DOCSLIB.ORG

Myanmar (Burma)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Myanmar (Burma) MYANMAR (BURMA): Worst army attacks in years displace thousands A profile of the internal displacement situation 10 May, 2006 This Internal Displacement Profile is automatically generated from the online IDP database of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). It includes an overview of the internal displacement situation in the country prepared by the IDMC, followed by a compilation of excerpts from relevant reports by a variety of different sources. All headlines as well as the bullet point summaries at the beginning of each chapter were added by the IDMC to facilitate navigation through the Profile. Where dates in brackets are added to headlines, they indicate the publication date of the most recent source used in the respective chapter. The views expressed in the reports compiled in this Profile are not necessarily shared by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. The Profile is also available online at www.internal-displacement.org. About the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, is the leading international body monitoring conflict-induced internal displacement worldwide. Through its work, the Centre contributes to improving national and international capacities to protect and assist the millions of people around the globe who have been displaced within their own country as a result of conflicts or human rights violations. At the request of the United Nations, the Geneva-based Centre runs an online database providing comprehensive information and analysis on internal displacement in some 50 countries. Based on its monitoring and data collection activities, the Centre advocates for durable solutions to the plight of the internally displaced in line with international standards. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre also carries out training activities to enhance the capacity of local actors to respond to the needs of internally displaced people. In its work, the Centre cooperates with and provides support to local and national civil society initiatives. For more information, visit the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre website and the database at www.internal-displacement.org. Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre Norwegian Refugee Council Chemin de Balexert 7-9 1219 Geneva, Switzerland Tel.: +41 22 799 07 00 [email protected] www.internal-displacement.org 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3 OVERVIEW 8 BURMA: WORST ARMY ATTACKS IN YEARS DISPLACE THOUSANDS 8 CAUSES AND BACKGROUND 15 POLITICAL BACKGROUND 15 SINCE 1988, THE MYANMAR GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED MASSIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST ETHNIC INSURGENT GROUPS (JUNE 2005) 15 1990 ONWARDS: THE MILITARY REGIME SEEKS CEASEFIRES, BUT TIGHTENS ITS GRIP (2006) 16 POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 2003-2005 (FEBRUARY 2006) 19 DEVELOPMENT INDUCED DISPLACEMENT 21 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LEAD TO FORCED RELOCATION AND FORCED LABOUR (OCTOBER 2005) 21 MAIN CAUSES OF DISPLACEMENT IN URBAN AREAS 24 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FORCE PEOPLE TO RELOCATE (2003) 24 SUBSTANTIAL FORCED RELOCATION OF URBAN POPULATIONS DURING THE EARLY 1990S 25 MAIN CAUSES OF DISPLACEMENT IN THE BORDER AREAS 26 ARMY OFFENSIVES AGAINST ETHNIC OPPOSITION GROUPS HAVE CAUSED MASSIVE DISPLACEMENT OF THE CIVIL POPULATION SINCE THE LATE 1960S (JANUARY 2005) 26 EASTERN BORDERS: ATTACKS BY THE BURMESE ARMY AND FORCED RELOCATIONS OF ETHNIC MINORITY-POPULATIONS CONTINUE (DECEMBER 2005) 29 FORCED RELOCATION IS CLOSELY LINKED TO FORCED LABOUR (AUGUST 2005) 30 SINCE 1998 ILO HAS DOCUMENTED A PERVASIVE USE OF FORCED LABOUR IN BURMA (SEPTEMBER 2005) 33 FORCED RECRUITMENT OF CHILD SOLDIERS A CAUSE FOR DISPLACEMENT (AUGUST 2005) 37 RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN BURMA'S BORDER AREAS ON THE RISE (AUGUST 2005) 38 SHAN STATE 38 SHAN STATE: MASSIVE FORCED RELOCATION DUE TO ARMED STRUGGLE (OCTOBER 2005) 39 SHAN STATE: RESETTLEMENT OF 128,000 WA CAUSED FURTHER DISPLACEMENT (FEBRUARY 2004) 40 SHAN STATE: THOUSANDS DISPLACED DUE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS DURING 2005 (DECEMBER 2005) 42 NEW RELOCATION ORDERS ISSUED IN EASTERN SHAN STATE (MARCH 2006) 43 KAREN STATE 44 KAREN STATE: THE KAREN HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO REPEATED DISPLACEMENT (JUNE 2005)44 KAREN STATE: THOUSANDS DISPLACED DURING 2004 - 2005 DESPITE INFORMAL CEASEFIRE (DECEMBER 2005) 46 KAREN STATE: REPORTS ABOUT DISPLACEMENT DURING 2006 (APRIL 2006) 49 3 KAREN STATE: DEMANDS FOR FORCED LABOUR HAS INCREASED IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS (JUNE 2005) 52 KARENNI STATE 55 KARENNI STATE: SUBSTANTIAL FORCED RELOCATION IN THE KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE UNTIL LATE 1990S (MARCH 2005) 55 KARENNI STATE: REPORTS OF DISPLACEMENT DURING 2004-2005 57 MON STATE 60 MON STATE: LAND CONFISCATION AND DEMANDS FOR FORCED LABOUR LEAD TO DISPLACEMENT (OCTOBER 2005) 60 MON STATE: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CONTINUE UNABATED (DECEMBER 2005) 62 OTHER STATES 63 TENASSERIM (TANINTHARYI) DIVISION: FORCED RELOCATION DURING THE 1990S DIRECTLY LINKED TO CONSTRUCTION OF GAS PIPELINES (OCTOBER 2005) 63 EASTERN PEGU DIVISION: FORCED RELOCATION IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF DISPLACEMENT (OCTOBER 2005) 65 KACHIN STATE: LAND CONFISCATION LEADS TO DISPLACEMENT (JUNE 2005) 66 INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN THE CHIN STATE AND NAGALAND (FEBRUARY 2004) 69 RAKHINE STATE: CONFISCATION OF LAND AND ESTABLISHMENT OF "MODEL VILLAGES" LEADS TO NUMEROUS CASES OF FORCED EVICTIONS AND RELOCATIONS (JUNE 2003) 71 RAKHINE (ARAKAN) STATE: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST THE ROHINGYA POPULATION IS INCREASING (DECEMBER 2005) 73 RAKHINE (ARAKAN) STATE: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST THE ROHINGYA POPULATION IS INCREASING (DECEMBER 2005) 76 POPULATION FIGURES AND PROFILE 80 GLOBAL FIGURES 80 THAILAND BURMA BORDER CONSORTIUM ESTIMATES AT LEAST 540,000 IDPS IN EASTERN BURMA AS OF OCTOBER 2005 80 NO NATIONAL ESTIMATE EXISTS FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN BURMA (JANUARY 2005) 81 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 82 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED POPULATION IN EASTERN BURMA (OCTOBER 2004) 82 SHAN STATE: AT LEAST 216,000 PEOPLE ARE INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN THE SOUTH (OCTOBER 2005) 83 KARENNI STATE: OVER 88,000 PEOPLE REPORTED INTERNALLY DISPLACED (OCTOBER 2004) 84 KAREN STATE: MASSIVE NEW DISPLACEMENT DURING 2006 (MAY 2006) 85 TENASSERIM DIVISION: 30,000 INTERNALLY DISPLACED BETWEEN 2002-2004 (OCTOBER 2004) 87 MORE THAN 30,000 REPORTED DISPLACED IN THE MON STATE (JANUARY 2005) 87 EASTERN PEGU DIVISION: NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED KAREN AS OF OCTOBER 2004 88 PATTERNS OF DISPLACEMENT 89 GENERAL 89 4 TWO THIRDS OF THE DISPLACED ARE UNABLE TO FIND A DURABLE SOLUTION (OCTOBER 2005) 89 CEASEFIRE AREAS HOST THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF IDPS (OCTOBER 2005) 89 AN ESTIMATED 92,000 CIVILIANS ARE HIDING IN FORESTS AND MOUNTAIN AREAS (OCTOBER 2005) 90 MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED TO RELOCATION SITES (OCTOBER 2005) 90 DISPLACEMENT PATTERNS BY STATE OR DIVISION 93 PATTERNS OF DISPLACEMENT IN THE KAREN STATE (DECEMBER 2005) 93 PHYSICAL SECURITY & FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT 96 PROTECTION NEEDS OF CIVILIANS IN CONFLICT AREAS 96 LANDMINES ARE USED EXTENSIVELY BOTH BY THE BURMESE ARMY AND INSURGENT ARMIES (NOVEMBER 2005) 96 DISPLACED WOMEN SUFFER FROM ARMY'S WIDESPREAD USE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE SHAN STATE AND OTHER CONFLICT AREAS (OCTOBER 2005) 98 DELIBERATE VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS REMAINS A SERIOUS THREAT IN CONFLICT ZONES (OCTOBER 2005) 101 MILITARY RECRUITMENT IS THE BIGGEST RISK FACING CHILDREN IN CONFLICT AREAS (OCTOBER 2005) 101 REPORTS DOCUMENT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN RELOCATION SITES (AUGUST 2003) 101 LACK OF PROTECTION FOR RETURNING REFUGEES 102 CONCERNS OVER SAFETY OF REFUGEES FORCIBLY