MARCH CHRONOLOGY 2018

Summary of the Current Situation:

There are 248 individuals oppressed in Burma due to political activities, 54 political prisoners are serving prison sentences,

74 are awaiting trial inside prison,

are awaiting trial outside 120 prison. Picture from Aung Khant © The Myanmar Times

Accessed March , 2018

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Table of Contents

POLITICAL PRISONERS ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. ARREST ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. DETENTIONS ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. TRIALS ...... 4 SENTENCES ...... 6 FORMER POLITICAL PRISONERS ...... 6 RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...... 8 LEGISLATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTS ...... 16 INSTITUTIONAL REFORM...... 17 REFERENCES ...... 18

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POLITICAL PRISONERS

. ARRESTS 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (26 March 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (26 March Nine Suspects Arrested Over 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (27 Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Five then March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (27 Released March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) The number of suspects arrested in (27 March 2018 - BNI/Burmese) connection with the Sittwe bomb (27 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) blasts reached nine this month. The (28 March 2018 - The detainees, Ko Naing Soe, Ko Than Voice/Burmese) Shwe, Shwe Tun Aung, Kyaw Myint (28 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) Shwe, Maung Myint Shwe, Maung Aye Win, Maung Oo Myint, Maung 16 Villagers from Theinny Thet Soe Paing and Maung Myint Township Arrested Kyi, were detained under Section 50 On March 17, the Myanmar National (a) and (i) of the Anti-Terrorism Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) Law. arrested 16 villagers in Homone Village, Theinny Township, Ko Naing Soe, a former political Northern Shan State. According to prisoner and member of the Arakan residents, the villagers were National Council (ANC), was arrested in connection to a skirmish suffering from hepatitis and between the Army and the MNDAA ailments brought on by his in February. incarceration, and was not allowed (21 March 2018 - VOA/Burmese) family visits following his arrest on (21 March 2018 - 7 Day February 25. Daily/Burmese) (21 March 2018 - BNI/Burmese) On March 25, five of the nine suspects, including Ko Naing Soe, were released on bail, as police could not find evidence to bring . DETENTIONS them to trial. The court approved an Two Villagers Arrested for extension of the detention for the Preventing Police from Entering remaining three suspects; two over Village the charge of illegally crossing the On March 29, Ma Thwae Thwae Win border, and one for a bomb blast in and Ma San San Hla, two residents Mrauk-U. AAPP will continue of Wat Hmae village in the monitoring the case; please see Letpadaung copper mining region of April Chronology for updates. Salingyi Township, Sagaing Division (2 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) were arrested for attempting to stop (3 March 2018 - Eleven) (15 March police from entering their village. 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 March

2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (18 The two women were among a March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (19 group of villagers who were March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) angered by their settlement being (19 March 2018 - DVB) (26 March

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marked for destruction in order to the arrest Wa Lone’s house was make way for the Letpadaung searched by police officers without copper mine. When police officers a warrant. A notepad, hard drive forced their way into the village, and laptop were seized in the Man Sa Hla lay down in the road to operation. stop their advance. Kyaw Soe Oo has been suffering The two women were detained, from jaundice throughout March, while their ill health led to but permission for him to be treated hospitalization at Salingyi Township at an outside hospital has not been Hospital. AAPP will continue granted. monitoring the case; please see April Chronology for updates. The case has continued to receive (29 March 2018 - RFA) (29 March international attention, with media 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (29 March assistance groups and embassies 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (29 calling for their release. Amal March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Clooney, prominent human rights (30 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) (30 lawyer, has joined the legal team March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) representing the two journalists. (30 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (31 March 2018 - BBC/Burmese) On March 29 the pair’s defence team (31 March 2018 - BBC/Burmese) filed a motion asking to dismiss the (31 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) case, claiming that there was insufficient evidence to support charges. The district court in . TRIALS northern Rangoon agreed to hear arguments from prosecutors and Hearings Continue for Jailed defense lawyers on the motion on Reuters Journalists April 4. Hearings continued this month for (1 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) (1 two Reuters reporters jailed in March 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (1 December 2017 for possessing March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) sensitive government documents (3 March 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (6 (see February Chronology). Wa March 2018 - Myanmar Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo could be Times/Burmese) (7 March 2018 - charged with up to 14 years DVB) (7 March 2018 - Reuters) , (8 imprisonment under the Official March 2018 - Myanmar Times) (8 Secrets Act. March 2018 - Economist) (14 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (14 March Further discrepancies have emerged 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (14 March during this month, including a 2018 - Reuters) (15 March 2018 - witness writing crucial details on Myanmar Times) (15 March 2018 - his hand to help him remember 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (15 March what to say, and the owner of the 2018 - Myanmar Times/Burmese) restaurant where the reporters (15 March 2018 - The claim they were given the Voice/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - documents stating that she didn’t DVB) (16 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) see the two men, but wouldn’t have (21 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) been able to from where she was (21 March 2018 - BBC/Burmese) sitting anyway. In the aftermath of (21 March 2018 - Reuters) (21

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March 2018 - DVB) (23 March 2018 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (30 - VOA/Burmese) (28 March 2018 - March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Reuters) (28 March 2018 - (16 March 2018 - DVB) (15 March DVB/Burmese) (28 March 2018 - 2018 - BNI) Mizzima/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - Mai Myo Aung, Official-In-Charge VOA/Burmese) (30 March 2018 - of Ta’ang Palaung Legal The Guardian) Supporting Group, Appears before the Court Aye Maung and Wai Hin Aung in On March 9, Mai Myo Aung, ethnic Court for Alleged Inflammatory minority rights lawyer, appeared Speeches before the Muse Township Court for Former Arakan National Party the first time. He was arrested in (ANP) Chairman, Aye Maung, association with charges related to arrested January 2018 after an incident that left one person allegedly making an inflammatory dead and another injured at a speech against the Government, gambling den December 2017. He is attended court this month (see being charged under Penal Code February chronology). On being Sections 114, 302 and 307, which cross-examined by the defence, the are as follows: abettor present when plaintiff admitted that he did not offense was committed, murder and attend the speech, and only filed attempted murder, and Section 8 of charges because his superiors asked the Export Import Law. His most him to. Aye Maung has insisted that recent court appearance was on his words have been taken out of March 16. context, calling on the judicial (9 March 2018 - mizzima/Burmese) authorities to stand firm against pressure to convict him. Around one Lawyer and Protester Attend hundred protesters rallied outside 55th Hearing the courthouse in support of both The Government has yet to reply to Aye Maung and fellow detainee and a request made in February 2018 by writer, Wai Hin Aung, who faces the the Union Lawyers and Paralegals same charges for a speech at the Association (ULPA) to close the case same event. Critics believe that a against Daw Khin Khin Kyaw, a guilty verdict would be widely lawyer who defended students who interpreted as a move to politically were part of an education protest in oppress the Arkanese people. 2015 in Letpadan Township. This (7 March 2018 - Frontier) (7 March was the second appeal seeking 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (7 March closure of the case against Daw Khin 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (7 March Khin Kyaw, who is facing trial for 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (8 insulting a public officer on duty March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) under criminal law section 228. The (14 March 2018 - The first petition was sent in 2016. Voice/Burmese) (14 March 2018 -

