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Ten Years On: Locals Still Paying for Pipeline’s Security

Thanbyuzayat and Mudon townships: Local residents complain they should no longer pay for security and other fees related to maintainence of the gas pipeline running from Kanbauk to Myaing Kalay. They charge that local authorities and military battalions have unfairly taxed them since the gas pipeline was installed. In the era of a new ostensibly civilian-led government, they believe these unjust security fees should stop. Read more

In Two Villages, Residents Fear Extrajudicial Killings

HURFOM,Kawkareik Township: Following the breakout of renewed fighting in Karen State, Burmese government troops are engaging in extrajudicial killings of those they accuse of being members of rebel armed groups.  In documenting these human rights abuses, HURFOM found that safety and survival are the main concern of locals. Read more

Amid Continued Fighting, Lives and Property in Danger

September 6, 2011, Kyarinnseikyi Township: Local residents in Kyarinnseikkyi Township have told HURFOM reporters that continuous armed conflict in their villages threatens their livelihoods and endangers their lives.

Interviews with local residents on September 5 have revealed that fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and government forces on September 4 caused significant loss of property and put their lives in danger. Read more

Biting the hand that feeds: Armed extortion in Karen State

Summary

From late June to mid-July 2011, HURFOM field reporters gathered human rights violation cases through conducting interviews with native residents of the villages under the administration of Kyon-doo Township, Kawkareik Township, and Kyarinnseikkyi Township. These villages include those that are located in western and southern Kawkareik Township, and some in the southern part of Kyarinnseikkyi Township, Karen State. Of native residents interviewed, 95% of them reported that they are being arbitrarily taxed by multiple armed groups. They experience immense hardship from trying to make a living while supporting all these groups, and they fear the prospect of having to maintain this arrangement long-term. The remaining 5 % of those interviewed reported that they are continuously being threatened, unfairly oppressed, and used as porters and human shields.Download report as PDF [168KB] Read more

Creating the conditions for successful peace talks

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) welcomes the peace talks offered by Burma’s new government, headed by President U Thein Sein, and the positive responses from all armed ethnic groups under the umbrella of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC).

Both the majority Burmans and the various ethnic groups in the country are hungrily demanding peace, and they welcome the prospect of the government opening peace talks.  But, for the peace talks between the new government and the UNFC to work, it is necessary to have a countrywide ceasefire first, so that all sides will fully commit to a peaceful resolution.

Burma’s civil war has raged for over six decades, leading to many problems.  If the new government and the armed ethnic groups are to hold peace talks, they must commit to peace. And finally, they must settle all problems related to politics, society, economics, and human rights, peacefully. There must not be a return to war.

If the peace talks are held, both sides must be sincere and consider the interests of the people.  They should strive for the betterment of all ethnic peoples in the Union, especially those living in conflict areas and who have suffered six decades of war. The following points are crucial if the peace talks are to be successful:

• The countrywide ceasefire must be announced by the government, and all armed ethnic groups must agree to it, Each ethnic group then must form a delegation to participate in the peace talks.  During the preparation phase, all internally displaced persons (IDPs) must be allowed to return to their communities safely.

• The armed groups belonging to both the government and the ethnic political groups must stop committing human rights violations against the local civilians in conflict areas, such as killing, forced recruitment for soldiers or frontline porters, inhumane treatment, and other abuses.

• All sides must cease confiscation of land and property from civilians.  Soldiers must stop extorting and illegally taxing the people.  And all troops must cease committing sexual violence against women.

In bringing peace, all sides must consider their past mistakes and agree to building a better future.  Human rights, including the rights of minorities, must be respected.  Wrongs of the past, such as cases of arbitrary killings and inhumane treatment, sexual violations, unlawful confiscation of lands, and other serious cases of human rights violations must be considered, and justice must come about.