REPATRIATED FROM THAILAND (MARCH 2003) 103 VOLATILE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION FACING RETURNING ROHINGYAS IN THE RAKHINE (ARAKAN) STATE (JUNE 2003) 104 SUBSISTENCE NEEDS 105 GENERAL 105 FIELD VISITS DOCUMENT THAT INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN HIDING SITES SUFFER FROM SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HUNGER (APRIL 2004) 105 INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN EASTERN BURMA ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE (OCTOBER 2004) 106 KAREN DISPLACED DURING ARMY ATTACKS IN NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2004, FACED DIRE HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS (DECEMBER 2004) 106 HEALTH 107 THE HEALTH SITUATION IS CATASTROPHIC FOR MANY INTERNALLY DISPLACED (APRIL 2004) 107 HIV/AIDS PARTICULARLY AFFECTS THE CONFLICT ZONES (OCTOBER 2005) 108 THE SITUATION FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED AFTER ARMY OFFENSIVE IN DECEMBER 2003 REPORTED TO BE CRITICAL (MARCH 2004) 109 LIMITED CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO POOR HEALTH SITUATION FACING KAREN IDPS (APRIL 2003) 109 NUTRITION AND FOOD 111 POOR NUTRITION STATUS AMONG DISPLACED CHILDREN AND WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE (OCTOBER 2003) 111 INTERNALLY DISPLACED SURVIVE BY HIDING FOOD (MAY 2004) 112 5 FOOD SCARCITY ON THE INCREASE - LACK OF FOOD MAKES KAREN IDPS VULNERABLE TO DISEASES (FEBRUARY 2006) 113 KARENNI IDPS IN RELOCATION SITES HAVE INADEQUATE ACCESS TO FOOD (MAY 2003) 114 IN THE SHAN STATE IDPS BOTH IN HIDING AND IN THE RELOCATION SITES HAVE INADEQUATE ACCESS TO FOOD (JANUARY 2004) 116 DESTRUCTION OF AGRICULTURE REPORTED IN SHAN STATE (JANUARY 2006) 117 INTERNALLY DISPLACED MON FACE SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGE (OCTOBER 2003) 117 SHELTER 118 THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR SAYS MINIMAL PREPARATIONS WERE MADE IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRIVAL OF IDPS IN RELOCATION SITES (OCTOBER 1999) 118 MON STATE: SHELTER NOT ADEQUATE FOR DISPLACEMENT DURING THE RAINY SEASON (OCTOBER 2003) 118 ACCESS TO EDUCATION 120 GENERAL 120 CONFLICT, POVERTY AND LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES BEHIND LOW SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IN THE ETHNIC STATES (MARCH 2003) 120 DISPLACED CHILDREN HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO EDUCATION (JUNE 2004) 121 ISSUES OF SELF-RELIANCE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 125 LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Crimes in Burma
    Crimes in Burma A Report By Table of Contents Preface iii Executive Summary 1 Methodology 5 I. History of Burma 7 A. Early History and Independence in 1948 7 B. Military Rule: 1962-1988 9 C. The 1988 Popular Uprising and Democratic Elections in 1990 11 D. Military Rule Since 1988 12 II. International Criminal Law Framework 21 A. Crimes Against Humanity: Chapeau or Common Elements 24 B. War Crimes: Chapeau or Common Elements 27 C. Enumerated or Prohibited Acts 30 III. Human Rights Violations in Burma 37 A. Forced Displacement 39 B. Sexual Violence 51 C. Extrajudicial Killings and Torture 64 D. Legal Evaluation 74 ii Preface IV. Precedents for Action 77 A. The Security Council’s Chapter VII Powers 78 B. The Former Yugoslavia 80 C. Rwanda 82 D. Darfur 84 E. Burma 86 Conclusion 91 Appendix 93 Acknowledgments 103 Preface For many years, the world has watched with horror as the human rights nightmare in Burma has unfolded under military rule. The struggle for democracy of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners since 1988 has captured the imagination of people around the world. The strength of Buddhist monks and their Saffron Revolution in 2007 brought Burma to the international community’s attention yet again. But a lesser known story—one just as appalling in terms of human rights—has been occurring in Burma over the past decade and a half: epidemic levels of forced labor in the 1990s, the recruitment of tens of thousands of child soldiers, widespread sexual violence, extrajudicial killings and torture, and more than a million displaced persons.
