June JULY CHRONOLOGY 2018

Summary of the Protestors detained for protesting the creation of a cement Current Situation: Factory in Pyigyidagun Township in Region 275 individuals are oppressed in Burma due to political activity:

33 political prisoners are serving sentences,

are awaiting trial inside 53 prison,

Accessed July 2018 ©Irrawady

189 are awaiting trial outside prison.

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ACRONYMS

ABFSU All Burma Federation of Student Unions CAT Conservation Alliance Tanawthari CNPC China National Petroleum Corporation EAO Ethnic Armed Organization GEF Global Environment Facility ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDP Internally Displaced Person KHRG Karen Human Rights Group KIA Kachin Independence Army KNU Karen National Union MFU Farmers’ Union MNHRC Myanmar National Human Rights Commission MOGE Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise NLD National League for Democracy NNC Naga National Council PAPPL Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law RCSS Restoration Council of RCSS/SSA Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South SHRF Shan Human Rights Foundation TNLA Ta’ang National Liberation Army YUSU University Students’ Union

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

POLITICAL PRISONERS ...... 4 CHARGES ...... 4 ARRESTS ...... 5 TRIALS ...... 5 SENTENCES ...... 6 CONDITIONS OF IMPRISONMENT ...... 7

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...... 9 LAND RIGHTS...... 13

REFERENCES ...... 17

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POLITICAL PRISONERS protesters had submitted a request on July CHARGES 22 to stage a protest from ,

Mandalay Division to Nay Pyi Taw, which Karenni Youth Activists Sued for Aung had been approved by authorities. They San Statue Protest in Loikaw were later informed that five of them, Shwe On July 3, about 1,000 Karenni locals Ohn, Win Zaw Latt, Nyein Htay, Win Mar marched against plans to erect a statue of Than and Yin Yin Aung, are being sued General Aung San in Loikaw. During the under Article 19 of PAPPL. Than Paing, Daw demonstration, residents distributed Aye, Mya Mya, Min Naing, Maung Ko, Thar pamphlets outlining their protest against Htay and Nyein Htay, seven other the plan to erect the statue. After the protesters, also had charges brought protest, the state’s chief minister met with against them under Section 22 of the Roads the statue’s opponents and agreed to and Bridges Law. postpone the project. He ordered local The Aung Thabyay village administrator, officials to survey their constituents on Kyaw Myo Oo, was also reportedly sacked whether they were in support of the statue from his position for standing with the and said he would make a final decision on villagers in protest against the cement whether to proceed at the end of the month. factory. Despite the reprieve, 23 Karenni youth Locals say the factory, which is owned by activists were later sued in connection with China’s Myint Investment Company, will be their protests against the statue and for powered by coal and fear the damage it distributing pamphlets that explained the might do to the local environment and their history of Karenni State. 16 of the youth livelihoods. They say the project has already activists who organized the protest were blocked off some communal grazing land then sued by under Sections 19 and 20 of and that most locals want it stopped. PAPPL, according to a police letter posted online. Ten were sued under Section 505 (b) MP and Education Officer File Lawsuit and (c) of the Penal Code for allegedly Against Each Other under Section 66 (d) defaming the Government Seven of the ten On July 21, Shwegyin Township, Bago were later released on 3 million kyat (USD Division, Regional Parliament MP Hla Hla $2,071.11) bail each by a court in Loikaw, Win, and Shwegyin Township Education which set the next hearing in the case for Director, Soe Thein, filed lawsuits against July 12. Four people were charged under each other under Section 66 (d) of the Section 505 (b) only of the Penal Code. Telecommunications Law. Activists stated that they will halt the On July 12, Hla Hla Win posted on Facebook protests in the meantime but will continue about education staffs’ salaries being cut if plans for the statue proceed. due to corruption. Soe Thein took a

screenshot of Hla Hla Win’s post and posted Villagers Charged in Mandalay for on his Facebook; “saying things that are Protesting against Cement Factory untruthful can lead to charges under On July 24, villagers in Aung Thabyay Section 500 of Defamation”. village, Pyigyidagun Township were Hla Hla Win said she filed a lawsuit against allegedly blocked by police on their way to Soe Thein taking the screenshot of her post, Nay Pyi Taw to protest the construction of a which was simply written, and then cement factory in their community. The threatening her. That evening, Soe Thein

