June SEPTEMBER CHRONOLOGY
2018 Summary of the Current Karreni Youth Activist faces trial from inside prison for Aung San Situation: statue protest 277 individuals are oppressed in Burma due to political activity:
27 political prisoners are serving sentences,
51 are awaiting trial inside
prison, Accessed September 2018 © Nandar Sitt Aung’s Facebook
199 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 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 TRIALS ...... 5 SENTENCS ...... 7 CONDITIONS OF IMPRISONMENT ...... 9
RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...... 10 LAND RIGHTS...... 14
REFERENCES ...... 18
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POLITICAL PRISONERS CHARGES Military Sues Monk for Defaming General Min Aung Hlaing. Four Leaders of Karen Martyrs’ Day On September 23 Lieutenant Colonel Myo Celebrations Prosecutions to Continue Khaing Win of the Central Command On September 21, Hinthada Township Mandalay Division, filed a complaint at Administrator Than Nain said that he will Amarapura Township police station continue prosecuting Kayin People’s Party requesting that legal action be taken (KPP) Chairman Saw Kyaw Gyi and 3 other against monk U Thawbita, who heads a locals, Saw Aung Mon Soe, Saw Than Tun local volunteers group called Bawa Alin. Than, and Saw Khu Shee Htoo under Section The complaint requests Thawbita be sued 21 of the Ward and Village Tract under Article 66 (d) of the Administration Law. The four leaders Telecommunications Act for posts on allegedly held commemorations for the facebook, the monk was later charged. One 68th Karen Martyrs’ Day event at the KPP of the posts describes General Min Aung office in Hinthada Township, Irrawaddy Hlaing as having orchestrated a prison Region on August 12 without permission. break in Karen State on September 16. On August 13, five leaders were called to the Other posts over the past week liken the Hinthada Administrator Office, but Padoh commander-in-chief “to a cow and say the Mahn Nyein Maung is no longer included in military is more destructive than a natural the charge list. disaster”. On September 28 monk U (20 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Thawbita handed himself into police in (21 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) Mandalay, and was later released on bail.
(22 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) Superintendent Charges USDP Chairman (24 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (24 of Shwebo Tract September 2018 - 7 Day On September 18, Shwebo Township Daily/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - Superintendent Thar Zan charged Shwebo Mizzima) (25 September 2018 - The Tract Chairman of of USDP, Soe Aye, and Voice/Burmese) (26 September 2018 - two others under Section 505(b) of the Myanmar Times) (26 September 2018 - Penal Code for meeting with residents and Irrawaddy/Burmese) (28 September 2018 defaming the State Counselor and the - The Irrawaddy) (28 September 2018 - Sagaing Division Chief Minister, Dr. Myint RFA/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - Naing. On September 14, Township Mizzima/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - Management Committee Chairman Soe Min The Voice/Burmese) Aung sent a letter to Superintendent Thar
Zan to take action Soe Aye and others because of the content of their meeting with Ting Maung Kyi Charged Under 505(b) of some residents in Pa Line Village, Shwebo Penal Code for Protesting Against Township. Military (21 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) On September 28, the Deputy Director of (22 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (22 the Movement for Democracy Current Force September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (MDCF), Ting Maung Kyi was charged and (24 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) arrested under Sections 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 20 of PAPPL for protesting the Military and saying it should be
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investigated by the International Criminal protest in Mrauk-U to protest the Court (ICC). Approximately 10 police authorities’ banning of celebrations officers from Kyauktada Police Station marking the 233rd anniversary of the fall arrested him and sent him to Insein Prison of the Arakan Kingdom. The eight detained on the same day, September 28. His first citizens were charged under Article 6(1) of trial date is on October 1 at Kyauktada the Public Property Protection Act for Court. destroying public assets. (28 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (29 (14 September 2018 - September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (24 September 2018 (30 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (30 - DVB/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - The September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (24 September 2018 Four Loikaw Protest Leaders Charged - BNI/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - The On September 23 four protest leaders, Khu Irrawaddy) (25 September 2018 - Juu Phe Kay, Ku Kalawreh, Aung Naing Win, Narinjara) (25 September 2018 - and Kyaw Min Oo were sued under Section DVB/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - 20 of PAPPL for protesting over land VOA/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - disputes. They requested the Loikaw BNI/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - The Township Government to resolve the Voice/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - disputes arising in Namtbaw Oneshan Ward RFA/Burmese) A, Kayah Division. They help up pictures of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with ones requesting land be given back to the oppressed. On TRIAL September 28, they entered Loikaw Police Kachin Youth Protestors Trial Continues Station, the next trial date is set for October On September 3 Myitkyina Township judge 5. decided to press charges against three (28 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) Kachin youths who led a protest concerned with freeing residents trapped within the Kachin conflict area. The plaintiff, ARRESTS Lieutenant Colonel Myo Min Oo from the Mrauk-U Protesters Re-Arrested After Military Northern Command, and three Completing Sentence witnesses, gave evidence. Nan Pu, one of On September 24 eight Arakanese freed by the Sittwe township court after spending the defendants, said such a verdict after eight months in detention for participating hearing irrelevant testimonies is unjust. On in a protest in Mrauk-U in were re-arrested September 6 Myitkyina Township Court on the same day on a separate charge and started hearing from the three Kachin sent to Sittwe Police Station #1. The eight, civilians. Lum Zawng, Zau Jat, and Nang Pu Kyaw Win Naing, Kyaw Min Soe, U Than were charged on May 8 after Lieutenant- Zaw, Aung Kyaw Myint, Shwe Maung, Aung Colonel, Myo Min Oo, of Northern Htay, Tun Kyaw Hein, and Kyaw Kyaw Command filed criminal defamation Naing, were freed after their their pre-trial complaints under Article 500 of the Penal detention period was ruled to have Code for statements they made at a press counted towards their initial sentence. The conference and at a peaceful protest they eight spent were arrested on January 16 participated in on April 30 and May 1. after the state police charged them for (3 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (3 alleged involvement in an unauthorized September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (4