    [Show full text]
  • Gold Mining in Shwegyin Township, Pegu Division (Earthrights International)
    Accessible Alternatives Ethnic Communities’ Contribution to Social Development and Environmental Conservation in Burma Burma Environmental Working Group September 2009 CONTENTS Acknowledgments ......................................................................................... iii About BEWG ................................................................................................. iii Executive Summary ...................................................................................... v Notes on Place Names and Currency .......................................................... vii Burma Map & Case Study Areas ................................................................. viii Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 Arakan State Cut into the Ground: The Destruction of Mangroves and its Impacts on Local Coastal Communities (Network for Environmental and Economic Development - Burma) ................................................................. 2 Traditional Oil Drillers Threatened by China’s Oil Exploration (Arakan Oil Watch) ........................................................................................ 14 Kachin State Kachin Herbal Medicine Initiative: Creating Opportunities for Conservation and Income Generation (Pan Kachin Development Society) ........................ 33 The Role of Kachin People in the Hugawng Valley Tiger Reserve (Kachin Development Networking Group) ................................................... 44 Karen
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 22 - 28 May 2021 (Limited Distribution)
    Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 22 - 28 May 2021 (Limited Distribution) This weekly briefing note, covering humanitarian developments in Southeastern Myanmar from 22 to 28 May, is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group. Highlights • The humanitarian situation severely deteriorated throughout Kayah State, especially in Loikaw and Demoso Townships over the week and has resulted in the displacement of more than 70,000 people since 20 May 2021. • Clashes between the Karen National Union (KNU) and Myanmar Military Forces (MAF) continued in Kayin State and Eastern Bago. • Armed conflict, movement restrictions, landmine risks and displacement continue to severely impact communities, particularly in socio-economic terms. Commodity prices have increased, unemployment is high, and local populations are unable to continue their livelihoods activities. • In areas where fighting is more sporadic, Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) remain in hiding due to the unpredictability of the situation and fear of further attacks, particularly airstrikes. • Displaced populations continue to have limited access to food, shelter, hygiene and sanitation. Humanitarian Situation The security situation continues to be tense in southeastern Myanmar with indiscriminate mortar shelling, deployment of armed forces and explosions in various locations. Intensified clashes were particularly observed in Kayah State, eastern Bago Region and Kayin State during the week. In Kayin State, clashes between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) were observed in Ma Htaw and Khway Thay villages in Hpapun Township on 21 and 22 May 20211 2 3 and in Wah Lu, Mae Waing, Hpar Loh Doh and Hpar Loh Pho areas, as well as on the road between Hpapun and Ka Taing Ti in Hpapun Township on 24 and 25 May 2021.4 5 Two landmine incidents were reported from Hpapun Township, near War Tho Kho village, on the road between Kamamaung and Hpapun on 24 and 25 May 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • TRENDS in MANDALAY Photo Credits
    Local Governance Mapping THE STATE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE: TRENDS IN MANDALAY Photo credits Paul van Hoof Mithulina Chatterjee Myanmar Survey Research The views expressed in this publication are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of UNDP. Local Governance Mapping THE STATE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE: TRENDS IN MANDALAY UNDP MYANMAR Table of Contents Acknowledgements II Acronyms III Executive Summary 1 1. Introduction 11 2. Methodology 14 2.1 Objectives 15 2.2 Research tools 15 3. Introduction to Mandalay region and participating townships 18 3.1 Socio-economic context 20 3.2 Demographics 22 3.3 Historical context 23 3.4 Governance institutions 26 3.5 Introduction to the three townships participating in the mapping 33 4. Governance at the frontline: Participation in planning, responsiveness for local service provision and accountability 38 4.1 Recent developments in Mandalay region from a citizen’s perspective 39 4.1.1 Citizens views on improvements in their village tract or ward 39 4.1.2 Citizens views on challenges in their village tract or ward 40 4.1.3 Perceptions on safety and security in Mandalay Region 43 4.2 Development planning and citizen participation 46 4.2.1 Planning, implementation and monitoring of development fund projects 48 4.2.2 Participation of citizens in decision-making regarding the utilisation of the development funds 52 4.3 Access to services 58 4.3.1 Basic healthcare service 62 4.3.2 Primary education 74 4.3.3 Drinking water 83 4.4 Information, transparency and accountability 94 4.4.1 Aspects of institutional and social accountability 95 4.4.2 Transparency and access to information 102 4.4.3 Civil society’s role in enhancing transparency and accountability 106 5.
