Human Rights Abuses and Conflict in Burma

This report contains 12 incident reports written by a villager trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions, based on information provided by 12 different villagers living in hiding sites in Lu Thaw Township, Papun District between November 2010 and January 2011

Suspected of being a rebel, a Palaung villager was shot dead on the spot by government soldiers in Monton Township in northern Shan State, said a Palaung organization based on the Sino-Burmese border.

Sai Hsawng Hsi, elected representative from Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), said he had broached the subject of setting up Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps near the war zone in central Shan State, during the meeting with UN Rights Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana.

The Karen National Union issued a statement claiming more than 80 Border Guard Force soldiers had joined their forces in 1st and 7th Brigade in recent weeks.

The military proxy Burmese government announced its rejection of peace talks based on the principles of the 1947 Panglong Treaty to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) on the weekend, said KIO officials.

An innocent civilian teenage boy, Htun Sein, was shot dead by the Burmese Army’s Infantry Battalion No. 105, based in Sarhmaw

The Thai army began providing “war survival training” on Wednesday to residents in Mae Sot, a major market town situated on the Burmese border opposite Myawaddy, following reports that significant battles between Burmese government troops and ethnic Karen rebels are expected in the area during the coming dry season.

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) released a report on Monday that claims that some 20,000 acres of land have been seized over the past 10 years by the Burmese military in Mon and Karen states and Tenasserim Division.

Rebel fighters in southern Karen state, southern Burma, expect more hostilities in the near future and are preparing to intensify their guerrilla war against government troops, claim the leaders of local ethnic armed groups. 

An innocent teenage boy was shot dead on August 11th by Burmese soldiers during a military operation against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), in Manmaw (Bhamo) District, northern Kachin State, local residents said.

“According to government’s statements and press conferences, there is just a faint possibility for holding dialogue. If dialogue cannot be held, the fighting will become more intense. If the government has good will and is willing to hold political dialogue, negotiations could be successful,” La Nang said.

A unit of the Burmese Navy has confiscated 1,000 acres of land in Yebyu Township to be used as a military training field and for the contruction of military barracks and hostels, according to a report delivered by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM).

Following a surprise attack on soldiers by Shan State Army on 11 August, the Burma Army saturated a village near by with mortar shells, wounding at least 13 people including 3 women and 3 children, according to sources from Mongyai township, Shan State North.

Strains appear to be forming among Burma’s elite military, with six top generals reportedly sacked and arrested since February on the pretext of an investigation into corruption.

Of the handful of governments that have used children in combat or other frontline duties in their armed forces, Myanmar's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) remains the "most notable offender," according to the report.