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filed a lawsuit against her under the same to security deployments in Arakan State. On law. the same day, numerous international advocacy organizations released ARRESTS statements calling for the charges to be dropped. The upcoming hearings will involve the court hearing from six defense Seven People Arrested for Allegedly witnesses. Working as EAO Guides In the journalists’ first time testifying in according to activist San Aung Myo, seven court on July 16, Wa Lone said that during people were arrested by the Military for the police interrogation, officers tried to allegedly working as guides and porters in induce him and Kyaw Soe Oo not to publish Hpakant and Namati, . Three of their investigation into a Military-led the men, from Saitaung and Labankahtaung, massacre in Inn Din village, Arakan State. were arrested on July 15. Another two Officers told the reporters that if Reuters residents were arrested on July 18. Two declined to publish their investigation, they residents from Namati were also arrested could negotiate their early release. The on July 26. report was published on February 8. Wa Lone said that, in two video-recorded Facebook User Charged for Post on meetings in Insein Prison held separately Parliament’s Visit with him and with Kyaw Soe Oo, “they made On July 10, Kaung Htet Zin wrote on us read the Reuters report and asked us to Facebook that students and teachers should sign to certify the accuracy of the report.” not be forced to welcome the Parliament on Wa Lone also stated that the report was its visit to Kwin village, Myaungmya 80% complete when they met with police Township, Irrawaddy Division. He was officers in the restaurant where they were charged under Section 66 (d) of the arrested, and that they had arranged the Telecommunications Law. meeting to give Government officials a Teachers, students and community chance to respond to their findings. He said organizations welcomed the Myaungmya that the reporters were then framed by Township MP, Mann Htun Kyaing, the police who handed them papers without regional MP, Khaing Zin Oo, and other MPs. asking. The officers then left abruptly, and Sat Ka posted photos to record the trip on the two reporters were arrested upon Facebook, which Kaung Htet Zin then leaving the restaurant before police even allegedly shared on his own account and looked at the documents, Wa Lone told the criticised students being made to fold their court. hands and welcome MPs. On July 30, Kyaw Soe Oo told the court that A member of the NLD said that they asked the information in documents police say him to delete the post but he refused to do were found on his mobile phone was it, so a resident, Pyue, sued him. already public, and that he does not know

how the documents got on to his phone. TRIAL Delay in Case against Four Protesters Updates in Reuters Reporters Case Four protest leaders, Wunna Saw, Tin On July 9, a judge accepted charges brought Hlaing, Myo Lwin and Shwe Tun, have had against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo under the their case delayed as the prosecution Official Secrets Act for allegedly holding witness failed to attend court. They are classified Government documents relating facing charges under Section 19 of PAPPL for allegedly protesting against MOGE and

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CNPC on April 25 without permission from under the title, ‘Who is responsible for the authorities. Residents are demanding Mrauk U Murder?’ alongside a video of the compensation for land and crops damaged meeting with the Arakan State Government. by the companies. On July 20, they will He is facing charges under Section 66 (d) of attend their next hearing. the Telecommunications Law and Section 10 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Case of Students Sentenced for Anti-War Security of Citizens. Although he is able to Play Remains Ongoing be released on bail for charges under 66 (d), The Military is not satisfied with the Section 10 of the Law Protecting the Privacy sentence given by a Pathein Township and Security of Citizens prohibits bail. Judge, Win Aung, to eight students under Therefore, Aung Than Wai has to face trial Section 500 of the Penal Code for staging an inside detention. anti-war play. Therefore, the Military appealed and the case was reopened. The first hearing was held on July 16 at Pathein SENTENCES Tract Court. Although the Military filed a lawsuit more Two Sentenced for Participating in than a year ago against nine students who Kachin Anti-War Protests, Mandalay participated in the January 2017 On July 5, a court in Aung Myay Tharsan production, one youth, Myo Ko Ko, was Township sentenced Than Htike and Thet absent from the hearing. On April 4, Hnin Aung to three months’ imprisonment students received fines ranging from 30,000 for participating in peace protests in to 50,000 Kyats (USD $22.50 to $37.50). Mandalay in May 2018. The men were The next hearing is on July 25 for eight convicted of violating Section 19 of PAPPL. students who have appealed the Court’s They were arrested on May 12 in a shopping decision. district in Mandalay as they handed out questionnaires in a bid to elicit locals’ views Township Court Rejects Plea to Dismiss on the peace process and armed conflicts Case against Kachin Anti-War Activists around the country. On July 9, a Kachin State court rejected a Plainclothes police officers arrested them plea to drop the case against three Kachin for participating in anti-war protests earlier activists, Lum Zawng, Jau Jat and Nang Pu, in the month. The two men were eligible for who were sued for defamation under bail but opted to defend themselves from Section 500 of the Penal Code. On July 3, the behind bars. The two months they have three activists’ lawyer pleaded at the State spent in detention will be put toward their Court to drop the case as it is no valid. sentence, leaving them with one month left Although the court rejected the plea, the to serve. defendants will continue to appeal to the Three other peace protesters from Supreme Court. Mandalay who were arrested during the anti-war protests in May; Poet Kalint, Aung Aung Than Wai Appears in Court for the Hmine San and Soe Naing, were earlier Third Time sentenced to two months in prison. All three Aung Than Wai appeared in court for the have since been released after completing third time on July 18 for the questioning of their sentences. In addition to being the prosecution’s witnesses in the case. imprisoned, Poet Kalint, who also worked in Aung Than Wai was arrested on June 21 the civilian staff of the Military’s Central after posting a picture of Tin Maung Swe, Command based in Mandalay, was fired for the Arakan State’s Government Secretary,

