DOCSLIB.ORG

Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 22 - 28 May 2021 (Limited Distribution)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 22 - 28 May 2021 (Limited Distribution) Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 22 - 28 May 2021 (Limited Distribution) This weekly briefing note, covering humanitarian developments in Southeastern Myanmar from 22 to 28 May, is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group. Highlights • The humanitarian situation severely deteriorated throughout Kayah State, especially in Loikaw and Demoso Townships over the week and has resulted in the displacement of more than 70,000 people since 20 May 2021. • Clashes between the Karen National Union (KNU) and Myanmar Military Forces (MAF) continued in Kayin State and Eastern Bago. • Armed conflict, movement restrictions, landmine risks and displacement continue to severely impact communities, particularly in socio-economic terms. Commodity prices have increased, unemployment is high, and local populations are unable to continue their livelihoods activities. • In areas where fighting is more sporadic, Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) remain in hiding due to the unpredictability of the situation and fear of further attacks, particularly airstrikes. • Displaced populations continue to have limited access to food, shelter, hygiene and sanitation. Humanitarian Situation The security situation continues to be tense in southeastern Myanmar with indiscriminate mortar shelling, deployment of armed forces and explosions in various locations. Intensified clashes were particularly observed in Kayah State, eastern Bago Region and Kayin State during the week. In Kayin State, clashes between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) were observed in Ma Htaw and Khway Thay villages in Hpapun Township on 21 and 22 May 20211 2 3 and in Wah Lu, Mae Waing, Hpar Loh Doh and Hpar Loh Pho areas, as well as on the road between Hpapun and Ka Taing Ti in Hpapun Township on 24 and 25 May 2021.4 5 Two landmine incidents were reported from Hpapun Township, near War Tho Kho village, on the road between Kamamaung and Hpapun on 24 and 25 May 2021. Two persons were injured as a result. 6 Populations living in the villages along the Myanmar-Thailand border, near Salween River, continue to live in fear. According to some reports, some villagers from Mae Kha Hta area moved to safer places on 23 May 2021 due to fear of escalating fighting at the Myanmar-Thailand Border.7 Furthermore, due to air surveillance over the Way Bu Hta village on Salween riverbank on 26 May 2021, some villagers reportedly fled and hid in the jungle. Yet, no airstrikes were launched according to the reports.8 1 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1440455073003478 2 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1439619529753699 3 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1439216449794007 4 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1442577659457886 5 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1442284442820541 6 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/465993 7 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3776221385822167&id=422055381238801 8 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3786063894837916&id=422055381238801 1 The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) released a situation report on Kayin State on 25 May 2021. 9According to the report, the KPSN recorded a total of 27 air attacks and 575 mortar shells fired by the MAF to civilian areas in Hpapun District of Kayin State between 27 March and 7 May 2021. According to Dakkhina Insight news, a total of 35 people were killed, 620 people were arbitrarily arrested by security forces and 139 out of 620 people were released in Tanintharyi Region between 1 February and 20 May 2021.10 On 23 May 2021, military deployments by the MAF were observed in Thayetchaung Township (KNU Brigade 4 area). As a result, some villagers fled while others were arrested.11 Two explosions were reported from two schools in Dawei Township on 24 May 2021. No casualties were reported.12 Military deployment to the area suggests possible confrontations in the region in the coming days. Confrontation between the KNU and MAF continued in eastern Bago Region throughout the week. Several clashes and indiscriminate mortar shelling by the MAF were reported from Kyaukkyi Township. 13 14 The humanitarian situation in Kayah State has deteriorated since 20 May 2021 due to intensified armed conflict in Loikaw and Demoso Townships. On 24 May 2021, clashes around Loikaw continued and the Karenni People’s Defense Force (KPDF) fired at a government office. Armed clashes were also observed between the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and MAF in Lokhar Lo village in Maw Chi region. Indiscriminate mortar shelling towards a Catholic church in Loikaw was reported on 23 May 2021 which resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injury of more than eight persons. According to a statement of the Cardinal of the Catholic church, 15the church building was damaged and many civilians had to flee to the jungle. Many of them are in urgent need of food, medicine and hygiene support. In addition, attacks on police stations in Loikaw and Demoso Townships were reported on 26 and 27 May 2021. According UNHCR estimates that as of 28 May 2021, approximately 148,900 people were displaced in Southeastern Myanmar. Of these, 45,000 are displaced in Kayin State, 100,000 in Kayah, 2,900 in eastern Bago Region and 1,000 in Mon State. According to the official figures of the Royal Thai Government, over 1,000 refugees remain displaced in Thailand as of 24 May 2021. The impact of armed conflict and displacement on communities remains severe. Daily clashes between the MAF and KNU, road blockages, landmine risks, movement restrictions and increased commodity prices and unemployment pose significant socio-economic challenges to local communities in Hpapun Township of Kayin State.16 IDPs are widely dispersed across a large geographical area, living in basic conditions with limited access to food, healthcare, and shelter materials. In areas where fighting is more sporadic, the vast majority prefer to remain in hiding due to the unpredictability of the situation and fears of further attacks, particularly airstrikes. Air reconnaissance in various locations, particularly along the Thai border since March 2021 continue to cause fear among villagers and trigger the displacement of civilians who fear airstrikes. 