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Kaloh village’s appeal for confiscated land remains unresolved

HURFOM: On 4 March, 2011 HURFOM reported on the case of 210 acres of land confiscated from residents of Kaloh village in southern Ye Township, Mon State. Two years on, appeals for justice from these villagers have been left largely unaddressed.

The land was seized in late February 2011 by the headmen of Kaloh village and Khaw Zar sub-township, with the support of administrative staff. HURFOM received reports that landowners had not been consulted about the seizure, and in some cases only became aware of the authorities’ plans when village administration arrived to take measurements of their land. Read more

Residents speak out about rice seizures in Yebyu township

HURFOM: New reports have arisen of seizures of rice by the Burmese militia from villagers in northern Tenasserim Region. Whilst this is alleged to have been taking place for decades, the case has thus far gone undocumented. However, residents, who in the past were too afraid to expose the army’s activities to the media, have begun to speak up. Encouraged by recent government reforms, they have sought an end to ongoing abuses of their rights. Read more

Dengue season “came early” to Mon State

Unseasonably warm and wet weather this year has triggered a surge in cases of dengue fever in Mon State and other areas of Burma. Health practitioners reported that children in particular are being brought for treatment to overcrowded medical clinics, and a recent report by the Ministry of Health in Burma reveals that Mon State trails only the Ayeyarwady Region and Yangon for having the country’s highest number of dengue fever cases. Read more

Bitter pills Breaking the silence surrounding drug problems in the Mon Community

I.    INTRODUCTION

In late 2012 the New Mon State Party (NMSP) initiated a vigorous anti-drugs campaign throughout various Mon communities in Burma.¹  Arrests of numerous drug smugglers were made, drug-using youth were sent to NMSP rehabilitation centres, and signs were erected in villages calling on residents to resist and combat drug use. This wave of action brought an issue to the table that had thus far been surrounded by silence from relevant authorities. Prior to this, domestic and international discussions of Burma’s drug problems had largely been restricted to regions in Upper Burma, in particular Shan State. However, NMSP action highlighted that drugs were also prevalent in Mon communities and were being abused by Mon youth. Read more

Land tax controversy between Ye residents and military battalion

HURFOM: An annual land tax has caused a dispute between residents from Ye Township’s Tu Myaung village and a Burmese military battalion. In previous years the tax was paid by Tu Myaung residents in exchange for permission to work on land confiscated from them in 2001. However, this year residents took a stand against military authorities and refused to hand over payments. Read more

New HURFOM report highlights use and trading of drugs in the Mon community

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) released a report on drug problems in the Mon community, drawing on testimony from 140 individuals. The report aims to give a preliminary account of drug use and trading in Mon populations, exploring issues that range from the causes of rising youth drug use to the New Mon State Party’s (NMSP) recent anti-drugs campaign. HURFOM’s aim is to encourage a new focus on the issue, breaking a long-held silence to call for collaborative action from all relevant authorities. Read more

Land destruction looks set to continue in path of Thanbyuzayat to Three Pagodas Pass road

HURFOM: For the last two years construction has been underway on a 64.5 mile road, linking Thanbyuzayat in Mon State to the Thai-Burma border town of Three Pagodas Pass in Karen State. In a new move, the government’s Ministry of Construction Department, based in Burma’s capital Naypyidaw, has contracted out parts of the construction to 7 private companies: Dragon Power, Marn Pyi Tagon, Swan Ar Pyae, King General, May Lin Aye, 3K Star Power, and Shwe Chaung Zone Development. With HURFOM investigations suggesting that 280 acres of land have already been destroyed as a result of the project, villagers living along the road’s path have expressed concerns about what this latest development will mean for their land. Read more

Farmers in Kyiakmayaw Township seek justice for 2011 land confiscation

HURFOM: Farmers from Mae Kro village, Kyiakmayaw Township, Mon State have become some of the latest landowners to appeal to the government seeking justice for past land confiscations. This fact, and details of the original confiscations, were revealed by an April 2013 survey of 40 farmers from Mae Kro village, undertaken by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM). Read more

Unnamed armed group collects unpopular tax from residents in Ye Township

HURFOM: At the end of last month, residents in Mawkanin village, Limine Sub-Township, Ye Township, Mon State were asked by members of an unnamed Mon armed group to pay a set of unexpected and allegedly unwarranted taxes. Read more

Fraudulent government workers leave Kaw Pa Naw farmers uncompensated for land

HURFOM: Earlier this year local farmers from Kaw Pa Naw village, Kyiakmayaw Township, Mon State had their farms taken by the Pacific Link Company. This Burmese company, linked to retired military captain Zaw Lwin Oo, had aspirations to build a cement factory on their land. However, to this date 7 farmers remain uncompensated due fraudulence from individuals working for various government departments. Read more

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