June FEBRUARY CHRONOLOGY 2019

JuneFEBRUARY CHRONOLOGY 2019

Summary of the Current Thayet Pyin Village Administrator and villager were charged

Situation: under 17(1)(2) of the Unlawful Association Act.

354 individuals are oppressed in Burma due to political activity:

43 political prisoners are serving sentences,

86 are awaiting trial inside prison,

225 are awaiting trial outside Accessed February © Khin Thit Media prison.

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FEBRUARY 2019 1

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 Myanmar 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 Shan State RCSS/SSA Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South SHRF Shan Human Rights Foundation TNLA Ta’ang National Liberation Army YUSU Yangon University Students’ Union

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...... 9 LEGISLATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTS ...... 12 INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS...... 13 LAND RIGHTS...... 14

REFERENCES ...... 17

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POLITICAL PRISONERS

Mandalay. Led by the Confederation of CHARGES Trade Unions Myanmar and Myanmar 13 charged in House Search Operation in Industrial Crafts and Services Union, the Kyauktaw by Police workers called for 18 demands including On February 3, twenty-six people were freedom of association, the right to arrested by police after the state organize, the development of a labor government gave approval for searches of court, right of state workers to form “suspicious houses” in Kyauktaw township, unions, and bringing the labor law in line Rakhine State. According to Township MP U with the International Labor Maung Than Sein, the people arrested came Organization standards. However, to Kyauktaw after fleeing fighting between respective townships’ police forces and the military and Arakan Army (AA). 24 of administrators stopped the protesters the arrested were IDPs came from Paletwa because there was a refusal to permit the township in Chin State after there were proposal from occurring. Eight labour clashes and the two others were providing rights activists, Nay Linn Aung, Tint Shein refuge for those who fled the fighting. All 26 Soe, Thet Hnin Aung, Thura, Thaung were sent to Sittwe and will be facing Nyunt, Su Su Naing, Soe Sandar Myint, charges under the Unlawful Association Act. Phyo Sandar Soe, who led the protest Secretary of the Arakan National Party U calling for workers’ rights, had lawsuits Tun Aung Kyaw said the arbitrary detention filed against them under Section 20 of the of people will only continue to spread fear Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful and uncertainty in tense areas. On February Procession Law at the Pyigyidagun 18, 13 of the 26 were charged under the Township Police Station by police chief of Unlawful Association Act by a court in Pyigyidagun Township in Mandalay Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State while Division. the rest were released. Amongst those arrested were 11 people from Shin Let Wa Village, Chin State and the couple who Civilian Arrested and Filed Lawsuit sheltered them in their home in Kyauktaw Against and informed the ward administrator, the On February 7, Zaw Win Naing in police, and General Administration Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State was Department about their guests. Their next arrested and had a lawsuit filed against him hearing is scheduled for March 4. under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act at the Ponnagyun Myoma Police Station in connection to posting a 8 Workers Charged after Protesting video of police security convoys on his and Calling on the Government to Facebook. Protect Their Rights

On February 17, around 1000 workers Five Protest Leaders Charged under marched at Industry Garden to call on the PAPPL government to amend and enact laws to protect and promote workers’ welfare in 4 FEBRUARY 2019

The chief of police force Win Naing in MDCF Member Arrested by Yankin Loikaw Township has charged against Township Police Force five residents including Lawpita village’s administrator Win Aung under Section 20 On February 21, Kyaw Zin Latt, a member of of the PAPPL on February 5 for the Movement for Democracy Current Force supporting the General Aung San’s Statue (MDCF), staged a protest in front of the in Loikaw City, Kayah State on February 2 Yankin Township Court by leading 50 MDCF due to the complaint of Karenni Youth members and asking for the abolishment of Force on February 2 in order to charged the 2008 Constitution and for the resigning against the five residents. of the Home Affairs Minister. Yankin Township Police Force in Rangoon Division Nine Protest Leaders in Rangoon had taken him in for negotiation and filed a Charged Under PAPPL lawsuit against him under Section 505(b) of Nine activists have been filed lawsuit the Penal Code and Section 20 of the against under Section 19 of the PAPPL by Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Kyauktada Township Police Station for Law and then he was sent to Insein Prison. demonstration against the protesters were Moreover, two other activists involved in fired rubber bullets by police and the protest also had lawsuits filed against supporting a protest over a statue of them under Section 20 of the Peaceful General Aung San in Kayah State on Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law at February 12 in Rangoon City. The nine the Yankin Township Police Station. activists are Ei Thinzar Maung, Susan, Twin Although MDCF members informed the Htut Paing, Min Phone, Aung Mai San, Moe Yankin Township Police Station and the Twee, Thet Swe Win, Ei Ei Moe, and Lin Htet Yankin Township Police Station allowed Naing. them to stage a protest at Hitting Ground, the arrests still occurred.

Four Civilians Arrested by Kyauktaw ARRESTS Myoma Police Station Six Suspected Members of Armed Ethnic On February 28, the Kyauktaw Myoma Group and Two Indian Rebels Arrested Police Station in Kyauktaw Township, by Military Arakan State arrested Kyaw Kyaw Nyunt, It was reported on February 5 that military owner of the Mahar Nwe Private High troops arrested six alleged members of the School in Thayet Tha Pin Village in National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Kyauktaw Township, and his cousin Chan Khaplang and two suspected Indian rebels Aye and two brothers, Than Tun and Aye during a four-day operation in the Naga Kyaw Than, who were selling things at the Self-Administered Region, Northern Mahar Myat Muni Pagoda in Kyauktaw Sagaing Region. Previously, troops had Township. Than Than, elder sister of Kyaw seized four outposts and two schools run by Kyaw Nyunt, said they do not know why he the armed ethnic group in Takar village was arrested and her younger brother Kyaw during another military operation from Kyaw Nyunt was teaching tenth grade January 29 to February 1. During these students at the time. Kyauktaw Myoma operations, soldiers seized documents Police Station came with an elder to the allegedly proving that the armed ethnic house of two brothers, Than Tun and Aye group had been training Indian Kathe and Kyaw Than, and arrested them Assam rebels.