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September 2018 - Kachin News Group)(6 fall of the Arakan Kingdom to the Burmese September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (7 in 1785. Wai Hin Aung told reporters September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) outside the courtroom that this case (18 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) demonstrates Burma does not have an impartial judicial sector. Dr. Aye Maung is the former Lower House lawmaker of Court Decides to Prosecute Aung Ko Rakhine State’s Ann Township. Police Htwe arrested writer Wai Hin Aung on February On September 5, Botataung Township Court 16 under Section 505(b) of Penal Code and in Rangoon Division decided to prosecute ex Dr. Aye Maung was arrested on January 18 child soldier Aung Ko Htwe under Section 7 under Section 17(1) of Unlawful of the Union Seal Law for standing on the Associations Act. 2008 constitution in protest at his previous (10 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (10 prosecution. Superintendent Mg Mg and the September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (10 prosecution witness Police Lieutenant, Win September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (10 Ko trial will now resume. September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (10 (5 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (10
September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Verdict Against Tanintharyi Journal Will (10 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) be Announced on October 1 (11 September 2018 - Mizzima) On September 17, Dawei Town Court decided that the verdict against the Sittwe Township Court Prosecutes Aung Tanintharyi Journal will be decided on Than Wai October 1, after waiting to hear from both On September 18, the Sittwe Township sides. The Tanintharyi Journal was charged Court prosecuted Aung Than Wai under under Section 25 of the Media Law for Section 10 of the Law Protecting the Privacy publishing an article headed and Security of Citizens for posting a picture “Electioneering Smile”. The article, which of the Rakhine State government’s secretary was published under the pseudonym “Mu U Tin Maung Swe under the title ‘Who is Say Ooh” in November 2017, mocked orders responsible for the Mrauk U Murder?’ and a made by the Government Office’s Deputy video file of the meeting with the Rakhine Director. State government on Facebook. He has been (9 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (17 first been charged under Section 66(d) of September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (18 the Telecommunications Law and under September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Section 10 when he was arrested. Though
he prosecuted under Section 506 of the Arakanese Political Leader and Author Penal Code. The court will hear both appeals Face High Treason and Defamation before deciding to prosecute, according to Charges High Court Lawyer Kyaw Nyunt Mg. In On September 10 the Sittwe District Court addition, Aung Than Wai sued Joint- in Arakan ruled that Arakan politician Dr. Director of Government Office Saw Min Thu, Aye Maung and author Wai Hin Aung be Sittwe Township Administrator Soe Thet prosecuted for high treason and Swe, and the ward clerk, under Section 10 defamation of the State. The two were Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of arrested for alleged remarks at a Citizens. commemoration event in Rathedaung (19 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Township for the 233rd anniversary of the (20 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese)
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Tuesday, nearly every privately-run newspaper in Myanmar made the Reuters The Case of Khin Win’s Murder is to case front page news, this was not the case Reopen for Military backed papers. The Irrawaddy On September 20, Salingyi Township Police called it ‘A Hammer Blow for the Rule of Chief has begun taking testimonies of the Law’. Journalists in Mandalay and Pyay took witnesses and plaintiffs in the case of to the streets to show their solidarity with farmer Khin Win’s death after being the reporters. Several dozen people rallied reported to do so by the President. Khin Win in central Yangon on Sunday against the was gunned down on December 22, 2014 at jailing. Another protest rally was held in a protest, though the Government started front of the Youth Centre near the statue of that only 15 rubber bullets were used to General Aung San in Pyay with the crackdown the strike. The case was closed participation of about 20 local reporters in August 2015 by the Salingyi Township and about 30 activists from Pyay University Court but her family was not satisfied. Her Student Union and political organizations. family then sent a letter to the court but this In this protest organised by Myaylat was rejected, therefore the family sent a Journalist Network the demonstrators held letter to the Present on August 18, when placards reading "Free Wa Lone and Kyaw was in Monywa Town. Soe Oo," and "Right to Information." A (21 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) petition was also signed for the release of
