In the Face of Corruption, Local Residents call for Publicly Elected Administration in Mon State
January 10, 2014
HURFOM: Due to decades of government appointed administrators’ chronic abuse of power, corruption, and inhibition of local development, residents from Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State demand that public desire be the sole determiner in decisions concerning the election of central or state government administrators for township and state administration in Mon State. Read more
Rape of local girl at the hands of Infantry Battalion No. 31
January 9, 2014
On the evening of December 24, 2013, thirteen year old Mi Paroal Mon was alone at her home in Kyone Kanya village in Khaw Zar Sub-Township, when she was abducted and raped by local soldier Than Win, of Infantry Battalion No. 31 (IB No. 31), based in Khaw Zar Sub-Township, Ye Township, Mon State. Attempts to bring charges against her assailant were continually thwarted as various military personnel continually threatened, and eventually forced Mi Paroal Mon to sign a contract to conceal the fact that the assault ever took place. As Burma is working to create a more safe and transparent public space for its’ citizens, such inaction and blatant impunity perpetrated by the military will hinder any hope they have of building trust between the army and the country’s ethnic minority populations. Read more
Villagers held briefly by LIB No. 315 to coerce land grant signatures
January 7, 2014
HURFOM: Residents of Panga village reported that Second General Myit Hlaing from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 315, located to the west of Waekale village in Thanbyuzayat Township, called 20 local rubber plantation owners and detained some throughout the day on December 10 in an attempt to coax signatures that would release private lands for military use. Read more
Villagers report forced porter duty and ration collection in Tavoy
January 2, 2014
HURFOM: Residents of eight villages around Myittar Sub-Township of eastern Tavoy alleged that two military groups, the Military Operation Management Command No. 19 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 62, are demanding security fees and porter services from villagers in that area of Tenasserim Region in southern Burma. Read more