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Four Village Administrators Taken by On February 13, seven students from the Mrauk-U Township Police Force Yadanabon University were sentenced to Arakan State MP Tun Thar Sein said four three month in jail by a Mandalay court. The villagers from Mrauk-U Township in Arakan students held a series of protests in State was taken to be asked questions by the December demanding for better security Mrauk-U Township Police Force. While a and improvement in facilities after the monthly meeting was being held at the murder of a student near the campus and township general administrative office, burned paper coffins and portraits of the they were taken. The individuals taken city’s chief minister, Myanmar’s Security were Maung Oo Sein from Pyine Cha Village, and Home Affairs ministers, and the head of Sein Hla Maung from Yan Aung Pyin Village, the university. They were later charged for Maung Tin Shwe from Pauk Pin Kwin Village violating the PAPPL. The Amarapura and Aung Naing Tun from Kyaukse Pyin Township Court found them guilty of Village. These four village administrators breaking the law and of burning effigies are now being detained at the Mrauk-U Myo during the protest of and thus, sentenced Ma Police Station, said village administrator them to three months in jail. Khin Maung Tun.

Tanintharyi Newspaper Editor Fined TRIAL K500,000 On February 18, the chief editor of Monk U Thawbita Gets Bail in First Tanintharyi Journal Myo Aung was fined Hearing On February 14, monk U Thawbita, who 500,000 kyat ($326) under Section 25 (b) heads a local volunteers group called Bawa of the News Media Law, by a court in Dawei Alin, got bail by Amarapura Township Court township, Tanintharyi Region for writing a satirical article on November 20, 2017. The in Mandalay Town. The next hearing will be on February 28. He was sued under Section article, titled “Politicking with a Smile”, was 66 (d) of the Telecommunications Law on about a woman ward administrator September 23, 2018 for one of his posts campaigning to be re-elected and how she was ridiculed by villagers for admitting that defaming the mikiliatr and its staff on Facebook, including comparing the she did not know how to run her ward, commander-in-chief “to a cow and the which alluded to an actual admission by the military more destructive than a natural region’s chief minister Daw Lei Lei Maw to local media that she did not know how to disaster”. Moreover, he has been driven out by the Mahagandayon monastery for run a regional administration. Deputy harming the dignity of the monastery on Director of the Regional government, U Aye September 25, 2018. On February 28, Lu, filed a complaint against the newspaper at Dawei Township Court three days after Amarapura Township Court Judge decided the article was published on claims that it to give exemption to testify Monk U Thawbita. Therefore, Sayadaw does not was unethical and damaging to reputations need to appear before the court every of authorities. hearing and he will come to the court if needed. Four People Sentenced under

Defamation SENTENCES On February 25, Patheingyi Township Court Yadanabon University Students in Mandalay Division sentenced two village Sentenced for Protest level NLD members and two locals to one 6 FEBRUARY 2019

year and six months imprisonment under Kachin Protest leader Sentenced Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for Ja Hkawn, a leader and organizer of the defamation. In June 2018, authorities protest, had a lawsuit filed against her by collected the lists of households, the police under Section 20 of the PAPPL populations and houses in Zee Oak New and was sentenced to pay a 10,000 kyat fine Ward in Zee Oak Village, Patheingyi by the Myitkyina Township court on Township by the instruction of Mandalay February 11. Division Government. While they were collecting the lists, a group including Mya Sint from Zee Oak Village blocked the road and shouted with crowd that they were not CONDITIONS OF satisfied with the Mandalay City IMPRISONMENT Development Committee for demolishing the additional huts being built in Zee Oak Treatment Will Be Provided to Prisoners New Ward. Therefore, Aung Kyaw Min, the who Suffer HIV and TB Second Township Administrator of An initiative will be implemented so that Patheingyi Township, had sued them under treatment will be provided for inmates Section 505(b) of the Penal Code at the patients who have suffered HIV and TB Patheingyi Township Court. After the court diseases simultaneously in four prisons. had filed the case in 2018, four people The program will be assisted by the Global including Mya Sint were arrested in June Fund and the Access to Health Fund, 2018 without bail and were sentenced on according to Tun Nyunt Oo, the Project February 25, 2019. The people sentenced Manager of Anti-Venereal Disease from the said that they did not break Section 505(b) Ministry of Health and Sport. The program and two out of the four are not relevant the will be started in central-level prisons case and wrongfully arrested without being particularly prisons in Rangoon Region and Mandalay Region. HIV disease treatment involved. has been provided since before, whereas TB disease was not given treatment. Three Wat Hmae Villagers Sentenced to Pay Fine On February 27, Salingyi Township court in Reuters Journalist Kyaw Soe Oo Suffers Sagaing Division sentenced Thwae Thwae Severe Illness in Insein Prison Win, Phyu Phyu Win and San San Hla, three Kyaw Soe Oo, one of the reuters Journalist farmers from Wat Hmae village in the who was sentenced to seven years Letpadaung copper mining region of imprisonment under Official Secrets Act, is Salingyi Township, under Section 341 of now suffering from dengue and they are Penal Code to pay a fine of 50,000 Kyat and monitoring the conditions of his health, said sentenced to drop a charge under Section prison authorities. When Kaw Soe Oo’s wife 332 of Penal Code. Police Lieutenant Win Chit Su visited him on February 27, he could Naing Tun filed a lawsuit against them not speak well and his whole body was under Section 341 and Section 332 of Penal covered in a rash and he has a high Code as they attempted to stop police from temperature. He is being treated in the entering their village on March 29, 2018 prison and his family has requested when seven houses of the village had been permission to seek treatment outside the ordered to be moved in order to make way prison. Zaw Zaw, warden of the Insein for the Letpadaung copper mine. Prison, said that doctors of the prison