the reporters.US Vice President Mike Pence SENTENCES on twitter called for the release of the two reuters journalists. On September 13 State Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo Sentenced to Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that Seven Years their jailing had nothing to do with freedom On September 3, after delayed sentencing of expression but because “they broke the date the sham of a trial came to an end. Wa Official Secrets Act”. Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were each sentenced (3 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (3 to seven years in prison under the colonial September 2018 - Frontier Myanmar) (3 era Official Secrets Act. Embassy’s and September 2018 - Irrawaddy) (3 September Rights Groups denounced the sentencing 2018 - DVB) (3 September 2018 - and conditions of trial, “devastating” and RFA/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - “deeply troubling” were the echos from VOA/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - embassies, urging the government to Mizzima/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - change track. The calls from rights groups Irrawaddy/Burmese) (4 September 2018 - such as Amnesty International were more The Irrawaddy) (4 September 2018 - forthright, calling the convictions Myanmar Times) (4 September 2018 - “politically motivated” and creating an Mizzima) (5 September 2018 - The environment of “censorship through fear”, Irrawaddy) (5 September 2018 - Eleven equally the EU said the verdict was an Myanmar) (6 September 2018 - DVB) (11 attempt at “intimidating journalists”. The September 2018 - Frontier Myanmar) (18 UN called it a “campaign against September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (18 journalists”. Condemnation was equally September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) fierce from domestic institutions. Nine
Myanmar journalist networks issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the Student Union Chairman Found Guilty verdict and urging the government to do Under PAPPL Section 19 Charge everything possible to achieve justice. On
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On September 7 Pyay Township Court Htet and Ko Ye Wint Aung under PAPPL. ordered former Pyay University Students The three citizens participated in a protest Union Chairman Myat Min Htet to pay a fine at Mahabandoola Park on May 14 calling of 20,000kyats ($12.5) or be sentenced to for an end to the conflict in Kachin State in 15 days’ imprisonment under Section 19 of which they gave speeches and recited the PAPPL. Myat Min Htet allegedly led a poems. The court gave them each a choice protest against removing Pyay University of paying a fine of 20,000kyats ($12.6) or a Chancellor, Dr. Khin Thi Thar. After the sentence of 15 days’ imprisonment. Ko court hearing, current Pyay University Zeyar Lwin choose imprisonment whilst Chancellor Aung Aung Min gave police the other two chose the fine. Ko Zeyar Lwin 10,000kyats ($6.2) on behalf of Myat Min said that “Suing and sentencing us under Htet. Since August 30 former Chancellor Dr. the Peaceful Assembly Law for Khin Thi Thar has been transferred to the participating in a movement for the peace department of higher education in Nay Pyi of the country is limiting our freedom of Taw. expression and insulting peace”. (7 September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (19 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (19 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (19 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (20 Yangon Court Sentences Those September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Protesting For Aung Ko Htwe On September 11 Dagon Seikkan Township court in Yangon sentenced Ko Naung Human Rights Lawyer Khin Khin Kyaw Naung and Daw Lay Lay to a year in prison. and Than Htike Sentenced to Six Months They were jailed for participating in a On September 28, Minhla Township Court protest in support of Aung Ko Htwe, a in Bago Division sentenced human rights former child soldier for the Military who lawyer Khin Khin Kyaw and member of the was jailed for speaking to the media about All Burma Federation of Student Unions his experiences. Their lawyer Zayar Aung (ABFSU), Than Htike, to six months said that the two activists were charged imprisonment. They were charged under under the Penal Code Section 505(b) which Section 228 of the Penal Code on September prohibits defamation against the state, and 18, 2015. Khin Khin Kyaw and Than Htike Section 153 which proscribes provocation were representing the legal interests of the with intent to cause a riot. They were detained student protests who participated ultimately sentenced because they said in Letpadan protests against Burma’s they were not on the list of protesters Education Law. submitted to the local police station prior (28 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (28 to the demonstration required in September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) accordance with PAPPL. (11 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (12 Aung Ko Ko Lwin Gets One Year in Jail for September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (12 Criticising State Minister September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) On September 27, Thaton Township Court
sentenced Aung Ko Ko Lwin to one year Kachin Conflict Peace Protestors imprisonment under Section 10 of the Law Convicted Protecting the Privacy and Security of the On September 19, Kyauktada Township Citizen after eight months of trial. Aung Ko Court in Yangon convicted Peace activist Ko Lwin posted on his Facebook page a Ko Zeyar Lwin and poets Ko Khant Min photo of the chief minister having lunch, with a caption that criticised the state
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government for being unable to end representatives, the ICRC announced it is frequent power outages. He also shared a willing to provide healthcare services for video of the Chief Minister that sarcastically prison inmates. The ICRC announced that it said people can reduce the prices of daily wishes to upgrade hospitals including commodities by eating only one meal a healthcare services. day. On January 6, he was sued by Saw (16 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) Kyaw Moe, a member of the Mon State (17 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) Ethnic Affairs Committee. (28 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) Number of Prisoners in Insein Prison are (30 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) More Than the Capacity On September 14, Rangoon Division auditor CONDITIONS OF submitted its 2016-17 fiscal report to the Rangoon Division Parliament, the report IMPRISONMENT detailed that there are 12,518 prisoners in MNHRC Calls on Prisons to Supply Insein prison. The prison department had Accurate Medicines in Prisons reported that the Insein prison capacity is On September 11, the MNHRC called on 5,000 inmates. The auditor of Rangoon officials, wardens, and jailers in Nyaung Division thus has found on August 15 that Shwe prison in Taunggyi District, Southern Insein prison has 7,158 prisoners more Shan State, to make sure that suitable prisoners than its capacity allows. There are treatment is given with the knowledge that only 603 officers to deal with all this there is only ever one suitable kind of inmates in the prison. medicine for any disease, i.e. to not waste (14 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) valuable medicines by ensuring medical accuracy. (11 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (15 September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese)