    [Show full text]
  • B U R M a B U L L E T
    B U R M A B U L L E T I N ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞A month-in-review of events in Burma∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ A L T E R N A T I V E A S E A N N E T W O R K O N B U R M A campaigns, advocacy & capacity-building for human rights & democracy Issue 20 August 2008 • Fearing a wave of demonstrations commemorating th IN THIS ISSUE the 20 anniversary of the nationwide uprising, the SPDC embarks on a massive crackdown on political KEY STORY activists. The regime arrests 71 activists, including 1 August crackdown eight NLD members, two elected MPs, and three 2 Activists arrested Buddhist monks. 2 Prison sentences • Despite the regime’s crackdown, students, workers, 3 Monks targeted and ordinary citizens across Burma carry out INSIDE BURMA peaceful demonstrations, activities, and acts of 3 8-8-8 Demonstrations defiance against the SPDC to commemorate 8-8-88. 4 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 4 Cyclone Nargis aid • Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to meet with her 5 Cyclone camps close lawyer for the first time in five years. She also 5 SPDC aid windfall receives a visit from her doctor. Daw Suu is rumored 5 Floods to have started a hunger strike. 5 More trucks from China • UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma HUMAN RIGHTS 5 Ojea Quintana goes to Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana makes his first visit to the 6 Rape of ethnic women country. The SPDC controls his meeting agenda and restricts his freedom of movement.
    [Show full text]
  • TANINTHARYI REGION, MYEIK DISTRICT Palaw Township Report
    THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census TANINTHARYI REGION, MYEIK DISTRICT Palaw Township Report Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population October 2017 The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Tanintharyi Region, Myeik District Palaw Township Report Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population Office No.48 Nay Pyi Taw Tel: +95 67 431062 www.dop.gov.mm October 2017 Figure 1 : Map of Tanintharyi Region, showing the townships Palaw Township Figures at a Glance 1 Total Population 93,438 2 Population males 45,366 (48.6%) Population females 48,072 (51.4%) Percentage of urban population 20.3% Area (Km2) 1,652.3 3 Population density (per Km2) 56.6 persons Median age 22.9 years Number of wards 5 Number of village tracts 20 Number of private households 18,525 Percentage of female headed households 24.2 % Mean household size 5.0 persons4 Percentage of population by age group Children (0 – 14 years) 35.7% Economically productive (15 – 64 years) 58.8% Elderly population (65+ years) 5.5% Dependency ratios Total dependency ratio 70.1 Child dependency ratio 60.7 Old dependency ratio 9.4 Ageing index 15.5 Sex ratio (males per 100 females) 94 Literacy rate (persons aged 15 and over) 94.4% Male 94.9% Female 94.0% People with disability Number Per cent Any form of disability 9,018 9.7 Walking 3,137 3.4 Seeing 5,655 6.1 Hearing 2,464 2.6 Remembering 2,924 3.1 Type of Identity Card (persons aged 10 and over) Number Per cent Citizenship Scrutiny 51,835
    [Show full text]
  • The Union Report the Union Report : Census Report Volume 2 Census Report Volume 2
    THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census The Union Report The Union Report : Census Report Volume 2 Volume Report : Census The Union Report Census Report Volume 2 Department of Population Ministry of Immigration and Population May 2015 The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census The Union Report Census Report Volume 2 For more information contact: Department of Population Ministry of Immigration and Population Office No. 48 Nay Pyi Taw Tel: +95 67 431 062 www.dop.gov.mm May, 2015 Figure 1: Map of Myanmar by State, Region and District Census Report Volume 2 (Union) i Foreword The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census (2014 MPHC) was conducted from 29th March to 10th April 2014 on a de facto basis. The successful planning and implementation of the census activities, followed