Eleven/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - Daw Khin Khin Kyaw and Ko Than DVB/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - Htike, who is accused of VOA/Burmese) (19 March 2018 - involvement in the protest, attended DVB/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - their 55th hearing at Minhla The Voice/Burmese) (20 March Township Court on March 20. 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (29 March

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(20 March 2018 - Myanmar Times) to recognise the judicial system, he was given an additional contempt of court charge in February 2018. Ko Ni Murder Trial Ongoing (13 March 2018 - DVB) (13 March Four men accused of plotting the 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (15 March murder of lawyer and National 2018 - Myanmar Times)(20 March League for Democracy (NLD) 2018 - DVB) (20 March 2018 - Government advisor Ko Ni appeared RFA/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - in a Rangoon court this month. Mizzima/Burmese) (21 March 2018 Lawmaker Lin Zaw Tun, a - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (22 March prosecution witness and USDP MP, 2018 - Myanmar Times) (28 March at first claimed that he did not know 2018 - RFA) (28 March 2018 - the alleged gunman and instead RFA/Burmese) (28 March 2018 - 7 accused fellow witness Aung Soe of Day Daily/Burmese) (28 March being the murderer. The next day he 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (28 March apologised for these accusations 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (29 March and said they had been 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (29 March misinformed. The latest hearing, 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (29 scheduled for March 22, was March 2018 - Myanmar suspended due to the case files Times/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - having been sent to a different Eleven/Burmese) court. (15 March 2018 - DVB) (15 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 March Families Refusing to Evict for 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 March Airport Expansion Sent to Prison 2018 - DVB) (17 March 2018 - On March 21, Manaung Township Frontier Myanmar) (22 March 2018 Court in Rakhine State dealt prison - DVB) sentences to two heads of household, U Thar Ni and U Phyu Thee Khine, under Section 35 of the . SENTENCES Farmland Law. U Thar Ni was sentenced to seven months in Former Child Soldier Imprisoned prison for constructing a house on for an Interview about his Ordeal farmland, even though his family On March 28, Aung Ko Htwe, a has lived there for over 150 years. former child soldier, was sentenced Family members staged a protest on to two years imprisonment with March 20, demanding that the hard labor. Aung Ko Htwe was Government drops charges against charged under Section 505(b) of the the families for refusing to evict Penal Code for allegedly inciting the their homes for the Manaung public after telling his story of Samon-Tae Airport Expansion forced conscription to Radio Free Project, as they were not given the Asia (RFA). Soon after the interview market price. was published, he was arrested on One family who initially refused to August 18, 2017. evict has since accepted the small

compensation due to fear of also Aung Ko Htwe consistently refused receiving a prison sentence. to testify during the trial, and at one (21 March 2018 - BNI) (23 March point insisted on withdrawing his 2018 - BNI) own list of defence witnesses. Calling the trial a sham and refusing

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. FORMER POLITICAL Cheery Zahau, a human rights activist from Chin State. PRISONERS (16 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (19 March 2018 - Myanmar Times) Former Political Prisoner Struggles to Make Ends Meet Former civil servant, NLD activist,

and political prisoner, Aung Hein Yay Oo, has shared an essay online about his struggle to survive without the support of the NLD. Aung Hein Yay Oo worked for the Education Department in Katha, Sagaing Region, in the 12 years leading up to the anti-government protests of 1988. He was arrested and imprisoned under Section 5 of the Emergency Provisions Act for reciting a poem at a rally, and, since his release, has been prevented from claiming his pension and struggles to find work due to the criminal record he received for his pro-democracy activism. (5 March 2018 - Coconuts)

Journalist and Former Political Prisoner Receives EU Award for Human Rights Ko Swe Win, chief editor of the news agency Myanmar Now, was among this year’s recipients of the European Union’s Schuman Award for Human Rights for his untiring efforts in covering human rights violations in his investigative stories. Ko Swe Win was also cited for his unwavering fight for freedom of expression in Burma. The two other recipients of this year’s Schuman Award were Daw Khin Than Htwe, a women’s rights defender from Mon State, and

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RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS Protesters Call for 2008 Constitution During a February meeting with Arakan Abolishment State farmers, the Pipeline Affair Movement Group announced On February 27, more than 100 people in compensation possibilities for the National south-central Burma’s Bago Region staged Pipeline Project in Ann Township. a protest calling for the abolition of the However, on March 22, 600-1,000 civilians 2008 constitution, in a reprise of from Kyaukpyu district protested against grassroots demonstrations demanding the the China National Petroleum Corporation scrapping of the military-drafted charter (CNPC) and Myanmar Oil and Gas that filled the streets before the NLD came Enterprise (MOGE) for failing to provide to power. Key to criticism of the compensation for damaged farmland and constitution is the veto it provides the plantations. Military over key state policies, despite the formal end of military rule. They also protested against land that had (1 March 2018 - Myanmar Times) (18 been confiscated to build the Shwe March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (19 March pipeline. More than 1,000 acres have been 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (19 March 2018 - destroyed because of the pipeline project. The Voice/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - Although there are more than 1,000 Myanmar Times) (21 March 2018 - farmers who have not received land Myanmar Times/Burmese) compensation, 75% of farmers have

received crop compensation. Landless Farmers Request Permission to Plant In Alluvial Land The deep-water port, which transports oil Landless farmers can send planting and natural gas from Burma’s offshore requests to the Irrawaddy Division reserves to China, has been dogged by Government. According to farmers, the complaints about little or no land Government will allow them to grow crops compensation along with the loss of in alluvial land in Isaunt Village, livelihoods for local fishermen. Ngathainggyaung Township, Irrawaddy Division. The Government conducted field surveys on the damaged lands and agreed to pay Farmers have requested permission to the compensation. However, the CNPC and plant since 2014, but it had not been the MOGE still have not provided the granted until now. Currently, there are 30 farmers with any compensation. acres of fertile land available, but 10 of the (4 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (22 acres are reserved for the wealthy, while March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (22 March the other 20 acres are reserved for the 2018 - BBC/Burmese) (22 March 2018 - Government. According to Farmer Aung RFA/Burmese) (22 March 2018 - The Myang, farmers who do not have land are Voice/Burmese) (22 March 2018 - experiencing difficulties. Eleven/Burmese) (23 March 2018 - (3 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) Mizzima) (23 March 2018 - Narinjara) (24 March 2018 - Myanmar Times/Burmese)

