Weekly Update in HURFOM Targeted Areas (Fourth Week of November)

November 29, 2021

A weekly update by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) on the situation on the ground. Summary data includes Mon State, Karen State and Dawei Region.

It has been almost ten months since the military initiated a sabotage of Myanmar following an unjust and unsuccessful coup. HURFOM has continued to document the dwindling state of affairs which has resulted in economic, social and humanitarian downfalls. 

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Military junta introduces new rules on charity/rescue teams, limiting their ability to provide community services

November 29, 2021

HURFOM: Charity and rescue teams in Mon State are being pressured by the military junta to submit registrations for their organizations and not to use vehicles without a license.  As a result most groups based in wards and villages will have to stop their activities. There are approximately 400 emergency/charity/rescue teams in Mon State.

There is no instruction letter yet but the Township Administrators called us and verbally gave us the information. Most rescue teams have to use unlicensed vehicles. If they aren’t allowed to do so, it is difficult to operate. It is not only the vehicle issue but there is also a registration problem. If a rescue team doesn’t have a registration, they will be dissolved — most of the ward/village base groups will have to stop their activities, said Bo Bo Win, the chair of Mawlamyine Emergency Rescue Team.

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Military junta issues new rules for motorcycles in response to PDF attacks: Locals view orders as ridiculous

November 25, 2021

HURFOM: The People Defense Forces sometimes use motorbikes when attacking military forces. In response the junta has issued a new order in an attempt to counter the PDF attacks.

As of November it is not allowed for two men to ride a motorcycle  or for a woman to be the driver and a man to occupy the pillion (passenger) seat.

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Market for elephant foot yam collapses with massive price drop

November 24, 2021

HURFOM: The market price of elephant foot yam,  which accounted for significant income earnings  for the local people in Southern Ye Township, Mon State, has dropped in half.

This price collapse has left local villagers with significant financial losses and is contributing to severe unemployment. 

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Weekly Update in HURFOM Targeted Areas (Third Week of November 2021)

November 22, 2021

A weekly update by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) on the situation on the ground. Summary data includes Mon State, Karen State, and Dawei Region.

Food insecurity is a worsening threat to the survival of residents across the country. HURFOM has observed ongoing road blockages and travel restrictions, combined with the increased presence of junta soldiers in the streets is making it impossible for daily food needs to be met. The crisis is exacerbated by routine blockages of aid by the military junta.

Travelers that manage to pass the toll gates are regularly extorted for money and possessions including jewelry by the junta. Ransoms are frequently forced to be paid in Mon State while traveling between Thanbyuzayat to Three Pagodas Pass. One of the notorious junta battalions, Light Infantry Battalion No.283 based in Anankwin,has been committing illegal activities daily, according to three travelers interviewed by HURFOM. 

“It seems they have a license to commit these crimes against us. Gangsters are ruling the country. Don’t use this route if not necessary,” a social worker from Three Pagodas Pass said.

A woman was shot and killed at Maw-Kanin junta’s security tollgate (Ye Township, Mon State) at 8:25 PM on November 19. The victim’s name is Daw Yi Yi Cho, 48, originally from Maubin Irrawaddy delta. “The soldiers said they ordered to stop us; however, our driver did not hear the order. Shots were fired, and my mother was bleeding from her waist” recalled the son of the victim.

Meanwhile, state-wide abductions of innocent civilians are adding peril and grief to the multitude of crises plaguing the nation. On 14 November, Ko Linn Maung Aye, a father of a three-year-old son was taken away by plain clothes soldiers and is still missing. His wife, who is pregnant, and family and friends are all very worried. The reason for his abrupt arrest remains unknown.

In the evening when junta soldiers arrive to various neighbourhoods, men are searched unlawfully door-by-door where civilians are taken away by military intelligence and special branches forces. These tactics are being deployed to weaken morale of the growing resistance movement and discourage those from joining People’s Defence Forces.

Migrant workers cheated by labour brokers encouraged to report their cases to NMSP

November 21, 2021

HURFOM: The New Mon State Party (NMSP) is taking steps to support migrant labourers who have been cheated by labour brokers.  The NMSP in Three Pagodas Pass, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State, has announced that workers who may have been cheated are encouraged to report their problems to them. 

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Military must implement a “PR system”, says MUP secretary

November 18, 2021

HURFOM: The military council that canceled the 2020 election results must implement a Proportional Representation (PR) system in the coming elections, said Nai San Tin, the Joint Secretary of the Mon Unity Party (MUP).

On November 5 and 6, 2021, the Union Election Commission (UEC) , which is controlled by the military, invited recognized  political parties to discuss the potential of adopting a PR system in Myanmar.

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Weekly Update in HURFOM Targeted Areas (Second Week of November)

November 16, 2021

A weekly update by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) on the situation on the ground. Summary data includes Mon State, Karen State and Dawei.

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Ye residents want private companies to reduce rising electricity fees

November 14, 2021

HURFOM: Starting in October, 2021, privately owned/operated electricity companies in Ye Township, Mon State decided to increase their user fee rates.

Local people who have been suffering from the economic and societal consequences of COVID-19 and the military coup want these companies to withdraw that decision.

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Military junta’s check points extorting money from villagers

November 11, 2021

HURFOM: Military’s junta check points based at the entrance and exits of cities have been extorting money from travellers, according to a villager with first hand experience.

I go to the rubber plantation every morning and evening and I always pass the gate. But one day, they stopped me and asked for my motorbike license. We’ve never had a motorbike license for when we go to the rubber plantation. Only after giving them 5,000 Kyat, did they let me go, said a rubber plantation worker who passed through the  Mudon-Thanbyuzayat Check Point.

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