commented that the dengue fever is not life 7 FEBRUARY 2019

threatening and they will send him to Insein cannons at them, injuring 21 people. Later Hospital if there is a emergency condition. in the day, protesters held talks with the Kyaw Soe Oo previously suffered from state government and reached an jaundice back in March 2018, see March agreement. Since the beginning of February, 2018 Chronology for more details. . authorities have opened 86 cases against 55 youths for protesting with charges under Section 505(b) and (c) of the Penal Code for defamation of the statue and under sections RELEASES 19 and 20 of the PAPPL. On February 21, the Erection of General Aung San Statue State government withdrew charges against Leads to Protests, Arrests, and Injuries in the 55 protesters. Both sides have agreed to Loikaw a month of negotiation, during which no On February 1, 20 ethnic activists were further rallies either for or against the detained by police for protesting the statue would be held in the park. placement of a statue of Gen. Aung San in Loikaw, Karenni State. Police broke up a Former Police Captain in Reuters’ Case protest camp set up by the activists and Released and To Submit a Writ detained them at the police station until On February 1, the former police captain U they were released on bail after promising Moe Yan Naing, who testified for the two to pay 1-million-kyat deposit each. Khun Reuters reporters, was released from Insein Thomas, a youth leader who was one of the prison after being sentenced for breaching detainees, stated that they were required to the Police Disciplinary Act. Moe Yan Naing put their names on pre-written forms told reports he did not violate the Act and accusing them of the crime and were all was imprisoned on the orders of Police charged under Article 19 of the PAPPL. On Brigadier General Tin Ko Ko. He told the the evening of February 7, 36 right activists court that Gen. Tin Ko Ko had given orders were detained by police following a to trap Wa Lone by handing him sensitive crackdown on a protest camp in front of the documents in a meeting and if he did not NLD’s local office before they were released participate in the plot, he was threatened on bail later that night. The following with arrest. U Zaw Zaw, the warden at morning, ten more rights activists were Insein Prison, told Frontier Myanmar that arrested which led to right activists to meet Moe Yan Naing qualified for early release with Karenni State parliament house because he did not violate any prison rules speaker U Hla Htwe to voice their concerns or regulations. Thus, Moe Yan Naing was and to hold negotiations. This brought the released after 9 months rather than a year. total number of arrests over the issue to 68. His lawyer stated that they will be Things came to a head on February 12th’s submitting a writ to the Supreme Court for Union Day, a day that marks the 1947 pact the damages he suffered in March after promising autonomy for ethnic minorities consulting with U Moe Yan Naing who has in Burma, when thousands of people said that “[T]he Police Disciplinary Act is gathered to protest the erection of the Gen. not in line with other laws. This act should Aung Sang statue at the capital and police be amended while the country is fired rubber bullets, used batons, and water transitioning to democracy.”

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RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS Jailed Reuters Reporters Launch Last On February 7, around 10,000 locals staged Appeal to Supreme Court a protest march calling for the end of dam projects on the Irrawaddy River in Lawyers for the two Reuters journalists Myitkyina, Kachin State. Consisting of who have been sentenced to seven years in members of Kachin civil society prison have lodged an appeal on February 1 organizations, religious leaders, and with the Supreme Court, which is their last community members, protesters state that chance of a reprieve. This comes after their their communities will suffer detrimental initial appeal was rejected by Yangon’s High environmental impacts and lose their Court in January. Reuters stated that, “[o]ur property and livelihood if the Myitsone Dam petition asks that the Supreme Court finally project enacted, while China will receive provide justice to Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe 90% of the electricity produced. Over 1,000 Oo, reverse the lower courts’ errors, and locals have already been displaced and have order the release of our journalists.” The no jobs because of the project and have process is expected to take several months been forced to move into housing built by during which the Supreme Court judges will the Chinese company. Chinese ambassador hear the appeal individually. The only other H.E. Hong Liang met with Kachin leaders chance of early release would have to come and locals in December last year and from a presidential pardon, but de facto released a controversial statement stating civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has refused that the Kachin people do not oppose the to intervene in the case in favor of the Myitsone hydropower dam project. Public reporters despite pressure from press opposition led to a permanent halt to the freedom and human rights groups. project on February 2, 2019. Organizers of Thousands Protest Against Myitsone the protest have sought approval from Dam Project authorities to stage the protest in accordance with the PAPPL. However,