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participating in the protest. His younger ploughed on the confiscated land. brother, who worked in the civilian Therefore, the research’s farm manager, municipal staff at the same Military office, Win Myint, sued five farmers under Sections was also fired for being the brother of a 447 and 427 of the Penal Code. peace protester. Tanintharyi Journal’s Appeal Rejected On July 31, Tanintharyi Division High Court CONDITIONS OF rejected the appeal filed by Tanintharyi IMPRISONMENT Journal for publishing an article headlined “Electioneering Smile”. The article, which Frontier Myanmar Interviews ICRC on was published under the pseudonym “Mu Prison Conditions and Monitoring Say Ooh” in November 2017, mocked orders On July 4, Frontier Myanmar released an made by the Government Office’s Deputy interview with ICRC, which has been Director. The Township Court sued the working in Burma’s prisons since 1999. journal for alleged violation of media ethics ICRC monitors prison conditions, and under Article 25 (b) of the Media Law on ensures that all detainees are humanely December 21, 2017. treated during their detention. The On May 21, an appeal was submitted by the organization interviews inmates, tours journal to drop the case at Tanintharyi prisons, and holds discussions with prison Division High Court. The Court heard from authorities, before sharing confidential both sides on June 12 before rejecting the reports with prisons detailing their appeal in July. findings. ICRC has implemented various projects in prisons, including helping Five Farmers Form authorities to build a school in Mandalay Sentenced For Ploughing Central Prison and a multi-purpose room at On July 17, five farmers, including Khin Nyo Lashio Prison. It has also supported from Thaysoe village, Myittha Township, authorities in building a tuberculosis ward Mandalay Division, were sentenced to a fine in Nyaung Shwe Prison, and it is currently of 200 kyats (USD $0.14) or to two weeks in working on a large project at Insein Prison. prison by Mandalay Division High Court. In the interview, ICRC officials stated that They were sued for ploughing on they would like to see changes to the 1894 confiscated land under Sections 447 and Prison Law, which they believe is outdated. 427 of the Penal Code. Farmers refused to pay the fine as they did not agree with the MNHRC Investigates Human Rights sentence. Their lawyer said that they are Abuses in Prisons not in prison yet as the court has to send the MNHRC investigated reports of human order to Myittha Township Court in order rights violations in Pakokku prison on July for it to be valid. 9, Ohbo prison on July 10, prisons and police Myittha Township Court dropped the case cells in Township, Mandalay in August, 2017 and Mandalay Division High Division on July 11, and Mandalay Prison on Court gave a sentence on July 17 due to an July 12-13. As well as a male quarrying appeal from the plaintiff. camp and a female quarrying camp. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation According to their findings, some prisoners seized over 8,000 acres of farmers’ land on have been wrongfully imprisoned for the border of Myittha Township and crimes they did not commit, , said a member between 1963 and 1984 of the Commission on July 15. for researching an Agriculture Project. On Another MNHRC member said that Pakokku October 18, 2015, Thaysoe villagers prison has capacity for 400 inmates, but 7 JULY 2018

currently it holds more than 500 prisoners. There are not enough tents for leisure activities in the quarrying camps and the female quarrying camps contain heavy rocks. In Ohbo prison, there are approximately 9,000 prisoners and 40 mothers, so there is a kindergarten for children. Additionally, there are prisoners who are studying Grades 9, 10 and 11. In Ohbo prison, 184 people met with MNHRC and told them their difficulties. Moreover, the Commission asked the Prison Department staff to tell them their difficulties and called on them to respect prisoners’ human rights.

MNHRC Finds Human Rights “Grievances” in 42 Prisons After finishing its survey, 42 prisons out of 47 were found Human Rights grievances, said Yu Lwin Aung, a member of MNHRC. MNHRC has conducted surveys in 42 prisons between 2014 and July 2018. Of the 47 prisons that will be investigated, Laukkaing, Magway and Kyaikmaraw prisons are still under construction. MNHRC found that in most of the prisons, inmates do not have enough space, there are not enough doctors and nurses or medicine, and there are not enough toilets. Prisoners cannot shower properly as there is not enough water. Moreover, prisoners are beaten. Overcrowding was deemed the main problem in prisons. MNHRC said that these constitute human rights grievances rather than human rights abuses. MNHRC said it has already reported findings to the President. It plans to finish the surveys in other prisons in August.

