The Human Rights Foundation of Monland Releases a New Report:“Forced to Fight: Military Conscription in Southeastern Burma”

May 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

Today, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) releases our latest report, “Forced to Fight: Military Conscription in Southeastern Burma.” The report documents how civilians have been impacted by the announcement of mandatory military service for all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 who must serve for at least two years in the Burma Army. The news has been incredibly distressing for families who are struggling to cope amid the already deeply challenging post-coup situation. 

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Unknown armed group extort villagers in Long Lone

May 6, 2024

HURFOM: Since the first week of April, 2024, an unknown armed group called “Modern Punks” has been extorting households in Got Inn village, Long Lone Township, Tenasserim Division, local villagers reported HURFOM.

Each household has to pay a ransom ranging from 50,000 MMK to 100,000 MMK.

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Four youths arrested in Mawlamyine after being accused of joining PDF training

May 6, 2024

HURFOM: On April 19th, 2024, four youths were arrested by the military junta in Mawlamyine, Mon State after being accused that they had planned to join a PDF training.

Ko Ye Ko Pine, Ko Min Khant Nine and Ko Min Thu Rain from Rangoon and Ma Myo Thandar Aye from Sa Kine City were arrested at Zin Yaw Guest House in Hline Ward, Mawlamyine. The junta accused them of being from a PDF camp in Pain Nell Gone village, Kyike Hto Township and they planned to go to a PDF camp in Three Pagodas Pass, Karen State to join a PDF training.

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

May 6, 2024

HURFOM, First Week of May 2024

The military junta continues to commit widespread human rights violations. In target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) in Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi region, civilians are feeling increasingly unsafe as the Burma Army shows threatening behaviour and actions. In the wake of the newly enacted Conscription Law, arbitrary arrests and forced abductions have been on the rise. As the regime continues to forcibly enlist recruits at all costs, HURFOM is concerned that the human rights situation will worsen.

On April 29th, the military deployed six vehicles and a bulldozer to strategically destroy and block the road between Kan Bauk and Nabu Lae. The operation commenced around noon when they used the bulldozer and an excavator to sever the road, creating ditches and piling up soil to obstruct passage. This disruption occurred near a bridge on the Zadi-Khaung Pyan road, a crucial connection between Kan Bauk Township and Nabu Lae village.

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Members of “Pyu Saw Htee” beat a villager for riding motorbike

May 3, 2024

HURFOM: On April 21st, 2024, 40-year-old U Nine Tun from Thel Chaung village, Kan Bauk Region, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division was arrested and beaten by the members of “Pyu Saw Htee” – an armed group allied to the junta, according to a local report.

According to a local report, the military junta banned “riding a motorbike” in Kan Bauk Region since April, 2023 and they have recently banned “riding motorbike” in Thel Chaung village in March, 2024.

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Restrictions at “Ma Hwelve Taung” Gate creates problem for locals

May 3, 2024

HURFOM: After the Songkran Holidays, the military junta has restricted movement through “Ma Hwelve Taung” Security Gate at the border of the Mon State and the Tenasserim Division creating transportation and livelihood problem for locals and travelers.

Since the last week of April, the junta has permitted passage through the gate for only five hours a day – from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm.

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Junta arrests youth and recruits them into “compulsory military service”

May 3, 2024

HURFOM: In Mawlamyine, the Capital of the Mon State, soldiers and police forces are stopping young men at road junctions. Then, the security forces accuse them of “being on the list for “compulsory military service” and arrest them.

We’ve heard they are arresting young men. But we don’t know exactly who was arrested. After being arrested, the young men are sent to a military camp in Mon Cultural Museum,” said a Mawlamyine resident.

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Number of donors declines due to arrest of Dr. Aung Nine Oo

May 2, 2024

HURFOM: On April 10th, 2024, the military junta arrested Dr. Aung Nine Oo, the former deputy Speaker of the Mon State Parliament.  The doctor had been providing support to displaced persons from Kyikemayaw Township, Mon State. The arrest has frightened away other donors and social workers who are now avoiding visiting displaced persons’ and are unwilling to provide in person support.

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Junta extorts displaced persons who return home

May 2, 2024

HURFOM: On April 26th, 2024, the military junta announced that displaced persons from Ta Ra Nar, Than Ga Long, Dhammasa and nearby villages could return home as there has been no armed clash.

Those who want to return home must show their household list, a recommendation letter (from the village Administration offices) and ID cards. But local sources reported to HURFOM that junta’s troops stationed at the entrance check-points of villages are extorting money from displaced persons attempting to return to their homes.

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Motorbike robberies happening frequently in Southern Ye Township

May 2, 2024

HURFOM: In April, 2024, at least five cases of motorbike robbery took place, with the owners threatened at gunpoint.  The thefts took place on the motorway between villages in Southern Ye Township, Mon State. 

Locals reported to HURFOM that on April 2, a 40-year-old woman from Hnee Hnu village was riding a motorbike and two men threatened her with a gun between Du Yar and Pa Line Thame villages. Then, they robbed her motorbike.

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