by the timely release of the provisional results in August 2014 and now the main results in May 2015, is a clear testimony of the Government’s resolve to publish all information collected from respondents in accordance with the Population and Housing Census Law No. 19 of 2013. It is my hope that the main census results will be interpreted correctly and will effectively inform the planning and decision-making processes in our quest for national development. The census structures put in place, including the Central Census Commission, Census Committees and Offices at all administrative levels and the International Technical Advisory Board (ITAB), a group of 15 experts from different countries and institutions involved in censuses and statistics internationally, provided the requisite administrative and technical inputs for the implementation of the census.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 8, Control and Resistance, Attacks on Burmese Opposition Media
    8 Control and Resistance Attacks on Burmese Opposition Media Nart Villeneuve and Masashi Crete-Nishihata Burma is consistently identifi ed by human rights organizations as one of the world ’ s most repressive regimes. Human rights violations occur with regularity, especially in connection with the country ’ s long-standing armed confl ict. The ruling military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), is best known for its political pris- oners and its systematic denial of universal human rights such as freedom of expres- sion. 1 The government ’ s efforts to silence dissent pervade cyberspace and its system of Internet control is one of the most restrictive in Asia. Despite the heavy hand that the regime wields over cyberspace, information com- munication technologies (ICTs) have provided Burmese opposition groups with the means to broadcast their message to the world and challenge the government. The ongoing battle between these two sides makes Burma a stark example of contested Asian cyberspace. The role of ICTs in this struggle can be framed by contrasting theo- ries that view them either as “ liberation technologies ” that can empower grassroots political movements 2 or as tools that authoritarian governments can use to suppress these very same mobilizations. 3 This contestation is dramatically illustrated by the series of protests that erupted across the country in 2007 — in a movement popularly known as the “ Saffron Revolu- tion. ” During these protests, Burmese activists managed to bring the uprising to the world ’ s attention by making images and videos of the demonstrations and subsequent government crackdown available on the Internet. Realizing the potential political impact of these images, the government severed Internet connectivity in the country for nearly two weeks.
    [Show full text]
  • Literature for the SECU Desk Review Dear Paul, Anne and the SECU
    Literature for the SECU Desk Review Dear Paul, Anne and the SECU team, We are writing to you to provide you with what we consider to be important documents in your investigation into community complaints of the Ridge to Reef Project. The following documents provide background to the affected community and the political situation in Tanintharyi Region, on the history and design of the project, on the grievances and concerns of the local community with respect to the project, and aspirations and efforts of indigenous communities who are working towards an alternative vision of conservation in Tanintharyi Region. The documents mentioned in this letter are enclosed in this email. All documents will be made public. Background to the affected community Tanintharyi Region is home to one of the widest expanses of contiguous low to mid elevation evergreen forest in South East Asia, home to a vast variety of vulnerable and endangered flora and fauna species. Indigenous Karen communities have lived within this landscape for generations, managing land and forests under customary tenure systems that have ensured the sustainable use of resources and the protection of key biodiversity, alongside forest based livelihoods. The region has a long history of armed conflict. The area initially became engulfed in armed conflict in December 1948 when Burmese military forces attacked Karen Defence Organization outposts and set fire to several villages in Palaw Township. Conflict became particularly bad in 1991 and 1997, when heavy attacks were launched by the Burmese military against KNU outposts, displacing around 80,000 people.1 Throughout the conflict communities experienced many serious human rights abuses, many villages were burnt down, and tens of thousands of people were forced to flee to the Thai border, the forest or to government controlled zones.2 Armed conflict came to a halt in 2012 following a bi-lateral ceasefire agreement between the KNU and the Myanmar government, which was subsequently followed by KNU signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Myanmar Asia Pacific Regional Outlook June 2020