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during the protest the chief of Myitkyina’s Local residents along the Namtu reiver are Police Station No. 1, Police Major Myint Moe, urging foreign companies to pull out of dam sent a letter of complaint to the protesters projects on the river in northern Shan State. saying that the event was illegal and in Action for Shan State Rivers released a violation of Section 10 of Chapter 5 of the statement discussing the implications of the PAPPL for the use of a loudspeaker and Upper Yeywa Dam project on local villages headbands printed with “No to Myitsone following the withdrawal of Engie, a French dam”. Ja Hkawn, a leader and organizer of company, from the project. Since the early the protest, had a lawsuit filed against her 2010s, the government has planned the by the police under Section 20 of the PAPPL construction of four dams that will have a and was sentenced to pay a 10,000 kyat fine combined capacity of 1200 megawatts: the by the Myitkyina Township court on Deedok dam in Kyaukse Township in February 11. Mandalay Region, the Middle and Upper Yeywa Dam and the Namtu Dam in northern Ceasefire Agreement Reportedly Shan State’s Nawngkhio, Kyaukmae, and Violated by Ethnic Armed Groups and Namtu townships. Villagers have objected Military to the building of the dams after observing There have been a number of reports that the aftermath of dam projects in other EAGs and the Burmese Army violated townships, such as the Paung Laung dam ceasefire pledges. An officer from the projects, and have concluded that the cost of Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan compensations and relocation would not be State Army said that the military have worth allowing the dam projects on Namtu established new camps in Mongpan River to continue. Township, Mongpyin Township and Mawpha Township within the past two Three Burned Bodies Found in N. months. The information department of the Rakhine after Disappearances Ta’ang National Liberation Army similarly On February 21, two village administrators stated that there have been 12 new military confirmed that at least three burned bodies camps in five northern Shan State were discovered two days after multiple townships. clashes between the military and Arakan Army (AA) rebelas near Yan Aung Pyin

village, Mrauk-U, in northern Rakhine State. Pastor Kidnapped In Rakhine And Killed The village administrator said that four After Two Weeks residents from his village went missing The International Christian Concern (ICC) when eight villagers traveled to buy has reported on its website that Pastor Tun firewood at Yan Aung Myin village, where Nu has been killed after being kidnapped at fights were breaking out between the gunpoint on January 19 in Rakhine State. military and AA. Two eyewitnesses who The mission organization he was apart of, were questioned and released by Army Gospel for Asia (GFA), reported that the 41 soldiers recalled that two other men, Ko Aye year old pastor was kidnapped along with Thein and Myo Min Zaw, had gone earlier to several others by a unidentified rebel group retrieve firewood and although their boat and after missing for two weeks, was was docked, they were nowhere to be reportedly killed by the group. found. An eyewitness stated that he had seen a hand under a tarpaulin by the tent where the military commander questioned Namtu River Villagers Urge Foreign them, but was unsure if the person was alive Firms to Withdraw from Dam Projects 10 FEBRUARY 2019

or dead. The family of Ko Aye Thein and of which Police Lieutenant Salai Bifa and two others, Maung Win Sein and Maung village administrator Chin Haw were taken Shwe Soe, reported their disappearances to away. The two sides exchanged fire and the village administrator U Kyaw Maung Yin. police were able to maintain control of the Similarly, another villager U Tun Hla Sein station. On February 27, it was reported from Yan Aung Pyin reportedly disappeared that the two were released by the AA on the same day. His wife went to find him according to the younger brother of the twice and the second time, she saw the dead village administrator Tet Haw. He stated bodies of her husband alongside two other that the AA released them after holding a strangers in a tent, but was unable to prayer meeting and feeding them at Buesin retrieve the body as the soldiers were still village, which is one and a half hour away there. The next day, when about 50 villagers from Tantaung village by boat ride. They from two villages conducted a search, they were told that two villagers, two ward only found three bodies reduced to ashes authorities as well as a religious leader must and therefore unable to be identified. accompany for the hostage release.

Ta'ang Teen Shot Dead by Military in Woman Killed After Army Opens Fire on Shan State On February 18, the military shot and killed Village Ye Ye Soe, a 19 year old woman, was an ethnic Ta’ang teenager in Okk Mann Lee accidently shot to death during a fight village, Kutkai Township in northern Shan between the military and the Arakan Army State. According to ta’ang Women’s (AA) in Rathedaung township, Rakhine Organization (TWO), 17 year old Mai Aike State. On February 20, AA forces set up Zaup was coming home from a pagoda camp in the village and fired at military festival with a friend when they ran into a troops, who were too far to retaliate. The group of soldiers in front of their village. soldiers chased the attackers in the village The soldiers told the family and village and fought each other, during which Ye Ye officials that they opened fire at the teens as Soe was killed. Though a military official they ran away from them, thinking they said they are not responsible, villagers might be members of the Ta’ang National blame the soldiers for her death, alleging Liberation Army (TNLA). Mai Aike Zaup was that they demanded residents to come out hit several times before dying at the local of their houses, divided the men and hospital while his friend escaped. The women, and hit some of the villagers. soldiers apologized to the family for killing their son and paid them 2 million kyat ($1,311) in compensation.

Village Official and Police Station Chief Abducted by Arakan Army On February 22, a village administrator and policeman were believed to have been abducted by the Arakan Army (AA) in an attack on a police station in Thantaung village, Paletwa township, Chin State. In the attack, AA troops forced their way to the police station and demanded that they come out and surrender their weapons, during