9 https://www.facebook.com/KPSN.karen/posts/2964050920538496 10 https://www.facebook.com/dakkhinanews/posts/305176447904938 11 https://www.facebook.com/dakkhinanews/posts/306459107776672 12 https://www.facebook.com/dakkhinanews/posts/306609824428267 13 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1443233656058953 14 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1442240402824945 15 https://twitter.com/cardinal_bo/status/1397229937325662223 16 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/465981 2 Reponses As needs grow, local responders’ capacities are increasingly stretched and require additional financial support to reach the most vulnerable among displaced communities. UN agencies and NGOs are mobilizing funds and humanitarian support to address these urgent and life-saving needs. Despite challenges, efforts are underway to deliver humanitarian support to those in need. In collaboration with UNICEF, Community Partners International (CPI) will provide Hygiene kits to IDPs affected by recent conflicts in Hpapun Township. Moreover, UNICEF and CPI have been planning to provide education services for children affected by the recent conflicts in Kayin State. With the assistance from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Access to Health (ATH), medical supplies are also being supported to Ethnic Health Organization partners to be able to provide primary health care services for the population in the affected areas. Under the support of Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF), CPI and its local partner have been organizing awareness raising sessions on mine risk reduction, sexual and reproductive health, gender based violence, child protection and human trafficking in Myaing Gyi Ngu camp 2 at Hlaing Bwe township, Kayin State. During this week, Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) shelter team provided shelter and emergency kits to 85 displaced households in eastern Bago Region. It also continued to explore the option of reaching newly displaced populations in eastern Bago Region, Kayah and Kayin States. The education team continued its coaching, monitoring and follow up of vocational training graduated youth in Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region with the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey. NRC is also conducting a vocational need assessment in Tatnintharyi Region. The counselling and legal assistance team meanwhile, delivered its assessments and case follow up on civil documentation, with plans for legal identity training in Hpa-an, Kayin State this week. The livelihood and food security team continues its need assessment at Hlaing Bwe Township in Kayin State. The Business Eye Opening training was completed at Kaw Tha Say villages in Shwe Kyin Township, eastern Bago Region. Coordination Recent developments require the scaling up of the humanitarian response, along with increased coordination among local and international organizations. Two refresher trainings on contingency planning were delivered to partners in the Southeast on 26 May 2021 by SEWG. Trainings aimed to strengthen the capacity of partners in emergency response planning and will be proceeded with validation workshops, where previously agreed humanitarian scenarios will be discussed and updated. Validation workshops will be followed by sectorial planning exercise. Contingency planning will strengthen the collective efforts of partners towards meeting the evolving needs in the region. The evolving situation in Kayin State has led to new displacements in the Hpapun area and increase of IDPs in Myaing Gyi Ngu IDP camp. Access to the affected populations to conduct needs assessments and respond to immediate life-saving needs remain significantly challenging for humanitarian organizations. The Kayin Protection Network meeting took place on 28 May 2021 to define a strategy for joint advocacy to ensure access and delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to the displaced population. 3 Annex 4 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Union Report the Union Report : Census Report Volume 2 Census Report Volume 2
    THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census The Union Report The Union Report : Census Report Volume 2 Volume Report : Census The Union Report Census Report Volume 2 Department of Population Ministry of Immigration and Population May 2015 The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census The Union Report Census Report Volume 2 For more information contact: Department of Population Ministry of Immigration and Population Office No. 48 Nay Pyi Taw Tel: +95 67 431 062 www.dop.gov.mm May, 2015 Figure 1: Map of Myanmar by State, Region and District Census Report Volume 2 (Union) i Foreword The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census (2014 MPHC) was conducted from 29th March to 10th April 2014 on a de facto basis. The successful planning and implementation of the census activities, followed by the timely release of the provisional results in August 2014 and now the main results in May 2015, is a clear testimony of the Government’s resolve to publish all information collected from respondents in accordance with the Population and Housing Census Law No. 19 of 2013. It is my hope that the main census results will be interpreted correctly and will effectively inform the planning and decision-making processes in our quest for national development. The census structures put in place, including the Central Census Commission, Census Committees and Offices at all administrative levels and the International Technical Advisory Board (ITAB), a group of 15 experts from different countries and institutions involved in censuses and statistics internationally, provided the requisite administrative and technical inputs for the implementation of the census.
