Where the Change Has Yet to Reach Exposing Ongoing Earth Rights Abuses in Burma (Myanmar)
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Where the Change Has Yet to Reach Exposing Ongoing Earth Rights Abuses in Burma (Myanmar) Voices from the EarthRights School Burma 2010-11 Each year, students of the EarthRights School Burma venture into the field and collect stories and information about human rights and environmental issues in their home communities. Their fieldwork provides practice in skills such as interviewing, map making, report writing and research planning, but it also raises the voices of local people in Burma so that they may be heard globally. These are voices which speak of land confiscation, the perils of dams and mines, the impacts of armed conflict and other earthrights abuses which might otherwise remain invisible. These are true stories. Find out more about the Burma School and EarthRights International at www.earthrights.org. Where the Change Has Yet to Reach Exposing Ongoing Earth Rights Abuses in Burma A collection of reports by students of the EarthRights School Burma Where the Change Has Yet to Reach Copyright © 2012 EarthRights International www.earthrights.org US Office Southeast Asia Office 1612 K St. NW P.O. Box 123 Suite 401 Chiang Mai University Washington, DC Chiang Mai 50202 20006 Thailand tel: +1 202 466 5188 tel: +66 81 531 1256 [email protected] [email protected] Printed in Thailand Cover photos courtesy of EarthRights School Burma alumni Project Sites 4 WHERE THE CHANGE HAS YET TO REACH Table of Contents Education & Child Rights 10 The Defenselessness of Street Children in the Townships of Yangon by Lay New 26 The Social and Economic Impacts of an Inadequate Educational System on Kachin Youths in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State by Seng Seng 46 The High Cost of Education The Plight of Pa-O Children by Khun Robert 62 Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of the Monastic Education System in Rangoon, Burma by An An Hti Poverty & Health 87 The Impact of Poverty Among Mon IDPs at the Bee Ree Resettlement Site in Northern Ye Township by Mi Thuzar 101 Economic Hardship in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, New Mon State Party Region, Burma by Mi Goe Chai 109 Social Impacts of the Government’s Insufficient Health Care System and Lack of Awareness about HIV/AIDS for People Living in Hpa-an Township, Karen State by TT TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 124 Major Health Problems from Lack of Health Care and Health Education in Pruso Township, Karenni State, Burma by Rose Lone Development vs. Human Rights and the Environment 137 Dawei Development Project is Creating the Negative Impacts of Land Confiscation, Changing Lifestyles, and Lack of Livelihoods for Local People East and West of Dawei by Thukha Thakhin 155 Negative Impacts of Deforestation on Indigenous People in Bangshau, Kawngmu, Hohap Villages in Lashio Township, Northern Shan State by Jhon Zau Shan 170 The Impacts of Rubber Plantations on the Ceasefire Area in Mongla Township in Eastern Shan State by Sai Lieng Lem 184 Environmental and Social Impacts of Commercial Rubber and Banana Plantations on Local People in Hkaya Village, Northeastern Kachin State by Myitsu 200 Social Impacts of a Casino on the Community of Mai Ja Yang Village on the China-Burma Border in Southeastern Kachin State by Pisi 221 The Negative Impacts of Burma-China Natural Gas and Oil Pipelines on Local Villagers through Land Confiscation in Western Namkham Township, Ta’ang Area, Northern Shan State by Mai Mao Dang 6 WHERE THE CHANGE HAS YET TO REACH Conflict & Displacement 240 Villagers in Ho Kai Villages, Southern Shan State Continue to Suffer the Effects of Having their Villages Burned Down by Armed Forces by Mune Noung 254 The Impacts of Emigration of Karenni Youth in Deemowso Township by Khon Poe Hlone 273 The Causes and Effects of Displacement in Pasaung and Shadaw Townships in Karenni State by Lae Moo ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgments The students of the EarthRights School Burma (ERSB) classes of 2010 and 2011 would like to express our deepest gratitude for the unique opportunity awarded us to attend this school. Our lives have been touched by many people both within and outside of EarthRights International who together made it possible for us to further our education and gain valuable experience as students in this school. We want to thank all of our instructors, guest teachers, and advisors at the school, whose excellent guidance and suggestions assisted us both in and outside the classroom through our coursework and field research which resulted in these reports. The care and patience we received during the times we struggled will never be forgotten. We cherish the warm friendships that were made along this journey. The knowledge and experience we have gained has prepared us well to go forward and serve our communities throughout Burma in the ongoing struggle