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Family Sues Army Over Alleged Beating Residents gladly welcomed to the of Teenage Son withdrawal from a dam project on Namtu river in Hsipaw Township, Northern Shan The father of a high school student is suing State by the Lahmeyar Company from the military for allegedly brutally beating Germany and Engie Company from France the boy after detaining him for three hours because the companies have been put on a in Kyautaw Township, Rakhine state. 16 blacklist of companies by Burma Campaign year old Zaw Naing Htay was detained on UK from England which monitors human February 21 and released him three hour rights violations for damaging the laters after he showed them proof that he environment. On January 21, the companies was going to take his 10th grade said they will withdraw the dam project and examinations. While it is still unclear why sent a letter to Burma Campaign UK to delete their names from the blacklist, the soldiers detained the boy, residents according to a Sai Htam Aik, a member of have said that hostilities in the town have Shan State Farmers Network. led to troops taking civilians by force to make them work as porters and guides or suspicions of being associated with the Chairman of Phet Num Village and Arakan Army. Zaw Naing Htay was taken to Secretary Released the Kyauktaw Hospital for medical On February 8, Chairman Mu Lein and his Secretary Kawse Tha of Phet Num village, treatment. His family filed a criminal case Hsipaw Township, Shan State were released against some of the soldiers from the by SSPP. The two men were arrested in battalion, but a captain filed a criminal regards to one of the SSPP troops’ death in a defamation against the father and another clash which took place near Phet Num resident under Section 505(b) of the Penal village on February 3. Code. Ministry of Information States AA 11 Civilians Missing After Clashes Evacuates Around 200 Residents to Between Soldiers and Arakan Army Bangladesh Almost a dozen civilians have been missing in Mrauk Township, Rakhine state since On February 8, Ministry of Information February 18 following clashes between stated that Arakan Army (AA) helped government soldiers and the Arakan Army evacuate approximately 200 residents (AA). Eight of the missing people are from including students who are from Kintalin the township’s Yan Aung Pyin, Tanaing and Khamaungwa village, Paletwa Khan, and Tharsi villages while another Township, Chin State to Bangladesh. There three are vendors from the Sagaing region. was a desire of the residents to follow the Locals say that the civilians were taken AA for the fact that serious fighting between away by government troops though an military and AA took place near the two army spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw villages, according to an Arakanese Min Tun has denied that they detained residents. AA’s spokesman Khing Thukha anyone. Families of the missing believe that says the AA evacuated residents who were their relatives may be among five badly afraid of military’s bombers attack to a safe burned bodies discovered recently near Yan place to take shelter in the forest. Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun denied that there are Aung Pyin village. any fights in that area and also that it is not Companies Withdraw from the Upper true that the military attacked by bombers. Yeywa Dam Project

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Freedom House Drops Burma’s Freedom Seven Villagers Taken as Guide by Score Military Myanmar fell its ‘freedom score’ according On February 24, Seven Mro Ethnic from Ne to the report of 2019 of Freedom House Pu Khan Village, Nga Kya Chay Village Tract based in Washington State, which measures in Mrauk-U Township in Arakan State, were the freedom of the world every year. At taken as guide by Brigades 22. These seven 2018 report, Freedom House gave Burma a villagers are Oo Oo Saw Hla, 49 years old, score of 30, and in the 2019 report, they Kyaw Thein, 40 years old, Ne Zan Aung, 33 gave a worse score of 31. Freedom House years old, Kyaw Myint and Kan Thar Aung, said that Freedom of Press in Burma has 40 years old, Aung Thein Tun, 36 years old declined, illustrated by the notable and Than Sein, 35 years old. Tun Thar Sein, sentencing of two Reuters Journalists.. Arakan State MP for Mrauk-U township, Freedom House defines the score of the said it is true that the seven villagers were country by reviewing freedom, political taken as guide and he has received freedom, community freedom. complaints from their families.

LEGISLATION AND POLICY On February 23, the office of the Union of Parliament released a bill to amend the Law DEVELOPMENTS Protecting the Privacy and Security Citizens Constitutional Reforms Lead to Creation which will allow a bail and needs to obtain of New Committee prior authorization from the Ministry. On On February 6, almost 67 percent of the March 8, 2017, Law Protecting the Privacy Union Parliament lawmakers voted to form and Security Citizens was enacted. a committee to draft amendments to Burma’s undemocratic Constitution with 414 votes in favor, 191 opposed and six abstentions. Those who voted against the INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS motion were most likely military New Dormitories, Two-story representatives who hold 25 percent of the Dormitories, Prison and Prison Cells seats and members of the Union Solidarity Being Built and Development Party (USDP) who hold 5 On February 14, according to Ministry of percent of the seats. On February 19, Home Affair, Deputy Minister, Major parliament approved the creation of a 45- General Aung Thu, new dormitories, two- member joint committee to write a bill to story dormitories, prisons and prison cells amend the 2008 constitution. The measure are being built to accommodate the was approved by a vote of 389-192, despite increasing number of inmates that is opposition from the USDP and military MPs, exceeding prison capacities in order not to and establishes a committee of 18 lose the right of prisoners. Arrangements lawmakers from the NLD, eight military are being made regarding overcrowding in MPs, two legislators from the USDP, Arakan accordance with legal procedures in order National Party, Shan Nationalities League to protest the loss of the right of prisoners. for Democracy (SNLD), and 13 other Moreover, he also said that they have lawmakers. cooperated with the Ministry of Education in order for prisoners be able to study Bill to Amend the Law Protecting the primary school, middle school, Privacy and Security of Citizens matriculation and distance university education as well as vocation trainings