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RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS Military Accused of Torturing Shan was under construction. It was later Civilians in Loilem Township revealed on Martyrs’ Day, July 19. On July 19, SHRF released a statement Residents took to the streets after an open accusing the Military and local militias in letter, sent on June 18, asking to meet with southern Shan State of engaging in torture the State Government to voice objections to and other human rights violations against the statue, went unanswered. Erecting the civilians in Loilem Township south of Mong statue in the state is inappropriate, as Aung Kung. San’s promises to Karenni leaders have not The alleged violations occurred before and been fulfilled, said one protest leader. during armed clashes between the Military Demonstrators later accused police of and the RCSS between June 8 and July 8. beating protesters who were marching According to the foundation, troops from peacefully with batons while they were Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 430, together waiting for permission from authorities to with the local militias, tortured residents of march to the park where the statue is Nawng Leng village tract and accused them located. Police arrested one of the leaders of having links to the RCSS/SSA. and handcuffed villagers involved in the SHRF said that soldiers searched the protest. Other participants organized a sit- residents’ homes, beating villagers and in protest to have them released at once. warning them that anyone who assisted After they were released, the protesters Shan troops would face 20 years in prison. dispersed. SHRF also documented a case in which over Other protests took place in Karen, Chin and 100 soldiers from LIB 576 looted livestock Mon States in opposition to similar statues from residents of Wan Nam Oat, Ham Ngai that are being constructed in other states village tract in Mong Kung on July 11. The and regions. combined value of the stolen livestock was Ten Naga ethnic organizations, including 3.5 million kyats (around USD $2,457). the NNC, also protested against the plan to On June 27, the soldiers searched the home build a statue of General Aung San in Kani of Wan Mu Ser village head Loong Karng Town, Division. Naw Aung San, of Tawng. When they found dynamite, the NNC, cited concerns that, if the General commonly used to catch fish, they accused is to be accepted as a symbol of the country, him of working as a recruiter for the ethnic histories may perish. The Naga Self- RCSS/SSA. When he denied the allegation, Administered Zone Leading Group reported the soldiers severely tortured him, SHRF that Naga CSOs are against the statue as it said. does not represent all the Naga ethnic communities. Police Break Up Protest against Erection Civil societies, MPs, residents and ethnic of Aung San Statue in Loikaw community leaders formed the committee On July 3, around 1,000 people participated to build Aung’s statue in 2017. The opening in a protest against the erection of a statue ceremony of the statue in Kani Town is of General Aung San in Loikaw. Locals from planned to take place on July 21. multiple towns in Karenni State traveled to The NLD has criticized the protesters protest in the state capital, where the statue objections to the statues, saying that it did

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not instruct party members to persuade also called for raises in the standard of locals to erect statues and that their living for members of the police force. construction is not an attempt to ‘Burmanize’ ethnic minority regions. University Authorities Prohibit Poster Commemoration Campaign, Rangoon RCSS/SSA Accused of Forcibly On July 6, university authorities prohibited Conscripting over 50 Men a poster campaign aimed at More than 50 young men from villages in commemorating the violent Military Mong Pan Township, Shan State have suppression of a student movement at allegedly been forcibly recruited by the Rangoon University on July 7, 1962. The RCSS/SSA. The accusation was reported by attempt to stage the campaign was RFA on July 16, which quoted a local official organized by YUSU in the Physics from the NLD. Department of the university, where RCSS/SSA soldiers were accused of taking students tried to hang posters reading men from villages in Mong Pan, Nay Zaw “Don’t Forget 7.7.62”. Teachers would not Naing, according to an NLD chairman in allow the posters under the premise that nearby Namhsan Township. Four of the 50 the campaign would allegedly disrupt men are allegedly NLD members. On July 15, peaceful learning conditions. the NLD sent a letter to RCSS/SSA asking to release the four members. RCSS/SSA 7th July Ceremony Prohibited on replied that they will release them Yadanabon University Campus, immediately. He said he has heard that all Mandalay the young boys have already been sent to a On July 19, the 71st anniversary of the RCSS/SSA training center. Lieutenant Martyrs Day ceremony was prohibited from Colonel Sai Oo, a RCSS/SSA spokesmana being held on the Mandalay Yadanabon told RFA that he was not aware of the forced campus. It was instead held outside the recruitment in the villages and could not University and was led by the Federation of confirm it. Students Union. Students requested permission from University authorities, but MNHRC Receives Increasing Number of they were not allowed to hold the event Complaints on Police Human Rights inside Yadanabon University. Abuses Each year, MNHRC receives an increasing Punishment for Student Political number of complaints concerning human Activity Continues Despite Revised rights violations perpetrated by police Rules groups. More complaints are received from While the rules governing students at Irrawaddy Division out of all states and universities, degree colleges and colleges regions. Highlighted problems include a have been revised, ABFSU at Yadanabon lack of adherence to police discipline rules, University said this month that the changes human rights abuses carried out during hardly make a difference. According to police investigations, and violations ABFSU, although the Ministry of Education occurring more frequently in rural villages revoked strict rules prohibiting students than urban areas. from participating in political activities last The Police Department needs to reform the year, the amendment only amounts to a police’s behavior immediately, according to change in the headings and makes no real MNHRC. As well as taking action against difference. police officers who abuse the law, MNHRC The severest form of punishment under the new rules remains expulsion for university