Protesters Demand Compensation from CNPC for Land Confiscation

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KIA Arrests Tanai Township Villagers Peaceful Protest Law Amendments Throughout March Approved by Upper House On March 4, 100 Kachin Independence The Government’s Upper House has Army (KIA) soldiers arrested villagers in approved plans to amend the Peaceful Tayoin Village in Tanai Township, Kachin Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act State, including a Ten Household Head. (PAPPA). It will now be discussed in the According to a female village resident from Lower House, where 80 representatives Ward 1, the KIA said that they will recruit have registered to discuss the changes. women if there is no man in the family. The Several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) KIA News and Information Colonel, Naw are planning to contest its implementation. Bu, denied knowledge of the arrests. Protest organizers will now be obliged to inform the local authority of the estimated Throughout the month the KIA recruited costs and funding sources of villagers from Tanai Township. On March demonstrations. Further, the vagueness of 28, the KIA arrested and later released two the phrases in changes to Section 18, young Naga men from Hla Mone Village in including wording such as “intentionally or Tanai Township, Kachin State. The men knowingly”, will leave the law open to were gathering firewood at the time of interpretation by officials. The increased arrest. According to residents, this arrest penalties can also lead to a maximum of marks the third time this month that the three years’ imprisonment or fines if an KIA has recruited villagers from the individual is found guilty, in comparison to Township. the previous prison terms of three to six (5 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (6 months. March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (30 (5 March 2018 - Burmalink) (5 March 2018 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) -DVB/Burmese) (5 March 2018 - VOA/Burmese) (5 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (5 March 2018 - Cement Factory Project Protesters DVB/Burmese) (5 March 2018 - 7 Day Threatened by Military Daily/Burmese) (5 March 2018 - Myanmar According to residents, demonstrators Times) (5 March 2018 - Reuters) (5 March were threatened by the Military for 2018 - DVB) (6 March 2018 - Myanmar protesting the Square Power Group Times) (6 March 2018 - Mizzima) Company cement factory project and (7 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) (7 March 2018 limestone excavation business near Wah - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (7 March 2018 - Khu Taw Village in Demoso Township, The Voice/Burmese) (7 March 2018 - Karenni State. Protesters’ signs were also RFA/Burmese) (7 March 2018 - destroyed. Residents gathered to protest DVB/Burmese) (7 March 2018 - The because they fear the company will not be Voice/Burmese) (8 March 2018 - BNI) (5 transparent and the project will damage March 2018 - AP) (8 March 2018 - water sources and the environment. They Myanmar Times) (8 March 2018 - 7 Day plan to send a member of the Karenni Daily/Burmese) (8 March 2018 - Myanmar Farmers Union to the State Government Times/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - and Union Government. Eleven/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - DVB)

(15 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (16 Local people, as well as four Karenni State March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (16 CSOs, including the Karenni State Youth March 2018 - Mizzima) (18 March 2018 - Union and the Karenni State Farmers RFA/Burmese) (18 March 2018 - Union, protested against the project. VOA/Burmese) (18 March 2018 - (4 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Eleven/Burmese) (19 March 2018 - 7 Day

Daily/Burmese) (19 March 2018 - The

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Voice/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - In 2000, the Union of Myanmar Economic DVB/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - Holdings Ltd (UMEHL) confiscated coconut DVB/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - lands from locals on Ngwe Saung Beach. RFA/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - They did not give compensation for the Irrawaddy/Burmese) (20 March 2018 - land; only for the crops. Although the Eleven/Burmese) (21 March 2018 - Government confiscated much more, Myanmar Times/Burmese) officials have only confiscated 40 to 50 square feet of land from farmers. While the UMEHL handed the lands over to the Skirmish Between NMSP and Karen EAG Irrawaddy Division Government in 2010, over Detention of Mon Villagers the Government did not return the land to On the morning of March 4, a Karen Armed the people and instead allowed Group and the New Mon State Party businessmen to continue running the (NMSP) clashed in the the NMSP-controlled project. area around Phayar-Taung, Yebyu (6 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) Township. The skirmish was sparked by the Karen Armed Group detaining 27 Mon Locals Hold Press Conference on Land villagers the previous evening. The Confiscated for Kyaukpyher Project plantation workers were arrested while On March 8, local people held a press returning to their village, and, according to conference in Myeik Town, Tennesserim the NMSP, all 27 were released on the Division about the land confiscated for the afternoon of March 4. Kyaukpyher Project. According to Tu Tu (5 March 2018 - BNI) (5 March 2018 - Latt, a Kyaukpyher villager, 1,600 acres of

BNI/Burmese) land had been confiscated, but the project

only used 100 acres. Although local people Farmers Protest Against Land Allocation presented their case to the Committee on in Ingapu Township Confiscated Farmland and Other Lands, the On March 6, 50 farmers protested against President, and various other committees, it alluvial land allocation in Amyaine Village, has not worked. According to the Ingapu Township, Irrawaddy Division. The Tennesserim Minister of Planning and alluvial land is located in between Kyote Finance, there are no plans to return to the Kone Village and Amyaine Village in Ingapu lands. Township. Hla Mg, a protest leader, said (8 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (8 March Amyaine Village only received 16 acres of 2018 - RFA/Burmese) land and Kyote Kone village received more than 60. Rangoon Division Government Receives

(6 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) Nearly 900 Land Dispute Complaints

The Rangoon Division Government Irrawaddy Division Government To received 891 land dispute complaints. 146 Coordinate Land Compensation for complaints have been solved, while 745 Farmers remain, according to Naw Pan Thinzar On March 6, Ngwe Saung Beach Hotel Myo, Ethnic Affairs Minister. executives and the Irrawaddy Division (8 March 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (11 Government met in Pathein Township, March 2018 - BBC/Burmese) Irrawaddy Division. According to the Irrawaddy Prime Minister, Hla Moe Aung, Bodies of Missing Kachin Farmers attendees discussed land confiscation and Found, Relative Accused of Connections compensation for landowners so that they with KIA will not suffer from livelihood losses.

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On March 8, the remains of two Kachin from Talone Village, but they refused. civilians, Hpaugan Yaw and Nhkum Naw According to Talong resident Sai Htam Aik, San, who were detained by the Military last the Government has been asking them to month (see February Chronology) were move since 2014. Further, the Government found by residents in a forest in Mansi negotiated compensation, but residents do Township, Kachin State. not want to move because they have been In February, Fortify Rights said it had growing crops on the land for generations, spoken to two witnesses who saw soldiers and it is a good area for jobs. detain the two men. The witnesses said The project began in 2008, and will finish Nhkum Naw San was severely beaten, and in 2020. one saw soldiers attempt to put Kachin According to the Government Land Independence Army (KIA) uniforms on the Registration Office, there are 143 houses in men. According to fractures found on their Talone and the population is more than bodies, the two victims appeared to have 600. According to Sai Kham Aung, there are have also had their hands tied. more than 300 acres of traditional pomelo The Military has since filed a complaint and orange farms. against Kaw Awng, the daughter-in-law of (9 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) Hpaugan Yaw, under Article 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act. She is accused Civil Society Organization Releases of having connections with the KIA. Statement On Use of (9 March 2018 - DVB) (9 March 2018 - Telecommunications Law RFA/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - On March 8, Athan, a freedom of expression VOA/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - activist organization, released a statement Irrawaddy/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - analyzing the 118 cases that have been Mizzima/Burmese) (10 March 2018 - 7 Day brought under the Telecommunications Daily/Burmese) (10 March 2018 - Law since the law’s enactment. Although RFA/Burmese) (10 March 2018 - Mizzima) there were 11 cases brought during former (10 March 2018 - Reuters) (11 March 2018 President Thein Sein’s administration, the - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (13 March 2018 - majority of cases have occurred under the VOA/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - National Leave for Democracy (NLD) Mizzima/Burmese) (28 March 2018 - Government. Of the 108 cases brought DVB/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - during the NLD Government, according to Irrawaddy/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - the statement, seven cases were suits Irrawaddy) (30 March 2018 - 7 Day brought by the Army and seven were Daily/Burmese) brought by the NLD. In addition, the statement identifies 14 cases suing media Villagers Protest Hydropower in outlets and 22 suing individuals journalists. Ahtetye Ywar Village (10 March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) On March 8, in Hsipaw Township, Shan State, there was a press conference about Press Conference Held For Seven the hydroelectric power project the Children Sentenced Without Fair Trial Military Government was building on On March 11, the families of 7 children, Myintnge river. According to Sai Kham child protection staff and lawyers held a Aung, a Shan State Member of Parliament press conference because a judge from Hsipaw Township, the Government sentenced seven 14-15 year olds to four will give compensation to residents after years of jail time. They were arrested on the project is completed, but residents are July 15, 2017 for fighting one another on not satisfied with this and announced that July 11, 2017. Originally, Dagon Myothit they would protest the project. (South) Police Station filed a lawsuit Government officials asked them to move