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LAND RIGHTS Sittpin Farmers Protest for Return of Kyangin to Pakokku railway in 2006 and Seized Land 2007. There still needs to be compensation On February 5, farmers from Sittpin village for 178.28 million Kyats (around protested on a playground site to regain $116409.33) provided for 77.28 acres of their seized lands in Dagon Myothit land which belonged to 65 farmers. The Township, Yangon Region. The Housing Land Management Committee and MPs Development Department seized 14.70 have struggled to solve the land problem acres of farmlands in 1991 and when 4.8 because it is a land dispute. The acres were not implemented for housing compensation will be given to land owners development, it was grabbed by the Parks after resolving the land dispute. and Playground Department on January 2017 to construct a ward playground. The Land Issue Is the Most Common farmers stated that they had not agreed to Complaint in Mon State give up their lands, which were taken by The General Issues (Complaints, Appeals, force, and demanded for authorities to Submissions and Observations) Committee return or provide the appropriate had received 1,672 complaint letters within compensation for their seized lands. three years since 2016 to 2019, most of Because their lands were taken, the farmers them is land issue, according to the have been struggling with food difficulties Committee Chairman Aung Kyaw Thu. The and have resorted to working at factories in committee has done making 22 fields and order to receive daily wage. has conducted solving total number of 56 cases. Moreover, Myint Than Win, director of Mon State Government, said that they Land Dispute between Kayah State Chief received 200 complaint letters in regard to Minister and Catholic Missionary land issues in Mon State under the new Resolved government. The land dispute over a Catholic religious area in Mese Township, Kayah State was Farmers Protest to get back their Seized resolved due to the negotiation of a Central Land in Rangoon Division Executive Committee (CEC) member of National League for Democracy (NLD), On February 17, a total of 250 farmers according to the Catholic missionary Father staged a protest to get back their seized land Richard Thura Tun. He also said that Kayah in Mingaladon Township, Rangoon Division, State's Chief Minister L Paung Sho fenced which had already been returned by and seized the land of the Catholic while military. As Rangoon Division Government Fathers relocated whilst he took the said that they will give land compensation, responsibility as an Assistant Education farmers did not agree and staged a protest Officer in Mese Township in May 2014. against it. In 1992, the military confiscated 709 acres of land that were owned by farmers. On February 18, 2016, 18 farmers Compensation Provided to Farmers for received ownership titles but 104 farmers Land Seizure in Kanma Town are remain to receive it. In February, the Ministry of Railways provided a compensation of 599.34 million Kyats (around $391,737) to 390 original Farmers Receive Land Compensation in farmers for 366.19 acres of farmland which Magwe Division were involved in the construction of the

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On February 18, a ceremony of land compensation was held at the General Administration Department in Magway Press Conference Held for Land Division. Farmers from Minbu Township in Confiscation On February 23, farmers and the All Burma Magway Division, whose land were Farmers Union held a conference at confiscated without compensation when Pantanaw Township in Irrawaddy Division railways had been constructed in Minbu for five farmers whose 0.59 acre of land Township, have received 1700 million kyat. was confiscated without compensation by Minbu-Saku Township Administrator, the Ministry of Construction to upgrade the Thein Zaw Kan, said farmers from 12 village Shwe Long Suspension Bridge. The farmers tracts and two village tracts which had been were accused of squatting and face eviction. located Kyangin-Pakokku railway When Shwe Long Suspension Bridge was and Minbu-Ann Railway respectively, first starting to be built, 1.59 acres of land received land compensations for the first owned by five farmers were confiscated in time. When Kyangin-Pakokku Railway was 1999, 0.59 out of 1.59 acres of land were constructed in 2006, farmers’ land were returned after the Suspension Bridge had confiscated without compensation and land been constructed as these land were not compensation has been given since 2015, used. Even though farmers have been said chief engineer of Myanmar Railways, cultivating on that land for many years, the Min Thein Soe. Myanmar Railways also said Land Department informed them that land they have to compensate a total of 6700 and houses near Shwe Long Suspension million Kyat for 3200 acres of land which Bridge were temporarily confiscated were confiscated when railways without compensation for the upgrading of construction had been implemented and the bridge and repeatedly warned houses they had already compensated 5600 and farmers who did not move. million Kyat.

Press Conference Held for Land Campaign Opposes Burma’s Vacant, Confiscation Fallow and Virgin Land Management On February 23, a press conference was Law in Chin State held at the monastery of Kyone Kwel Village From February 18 to February 20, a Tract in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State campaign was held to oppose Burma’s by local farmers whose land were Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land arbitrarily confiscated. 100 acres of land Management Law in the whole of Chin State. from Kyone Kwel Village Tract were Chin State Land Affair Network said posters confiscated by a former member of armed on which written “No Vacant, Fallow and group, a former village tract administrator Virgin Land” “Our Ancestral Land” “Land is and a village level secretary of the NLD not for sell” were held in teeming crowds Party and also over 1000 acres of land of and intersections in Hakha, Tonzang, Tedim other village tracts were confiscated by and Matupi Townships in Chin State. Hlan village administrators. Local farmers held a Bwe from Chin State Land Affair Network press conference because there is no action said they oppose the Burma’s Vacant, being taken even though they have Fallow and Virgin Land Management Law complained about these confiscation to the because it is not compatible with the president, Mon State Government and customs of Chin State. The campaign has relevant responsible persons. been finished in Hakha, Tonzang, Tedim, Farmers Stage a Protest for Land Kanpelet and Matupi Townships. Compensation 15 FEBRUARY 2019

On February 26, approximately 30 farmers On February 28, farmers from Mabein from Mahlaing Township and Wundwin Township in Northern Shan State held a Township in Mandalay Division staged a press conference at Ngar-O Village in protest in Mahlaing Town asking for land Mabein Township asking for the return of compensation as their lands were their confiscated land in order to expand confiscated while the Rangoon-Mandalay the village and to carry out development. Expressway was being constructed and for Light Battalion 121 and 602 had confiscated taking action against those who withdrew approximately 100 acres of land from Khat land compensation fraudulently. Although Khone Village Tract in 2003. Currently, they the government had given land have rented and sold some of these land, compensation in 2015, farmers who have a said Cho Pyone, whose land was land ownership title did not receive it and confiscated. Local farmers have opposed the those who are not true farmers had misused military’s application of some of the it. confiscated land as vacant and virgin land. Farmers whose land were confiscated said they did not ask for the return of the Substitute Land Given to Farmers currently used land, but instead have asked On February 27, farmers whose land were for the return of unused land and made a confiscated for Yay Tagun Taung Golf submission to relevant officials to hopefully Project in Patheingyi Township in Mandalay start the process.

