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Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi Region

HURFOM, Second Week of November

Now, perhaps more than ever since the failed coup, it has become abundantly clear that the military junta is losing the war it started. Widespread opposition to the regime’s hostilities and attempted power-grab has resulted in military defections and a growing armed presence along the country’s borders. On October 27, 2023, the Northern Three Brotherhood Alliance started a 1027 military operation in Northern Shan State.  The military junta has lost many of their bases as a result.

The 1027 operation also impacted Southern Burma, with the military junta tightening security more than usual in the Mon and Tenasserim areas, reported one resident. Combined groups consisting of soldiers, police members and security forces in civilian clothes are aggressively interrogating people at both entry and exit checkpoints to Mawlamyine in Mon State.

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More than 1,000 villagers flee homes due to constant artillery attacks in Kyike Hto

HURFOM: The military junta has unleashed a constant battery of artillery attacks on Kha Ywel village, Kyike Hto Township, Mon State forcing more than 1,000 villagers to flee their homes.

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Daughter arrested by junta not released yet in Long Lone

HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, the military junta launched an operation that involved them entering  West Tha Byar village, Long Lone Township, Tenasserim Division and arresting three family members.

The mother was released on November 3 and the father was released on November 5. However, their 16-year-old daughter is still detained.

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Rubber plantation worker injured by landmine explosion in Kyike Hto

HURFOM: At approximately 3 am on November 7, 2023, a landmine exploded near  #102 Shwe Phyu Rubber Plantation, which is owned by the Prison Department of Thaton Township, Mon State.  The explosion injured a plantation worker.

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A Mawlamyine resident arrested due to criticisms made on TikTok

HURFOM: On November 4, 2023, the military junta arrested a 29-year-old man from Chauk Mile village, Mawlamyine Township, Mon State.

The junta has accused him of using TikTok social media to criticize the military junta. Ko Ko Htut took video footage of the barricade in front of the housing of the ministers of the Mon State government and shared the clip with his opinion on his TikTok social media.

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Three Kan Bauk residents arrested by junta released

HURFOM: On November 4, 2023, three 30-year-old Kan Bauk residents were arrested by the military junta near Sin Yan Bridge at Kan Bauk village, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division.

The three men were drinking alcohol together near the bridge and the junta’s soldiers shot and arrested them without cause, reported local residents.

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Five family members injured by artillery explosion in Kaw Ka Rate

HURFOM: On November 4, 2023, even though there was no armed clash, the military junta launched an artillery attack on Kaw Ka Rate Town, Karen State and injured five family members including a three-year-old child.

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“I’ll chop down my betel nut plants”

HURFOM: “If the price of betel nut is going to drop like this, I’ll chop down my betel nut trees and replace them with rubber plants or grafted durian plants,” said a betel nut plantation owner from Southern Ye Township, Mon State.

The price of betel nut in Ye Township has been dropping since early 2023 and now, extreme price drops have nearly destroyed the market, local people told HURFOM.

In October, 2023, 1.63 kg of dried betel nut could get 1,200 to 1,800 MMK but now, it is only priced at 800 to 1,200 MMK. In addition, there have been no buyers for betel nuts.

“Not only the price drops but also no buyers. It’s the worst – we can’t find a buyer even if we’re in need of cash,” said one plantation owner.

The betel nut had a good price in 2021 with 1.63 kg being priced at 8,000 to 9,000 MMK. The price has dropped nearly ten times within two years.

“The price drop this year has made us want to die. We borrowed money to put fertilizer, to remove bushes, to clean the plantation and to peel betel nuts. I’ve planned to pay our debt after the harvest season. But it didn’t go as planned. We’ve had a really tough life,” said a betel nut farmer from Southern Ye Township.

Farmers in Yeh Township rely on agriculture for their livelihoods,  and 70% of them grow betel nuts.

“I had betel nuts from the previous season and I’d wait for a good price to sell them. Now, new betel nuts are ready to harvest. If the price is going to drop like this, we’re in the worst situation,” said another plantation owner.

All basic food prices and commodity prices have risen sharply, but the price for betel nut has dropped dramatically, making it very difficult for betel nut farmers.

“We rely on the betel nut plantation for everything. Now commodity prices have risen but only our product has a bad price. We’re worried about our sustenance,” said another farmer.  

Betel nuts from Ye Township have been exported to China, India and Bangladesh but there is no export at the moment. 

Junta orders school closure after November-2 armed clash in Kyarinnseikyi

HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, an armed clash took place between the military junta and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army in Kyarinnseikyi Town, Karen State. Three people were killed when nine other people were injured and houses were also destroyed.

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Three young boys killed by landmine explosion in Thaton

HURFOM: On November 5, 2023, three young boys approximately 13 years of age,  from Kin Moon Chone village, Moe Kaung village track, Thaton Township, Mon State stepped on a landmine and all were killed by the explosion.

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