International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Wish to Provide Treatment in Prisons At a meeting on September 13 between the Health Minister and the ICRC
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RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS Shan Woman Abducted by TNLA put on in the legislature, executive branch, police, Trial military and judiciary contributed to the On September 3 the TNLA announced it had low ranking, according to the report. The put on trial a Shan women who was country rankings are derived from abducted at gunpoint from her home in household surveys and 3,000 expert Namhkam Township, Northern Shan State. surveys conducted globally. The group has said that Nang Mo Hom is (4 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (6 being tried in the TNLAs central court for September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) “allegedly” obstructing its troops as they performed their duties. The Shan Military Compels Residents in Muse Nationalities League for Democracy Township to Transport Supplies to the (SNLD), sent a letter on August 27 to State Front Line Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi On September 1 local Nam Um people were requesting she intervene in her capacity as forced by the Military’s Battalion 88 to the head of the National Reconciliation and transport supplies to the Military’s front Peace Center (NRPC). TNLA spokesperson line in Muse Township, Northern Shan Major Tar Aik Kyaw has said “there will be State, to Loi Seng, where they were clashing no immediate release of Nang Mo Hom”. On with Northern Alliance forces. September 7 a peaceful procession of some (4 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) 20,000 people was held in Namkham, Shan
State, calling for the womens arrest. (1 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) (4 Military Detains Two Residents in September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (4 Hpakant Township September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (5 On September 5 at around 3.30am September 2018 - Hpauyam La Sam from Kahtan Yang Village Irrawaddy/Burmese) (11 September 2018 and Hkawng Dau from Loi Seng Village - Eleven Myanmar) (17 September 2018 - were detained by the Military Light RFA/Burmese) (17 September 2018 - Infantry Division #33 in Hpakant VOA/Burmese) (17 September 2018 - Township, Kachin State. According to local Irrawaddy/Burmese) (17 September 2018 residents, the Military column had over - Mizzima/Burmese) (17 September 2018 - 100 troops and went onto inspect homes in BBC/Burmese) (18 September 2018 - Shan Loi Seng and Kahtan Yang villages. Herald Agency News) Hpauyam La Sam’s wife said her husband has also been taken as a guide. Local village administration group and religious Burma Slides Down Global Rule of Law organization have informed Kamaing Index General Administrative Office as they are According to the Washington-based World yet to hear from the two detained men. Justice Project’s 2017-2018 report, Burma (6 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (7 ranked 100 out of 113 countries globally September 2018 - Kachin News Group) (12 and 14 among the 15 countries in the East September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (14 Asia and Pacific region. Serious corruption
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September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (24 (17 September 2018 - Shan Herald Agency September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) News)
(19 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) Nyaung Tone Pin Villager Assaulted by (20 September 2018 - Mizzima) Police On September 16, three police officers, one of whom was Zaw Min Oo, handcuffed and Fears Four Men Abducted in Kutkai beat villager Aung Kyaw Moe for blocking a Township road in Nyaung Tone Pin village in Four ethnic Ta’ang and Shan men have not Htantabin Township, Rangoon Division. been heard from since August 19, and there Htantabin police station commander Zaw are fears they have been abducted by an Tun alleged that the police arrested Aung armed group. Sai Aik Yun, Sai Aik Tun, Sai Kyaw Moe because he was on drugs. Zaw Aik Yi, and Sai Manglu, all are from Mongsi Tun Oo said they have filed a lawsuit against village tract in Kutkai Township, Shan Aung Kyaw Moe under Section 2 of the State. Relatives say they worked at the Ho Penal Code. Aung Kyaw Moe would receive Nawng-Nam Pang jetty on the river medical treatment in a Rangoon hospital. separating Muse and Ruili, China, to earn However, on September 18, he was money for their school fees and provide receiving additional treatment at the support to their families. Sai Jian, brother Htantabin Township hospital for the very of one of the four mean, said that he did not same wounds when he was denied further know which armed organization had taken treatment by the hospital officers. His his brother but that he and his family family has announced they will report his wanted to “request their release”. A case to the Rangoon Division Government, member of the SNLD in Muse said that they Police Force, Minister of Home Affairs, and would look into “how to find those young MPs. men”. (20 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (21 September 2018 - Burma Link) United Wa State Army (UWSA) Detains Christians. Military Destroy Farmers Crops After The UWSA seized a group of Christian Armed Group Attack on Base religious leaders in the their autonomous On September 14, villagers in Manli village region in Shan State according to UWSA in Hsipaw Township said that villagers spokesperson Nyi Ranga. The group of were forced to sign an agreement saying leaders are accused of espousing religious they accepted the destruction of their crops extremism. Most of the people living in Wa by the army. The Military Light Infantry territory are animists, but there are also Battalion #17 destroyed the local corn Buddhists, Baptists, and Roman Catholics. farms following an attack on their base by Nyxi Ranga went on to say they “are trying an unknown armed group on 13 to control the instability in the region September. One military soldiers was caused by extremist unregistered religious allegedly killed and another was injured. leaders from outside [Wa territory]”. 41 Manli headman Lon Sai said that evidence students who practiced Christianity were of the damaged cornfields have been arrested and forced to serve as soldiers by collected so that farmers could receive the UWSA. 92 pastors were also arrested compensation. according to a letter sent by the Lahu Baptist Convention requesting help..