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Relocation and Destruction of Villagers’ Shelters by Burma/Myanmar Government Officials and Police in Hpa-An Township, Thaton District, June 2015
    News Bulletin August 26, 2015 / KHRG #15-14-NB1 Forced relocation and destruction of villagers’ shelters by Burma/Myanmar government officials and police in Hpa-an Township, Thaton District, June 2015 This News Bulletin describes an incident in which the Burma/Myanmar government police force and Burma/Myanmar Department of Forest Management destroyed and burnt down 97 villager houses, displacing approximately 500 villagers in B--- village, Hpa-an Township, Thaton District in June 2015. Despite holding Karen National Union (KNU) issued land grants, villagers were ordered by the Burma/Myanmar government to move out of their village since the government demarcated the area as a forest reserve. However, villagers reported that this land was the location of their old village, which they had to leave behind in 1983 during altercations between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The villagers also noted that even though the government demarcated the land as a forest reserve, there are no big teak or ironwood trees there. In addition, businessmen from Hpa-an Town came and planted rubber trees and the Tatmadaw sometimes use the area for target practice. The Chief Minister of Kayin State, U Zaw Min, threatened villagers into signing a document stating they agree to dismantle their houses and would not live on that land anymore. In attempting to prevent the destruction of their village, villagers sought help from Saw P---, who attempted to advocate on their behalf, to no avail. When the villagers refused to dismantle their village, the Burma/Myanmar government police arrested 25 villagers, one monk and one KNU/KNLA- Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) member and continued to raid the village, burning and looting villagers’ houses, and planting teak trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Migration and Land Rights in Burma
    -R&YVQE,SYWMRK0ERHERH4VSTIVX] ,04 VMKLXWEVIMRI\XVMGEFP]PMROIHXSXLIGSYRXV]«W SRKSMRKWXVYKKPIJSVNYWXMGIERHHIQSGVEG]ERHWYWXEMREFPIPMZIPMLSSHW7MRGI[LIRXLI QMPMXEV]VIKMQIXSSOTS[IVSZIVSRIQMPPMSRTISTPILEZIFIIRHMWTPEGIHEWYFWXERXMZIRYQFIV EVIJVSQIXLRMGREXMSREPMX]GSQQYRMXMIWHIRMIHXLIVMKLXXSVIWMHIMRXLIMVLSQIPERHW0ERH GSR´WGEXMSRF]+SZIVRQIRXJSVGIWMWVIWTSRWMFPIJSVQER]WYGL,04ZMSPEXMSRWMR&YVQE -R'3,6)GSQQMWWMSRIH%WLPI]7SYXLSRISJXLI[SVPH«WPIEHMRK&YVQEVIWIEVGLIVWXS GEVV]SYXSRWMXIVIWIEVGLSR,04VMKLXW8LIIRWYMRKVITSVX(MWTPEGIQIRXERH(MWTSWWIWWMSR *SVGIH1MKVEXMSRERH0ERH6MKLXWMR&YVQEJSVQWEGSQTVILIRWMZIPSSOEXXLIOI],04 MWWYIWEJJIGXMRK&YVQEXSHE]ERHLS[XLIWIQMKLXFIWXFIEHHVIWWIHMRXLIJYXYVI Displacement and Dispossession: 8LMWVITSVX´RHWXLEXWYGLTVSFPIQWGERSRP]FIVIWSPZIHXLVSYKLWYFWXERXMEPERHWYWXEMRIH GLERKIMR&YVQEETSPMXMGEPXVERWMXMSRXLEXWLSYPHMRGPYHIMQTVSZIHEGGIWWXSEVERKISJ Forced Migration and Land Rights JYRHEQIRXEPVMKLXWEWIRWLVMRIHMRMRXIVREXMSREPPE[ERHGSRZIRXMSRWMRGPYHMRKVIWTIGXJSV ,04VMKLXW4VSXIGXMSRJVSQ ERHHYVMRK JSVGIHQMKVEXMSRERHWSPYXMSRWXSXLI[MHIWTVIEH ,04GVMWIWMR&YVQEHITIRHYPXMQEXIP]SRWIXXPIQIRXWXSXLIGSRµMGXW[LMGLLEZI[VEGOIHXLI GSYRXV]JSVQSVIXLERLEPJEGIRXYV] BURMA )JJSVXWEXGSRµMGXVIWSPYXMSRLEZIXLYWJEVQIX[MXLSRP]ZIV]PMQMXIHWYGGIWW2IZIVXLIPIWW XLMWVITSVXHIWGVMFIWWSQIMRXIVIWXMRKERHYWIJYPTVSNIGXWXLERLEZIFIIRMQTPIQIRXIHF]GMZMP WSGMIX]KVSYTWMR&YVQE8LIWII\EQTPIWWLS[XLEXRSX[MXLWXERHMRKXLIRIIHJSVJYRHEQIRXEP TSPMXMGEPGLERKIMR&YVQEWXITWGERERHWLSYPHFIXEOIRRS[XSEHHVIWW,04MWWYIW-RTEVXMGYPEV STTSVXYRMXMIWI\MWXXSEWWMWXXLIVILEFMPMXEXMSRSJHMWTPEGIHTISTPIMR[E]W[LMGLPMROTSPMXMGEP
    [Show full text]
  • English 2014
