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May 2024: Monthly Overview of the Human Rights Situation

The Military Junta Scales Up Attacks Against Civilians Amid Forced Conscription Bid

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 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.

A young man, aged 30, named Min Aung Chan from Kawpalaing village in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State, was reportedly killed by the military. His body was discovered on April 27, a few days after his arrest. The young man was captured on April 25 after they inspected his phone during a routine search and accused him of supporting the New Mon State Party (AD) group. Along with his phone, his motorcycle was also confiscated, and he was taken into Junta’s frontline custody. Residents reported that on April 25, junta forces entered Kawpalaing village and the surrounding areas, where they continued their oppressive measures against the villagers:

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Gasoline shortages and high prices interrupts farm work

HURFOM: After the “Kyone Ate” and “Ma Saw” bridges located along the Yangon – Mawlamyine Highway Road were blown up on May 11th, 2024, there has been a gasoline shortage.  The bombing of the bridges has disrupted the supply chain and contributed to a rise in prices throughout Mon State.

A tank of diesel priced at about 200,000 MMK last year is now, priced at nearly a million MMK, and it is not easy to buy diesel.

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Two CDM educational staff sentenced to ten-year imprisonment

HURFOM: On May 28^th, 2024, the junta’s court sentenced a schoolteacher and a school clerk from Kan Buak Town, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division, who have been involved in the civil disobedience movement (CDM), to ten-years imprisonment each.

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Residents in airport project area ordered to move within two months

HURFOM: In June 2022, the military council announced a new international seaport and airport would be constructed on 4,600-acres of land in Mudon Township, Mon State.

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Junta targets migrant workers and persons with substance misuse for compulsory military service

HURFOM: Ye Township, Mon State must send 25 candidates for each batch of compulsory conscription military service, but only seven candidates were sent in the first batch in April, 2024. Only two candidates were sent in the second batch in May, 2024, according to sources close to the Ye Township Administrative Body.

The junta’s failure to conscript candidates for military service, is leading to administrators trying to persuade migrant workers and those with substance misuse issues to join the military by giving them money or business opportunities.

“In Ah Sin and Zee Phyu Taung villages, migrant workers from Phyar Pone (of Irrawaddy Division) and the upper Burma were substituted for local residents to undertake compulsory military service. In our villages, people are using illicit drugs as it looks like it’s officially allowed so village Administrators have manipulated this situation and persuaded these people (to join military service) by giving them money and opportunities (related to drug trade),” said a Ye resident.

The market of “substitution for compulsory military service” is very popular in every township of Mon State, with villagers having to pay even 5 million MMK per month for each substitute.

“All young men went abroad so no man is left in the village. Both the first and second batch mostly included migrant workers. Some parents who can’t control their sons because they are addicted to drugs have been forced to join military service,” said a source close to the village administration department.

200 candidates of the first batch and 50 candidates of the second batch have been trained at the advanced military training school in Well Ka Lee village, Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State.

Security forces a t Ka Lane Aung check-point extort travelers and motorists

HURFOM: On May 22nd, 2024, the police station and the junta’s check-point at the entrance of Ka Lane Aung Town, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division was attacked by the joint resistance forces.

The junta closed the gate for three days and reopened the gate on May 25th. However, now security forces are extorting money from travelers and motorists claiming they have to pay for “passing through the gate”.

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Junta’s frequent aircraft patrols creates worry among locals

HURFOM: Since March, 2024, the military junta has been patrolling with aircraft at least three times a week over Taung Pauk, Hline Ka Ne, Taung De and Win Ka Bar villages, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State where the New Mon State Party (AD – Anti Military Dictatorship) is active.

“Three aircraft are patrolling over the village. They are over both Hline Ka Ne and Taung De. The village Administrators have warned us to be prepared to flee the village,” said a resident from Hline Ka Ne village.

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Two civilians killed by junta’s artillery attack in Bilin

HURFOM: On May 24th, 2024, the 3rd Light Infantry Battalion targeted Taung Tha Htay Gone village, Pha Yar Sate village tract, Bilin Township, in Mon State with at least eight artillery attacks.  There were no active armed clashes, and the attacks killed two villagers.

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Detonation of Ma Saw Bridge in Bilin causes casualty and injury

HURFOM: On May 23rd, 2024, Ma Saw Bridge on the Yangon – Mawlamyine Highway Road in Bilin Township, Mon State a bomb was detonated and the entire bridge was damaged.

Three motorbikes were traveling along the bridge when the bomb exploded, causing one civilian casualty and multiple injuries.

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Indiscriminate artillery attacks to fishing boats cause trouble for marine workers and travelers

HURFOM: The junta’s navy base at Ka Lar Gote Island, Ye Township, Mon State was attacked on May 3rd, 2024 following the attack, the junta banned fishing boats from travel at night and threatened indiscriminate artillery attacks.

“When they see a fishing boat at night, they launch an artillery attack. They launch the attack every night. Now, most fishing boats don’t go out to sea. So we have no fish to sell. Here, we all solely rely on fishing for our livelihood. If we aren’t allowed to go fishing, we all are in trouble,” said a woman from Ka Doe Sate village who sells fishes.

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