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(21 September 2018 - Myanmar Times) #296 base from September 22 after two (27 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (27 soldiers disappeared in Noung Lay Village September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (28 in Mong Pan Township, Southern Shan September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) State. The seven villagers were later released but not after the Military accused the RCSS of involvement in the soldiers’ SNLD Election Trail Blocked in Pyin Oo disappearance and had threatened the Lwin detained villagers’ safety if the ethnic Administrative officials in Pyin Oo Lwin armed group did not release the soldiers. Township obstructed SNLD members’ Sai Hla Aung, a resident of Mong Pan town, attempts to campaign in the area on told The Irrawaddy that the seven civilians September 21. In preparation for by- were released despite the fact that the elections in November the SNLD had soldiers were still missing. Sai Hla Aung planned to hold an event in Nawng Kham went on to add that the villagers were not Gyi village. The village administrator, Ko beaten by the Army whilst in custody. Naing, reportedly did not allow a welcome Colonal Sai Oo has said that the soldiers procession of Shan long drums and gongs were deserters and it was not the fault of for the delegation. Party members said he the detained villagers. also took photos of them as they were (27 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (29 speaking in front of the village. Pyin Oo September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Lwin is home to a large section of Mandalay Region’s Shan population and is therefore key in securing votes for the LEGISLATION AND POLICY ethnic affairs minister role in the by- election. DEVELOPMENTS (21 September 2018 - Shan Lawsuits Against Freedom of Expression News/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - Surge After Amendment to Shan Herald Agency News) Telecommunications Law Athan Freedom of Expression Activist Organisation have detailed in a report that Land Protest Marchers From Hpa-An to following the amendment to the Phyu Township Charged Under PAPPL Telecommunications Law, filing a lawsuit On September 25, protesters marched from against writings over free expression has Hpa-An Town, Karen to Phyu Township, increased to 54 percent. The report Bago to protest land disputes. The 88 Karen coincided with the one-year anniversary to Generation Students Organisation (KGSO) the amendment. Hsaung Kha of Athan, told held this protest, beginning in Hpa-An on Eleven "we conducted a survey based on 48 September 15. They initially asked for cases that emerged one year after the law permission to hold the protest but were amendment under the new government. denied, three members have thus been We can say that there should not have been charged under Section 22 of the PAPPL. 54 percent at all. These are all meant to (25 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) impede freedom of expression". Of the 48
cases filed under the Telecommunications Shan Villagers from Mong Pan Detained Law, 54% were related to free of by Military Released expression, 25% with cyber crime, 11% On September 25, seven ethnic Shan with social problems and 10% concerned villagers were released by the Military other issues. after being detained at Infantry Battalion
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(9 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (10 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (11 September 2018 - Myanmar Times/Burmese) (11 September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (12 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar)
INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS Legal Aid Center Opens in Pobbathiri Township, Naypyitaw On September 1 a center was opened as part of the My Justice Program, funded by the European Union, in partnership with International Bridges to Justice. The centers offer free legal services to anyone who’s been charged with a crime and can’t afford to hire a lawyer, anyone who is under the age of 18, minorities, and those who are disabled or discriminated against, according to the non-governmental legal aid group. Anyone whose monthly income is less than 120,000kyats ($77.1) is eligible for services. And the monthly income of the family members of the defendants must also be less than 120,000kyats ($77.1) per month in order to receive assistance from the legal aid group. Naypyitaw-based lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said that they “only provide legal services for defendants, and not plaintiffs. Their intentions are good”. (1 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy)
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LAND RIGHTS Farmers Demand Confiscated Land years the NLD executive is now discussing Returned in Nay Pyi Taw take interest from the bank. On September 2 local farmers staged a (5 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) protest demanding the return of seized farmlands to the original owners, and for Public Consultation Held to Discuss Land action to be taken against the Zabuthiri Law township administrator for continuously On September 5-6 a public consultation was filling lawsuits against local farmers. held at the Asia Light Monastery in Si Kar Farmlands in Zabuthiri Township were village in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay seized for the then Nay Pyi Taw city Division. The consultation concerned a building project but some of them have not potential Land Law with the power to been used for the project. Thus the land protect farmers with federal standards. In owners gathered at a football and sports 2012, the Land Law was created, yet the ground in Ottarathiri Township to demand