for peace, justice, and the dream of human rights for all. Many caring people worked hard and made sacrifices on our behalf. First and foremost, we would like to thank Mr. Ka Hsaw Wa, the Executive Director of EarthRights International, whose boundless energy and vision of training young people from Burma to become grassroots activists for human rights and the environment gave birth to this school and its ongoing develop- ment. We would also like to thank everyone at ERI, including the board of directors, manage- ment, and all of the staff in Thailand and the USA for all you do in support of the school. In particular we would like to thank the ERSB program staff, who work tirelessly to make sure the school runs smoothly and are always willing to help and offer suggestions. Your professionalism and support helped make our experience a success! We know that this opportunity would not have been possible without the financial support of our generous and thoughtful donors. We would like to thank Trocaire, Oxfam HK, ICCO, North- Star, along with another organization and individual donors who wish to remain anonymous. Your interest in Burma and the generous support you provide is an inspiration to all of us and we are forever grateful for the opportunity we have been given to help bring change to our communities and to Burma. Finally, we would like to thank all of the interviewees for graciously sharing their stories that made these reports possible. We have been inspired by these people, many of whom are facing overwhelming challenges each day just to survive. We are honored to share their stories with you and hope when you read their words you will also be inspired by their courage and perseverance. WHERE THE CHANGE HAS YET TO REACH Preface In the past year, many exciting changes have been underway in Burma. The five-year suspen- sion of the Myitsone Dam, the release and election of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and and the loosening of media restrictions have gained worldwide praise for the Burmese government. After more than fifty years of brutal military dictatorship, it seems that positive political changes are finally starting to reach Burma. The reports contained in this book, however, describe places in Burma where this positive change has yet to reach. These reports detail human rights and environmental abuses such as forced labor, land confiscation, extreme poverty and the destruction of the environment, problems that are widespread throughout Burma and sources of much suffering. For the people of Burma living under these conditions, the changes made by the nominally-civilian Nay Pyi Daw govern- ment have little meaning if they do not have enough money for food and medicine for their families, must live in the constant fear of being forced to porter for the military or are forced to leave their homes to make way for mega-development projects. This book is a testament to what has not changed in Burma, a portrait of the places where military rule and negligent governance is still a living, oppressive presence. Still, these reports are written with hope, hope that by creating awareness of these problems, the positive changes will not remain restricted to select areas of Burma but will reach all people in the country. While supporters of human rights and democracy everywhere are celebrating Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s and the NLD’s historic victory in the parliamentary bi-elections, it is important not to forget the places in Burma described in this book. In the months and years to come, it is crucial that Daw Suu Kyi and the NLD raise the human rights and environmental issues described in these reports to the Parliament in order to bring an immediate end to these abuses. It is also important to realize that lasting peace between the government and ethnic groups can only occur once people’s basic needs and human rights are realized. Any peace agreement without these basic human essentials will be short-lived. The students of the EarthRights School Burma (ERSB) classes of 2010 and 2011 represent fourteen different ethnic groups and from all across the country. They spent eight months study- ing with each other in order to bring their newly learned knowledge of community development, human rights and environmental protection back to their communities in Burma. Through their time together, they formed bonds that lasted not only through the school term but also after graduation, helping to create an inter-ethnic, nationally united civil society. The voices of these brave young people represent the possibility of hope for Burma’s future. I hope that these reports will gain the attention of both the international and Burmese community and create awareness that will lead to positive changes for a better Burma and a better world. Dr. Cynthia Maung, Founder of Mae Tao Clinic Education & Child Rights Since the military coup in 1988, the education system in Burma has gradually deteriorated.