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students found to have participated in which armed group shot him. Hsipaw political unrest. ABFSU stated that, as the residents are worried for their safety as rules are used to expel students, they still gunshots often occur in Hsipaw. threaten freedom of learning. The Military, as well as militias, the police, EAOs - including the RCSS/SSA, the TNLA Villagers Protest Appointment of Village and the SSPP/SSA - all operate within Administrators Hsipaw Township. On July 24, over 120 villagers from 12 villages in , Mandalay Kachin Refugees Attempt Return to their Region, protested alleged irregularities in Homes and are Expelled the Township Management Committee’s About 60 IDPs were expelled from appointment of village administrators. The Namsaryan village, Waingmaw Township, Committee only chose to appoint Kachin State by the Military, according to administrators that it liked, according to a Kachin ethnic organisations. Residents protest organizer. Villagers also claimed returned to their village to resettle at the that some of the village administrator end of June, but the Military did not let them candidates were unqualified for the stay. Therefore they took shelter in IDP position but were still selected because the camps located in Bhamo and Myitkyina. Committee knew them. They added that in some instances, those selected were Namsaryan village is situated on the Laiza accused of criminal acts, such as demanding road which leads to the KIA headquarters. It bribes and electoral fraud. The protesters is an ideal location for the Military to said they gave the committee proof of their combat the KIA, residents noted. accusations, but the documents were ignored. The Committee Chairman, Wai Lin MNHRC Reports Death of Civilian due to Tun, insisted that the villagers’ complaints Police Torture to the Ministry of Home were properly investigated. Affairs MNHRC reported that 26 year-old man died 134 Cases Filed under during police detention in Hlaingtharyar Telecommunications Law Township in Rangoon. The Commission On July 4, the Freedom of Expression asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to solve Activist Organisation (Athan) reported that the case. On June 21, Khaing Min Wai was there were 134 cases filed under the taken by police for questioning and was Telecommunications Law. investigated at a police outpost. He died six 11 cases were filed during the former hours later. His mother reported to MNHRC presidency; 90 cases before the amendment that her son had died due to police torture. to the law under the current Government, On July 10. Khaing Min Wai’s 15 year-old and 33 cases after the amendment to the cousin, who was detained with him for one law, said Athan’s Executive Director, Mg night, said that police locked the door and Saung Kha. tortured Khaing Min Wai. This included holding Khaing Min Wai’s hands on the table Leader of Ten Households Shot in and beating his finger joints, forcing Khaing Hsipaw Township Min Wai to lie down and beating his back, During the night of July 6, a leader of ten and kicking Khaing Min Wai when he knew households, Kyaw Win Naing, was shot nothing. His cousin said that he was also three times in Khun Panhael village, Hsipaw beaten at the police outpost by the Ward Township, northern Shan State. He is a Leader, Aye Kyaing, but he was released at farmer in Se Sone village. It is not yet known 4 am. On July 14, the Insein Township

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Superintendent, Tin Aye, formed a tribunal and is currently investigating the case.

MNHRC Finds that Police do not Take Action over Police Discipline On June 26, Zaw Min Tun from Nyaung Tapin village, Dedaye Town, Irrawaddy Division was accused of stealing fishing nets and was arrested by the leader of one hundred households. He was taken to the police station and died during investigations of multiple wounds. His family complained to MNHRC so on July 24, MNHRC found that police did not follow police discipline rules. Zaw Min Tun’s family saw his wounds and also complained to the police and the police investigated the case. The nine police officers who were involved in the murder case are currently having action taken against them.

Six Medics Killed by Military in Northern Shan State On July 17, the TNLA announced that the Military had killed six female medics who were being held in captivity in northern Shan State. On July 11, the medics were ambushed by the Military’s Infantry Battalion 301 in Arlaw village, Mangton Township. A TNLA soldier trying to protect the medics was killed by Military soldiers. The medics were arrested and taken as prisoners of war. Their bodies, along with that of the TNLA soldier, were found together in a grave on July 14. Two had gunshot wounds and the other four had stab wounds and bruises from beatings, according to a statement issued by the TNLA. The Military has provided a conflicting account of the events, saying the bodies of three men and five women in camouflage uniforms were seized from TNLA insurgents. One Ta’ang resident from Namsang township denounced the incident as a war crime and believes it was “meant as a warning to discourage girls and women from working for their people”.

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LAND RIGHTS Military Claims to be Returning dam projects will have on villagers in Karen Confiscated Land State. Residents are concerned about the On July 18, the Military said that it has been lack of transparency surrounding the returning unused lands it confiscated from projects, which are backed by international farmers over the course of decades to its companies. Some have already resulted in rightful owners. It also stated that some of forced displacement, land, and loss of crops. the confiscated land not used by the Military The projects are: Thauk Yay Hkat in has been transferred to a Government team Thandtaung Township, Hatgyi in Hlaingbwe that includes Vice President Myint Swe. The Township, Thawkahtar in Kyaukkyi announcement was made a day after a Township, Bilin in Bilin Township, Pata in report was released by Human Rights Kawkareik Township, Mehkatha in Kyain Watch. The report had accused the Seikgyi Township, and Tanintharyi in Government of largely failing to deliver on a Hteekhee Township. pledge to seek justice for those whose According to the report, along with the local farmland was seized in southern Shan State, company Asia World, the major investors and are from Thailand, Japan and Norway. Many since the 1990s. of the projects are designed primarily to export electricity to Thailand or China. Protesters Reject Meeting on Coal-fired Construction on three of the projects is Factory expected to begin in 2021 to be completed A meeting to discuss a coal-powered in 2022. The Asia World Group of cement factory project in Patheingyi Companies denied its alleged involvement. Township, was cancelled A coordinator at Karen Rivers Watch said because officials of the company involved in that the Government has not provided any the project planned to attend the meeting. information and there has been no public The meeting was to be held between the consultation with residents. KHRG stated Mandalay Government and township that some companies have started building residents. roads and bringing equipment to the dam Myint Investment Company began sites and have urged local people to move, constructing a coal-fired cement factory as well as destroying their villages without near Aung Tha Pyay village in Patheingyi in discussing compensation. A number of 2016. Local residents have held protests residents have already been displaced from against it several times. Villagers are proposed project sites. concerned that wells, water tanks and According to KHRG, villagers from five of natural springs are included in the project ten dam sites that were investigated have area. Shade trees on both sides of village reported cases of land confiscation and path have been felled, and locals worry that property damage. Compensation was not religious buildings and pagodas will be provided for land seizures nor for extensive destroyed by the project. damage to crops and natural fauna.