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against them under Penal Code Sections similar instructions. The following trial 325, 294, 403 and 114. However, officers took place on March 22. changed the charges to Penal Code Sections (12 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (13 114, 294 and 394. The case had not been to March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (13 trial for 8 months. On February 5, however, March 2018 - Irrawaddy) the Judge brought the plaintiff and a few of the children to the stand. A Dagon Myothit Construction of Hatgyi Dam Displaces (South) judge sentenced them on March 5. Thousands of Karen Civilians (11 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) The construction of Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River in Hpapun district, northern Military Refuses to Return Land in Karen State, has been the cause of conflicts Kyethi Township, Shan State between the Military and the Democratic The Military told Parliament this month Karen Benevolent Army, its splinter group that it will not hand back to farmers land it the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, and confiscated in Shan State’s Kyethi the Karen National Liberation Army Township in the 1990s. The land (KNLA). The conflict erupted after the concerned involves 31 acres in the Nam Government declared its support for the Gon watershed area and 165 acres of dam in September 2016. farmers’ land confiscated by the No. 131 Continuing into March, the fighting has Light Infantry Battalion in Kyethi forced some 5,000 Karen from their Township. villages and many refugees remain in IDP The reason for the refusal was the fact that camps in Myaing Gyi Ngu. In March, the the farmers cannot show ownership Military deployed more than 600 soldiers documents, and the Home Affairs Ministry in Hpapun, forcing 1,500 people from 14 has issued land permits to the Military for villages to flee their homes. 30,000 people the areas in question. from around 50 villages in upstream Hatgyi (13 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) (13 March areas would be forced to move if the dam 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (15 March construction continues. 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (14 March 2018 - Irrawaddy) (14 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese)

Tanintharyi Journal Sued for Violating Media Ethics Confiscated Land Returned to Farmers The Tanintharyi Regional Government has in Taunggyi sued the Tanintharyi Journal, a weekly Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Chairman journal published in the region, for of the Central Committee for Scrutinizing violating media ethics under Article 25 (b) Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands, of the Media Law. The complaint was filed attended a ceremony to return confiscated in December 2018 over a satirical piece land to their owners in Taunggyi District, deemed to satirize the regional chief Shan State. minister Daw Lei Lei Maw and her family. At the ceremony, of the 1,969 acres The article, headlined “Electioneering abandoned by the Ministry of Defense in Smile,” which appeared under the the region, 622.48 acres were returned to pseudonym “Mu Say Ooh” in the journal’s 356 farmers and 1,347 acres were handed Nov. 20 issue, mocked orders made by a over to the Shan State Government. female administrator who planned to (15 March 2018 - President's Office) (15 contest the election for ward and village March 2018 - BNI/Burmese) (15 March administrators, as well as her promises and 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - efforts to get re-elected. Daw Lei Lei Maw DVB/Burmese) (16 March 2018 - 7 Day had made similar remarks and had given Daily/Burmese)

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confiscated a total of 1,081 acres. Another 696 acres of such land have also been Son From Army Family Ordered to returned to the Shan State Government. Leave Base After Joining Student Union (16 March 2018 - Mizzima) (16 March Thet Maung Maung, the son of a soldier 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) serving with Myanmar Army Infantry Battalion 256, has been banished from the base in Pakokku Township, Magway Burma Considers Law Restricting INGO Division because of his involvement in the Work All Burma Federation of Student Unions The Government is contemplating (ABFSU). legislation that would enable it to further On discovering that Thet Maung Maung oversee the work of International Non- was a secretary for ABFSU in Pakokkuat, Governmental Organisations (INGOs), battalion officers ordered him to including the UN. The Draft Law on immediately leave the base. International Non-Governmental The Pakokku University’s student union Organizations contains a vague definition held a press conference on March 15 in of the groups it would regulate, proposes Rangoon to criticise his expulsion. local monitoring of aid groups’ work, and (11 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (11 limits INGOs’ ability to prevent the March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (13 Government from suspending their work. March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (14 March This has led to concerns that it could be 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (15 March used to limit the effectiveness of INGO 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - efforts in Burma. Irrawaddy/Burmese) (15 March 2018 - (18 March 2018 - Washington Post) (19 Irrawaddy) (16 March 2018 - Myanmar March 2018 - Sydney Morning Herald) Times) (16 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) (16 March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) 2,000 Karen Civilians Flee Homes After (16 March 2018 -The Voice/Burmese) Land Confiscated 90% of Complaints Sent to Mandalay CSOs have urged the Military to withdraw Division Parliament Are About Lands troops from the Karen National Union’s According to Regional Public Affairs (KNU) Fifth Brigade area in Karen State, Committee Chairman Zaw Zaw, during the where approximately 2,000 civilians from past two years, the Mandalay Division 14 villages have fled their homes after Parliament received 1770 complains and soldiers confiscated their land for an 90% have been land complaints. infrastructure project. Government troops According to Zaw Zaw, the Public Affairs began entering the area on March 4 to Committee handed lands complaints over build a new road. to the Mandalay Division Government The Karen Peace Network issued a because the Confiscated Farmland statement urging international NGOs to Committee solves land disputes for the help internally displaced persons though Government. local CSOs instead of through the (16 March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Government. (20 March 2018 - Mizzima) (20 March Confiscated Land Returned to Farmers 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) in Tachileik The Government has returned Military Tortures Civilians in Shan State approximately 385 acres of land to 82 On March 18 there was a clash between farmers in Tachileik, eastern Shan State. between Military troops from LIB 578 and The Ministry of Defense had previously the Restoration Council of Shan State