Division, voted to receive substitute land. Mandalay City Development Committee Locals from Ngapali Town Protest to confiscated approximately 550 acres of land Return Confiscated Land and Release to implement the Yay Tagun Taung Golf Two Farmers Arrested Project. Because the Mandalay Division On February 28, approximately 60 farmers Government will implement the housing from Ngapali Town in Thandwe Township project on 200 surplus land of the golf staged a protest march for the return of project, government has given their land and to release two farmers farmers substitute land. Local farmers had arrested. They shouted slogans including cultivated on surplus land since 2015 as the “release farmers Win Myint and Khin housing project had not been implemented Maung Win who were arbitrarily arrested” yet. Therefore, some farmers had been and “drop the charge against chairman of charged and sentenced. Arakan State Farmer Union and his wife and to remove them as fugitives.”

A Press Conference Held in Mabein to Return Land

16 FEBRUARY 2019

REFERNCES

(12 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) POLITICAL PRISONERS (14 February 2019 - CHARGES Irrawaddy/Burmese) (14 February • 26 Arrested in House Search 2019 - RFA/Burmese) Operation in Kyauktaw by Police (4 February - Irrawaddy/English) (4 February - RFA/English) (4 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (5 ARRESTS February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) (5 • Six Suspected Members of Armed February - Myanmar Ethnic Group and Two Indian Times/English) (7 February 2019 - Rebels Arrested by Military Irrawaddy/Burmese) (7 February (5 February - Myanmar 2019 - BNI/Burmese) (18 February Times/English) 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (19 February - Irrawaddy/English) • MDCF Member Arrested by • Workers Protest and Call on the Yankin Township Police Force Government to Protect Their (21 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) Rights (21 February 2019 - 7 Day (18 February - Eleven Daily/Burmese) Media/English) (18 February - • Four Civilians Arrested by Myanmar Times/English) (17 Kyauktaw Myoma Police Station February - RFA/English) (17 (28 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) February 2019 - • Four Village Administrators Irrawaddy/Burmese) (17 February Taken by the Mrauk-U Township 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) (18 Police Force(28 February 2019 - February 2019 - The RFA/Burmese) (28 February 20019 Voice/Burmese) - BNI/Burmese) • Civilian Arrested and Filed Lawsuit Against (10 February 2019 - Mizzima/Burmese) (10 February TRIAL 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) • Monk U Thawbita Gets Bail in First • Five Protest Leaders Charged Hearing under PAPPL (14 February 2019 - The (5 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) (14 February 2019 (5 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) - Myanmar Now/Burmese) (28 (6 February 2019 - February 2019 - Myanmar Irrawaddy/Burmese) Now/Burmese)

• Nine Protest Leaders in Rangoon Charged Under PAPPL SENTENCES

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• Yadanabon University Students • Erection of General Aung San Sentenced for Protest Statue Leads to Protests, Arrests, (13 February - and Injuries in Loikaw Mizzima/English) (13 February (1 February - Irrawaddy/English) (1 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) (13 February 2019 - February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (14 Irrawaddy/Burmese) (2 February February - Irrawaddy/English) (14 2019 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (4 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) (14 February 2019 - The February - Myanmar Times/English) Voice/Burmese) (7 February 2019 - • Tanintharyi Newspaper Editor BNI/Burmese) (7 February 2019 - Fined K500,000 Eleven/Burmese) (7 February - (18 February - Irrawaddy/English) Irrawaddy/English) (8 February - (18 February - DVB/English) (18 Irrawaddy/English) (8 February - February 2019 - Mizzima/Burmese) Myanmar Times/English) (8 (19 February - Myanmar February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) (8 Times/English) February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) (8 February - Reuters/English) (12 • Four People Sentenced under February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (12 Defamation February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (13 (26 February 2019 - February - Aljazeera/English) (13 Eleven/Burmese) February - Myanmar Times/English) (13 February - Irrawaddy/English) (13 February - • Three Wat Hmae Villagers Irrawaddy/English) (13 February Sentenced to Pay Fine 2019 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (14 (27 February 2018 - RFA/Burmese) February 2019 - VOA/Burmese) (15 (28 February 2018 - February 2019 - 7 Day Eleven/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) (20 February 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (20 February CONDITIONS OF 2019 - Mizzima/Burmese) (21 February - Myanmar Times/English) IMPRISONMENT • Former Police Captain in Reuters’ • Treatment Will Be Provided to Case Released and To Submit a Prisoners who Suffer HIV and TB Writ (9 February 2019 - 7 Day (1 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) (1 February 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (1 February - • Reuters Journalist Kyaw Soe Oo Irrawaddy/English) (1 February - Suffers Severe Illness in Insein Frontier Myanmar/English) (3 Prison February 2019 - 7 Day (28 February 2019 - Myanmar Daily/Burmese) (6 February - Now/Burmese) (1 March - Myanmar Times/English) Irrawaddy/English)

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL RELEASES AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