Transparency Concerns Raised about Farmers in Tanintharyi Protest Shwe Proposed Dam Projects Kanbawza Palm Oil Company A report released in June by two NGOs, On July 8, over 200 farmers from six villages KHRG and Karen Rivers Watch, highlights in Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, the detrimental effects that seven proposed staged a protest urging

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authorities and Shwe Kanbawza palm oil farmland seized by the Military were company to return confiscated lands in Yay returned. Over 8,000 acres seized by Phyu Village. More than 200 farmers from companies and several other acres seized Shan Inntaw, Yayphyu, Kontyaw, Htonekha, by authorities have also been reclaimed", Tarplug and Chaunglamu villages said Su Su Nway. However, she said that participated in the march. they have experienced difficulties settling The reasons for staging the protest are land disputes and helping return the seized because the farmers’ lands were confiscated farmland under the new Government. She and their crops were destroyed, all without said that some farmers claimed they were compensation. Although they complained to officially told not to go to the farmers’ union the relevant Government departments, they to solve their problems. are yet to resolve the issue. When farmers After the protest, on July 1, Su Su Nway, Zaw grew crops [on the confiscated lands], the Yan and Ko Ko Naing, the protest leaders, company came and destroyed them, and were charged under Section 19 of PAPPL by when the farmers subsequently the Seikkan Township Superintendent for complained, the company threatened them. not asking for permission to demonstrate. Shwe Kanbawza has also sued some According to Su Su Nway, she is the only farmers. person who led the protest. The other two were not involved in the protest, and were Letpadaung Residents Continue to only guest preachers. Su Su Nway then sued Protest Copper Mining Project the Superintendent under Section 500 of On July 4, residents from Letpadaung staged the Penal Code for allegedly being wrongly a protest outside the Myanmar-Wanbao charged which has affected her reputation. Company in calling for a stop to the Letpadaung copper mining project. They Conservation Project in Karen State said the company failed to follow the Violates Right to Consent and Prior recommendations outlined in the Consultation Letpadaung copper mine inquiry report. On July 16, CAT submitted a formal After losing their land due to the project, complaint concerning the violation of the farmers are dissatisfied with the 1,900 residents’ right to free prior and informed acres of substitute farmland provided as consent by GEF, which is carrying out a compensation, as it will be located in an conservation project, called Ridge to Reef, in undesirable location approximately 40 Tanintharyi Region. CAT claims that the miles away from the farmers’ villages in project threatens the land and resource Letpadaung. This was the reason for the rights of thousands of Karen people. An latest protest, the fourth that has taken inception workshop was planned for Ridge place this year over the mine. to Reef on July 17, but local communities were not consulted. CAT’s complaint calls MFU Claims it has Helped Return over for the suspension of Ridge to Reef until all 18,000 Acres of Seized Farmland communities who will be affected by the MFU has helped to return over 18,000 acres project are consulted and have given of seized farmland over the past five years, informed consent. according to Chairperson Su Su Nway. She disclosed the information during a protest Authorities Demolish Buildings on organised by MFU (Central) and local State-Owned Land Returned by Military farmers demanding the return of seized Since July 17, authorities in Karen State farmland to its original owners. have been demolishing and clearing "From 2012 to 2017, over 10,000 acres of unauthorized buildings on land that was