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(RCSS/SSA) near Wang Mong village, Mong Defendant Died Due to Torture in Kung Township in southern Shan State. Taunggyi Myoma Police Station Following the fighting, Military officers tied On March 9, a defendant arrested in up and severely tortured a local farmer, Sai connection with a drug case died in his cell. Myint, accusing him of being an RCSS/SSA Htoo Aung was arrested March 7 by spy. They released him the same evening, Taunggyi Narcotics Police and was giving him 10,000 kyats (about $7.50 USD) detained in the same cell as five other to treat his wounds. detainees at Myoma Police Station, (26 March 2018 - Shan Human Rights) Southern Shan State. Myoma Police Station informed Htoo Aung’s family that he died on the way to Villagers Protest Against Business the hospital for treatment. According to Owners Who Confiscated 3,000 Acres of autopsy results, however, Htoo Aung died Land in Bago Township due to being beaten. His family claims this On March 26, in Bago Division, alleged torture was by the five detainees approximately 70 farmers protested for with whom he shared a cell. A lawsuit was the fifth time against seven businessmen filed against the police officers for who confiscated 3,000 acres of their lands carelessness, and the five detainees face and garden lands in Hlawkar Village, Bago new charges under Section 302 of the Township. The Land Records Department Penal Code. issued titles of approximately 300 acre of (27 March 2018 - BNI/Burmese)(31 March lands and garden lands to seven 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) businessmen, even though the 200 acres were already titled to local farmers in 2006. Villagers who protested face trial Policemen Arrested Over Torture of and landowners were arrested and jailed. Suspects Farmers had already protested in Bagon On March 25, four policemen were arrested and Nay Pyi Taw, but officials have not for the torture of Khing Maung Latt and Soe solved the problems. Myat Aung, two burglary suspects, in a (26 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) village in Irrawaddy Region’s Labutta Township. The chief of the Poe Laung police station and other ranks allegedly Farmers Demand Return of Land tortured two burglary suspects during In the third week of March, six farmers interrogation sessions. from Sinbo Village, Phayagyigone Village Tract, Einme Township in Irrawaddy The policemen were arrested and are Division submitted a letter to the currently being held in the Labutta police Irrawaddy Division Government asking for station after families of the two suspects to return their 30 acres of lands which filed a complaint. The chief of the were confiscated by #18 Light Infantry in Myaungmya District police force has Hinthada in Irrawaddy Division. launched an investigation into the Throughout 1997 and 1998, #18 Light allegations. Infantry confiscated 140 acres, but only returned 110 out of 140 acres of lands. Locals said the police held the two suspects Pantanaw Land Records Department for weeks without remand. During this informed these farmers on December 16, time they were subject to physical and 2017 that their 30 acres of lands would not sexual torture. One of the men claimed that be returned, so farmers submitted a letter he signed a confession due to the torture. demanding the return of their land. Khin Maung Latt and Soe Myat Aung have (26 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) been receiving medical treatment at

Labutta Hospital since March 23.

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(25 March 2018 - Eleven/Burmese) (26 plots of lands for 38 farmers. On February March 2018 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (27 2, the Sagaing Division Government gave March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (27 March land compensation to 18 farmers for the 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) (27 March first time at a fixed price of 100 million 2018 - Mizzima/Burmese) (28 March 2018 kyat ($75,000 US) per acre. In February, - Irrawaddy) (29 March 2018 - they gave 181.5 million kyat ($136,125 US) DVB/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - for 33 plot of lands and this time they gave Mizzima/Burmese) (29 March 2018 - The 225 million kyat ($168,750 US) for 41 plot Voice/Burmese) (30 March 2018 - of lands. Eleven/Burmese) (31 March 2018 - RFA/Burmese) (31 March 2018 - The compensation is due to the Mizzima/Burmese) confiscation of land 20 years ago for the Htamanthi Hydroelectric Power Project by the Electric Implement Department and Farmers Whose Land Is Included in Sub-Investigate Department.

Forest Reserve Find Difficulty Planting (28 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) 13 farmers have found it difficult to keep planting because their lands are included in the Forest Reserve Area as classified by News Media More Restricted Under NLD the Forest Department in Paintchint Government Village, Loi Lin Lay Township, Karenni On March 30, journalists and media experts State. According to affected farmers, Forest held a meeting on “Media Freedom in Department officials classified 41 acres of Conflict Areas.” Journalists said they face land in this way in order to plant trees. more restrictions in gathering news under the National League Democracy (NLD) According to Karenni State Farmers Union Government than under the former U Member Dee De Sint Mone, the Forest Thein Sein Government. Department should consult the residents (30 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) prior to reclassifying land. Farmers will soon meet with the Karenni State Prime Minister and present their difficulties. (28 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese)

Second Time Compensation Given For For Htamanthi Hydroelectric Power Project Confiscated Lands March 28 was the second time the Sagaing Division Government Group gave land compensation to farmers to implement the Htamanthi Hydroelectric Power Project. They annualized compensation for 41

MARCH 2018 15

LEGISLATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTS

New Drug Policy Aims to Eliminate Burma’s Drugs Scourge A new drug policy announced in Burma has been praised for being one of the first in Southeast Asia to tackle the issue of narcotics from an evidence-based perspective. The National Drug Control Policy marks a shift from previous punitive approaches, focusing on the needs of drug users as opposed to criminalising them. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the policy recommends responses centered around health and human rights, establishes a path for sustainable alternative development for opium farmers, and promotes international cooperation. Other notable components include investing in research and analysis to better understand the drugs issue, introducing development programs in drug-producing areas, and making mental health services available to young people. (6 March 2018 - VOA) (7 March 2018 - VOA/Burmese)

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INSTITUTIONAL REFORM

More Than 100 Prisoners Took due the the great interest, trainers Matriculation Exam accepted 25 participants. 106 prisoners took the matriculation exam (10 March 2018 - DVB/Burmese) in March. According to the Department of Myanmar Examinations, 34 prisoners in

Insein Prison, 56 prisoners in Mandalay Central Prison, 1 in ShweBo Prison, 8 prison in Hpa-An Prison, 2 prisoners in Myeik Prison, 2 prisoners in Taungoo Prison, 1 Sittwe Prison and 2 prisoners in Myaungmya Prison took the exam. According to the Correctional Department Deputy Director U Myo Oo, most of the students who took the exam are incarcerated due to drug related offenses, although some are serving time for murder or stealing charges. Seven prisoners passed the exam with distinction at Insein and Mandalay prisons in 2017 and were released under presidential amnesty. The remaining prisoners who passed the exam without distinction received deducted sentences. (7 March 2018 - The Voice/Burmese) (9 March 2018 - 7 Day Daily/Burmese)

Monywa Female Prisoners Given Basic Florist Training Monywa prisoners were given basic florist training March 5-9, at Monywa Prison, Monywa Township, Sagaing Division.

