai-Burma border, and into ceasefire NMSP controlled territory. These refuges, judging the fighting to be a sever threat, fled without personal belongings or supplies. As a result of this sudden exodus, refugee encampments on Thai side of TPP and in NMSP controlled territory are likely to suffer sudden shortages of food, shelter, mosquito nets, and even the most basic food supplies. Read more

The toll of government vote manipulation in Mon and Karen States

In Mon and Karen States, valid voting communities saw efforts in the week prior to the election to force government administration and civil servants to cast early ballots. These efforts have involved both intimidating voters and taking the ballots from staff to be filled out by senior department heads. As a result, many voters have been intimidated into voting for the USDP, or believe their ballots have been filled out in support of the USDP. Read more

Not Free Not Fair

With the Burmese 2010 election now complete, overwhelming evidence that the election was heavily manipulated by the regime has been substantiated. This video details some of these efforts by the SPDC to manipulate the election in favor of the USDP and against ethnic minority groups.

The New Civil War and Human Rights after Elections

People all over in Burma always have expectations for peace in Burma, because they do not want to suffer more from political oppression, economic deterioration, human rights abuses, etc. But they are very unlucky because their unwanted and undesired new government, formed by military commanders and the leaders from Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), will not make much change. The change will be just like an old wine in a new bottle, meaning there will be a new government but with the old guard and old policies. Read more

1700 villagers join anti-election protests in Karen and Mon State

HURFOM, Mon State and Karen State: In a significant display of anti-election sentiment, three communities in Kyainnseikyi Township and Ye Township have held large anti-election rallies within two days of each other. According to participants, all three rallies were held because none of the communities had heard of any previous instances of open protests to raise awareness about ongoing election-related abuses villages in their area had experienced. Protesters hoped that, despite the risks, because of their actions other communities would more openly display their discontent with the State Peace and Development Council’s (SPDC’s) current election practices. Read more

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