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previously released by the Military in San Pa Arakan State. Farmers want to work the Ree Village Group, Hpa-an Township. 929 land, while the other residents want the acres out of 1,128 acres were released by land to become grazing land. The seven the Military and later designated “State- farmers asked that the Government resolve owned land” by the Government. the tension in a press conference that was However, on June 30 the Government held in Sittwe Town. The Chaungtu Village ordered the relocation of the people that Administrator, Kyaw Thaung, along with had allegedly been living and working on most residents, is trying to convert the 40 the land without its permission. Residents’ acres of the farmers’ land into grazing land, houses were then demolished. and they destroyed the farmers’ plantations According to KNU, after the Military twice in June and July. released the land due to its inability to work The judge decided that the seven farmers on it, the land became vacant land, so KNU legally own the land as it has been passed allocated plots and land documents to the down the generations for many years. public. A KNU spokesperson also said that he has heard the State Government will Farmers Hold Press Conference in Dagon scrutinize and reallocate the land. KNU has Myothit East submitted the issue to the central On July 28, farmers from Dagon East, Dagon Government, and is awaiting a response. South, Dagon North and , held a press conference in Dagon Residents to Petition Union Government East with the aim of suing companies for to Halt Gold Mining Project in Shan State land confiscation. In 2013, Myawaddy On July 23, residents of eastern Shan State’s Agricultural Company, Dagon International Mong Hpyak Township agreed in a meeting Company, Yuzana Company, Seinshweli to send a petition to the Union Government Company, and Zayar Marimiyar worked in protest of a proposed gold mining project together with the Ministry of Agriculture to in their area. Although residents have seize 20,000 acres of land. previously sent letters to the State The case has been reported to the Government opposing the project, they are Government, but the farmers have not got yet to receive a response. back their lands yet. The Australian company, Access Resources Asia Company Limited, currently has Land and Resources Discussion Canceled permission to mine for gold in Mong Hpyak. by Authorities Company representatives held meetings On July 21, a planned discussion on the with locals in 2017 and 2018 to discuss the detrimental effects of a gas pipeline project project. In all three meetings, community on farmers livelihoods was canceled by members opposed the gold mining venture, authorities as it was allegedly not in citing a negative impact to 13 village tracts accordance with the law. The discussion, in the township through the destruction of titled “The Land and Resources of Farmers” paddy fields and pollution to local was planned to take place at Shwe Ann waterways. The latest gold extraction Taung Hall, in Ann Township, Arakan State. project will unearth more than 140,000 100 people were registered to attend the acres of paddy field. event, with three leaders who had been given permission by the police to guide the Farmers Win Land Ownership Dispute discussion. The discussion was then Tensions are rising between seven farmers prohibited, as an extra two leaders arrived (landowners) and other residents in to host the event. One was a Land and Chaungtu village, Kyauktaw Township, Resources activist in Kyaukphyu Township,

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Tun Kyi, and the other was an anti-pipeline Division. Six residents from Tharsi district activist from Ann Township, Myo Lwin. claimed that 11 acres of their land were seized when building the bridge in 2016. Residents Protest Confiscated Land They sent a complaint letter to the General On July 13, over 100 residents protested Administration Directorate in Kani against land confiscations which were Township after the bridge opening seized by Nawaday sugar mill and the No. ceremony on July 16, as some residents who 10 police battalion in 1996-1997. In August, had previously complained about their land 2012, the Land and Other Lands Recruiting being seized had already received Committee Submitted a report to compensation, but the other six residents parliament that the over 200 acres of had not. confiscated land should be returned to Kani Township Regional MP, Thein Hlaing residents in Shan Su and Shan Kone villages, Win, said that the land was confiscated Pyay Township. However, until now no land because it was vacant land. He also said that has been returned, according to protest residents who were affected by the land leader, Zaw Tun. seizures did not request compensation, In 2017, the Land Department defined the which was the reason why they were only land as grazing land and refused to return able to compensate the residents who had the land to farmers. Previously, farmers had sent a complaint letter previously. been planting sesame on the land as well as cotton and sugarcane. Additionally, they paid tax. Approximately 60 farmers had been planting on the 200 acres of land.

Residents Demand Compensation for Land Seized for Chintwine Bridge Residents have not received compensation for farmland that was seized to to build Chintwine bridge in Kani Town, Sagaing

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REFERENCES POLITICAL PRISONERS CHARGES • Facebook User Charged for Post (13 July 2018 on Parliament’s Visit - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) • Karenni Youth Activists Sued for

Aung San Statue Protest in Loikaw (4 July 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) TRIAL (4 July 2018 - Myanmar Times/Burmese) (5 July 2018 - • Updates in Reuters Reporters Case Myanmar Times) (5 July 2018 - The (9 July 2018 - Irrawaddy) (9 July Voice/Burmese) (6 July 2018 - 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 July 2018 Myanmar Times) (11 July 2018 - - Reuters) (16 July 2018 - Irrawaddy) (11 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (12 July 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (18 July 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (12 July 2018 - DVB) (18 July 2018 - 7 Day The Voice/Burmese) (25 July 2018 - Daily/Burmese) (23 July 2018 - Irrawaddy) (26 July 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (24 July 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) Irrawaddy) (30 July 2018 - Reuters) • Villagers Charged in Mandalay for (30 July 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) Protesting against Cement • Delay in Case against Four Factory (6 July 2018 - Myanmar Protesters (14 July 2018 - 7 Day Times) (17 July 2018 - Daily/Burmese) Mizzima/Burmese) (23 July 2018 - • Case of Students Sentenced for Mizzima/Burmese) (23 July 2018 - 7 Anti-War Play Remains Ongoing(7 Day Daily/Burmese) (25 July 2018 - July 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (16 DVB/Burmese) (26 July 2018 - July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Irrawaddy) (26 July 2018 - The • Township Court Rejects Plea to Voice/Burmese) (27 July 2018 - Dismiss Case against Kachin Anti- Mizzima/Burmese) (28 July 2018 - War Activists (4 July 2018 - Mizzima) (31 July 2018- BNI/Burmese) (9 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) VOA/Burmese) (16 July 2018 - • MP and Education Officer File BNI/Burmese) Lawsuit Against Each Other under • Aung Than Wai Appears in Court Section 66 (d)(22 July 2018 - The for the Third Time.(5 July 2018 - Voice/Burmese) (23 July 2018 - 7 Irrawaddy/Burmese) (18 July 2018 - Day Daily/Burmese) Eleven/Burmese)