According to Monywa Prison Correctional Department Assistant Director Khin Mg Tun, current female prisoners are doing this training so they will be prepared for vocational opportunities upon release. Prisoners have previously taken part in vocational trainings such as sewing, cosmetology, training, cooking and knitting. The Monywa Prison population is currently are more than 900 and 60 are female prisoners. Although the course was originally planned for 15 female prisoners,

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REFERENCES March 1 (Peaceful Protest Law (Hearings Continue for Amendments Approved March 5 Jailed Reuters Journalists - by Upper House - DVB) (Former Political Prisoner Irrawaddy) (Peaceful Protest Law Struggles to Make Ends (Hearings Continue for Amendments Approved Meet - Coconuts) Jailed Reuters Journalists - by Upper House - AP) (KIA Arrests Tanai VOA/Burmese) (Skirmish Between NMSP Township Villagers (Hearings Continue for and Karen EAG over Throughout March - The Jailed Reuters Journalists - Detention of Mon Villagers Voice/Burmese) 7 Day Daily/Burmese) - BNI) (Peaceful Protest Law (Protesters Call for 2008 (Skirmish Between NMSP Amendments Approved Constitution Abolishment and Karen EAG over by Upper House - - Myanmar Times) Detention of Mon Villagers Burmalink) - BNI/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law March 2 Amendments Approved (Nine Suspects Arrested by Upper House - March 6 Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, DVB/Burmese) (Hearings Continue for Five then Released - (Peaceful Protest Law Jailed Reuters Journalists - Eleven/Burmese) Amendments Approved Myanmar by Upper House - Times/Burmese) VOA/Burmese) KIA Arrests Tanai March 3 (Peaceful Protest Law Township Villagers (Nine Suspects Arrested Amendments Approved Throughout March - Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, by Upper House - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Five then Released - RFA/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law Eleven) (Peaceful Protest Law Amendments Approved (Hearings Continue for Amendments Approved by Upper House - Jailed Reuters Journalists - by Upper House - Myanmar Times) VOA/Burmese) DVB/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law (Landless Farmers (Peaceful Protest Law Amendments Approved Request Permission to Amendments Approved by Upper House - Plant In Alluvial Land - by Upper House - 7 Day Mizzima) The Voice/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) (Farmers Protest Against

(Peaceful Protest Law Land Allocation in Ingapu March 4 Amendments Approved Township - (Protesters Demand by Upper House - DVB/Burmese) Compensation from CNPC Myanmar Times) (Irrawaddy Division for Land Confiscation - (Peaceful Protest Law Government To The Voice/Burmese) Amendments Approved Coordinate Land (Cement Factory Project by Upper House - Reuters) Compensation for Protesters Threatened by Farmers - Military - RFA/Burmese) Eleven/Burmese)

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(New Drug Policy Aims to by Upper House - The Complaints - Eliminate Burma’s Drugs Voice/Burmese) Mizzima/Burmese) Scourge - VOA) (New Drug Policy Aims to Eliminate Burma’s Drugs March 9 Scourge - VOA/Burmese) March 7 (Mai Myo Aung, Official- (More Than 100 Prisoners (Hearings Continue for In-Charge of Ta’ang Took Matriculation Exam - Jailed Reuters Journalists - Palaung Legal Supporting The Voice/Burmese) DVB) Group, Appears before the (Hearings Continue for Court - Jailed Reuters Journalists - March 8 Mizzima/Burmese) Reuters) (Hearings Continue for (Peaceful Protest Law (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Jailed Reuters Journalists - Amendments Approved Aung in Court for Alleged Myanmar Times) by Upper House - Inflammatory Speeches - Hearings Continue for Eleven/Burmese) Frontier) Jailed Reuters Journalists - (Peaceful Protest Law (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Economist) Amendments Approved Aung in Court for Alleged (Aye Maung and Wai Hin by Upper House - DVB) Inflammatory Speeches - Aung in Court for Alleged (Bodies of Missing Kachin RFA/Burmese) Inflammatory Speeches - 7 Farmers Found, Relative (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Day Daily/Burmese) Accused of Connections Aung in Court for Alleged (Peaceful Protest Law with KIA - DVB) Inflammatory Speeches - Amendments Approved (Bodies of Missing Kachin VOA/Burmese) by Upper House - BNI) Farmers Found, Relative (Aye Maung and Wai Hin (Peaceful Protest Law Accused of Connections Aung in Court for Alleged Amendments Approved with KIA - RFA/Burmese) Inflammatory Speeches - by Upper House - (Bodies of Missing Kachin The Voice/Burmese) Myanmar Times) Farmers Found, Relative (Peaceful Protest Law (Peaceful Protest Law Accused of Connections Amendments Approved Amendments Approved with KIA - VOA/Burmese) by Upper House - by Upper House - 7 Day (Bodies of Missing Kachin Irrawaddy) Daily/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative (Peaceful Protest Law (Peaceful Protest Law Accused of Connections Amendments Approved Amendments Approved with KIA - by Upper House - 7 Day by Upper House - Irrawaddy/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) Myanmar (Bodies of Missing Kachin (Peaceful Protest Law Times/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative Amendments Approved (Locals Hold Press Accused of Connections by Upper House - The Conference on Land with KIA - Voice/Burmese) Confiscated for Mizzima/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law Kyaukpyher Project - (Villagers Protest Amendments Approved DVB/Burmese) Hydropower in Ahtetye by Upper House - (Locals Hold Press Ywar Village - RFA/Burmese) Conference on Land RFA/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law Confiscated for (More Than 100 Prisoners Amendments Approved Kyaukpyher Project - Took Matriculation Exam - by Upper House - RFA/Burmese) 7 Day Daily/Burmese) DVB/Burmese) (Rangoon Division (Peaceful Protest Law Government Receives March 10 Amendments Approved Nearly 900 Land Dispute

MARCH 2018 19

(Bodies of Missing Kachin Union - The (Hearings Continue for Farmers Found, Relative Voice/Burmese) Jailed Reuters Journalists - Accused of Connections RFA/Burmese) with KIA - 7 Day (Hearings Continue for March 12 Daily/Burmese) Jailed Reuters Journalists - (Tanintharyi Journal Sued (Bodies of Missing Kachin Reuters) for Violating Media Ethics Farmers Found, Relative (Aye Maung and Wai Hin - The Voice/Burmese) Accused of Connections Aung in Court for Alleged with KIA - RFA/Burmese) Inflammatory Speeches - Bodies of Missing Kachin March 13 The Voice/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative (Former Child Soldier (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Accused of Connections Imprisoned for an Aung in Court for Alleged with KIA - Mizzima) Interview about his Inflammatory Speeches - (Bodies of Missing Kachin Ordeal - DVB) Eleven/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative (Former Child Soldier (Construction of Hatgyi Accused of Connections Imprisoned for an Dam Displaces Thousands with KIA - Reuters) Interview about his of Karen Civilians - (Civil Society Organization Ordeal - RFA/Burmese) Irrawaddy) Releases Statement On (Former Child Soldier (Construction of Hatgyi Use of Imprisoned for an Dam Displaces Thousands Telecommunications Law Interview about his of Karen Civilians - - 7 Day Daily/Burmese) Ordeal - DVB) RFA/Burmese) (Monywa Female (Bodies of Missing Kachin (Son From Army Family Prisoners Given Basic Farmers Found, Relative Ordered to Leave Base Florist Training - Accused of Connections After Joining Student DVB/Burmese) with KIA - VOA/Burmese) Union - 7 Day (Military Refuses to Daily/Burmese) Return Land in Kyethi March 11 Township, Shan State - (Rangoon Division March 15 Irrawaddy) Government Receives (Nine Suspects Arrested (Military Refuses to Nearly 900 Land Dispute Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Return Land in Kyethi Complaints - Five then Released - Township, Shan State - BBC/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (Bodies of Missing Kachin (Hearings Continue for (Tanintharyi Journal Sued Farmers Found, Relative Jailed Reuters Journalists - for Violating Media Ethics Accused of Connections Myanmar Times) - Irrawaddy/Burmese) with KIA - 7 Day (Hearings Continue for (Tanintharyi Journal Sued Daily/Burmese) Jailed Reuters Journalists - for Violating Media Ethics (Press Conference Held 7 Day Daily/Burmese) - Irrawaddy) For Seven Children (Hearings Continue for (Son From Army Family Sentenced Without Fair Jailed Reuters Journalists - Ordered to Leave Base Trial - The Myanmar After Joining Student Voice/Burmese) Times/Burmese) Union - DVB/Burmese) (Son From Army Family (Hearings Continue for

