Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi Region
February 26, 2024
HURFOM, Fourth Week of February 2024
Over the last week, in target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), women were targeted by the military junta. The escalation of violence on the ground in Burma has impacted civilians the harshest, particularly in conflict-affected areas where women and children are among the majority of those displaced.
The regime also is enforcing stricter measures on mobility while repressing rights related to freedom of expression. This comes alongside a worrying rise in arbitrary arrests and abductions, which are rooted in baseless assumptions and a lack of evidence. In Mon State alone, according to a report by the New Ramanya Federal Force (NRFF), 105 civilians were killed, and more than 900 were unjustly arrested since the attempted coup.
Read moreJunta arrests local man in Thanbyuzayat
February 23, 2024
HURFOM: On February 19th, 2024, a local man from Aung Zay Ya Ward, Thanbyuzayat Town, Mon State who was selling construction materials, was arrested by the military junta.
The junta has accused 46-year-old Ko Nan Myint Oo aka Tha Yoke with supporting the People’s Defense Force with bullets he purchased, and arrested him at his home.
Read moreLocal woman arrested by junta in Mawlamyine for social media post
February 23, 2024
HURFOM: On February 20th, 2024, a local woman from Shwe Nat Taung Ward, Mawlamyine, Mon State was arrested by the junta after being accused of promoting terrorism.
The junta has accused 28-year-old Daw Thiri Yadana Maung who is a furniture shop owner of writing comments on social media that destroy the stability of the State. A large contingent using force arrested her at her home.
Read moreJunta arrests four former government staff who joined CDM in Kan Bauk
February 23, 2024
HURFOM: On February 19th, 2024, the military junta arrested four former government staff who had joined the “Civil Disobedience Movement – CDM”. The four were arrested at their homes in Kan Bauk Town, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division.
51-year-old Ma Yin Yin Aye from Mac Gin Ward, 30-year-old Ma Thet Thet Maw and Ma Nay Chi Oo from Mya Thidar Ward and 36-year-old Ma Ni Lar San from Hle Gone #2 Ward were staff with the Education Department.
Read moreLivelihoods under threat due to on-going armed conflict
February 23, 2024
HURFOM: In early 2024, the joint revolutionary forces active in Southern Ye Township, Mon State announced they would increase their revolutionary momentum by attacking the junta’s military bases, police stations and check-points. Soon after the announcement, numerous armed clashes took place.
“The revolutionary forces do as they said. There will be more armed clashes in Ye Township. The revolutionary forces have warned people,” said a resident from Ye Township.
Read moreJunta’s air assaults destroy approximately 20 houses in Bilin
February 21, 2024
HURFOM: In the second week of February, 2024, the military junta launched two air assaults on Win Tar Ban village, Bilin Township, Mon State that destroyed 17 houses, reported the Thaton District Karen National Union.
The air assaults took place on February 10th and the 14th.
Read moreYoung man steps on landmine – loses leg
February 21, 2024
HURFOM: On February 18th, 2024, a 28-year-old man from War Dat Kwin village, Kyike Hto Township, Mon State stepped on a landmine and lost one of his legs.
Ko Yan Pine Soe went into the forest near his village to collect grass for making brooms. He stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg. Landmine debris also penetrated his entire body.
Read moreElectricity company extorts villagers in Southern Ye with unannounced fee rate
February 21, 2024
HURFOM: The Southern Myanmar Development Company, a private electricity distributor in Southern Ye Township, Mon State, increased its fees for street lighting to 10,000 MMK per month in January, 2025. Villagers view the increase as extortion.
Read morePaung resident shot and killed by junta’s forces during arrest
February 21, 2024
HURFOM: On February 14th, 2024, junta’s forces went to arrest a local man from Ye Twin Gone village in his home, but he was shot and killed during the arrest. Ye Twin Gone is located in the Kaw Ka Dike village tract, Paung Township, Mon State.
Read moreJunta arrests villagers, uses them as human shields in Thaton
February 21, 2024
HURFOM: On February 11th, 2024, a military regiment entered Htone Bo Gyi village, Thaton Township, Mon State and arrested local villagers to use them as human shield, residents told HURFOM.
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