new law was not satisfactory, it didn’t the return of their lands. They also protect farmers enough, land rights cases demanded action against the township are on the rise according to farmland administrator who have continuously filed activists. In total, 600 people, from farmers, lawsuits against local farmers. “Today, we farmland activists, civil societies, and jurists staged a protest to demand that the all over the country attended the public government give up those land plots. In consultation. connection with those land problems we (6 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) are even facing lawsuits from authorities," said a local farmer from the township. (2 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (3 Military Returns Over 200 Acres of September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) Confiscated Land in Mobye, Shan State On September 8, Light Infantry Battalion 422 returned 200 acres of confiscated land Residents Reject Compensation Amount to 288 residents at Pekon Township Hall in Deposited into their Accounts Mobye town, Pekon Township, Shan State. On September 4, residents refused to Shan State Government, a Karenni Ethnic withdraw money sent to them as Affairs Minister, Pekon Township compensation by for the Letpadaung Parliament, and Shan State Chief Minister, Copper Mine project. Despite an Dr. Lin Htut, attentended the ceremony. intervention by an executive member of the Despite the military having returned acres NLD. The residents rejected this of land, there are still many farmers whose compensation and refused to withdraw the land has not been returned. Farmers have amount, because the Wanboa does not pledged to continue protesting until 800 respect the investigative report, said acres of land left has been returned. The resident San Nwe. In 2014 lands were initially confiscated by Battalion 1,000,000kats($642) per acre was offered 422 in 1992. as compensation for confiscated farmland. (9 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) In addition to 800,000kyats ($516) of subsidies, totalling 1,800,000kyats ($1158). The compensation was left in their Farmers Demonstrate in Kyauktaw to respective bank accounts. After these four Have Confiscated Land Returned
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On September 16 Some 200 farmers from President Directs Governments to Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State staged Conclude Investigation into Confiscated a protest demanding the return of over Land This Year 1,000 acres of land confiscated by the On September 18, Irrawaddy Division Chief Military in the 1990’s. Over 100 farmers Minister Hla Moe Aung said in a press lost land to the Military, from Lanmadaw, conference on land rights that the President Daung Taw Yoe, Nyaung Pin Hla, to Pein U Win Myint had directed the State and Hne Chaung villages. Battalions #375 #374 Division Governments to conclude their #376 were responsible for the investigation regarding confiscated land confiscations according to Kyaw Hla Tun. before 31 December. U Win Myint also said The protesters began the march from that the Land and Other Land Re-scrutiny Sasana Beikman. Daw Shwe Thar Nu was a Committee in Irrawaddy had been protesting farmer, he said “We want our investigating confiscated land at the farm back. We are protesting because we presidents direction. want compensation if we can’t get it back”. (20 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) The protesters also demanded Deputy Minister for Defence Myint Nwe to step Protest in Loikaw Resist Land back and allow the Farmland Investigation Confiscations Commission to investigate the issue. On September 23, some 80 people held a (16 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (17 protest to resist land confiscations. 80 some September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (17 people live on the land where successive September 2018 - Narinjara) governments have allowed armed groups to
Land Released by Ministry of Defense in work in Myakalatt Taung Temple in Loikaw 2016 Still Yet to be Returned Township, Kayah Division. Loikaw Local Farmers in Pyaung Seik, Pyaing Township Administration had asked the Chaung, and Oke Taung Pyin villages in farmers to move from the land, in response Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State have the demonstrators protested with sign said that land released to them by the boards, requesting access to the land, and
Ministry of Defense of 120 acres has yet to land titles to prove ownership. (23 September 2018 - The be returned to them. The Light Infantry
Battalion 539 seized the land in 1999 and Voice/Burmese) is still currently operating a rock quarry on the land. The Ministry of Defence Some Residents Yet to Receive supposedly released 30 acres of grazing Compensation for Railway Construction land and 90 acres of cultivation land near in Natmauk Township Oke Taung Pyin Village on June 27, 2016, On September 17, Tin Taung announced but the residents have yet to receive access that some farmers still have received no to their land. The rock quarry is being run compensation despite the Government in joint venture with private companies saying it is providing compensation for the and no mineral tax has been officially railway construction from Magwar to submitted to the government claimed U Natmauk to Pyawbwe. Approximately 10 Tun Hla from Pyaung Seik Village. farmers received compensation who did not According to him, the local residents will actually lose land, yet, five who land did not submit a plea to the President on this issue. receive compensation. In 2010, over 120 (18 September 2018 - Narinjara) (18 farmers lost a total of 106.07 acres of land September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) to the construction of the railway in Natmauk Township.