Ordered to Leave Base Jailed Reuters Journalists - After Joining Student March 14 The Voice/Burmese) Union - RFA/Burmese) (Hearings Continue for (Hearings Continue for (Son From Army Family Jailed Reuters Journalists - Jailed Reuters Journalists - Ordered to Leave Base DVB/Burmese) DVB) After Joining Student

MARCH 2018 20

(Aye Maung and Wai Hin (Son From Army Family (Son From Army Family Aung in Court for Alleged Ordered to Leave Base Ordered to Leave Base Inflammatory Speeches - After Joining Student After Joining Student BNI) Union - Union - 7 Day (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Irrawaddy/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) Aung in Court for Alleged (Son From Army Family (Son From Army Family Inflammatory Speeches - Ordered to Leave Base Ordered to Leave Base DVB/Burmese) After Joining Student After Joining Student (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Union - Irrawaddy) Union - The Aung in Court for Alleged Voice/Burmese) Inflammatory Speeches - (90% of Complaints Sent March 16 VOA/Burmese) to Mandalay Division (Nine Suspects Arrested (Ko Ni Murder Trial Parliament Are About Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Ongoing - DVB) Lands - 7 Day Five then Released - 7 Day (Ko Ni Murder Trial Daily/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) Ongoing - RFA/Burmese) (Confiscated Land (Hearings Continue for (Former Child Soldier Returned to Farmers in Jailed Reuters Journalists - Imprisoned for an Tachileik - Mizzima) Irrawaddy) Interview about his (Confiscated Land (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Ordeal - Myanmar Times) Returned to Farmers in Aung in Court for Alleged (Peaceful Protest Law Tachileik - Inflammatory Speeches - Amendments Approved Mizzima/Burmese) DVB) by Upper House - (Ko Ni Murder Trial RFA/Burmese) Ongoing - RFA/Burmese) March 17 (Bodies of Missing Kachin (Ko Ni Murder Trial (Ko Ni Murder Trial Farmers Found, Relative Ongoing - DVB) Ongoing - Frontier Accused of Connections (Journalist and Former Myanmar) with KIA - Political Prisoner Receives Mizzima/Burmese) EU Award for Human (Military Refuses to March 18 Rights - RFA/Burmese) Return Land in Kyethi (Nine Suspects Arrested (Peaceful Protest Law Township, Shan State - Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Amendments Approved BNI/Burmese) Five then Released - by Upper House - 7 Day (Confiscated Land DVB/Burmese) Daily/Burmese) Returned to Farmers in (Protesters Call for 2008 (Peaceful Protest Law Taunggyi - President's Constitution Abolishment Amendments Approved Office) - RFA/Burmese) by Upper House - (Confiscated Land (Peaceful Protest Law Mizzima) Returned to Farmers in Amendments Approved (Confiscated Land Taunggyi - BNI/Burmese) by Upper House - Returned to Farmers in (Confiscated Land RFA/Burmese) Taunggyi - 7 Day Returned to Farmers in (Peaceful Protest Law Daily/Burmese) Taunggyi - RFA/Burmese) Amendments Approved (Son From Army Family (Confiscated Land by Upper House - Ordered to Leave Base Returned to Farmers in VOA/Burmese) After Joining Student Taunggyi - DVB/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law Union - Myanmar Times) (Son From Army Family Amendments Approved (Son From Army Family Ordered to Leave Base by Upper House - Ordered to Leave Base After Joining Student Eleven/Burmese) After Joining Student Union - RFA/Burmese) Union - DVB/Burmese)

MARCH 2018 21

(Burma Considers Law (Lawyer and Protester Arrested - 7 Day Restricting INGO Work - Attend 55th Hearing - Daily/Burmese) Washington Post) Myanmar Times) (16 Villagers from (Former Child Soldier Theinny Township Imprisoned for an Arrested - BNI/Burmese) March 19 Interview about his (Hearings Continue for (Nine Suspects Arrested Ordeal - RFA/Burmese) Jailed Reuters Journalists - Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, (Former Child Soldier RFA/Burmese) Five then Released - 7 Day Imprisoned for an (Hearings Continue for Daily/Burmese) Interview about his Jailed Reuters Journalists - (Nine Suspects Arrested Ordeal - BBC/Burmese) Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Mizzima/Burmese) (Hearings Continue for Five then Released - DVB) (Protesters Call for 2008 Jailed Reuters Journalists - (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Constitution Abolishment Reuters) Aung in Court for Alleged - Myanmar Times) (Hearings Continue for Inflammatory Speeches - (Peaceful Protest Law Jailed Reuters Journalists - DVB/Burmese) Amendments Approved DVB) (Journalist and Former by Upper House - (Former Child Soldier Political Prisoner Receives DVB/Burmese) Imprisoned for an EU Award for Human (Peaceful Protest Law Interview about his Rights - Myanmar Times) Amendments Approved Ordeal - 7 Day (Protesters Call for 2008 by Upper House- Daily/Burmese) Constitution Abolishment DVB/Burmese) (Families Refusing to Evict - DVB/Burmese) (Peaceful Protest Law for Airport Expansion Sent (Protesters Call for 2008 Amendments Approved to Prison - BNI) Constitution Abolishment by Upper House - (Protesters Call for 2008 - The Voice/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) Constitution Abolishment (Peaceful Protest Law (Peaceful Protest Law - Myanmar Amendments Approved Amendments Approved Times/Burmese) by Upper House - 7 Day by Upper House - Peaceful Protest Law Daily/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) Amendments Approved (Peaceful Protest Law (Peaceful Protest Law by Upper House - Amendments Approved Amendments Approved Myanmar by Upper House - The by Upper House - Times/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) Eleven/Burmese) (Burma Considers Law (2,000 Karen Civilians Restricting INGO Work - March 22 Flee Homes After Land Sydney Morning Herald) (Ko Ni Murder Trial Confiscated - Mizzima) Ongoing - DVB) (2,000 Karen Civilians Former Child Soldier March 20 Flee Homes After Land Imprisoned for an (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Confiscated - Interview about his Aung in Court for Alleged Mizzima/Burmese) Ordeal - Myanmar Times) Inflammatory Speeches - (Protesters Demand The Voice/Burmese) March 21 Compensation from CNPC (Aye Maung and Wai Hin (16 Villagers from for Land Confiscation - Aung in Court for Alleged Theinny Township DVB/Burmese) Inflammatory Speeches - Arrested - VOA/Burmese) (Protesters Demand BNI/Burmese) (16 Villagers from Compensation from CNPC Theinny Township for Land Confiscation - BBC/Burmese)