ARRESTS SENTENCES • Seven People Arrested for Allegedly Working as EAO • Two Sentenced for Participating Guides(31 July 2018 - in Kachin Anti-War Protests, BBC/Burmese) Mandalay (5 July 2018 - Irrawaddy)

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(5 July 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) (24 July 2018 - (5 July 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) • Tanintharyi Journal’s Appeal Rejected (31 July 2018 - • RCSS/SSA Accused of Forcibly Irrawaddy/Burmese) Conscripting over 50 Men(16 July • Five Farmers From Myittha 2018 - RFA) (16 July 2018 - Township Sentenced For RFA/Burmese) (17 July 2018 - Ploughing (17 July 2018 - The Mizzima) (18 July 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (19 July 2018 - 7 Voice/Burmese) Day Daily/Burmese) • MNHRC Receives Increasing Number of Complaints on Police CONDITIONS OF Human Rights Abuses (29 July 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) IMPRISONMENT • University Authorities Prohibit Poster Commemoration • Frontier Myanmar Interviews Campaign, Rangoon (9 July 2018 - ICRC on Prison Conditions and Myanmar Times) Monitoring (4 July 2018 - Frontier • 7th July Ceremony Prohibited on Myanmar) Yadanabon University Campus, • MNHRC Investigates Human Mandalay(19 July 2018 - Rights Abuses in Prisons (12 July Irrawaddy/Burmese) 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (15 July • Punishment for Student Political 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Activity Continues Despite • MNHRC Finds Human Rights Revised Rules(4 July 2018 - “Grievances” in 42 Prisons Myanmar Times) (19 July 2018 - 7 Day • Villagers Protest Appointment of Daily/Burmese) Village Administrators (24 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (24 July 2018 RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (26 July 2018 - Myanmar Times) AND POLITICAL RIGHTS • 134 Cases Filed under Telecommunications Law(4 July 2018 - VOA/Burmese) • Military Accused of Torturing • Leader of Ten Households Shot in Shan Civilians in Loilem Hsipaw Township(8 July 2018 - Township(20 July 2018 - BNI/Burmese) Irrawaddy) (20 July 2018 - SHRF) • Kachin Refugees Attempt Return (20 July 2018 - BNI) to their Homes and are Expelled (6 • Police Break Up Protest against July 2018 - BBC/Burmese) Erection of Aung San Statue in • MNHRC Reports Death of Civilian Loikaw (3 July 2018 - DVB) (4 July due to Police Torture to the 2018 - Mizzima) (4 July 2018 - Ministry of Home Affairs (17 July Myanmar Times) (4 July 2018 - 2018 - Myanmar Now/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) (4 July 2018 - • Irrawaddy/Burmese) (5 July - MNHRC Finds that Police do not Irrawaddy) (12 July 2018 - Take Action over Police (25 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (13 July 2018 - Discipline Eleven/Burmese) Irrawaddy) (17 July 2018 - 7 Day

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• Six Medics Killed by Military in Northern Shan State (17 July 2018 RFA) (18 July 2018 - Telesur) (20 July 2018 - Jakarta Post) LAND RIGHTS • Conservation Project in Karen • Military Claims to be Returning State Violates Right to Consent Confiscated Land(17 July 2018 - and Prior Consultation(16 July HRW) (17 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) 2018 - Progressive Voice) (16 July (18 July 2018 - RFA) (18 July 2018 - 2018 - Progressive Voice/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) (19 July 2018 - • Authorities Demolish Buildings Mizzima) (20 July 2018 - on State-Owned Land Returned Irrawaddy/Burmese) by Military (18 July 2018 - • Protesters Reject Meeting on BNI/Burmese) (20 July 2018 - BNI) Coal-fired Factory(6 July 2018 - • Residents to Petition Union Myanmar Times) Government to Halt Gold Mining • Transparency Concerns Raised Project in Shan State (24 July 2018 about Proposed Dam Projects (10 - BNI/Burmese) (25 July 2018 - Shan July 2018 - RFA) (10 July 2018 - State News) RFA/Burmese) (10 July 2018 - • Farmers Win Land Ownership KHRG) (11 July 2018 - Dispute (26 July 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (12 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Irrawaddy) • Farmers Hold Press Conference in • Farmers in Tanintharyi Protest Dagon Myothit East (28 July 2018 - Shwe Kanbawza Palm Oil Eleven/Burmese) Company (8 July 2018 - • Land and Resources Discussion Mizzima/Burmese) (9 July 2018 - Canceled by Authorities (22 July Mizzima) 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) • Letpadaung Residents Continue to • Residents Protest Confiscated Protest Copper Mining Project(4 Land(13 July 2018 - RFA/Burmese) July 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (5 • Residents Demand Compensation July 2018 - Mizzima) for Land Seized for Chintwine • MFU Claims it has Helped Return Bridge(17 July 2018 - The over 18,000 Acres of Seized Voice/Burmese) Farmland(2 July 2018 - Eleven) (2 July 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (5 July 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (5 July 2018 - The Voice/Burmese)

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For more information:

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) Tate Naing (Secretary) +66 (0) 812 878 751 Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary) +081 962 8713

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