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(23 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) On September 25, some 30 farmers (25 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) protested because they are no longer allowed to cultivate land they have been cultivating for over 20 years because of the Nickel Company Provides Compensation Shwegyin Township Administrator Tun Tun for Damaged Farmland Lin. From 1998-99 the Chairman of the On September 18, CNMC Company provided Township Peace and Development Council compensation for over 400 acres of famers signed and allocated the land from the land damaged by the Taung Nickel Factory. township to the department. On September They provided 700,000kyats ($439) for 19, Tun Tun Lin met with farmers and told every acre for the damaged land. The them to stop cultivating on the land as it is damaged land ranged from Yayshin, grazing land. He also said that he will charge Twaykyauk, Kyaukpasat, Shwe Taung farmers who cultivate on the land. This is Chuang in Htigyaing Township, Sagaing what cause the protests according to farmer Divsion - to Maung Kone village in Htigyaing Soe Aung. Township, and Inn Net village in (25 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (25 Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay. On June September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) 8 and September 22, 2017 farmers held a protest to demand compensation for this damaged land. Hukawng Residents Hold Discussion on (23 September 2018 - 7 Day Land Confiscation Daily/Burmese) From September 21-23 Hukawng residents held discussions at Wa Ra Zup village regarding confiscated land. The discussion Vice President Calls for Land Dispute to centered on the many ways that residents be Solved Honestly have tried and failed to oppose the Yuzana On September 23, the Department of Company, said resident Slg Tang Gun. In Industry and the Myanmar Medical addition to this, the residents discussed Association transferred temporary land how to preserve tigers in Hukawng Valley. ownership titles to 27 original landowners Resident have repeatedly tried to solve the for 332 acres of land confiscated from them confiscated land issues with the Military but in Taw Pyer Gyi village in Thantaunggyi with no success. Township, Karen State. Vice President (25 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) Henry Van Thio urged those involved in the land dispute to deal honestly because of the situations complexity. He went on to call on Farm Rights Protesters From Patheingyi the Departments of respective Ministries Township Detained have to return the vacant land to the On September 26 the Mandalay District original landowner immediately Court denied bail to Mya, Mya Mya and department of respective Minister have to Than Paing of Aung Thabyay village in return the vacant land immediately, the Patheingyi Township. They were detained returning land has to be transferred to the after they staged a protest against the original landowners quickly. expansion of a road in preparation for the (23 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) building of the cement factory. They were told that they would not be compensated for the land. They face six months to three Shwegyin Farmers Protest Over No years’ imprisonment under regional road Longer Being Allowed to Cultivate Their and transportation laws, and are currently Land being detained at Obo prison.
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(26 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) On September 27, nearly 50 farmland owners protested because the Municipal authority has continued its confiscation of The Department of Regional Military some 70 acres of farmland in Hlaing Ward Commands (RMC) to Return over 5,000 in Mawlamyine Town, Mon State. The land of Vacant Land had been passed down generations. The On September 27, the Chairman of the farmland owners do not have ownership MNHRC, Win Mya said in a meeting with the titles, but they have receipts, said protester United Nations Development Programme Chit Saunt. He said that they had already (UNDP) that 5,161 acres of vacant land in paid 50 baskets of paddy to the government, Kantbalu, Monywa, Katha and Shwebo and that it has been four years since they Districts, will be transferred by the have had to pay anything. Farmers Department of RMC. Win Mya also said that requested to 14 different Departmental the MNHRC has received many complaint Organisations, including the President's letters regarding land disputes. Office, State Counselor, and Ministry of (27 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) National Consulting Office, to solve these
problems regarding land confiscations. Farmers Protest Municipal Authority in (28 September 2018 - 7 Day Mon State Over Continuing Land Daily/Burmese) Confiscations
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REFERENCES
POLITICAL PRISONERS (28 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) CHARGES Four Leaders of Karen Martyrs’ Day ARRESTS Celebrations Prosecutions to Mrauk-U Protesters Re-Arrested Continue After Completing Sentence (20 September 2018 - The (14 September 2018 - Voice/Burmese) (21 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (24 September BNI/Burmese) 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (24 September Superintendent Charges USDP 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (24 Chairman of Shwebo Tract September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (24 (21 September 2018 - September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (22 September Irrawaddy/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (22 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (24 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (25 September September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) 2018 - Narinjara) (25 September 2018 Military Sues Monk for Defaming - DVB/Burmese) (25 September 2018 General Min Aung Hlaing. - VOA/Burmese) (25 September 2018 (22 September 2018 - - BNI/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (24 September The Voice/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (24 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - Mizzima) (25 TRIAL September 2018 - The Kachin Youth Protestors Trial Voice/Burmese) (26 September 2018 Continues - Myanmar Times) (26 September (3 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (3 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (4 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (28 September 2018 - Kachin News September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (28 Group)(6 September 2018 - The September 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) Irrawaddy) (7 September 2018 - (28 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy/Burmese) (18 September Voice/Burmese) 2018 - BNI/Burmese) Ting Maung Kyi Charged Under 505(b) Court Decides to Prosecute Aung Ko of Penal Code for Protesting Against Htwe Military (5 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Verdict Against Tanintharyi Journal (29 September 2018 - 7 Day Will be Announced on October 1 Daily/Burmese) (30 September 2018 - (9 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) (30 September 2018 - (17 September 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (18 September Four Loikaw Protest Leaders Charged 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese)