MARCH 2018 22

(Protesters Demand Five then Released - (Policemen Arrested Over Compensation from CNPC BNI/Burmese) Torture of Suspects - for Land Confiscation - (Nine Suspects Arrested Mizzima/Burmese) RFA/Burmese) Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, (Protesters Demand Five then Released - 7 Day March 28 Compensation from CNPC Daily/Burmese) (Nine Suspects Arrested for Land Confiscation - (Military Tortures Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, The Voice/Burmese) Civilians in Shan State - Five then Released - The (Protesters Demand Shan Human Rights) Voice/Burmese) Compensation from CNPC (Villagers Protest Against (Nine Suspects Arrested for Land Confiscation - Business Owners Who Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Eleven/Burmese) Confiscated 3,000 Acres Five then Released - of Land in Bago Township Irrawaddy) - Eleven/Burmese) March 23 (Hearings Continue for (Farmers Demand Return (Hearings Continue for Jailed Reuters Journalists - of Land - The Jailed Reuters Journalists - Reuters) Voice/Burmese) VOA/Burmese) (Hearings Continue for (Policemen Arrested Over (Families Refusing to Evict Jailed Reuters Journalists - Torture of Suspects - for Airport Expansion Sent DVB/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) to Prison - BNI) (Hearings Continue for (Protesters Demand Jailed Reuters Journalists - Compensation from CNPC March 27 Mizzima/Burmese) for Land Confiscation - (Nine Suspects Arrested (Former Child Soldier Mizzima) Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Imprisoned for an (Protesters Demand Five then Released - Interview about his Compensation from CNPC DVB/Burmese) Ordeal - RFA) for Land Confiscation - (Nine Suspects Arrested (Former Child Soldier Narinjara) Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Imprisoned for an Five then Released - Interview about his Irrawaddy/Burmese) Ordeal - RFA/Burmese) March 24 (Nine Suspects Arrested (Former Child Soldier (Protesters Demand Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Imprisoned for an Compensation from CNPC Five then Released - Interview about his for Land Confiscation - BNI/Burmese) Ordeal - 7 Day Myanmar (Nine Suspects Arrested Daily/Burmese) Times/Burmese) Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, (Former Child Soldier

Five then Released - Imprisoned for an March 25 Eleven/Burmese) Interview about his (Policemen Arrested Over (Defendant Died Due to Ordeal - Eleven/Burmese) Torture of Suspects - Torture in Taunggyi (Former Child Soldier Eleven/Burmese) Myoma Police Station - Imprisoned for an BNI/Burmese) Interview about his (Policemen Arrested Over Ordeal - DVB/Burmese) March 26 Torture of Suspects - (Bodies of Missing Kachin (Nine Suspects Arrested RFA/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, (Policemen Arrested Over Accused of Connections Five then Released - Torture of Suspects - 7 with KIA - DVB/Burmese) DVB/Burmese) Day Daily/Burmese) (Policemen Arrested Over (Nine Suspects Arrested Torture of Suspects - Over Sittwe Bomb Blasts, Irrawaddy)

MARCH 2018 23

(Farmers Whose Land Is Ordeal - Myanmar (Bodies of Missing Kachin Included in Forest Times/Burmese) Farmers Found, Relative Reserve Find Difficulty (Former Child Soldier Accused of Connections Planting - DVB/Burmese) Imprisoned for an with KIA - 7 Day (Second Time Interview about his Daily/Burmese) Compensation Given For Ordeal - Eleven/Burmese) (Policemen Arrested Over For Htamanthi (Bodies of Missing Kachin Torture of Suspects - Hydroelectric Power Farmers Found, Relative Eleven/Burmese) Project Confiscated Lands Accused of Connections (News Media More - DVB/Burmese) with KIA - Restricted Under NLD Irrawaddy/Burmese) Government - (Bodies of Missing Kachin DVB/Burmese) March 29 Farmers Found, Relative (Two Villagers Arrested Accused of Connections for Preventing Police from March 31 with KIA - Irrawaddy) Entering Village - RFA) (Two Villagers Arrested (Policemen Arrested Over (Two Villagers Arrested for Preventing Police from Torture of Suspects - for Preventing Police from Entering Village - DVB/Burmese) Entering Village - BBC/Burmese) (Policemen Arrested Over RFA/Burmese) (Two Villagers Arrested Torture of Suspects - (Two Villagers Arrested for Preventing Police from Mizzima/Burmese) for Preventing Police from Entering Village - (Policemen Arrested Over Entering Village - BBC/Burmese) Torture of Suspects - The Mizzima/Burmese) (Two Villagers Arrested Voice/Burmese) (Two Villagers Arrested for Preventing Police from for Preventing Police from Entering Village - Entering Village - The March 30 RFA/Burmese) Voice/Burmese) (Two Villagers Arrested (Defendant Died Due to (Hearings Continue for for Preventing Police from Torture in Taunggyi Jailed Reuters Journalists - Entering Village - Myoma Police Station - DVB/Burmese) Irrawaddy) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (Hearings Continue for (Two Villagers Arrested (Policemen Arrested Over Jailed Reuters Journalists - for Preventing Police from Torture of Suspects - VOA/Burmese) Entering Village - RFA/Burmese) Aye Maung and Wai Hin Irrawaddy/Burmese) (Policemen Arrested Over Aung in Court for Alleged (Two Villagers Arrested Torture of Suspects - Inflammatory Speeches - for Preventing Police from Mizzima/Burmese) The Voice/Burmese) Entering Village - (Former Child Soldier Eleven/Burmese) Imprisoned for an (Hearings Continue for Interview about his Jailed Reuters Journalists - Ordeal - RFA/Burmese) The Guardian) For More information: (Former Child Soldier (Aye Maung and Wai Hin Assistance Association for Imprisoned for an Aung in Court for Alleged Political Prisoners Interview about his Inflammatory Speeches - Tate Naing (Secretary) Ordeal - The Irrawaddy/Burmese) +66 (0) 812 878 751 Voice/Burmese) (KIA Arrests Tanai Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary) (Former Child Soldier Township Villagers +081 962 8713 Imprisoned for an Throughout March - The Interview about his Voice/Burmese)

MARCH 2018 24