18 FEBRUARY 2019

• Jailed Reuters Reporters Launch • Three Burned Bodies Found in N. Last Appeal to Supreme Court Rakhine after Disappearances (21 February 2019 - Thazin Khaing’s (1 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) Facebook/Burmese) (22 February (1 February 2019 - 2019 - Irrawaddy/English) (25 Irrawaddy/Burmese) (1 February - February 2019 - RFA/English) (2 February 2019 - 7 Irrawaddy/Burmese) Day Daily/Burmese) (2 February - • Ta'ang Teen Shot Dead by Military Mizzima/English) in Shan State (21 February 2019 - Ta’ang Women • Thousands Protest Against Myitsone Dam Project Organization Facebook/Burmese) (5 February - Eleven Media/English) (21 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) (7 February 2019 - (21 February 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (7 February Irrawaddy/English) 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (7 • Village Official and Police Station February - Irrawaddy/English) (8 Chief Abducted by Arakan Army February - Irrawaddy/English) (8 (22 February 2018 - February - Myanmar Times/English) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (22 February (8 February - BNI/English) (8 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (22 February February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (8 2018 - Irrawaddy/English) (23 February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) February 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (25 (11 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) February 2018 - Myanmar (11 February 2019 - Times/English) (27 February 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (12 February BNI/Burmese) (27 February 2018 - 2019 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (13 RFA/Burmese) (27 February 2018 - February - BNI/English) VOA/Burmese) (28 February - Eleven Media/English) • Ceasefire Agreement Reportedly Violated by Ethnic Armed Groups • Woman Killed After Army Opens and Military Fire on Village (11 February - BNI/English) (7 (20 February 2018 - RFA/Burmese) February - BNI/English) (6 February (20 February 2018 - 2019 - BNI/Burmese) (6 February Irrawaddy/English) (21 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) (5 February - 2018 - RFA/English) (22 February BNI/English) 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (22 February 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (25 February • Pastor Kidnapped In Rakhine And Killed After Two Weeks 2018 - Myanmar Times/English) (7 February - Mizzima/English) (7 • Family Sues Army Over Alleged February 2019 - VOA/Burmese) (27 Beating of Teenage Son February 2019 - VOA/Burmese) • Namtu River Villagers Urge (25 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) Foreign Firms to Withdraw from (26 February 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Dam Projects (26 February 2018 - (11 February - Irrawaddy/English) RFA/English) (27 February 2018 - (11 February 2019 - BBC/Burmese) Mizzima/English) (28 February (11 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (14 February 2019 - Irrawaddy/Burmese)

19 FEBRUARY 2019

• 11 Civilians Missing After Clashes • Bill to Amend the Law Protecting Between Soldiers and Arakan the Privacy and Security of Army Citizens (24 February 2019 - (23 February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) (25 February Eleven/Burmese) 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (25 February 2019 - RFA/English) (26 February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) (26 INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS February 2019 - Mizzima/English) • New Dormitories, Two-story (26 February 2019 - Eleven/English) Dormitories, Prison and Prison • Companies Withdraw from the Cells Being Built Upper Yeywa Dam Project (15 February 2019 - (11 February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) DVB/Burmese) (30 January - Burma Campaign/English) • Chairman of Phet Num Village and LAND RIGHTS Secretary Released • Sittpin Farmers Protest for Return (9 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) of Seized Land • Ministry of Information States AA (6 February - Eleven Media/English) Evacuates Around 200 Residents (6 February 2019 - Eleven/English) to Bangladesh • Land Dispute between Kayah (8 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) State Chief Minister and Catholic (9 February 2019 - 7 Day Missionary Resolved Daily/Burmese) (5 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) (6 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) (7 February 2019 - 7 Day • Freedom House Drops Burma’s Daily/Burmese) Freedom Score • (6 February 2109 - VOA/Burmese) Compensation Provided to Farmers for Land Seizure in • Seven Villagers Taken as Guide by Kanma Town Military (9 February 2019 - The (25 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) (10 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese)

LEGISLATION AND POLICY • Land Issue Is the Most Common DEVELOPMENTS Complaint in Mon State • Constitutional Reforms Lead to (8 February 2019 - Creation of New Committee BNI/Burmese) (18 February 2019 - (6 February - Irrawaddy/English) (8 The Voice/Burmese) February - Irrawaddy/English) (19 • Farmers Protest to get back their February - RFA/English) (19 Seized Land in Rangoon Division February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (19 (18 February 2019 - Myanmar February 2019 - Times/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (20 February • Farmers Receive Land 2019 - VOA/Burmese) (20 February - Myanmar Times/English) Compensation in Magwe Division (18 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese)

20 FEBRUARY 2019

• Campaign Opposes Burma’s (26 February 2019 - The Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Voice/Burmese) (26 February 2018 Management Law in Chin State - Eleven/Burmese) (18 February 2019 - RFA/Burmese) (20 February 2019 - BNI/Burmese) • Substitute Land Given to Farmers (27 February 2019 - The Voice/Burmese) • Press Conference Held for Land • A Press Conference Held in Confiscation Mabein to Return Land (24 February 2019 - (28 February 2019 - Eleven/Burmese) Mizzima/Burmese) • Press Conference Held for Land • Locals from Ngapali Town Protest Confiscation to Return Confiscated Land and (25 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) Release Two Farmers Arrested • Farmers Stage a Protest for Land (28 February 2019 - DVB/Burmese) Compensation

For more information:

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) Tate Naing (Secretary) +66 (0) 812 878 751 +95(0) 9428 023 828

21 FEBRUARY 2019