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Arakanese Political Leader and (7 September 2018 - 7 Day Author Face High Treason and Daily/Burmese) Defamation Charges Yangon Court Sentences Those (10 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Protesting For Aung Ko Htwe (10 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (11 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (10 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (12 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (10 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (12 September 2018 - Eleven (10 September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) Myanmar) (10 September 2018 - Kachin Conflict Peace Protestors Irrawaddy/Burmese) (10 September Convicted 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (11 (19 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) September 2018 - Mizzima) (19 September 2018 - Sittwe Township Court Prosecutes Mizzima/Burmese) (19 September Aung Than Wai 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (20 (19 September 2018 - September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (20 September Human Rights Lawyer Khin Khin Kyaw 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) and Than Htike Sentenced to Six The Case of Khin Win’s Murder is to Months Reopen (28 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (21 September 2018 - The (28 September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) Aung Ko Ko Lwin Gets One Year in Jail for Criticising State Minister SENTENCES (28 September 2018 - Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo Sentenced Mizzima/Burmese) (30 September to Seven Years 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (3 September 2018 - Frontier Myanmar) CONDITIONS OF (3 September 2018 - Irrawaddy) (3 IMPRISONMENT September 2018 - DVB) (3 September MNHRC Calls on Prisons to Supply 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (3 September Accurate Medicines in Prisons 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (3 September (11 September 2018 - 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (3 Mizzima/Burmese) (15 September September 2018 - 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (4 September International Committee of Red 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (4 September Cross (ICRC) Wish to Provide 2018 - Myanmar Times) (4 September Treatment in Prisons 2018 - Mizzima) (5 September 2018 - (16 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (5 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (17 September 2018 Eleven Myanmar) (6 September 2018 - - Eleven Myanmar) DVB) (11 September 2018 - Frontier Number of Prisoners in Insein Prison Myanmar) (18 September 2018 - are More Than the Capacity BBC/Burmese) (18 September 2018 - (14 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Mizzima/Burmese) Student Union Chairman Found Guilty Under PAPPL Section 19 Charge
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RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND (17 September 2018 - Shan Herald POLITICAL RIGHTS Agency News) Nyaung Tone Pin Villager Assaulted Shan Woman Abducted by TNLA put by Police on Trial (20 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (1 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) United Wa State Army (UWSA) (4 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) (4 Detains Christians. September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (5 (21 September 2018 - Myanmar September 2018 - Times) (27 September 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (11 September RFA/Burmese) (27 September 2018 - 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) (17 VOA/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (17 The Irrawaddy) September 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (17 SNLD Election Trail Blocked in Pyin September 2018 - Oo Lwin Irrawaddy/Burmese) (17 September (21 September 2018 - Shan 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (17 News/Burmese) (24 September 2018 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (18 - Shan Herald Agency News) September 2018 - Shan Herald Agency Land Protest Marchers From Hpa-An News) to Phyu Township Charged Under Burma Slides Down Global Rule of PAPPL Law Index (25 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (4 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Shan Villagers from Mong Pan (6 September 2018 - Detained by Military Released Irrawaddy/Burmese) (27 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Military Compels Residents in Muse (29 September 2018 - Township to Transport Supplies to the Irrawaddy/Burmese) Front Line (4 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) LEGISLATION AND POLICY Military Detains Two Residents in DEVELOPMENTS Hpakant Township (6 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (7 Lawsuits Against Freedom of September 2018 - Kachin News Expression Surge After Amendment Group) (12 September 2018 - to Telecommunications Law BNI/Burmese) (14 September 2018 - (9 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) BNI/Burmese) (24 September 2018 - (10 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) BNI/Burmese) (11 September 2018 - Myanmar (19 September 2018 - Eleven Times/Burmese) (11 September 2018 Myanmar) (20 September 2018 - - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (12 Mizzima) September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) Fears Four Men Abducted in Kutkai Township
(16 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS (21 September 2018 - Burma Link) Legal Aid Center Opens in Pobbathiri Military Destroy Farmers Crops After Township, Naypyitaw Armed Group Attack on Base (1 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy)
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LAND RIGHTS Some Residents Yet to Receive Compensation for Railway Construction in Natmauk Township Farmers Demand Confiscated Land (23 September 2018 - The Returned in Nay Pyi Taw Voice/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - (2 September 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) DVB/Burmese) (3 September 2018 - Eleven Myanmar) Nickel Company Provides Residents Reject Compensation Compensation for Damaged Amount Deposited into their Farmland Accounts (23 September 2018 - 7 Day (5 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) Public Consultation Held to Discuss Vice President Calls for Land Dispute Land Law to be Solved Honestly (6 September 2018 - (23 September 2018 - BBC/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) Shwegyin Farmers Protest Over No Military Returns Over 200 Acres of Longer Being Allowed to Cultivate Confiscated Land in Mobye, Shan Their Land State (25 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (9 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - Farmers Demonstrate in Kyauktaw to Eleven/Burmese) Have Confiscated Land Returned Hukawng Residents Hold Discussion (16 September 2018 - RFA/Burmese) on Land Confiscation (17 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (25 September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (17 September 2018 - Narinjara) Farm Rights Protesters From Land Released by Ministry of Patheingyi Township Detained Defense in 2016 Still Yet to be (26 September 2018 - The Irrawaddy) Returned The Department of Regional Military (18 September 2018 - Narinjara) (18 Commands (RMC) to Return over September 2018 - BNI/Burmese) 5,000 of Vacant Land President Directs Governments to (27 September 2018 - DVB/Burmese) Conclude Investigation into Farmers Protest Municipal Authority Confiscated Land This Year in Mon State Over Continuing Land (20 September 2018 - Confiscations Irrawaddy/Burmese) (28 September 2018 - 7 Day Protest in Loikaw Resist Land Daily/Burmese) Confiscations
(23 September 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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