    Myanmar Asia Pacific Regional Outlook June 2020 Myanmar Risk: Very High/Ongoing The risks of atrocities remain very high in Myanmar amidst the continuing global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite calls by the UN Secretary General for cessation of hostilities around the world, hostilities between the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups in northern Rakhine continue. Over 250 civilians have been killed and injured 570 others in Rakhine between December 2018 and May this year. Most deaths were due to stray bullets, artillery fire, or killed while in military custody as fierce battle between the Arakan Army and military forces escalated in 2018 and 2019. More than 250 civilian homes were burned in May alone, which injured many civilians even as the Tatmadaw conducted air strikes and used heavy weapons against insurgents.1 Although the Myanmar military declared unilateral ceasefire vis-à-vis other ethnic armed groups, it rejected ceasefire proposals from Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies composed of the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).2 In April, outgoing UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Yang-hee Lee called for investigation of Myanmar’s military for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Rakhine, even as she accused the Tatmadaw of disappearing, killing, and torturing AA suspects as well as blocking aid and stopping injured civilians from reaching hospitals.3 Meanwhile, with the onset of the monsoon season and the threat of pandemic, a number of Rohingya refugees took to the sea by boat and attempted to reach Indonesia and Malaysia.
    [Show full text]
  • English 2014
    The Border Consortium November 2014 PROTECTION AND SECURITY CONCERNS IN SOUTH EAST BURMA / MYANMAR With Field Assessments by: Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) Karen Environment and Social Action Network (KESAN) Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) Karen Offi ce of Relief and Development (KORD) Karen Women Organisation (KWO) Karenni Evergreen (KEG) Karenni Social Welfare and Development Centre (KSWDC) Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO) Mon Relief and Development Committee (MRDC) Shan State Development Foundation (SSDF) The Border Consortium (TBC) 12/5 Convent Road, Bangrak, Suite 307, 99-B Myay Nu Street, Sanchaung, Bangkok, Thailand. Yangon, Myanmar. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.theborderconsortium.org Front cover photos: Farmers charged with tresspassing on their own lands at court, Hpruso, September 2014, KSWDC Training to survey customary lands, Dawei, July 2013, KESAN Tatmadaw soldier and bulldozer for road construction, Dawei, October 2013, CIDKP Printed by Wanida Press CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Context .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Defence Diplomacy Between India and Myanmar: State of Play Dr
    ISPSW Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security Issue Defence Diplomacy between India and Myanmar: State of Play No. 600 Dr Bibhu Prasad Routray Feb 2019 Defence Diplomacy between India and Myanmar: State of Play Dr Bibhu Prasad Routray February 2019 Abstract New Delhi’s strategic objectives in Myanmar remain important, yet ambigous. Firstly, the country is a lynchpin for India’s Act East policy. Secondly, it is a theatre where New Delhi is seeking to challenge the decades-old dominance of Beijing. And thirdly, Myanmar holds key to ending the remnants of the insurgencies in India’s northeast. To fulfil these objectives, New Delhi intends to boost the bilateral defence ties. While India’s Act East policy is a work in progress and the insurgents from North East India have not been dislodged from Myanmar’s territory, the ties between the defence forces of both countries have demonstrated signs of strengthening. For fulfilment of strategic objectives, however, there is a need to go beyond rhetoric and work on deliverables. About ISPSW The Institute for Strategic, Political, Security and Economic Consultancy (ISPSW) is a private institute for research and consultancy. The ISPSW is an objective, task-oriented and politically non-partisan institute. In the increasingly complex international environment of globalized economic processes and worldwide political, ecological, social and cultural change, which occasions both major opportunities and risks, decision- makers in the economic and political arena depend more than ever before on the advice of highly qualified experts. ISPSW offers a range of services, including strategic analyses, security consultancy, executive coaching and intercultural competency.
    [Show full text]