    The Border Consortium November 2014 PROTECTION AND SECURITY CONCERNS IN SOUTH EAST BURMA / MYANMAR With Field Assessments by: Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) Karen Environment and Social Action Network (KESAN) Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) Karen Offi ce of Relief and Development (KORD) Karen Women Organisation (KWO) Karenni Evergreen (KEG) Karenni Social Welfare and Development Centre (KSWDC) Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO) Mon Relief and Development Committee (MRDC) Shan State Development Foundation (SSDF) The Border Consortium (TBC) 12/5 Convent Road, Bangrak, Suite 307, 99-B Myay Nu Street, Sanchaung, Bangkok, Thailand. Yangon, Myanmar. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.theborderconsortium.org Front cover photos: Farmers charged with tresspassing on their own lands at court, Hpruso, September 2014, KSWDC Training to survey customary lands, Dawei, July 2013, KESAN Tatmadaw soldier and bulldozer for road construction, Dawei, October 2013, CIDKP Printed by Wanida Press CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Context .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Kayin State Economy Overview Kayin State Profile: Location: Southern Myanmar Shared Borders: Mandalay Division and Shan State To
    Kayin State Economy Overview Kayin State Profile: Location: Southern Myanmar Shared borders: Mandalay Division and Shan State to the north Kayah State and Thailand to the east Bago Division and Mon State to the west Area: 30,383 sq. km Ethnicity: the area was previously known as Karen State, and is mainly inhabited by Karen ethnicities, which are also known as Sagaw Karen, Pwo Karen, Bwe Karen, Paku Karen, and other ethnicities, such as Mon, Shan, Burmese, and Pa-O. Population: 1,504,079 (Myanmar National Population and Housing Census 2014) Population density: 51. 8 persons per square kilometer, which ranks 10th in state population density in Myanmar. For the population in urban and rural areas, the census results showed that for every 100 persons, 78 persons lived in rural areas while 22 persons live in urban areas. The Population Pyramid of Kayin State, 2014 Source: 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Geography Kayin state is formed of 4 districts, 7 townships and 458 villages with 30,383 sq. km area of land. The lowland areas, especially in the west, practice rice farming. In the east, many areas are hilly and covered with forests, with people practicing upland farming. The rocky Dawna Mountain range runs along the length of Kayin state in the east, and the southern and western parts of Kayin state, particularly around Hpa-An area. Air and Rail Transport Kayin State lacks railway infrastructure. The main rail line is only linked to the closest town in Mon State. The airport in Hpa-An and Pha-pun are rarely used for domestic and international flights.
    [Show full text]
  • The Situation in Karen State After the Elections PAPER No
    EBO ANALYSIS The Situation in Karen State after the Elections PAPER No. 1 2011 THE SITUATION IN KAREN STATE AFTER THE ELECTIONS EBO Analysis Paper No. 1/2011 For over sixty years the Karens have been fighting the longest civil war in recent history. The struggle, which has seen demands for an autonomous state changed to equal recognition within a federal union, has been bloody and characterized by a number of splits within the movement. While all splinter groups ostensibly split to further ethnic Karen aspirations; recent decisions by some to join the Burmese government’s Border Guard Force (BGF) is seen as an end to such aspirations. Although a number of Karen political parties were formed to contest the November elections, the likelihood of such parties seriously securing appropriate ethnic representation without regime capitulation is doubtful. While some have argued, perhaps correctly, that the only legitimate option was to contest the elections, the closeness of some Karen representatives to the current regime can only prolong the status quo. This papers examines the problems currently affecting Karen State after the 7 November elections. THE BORDER GUARD FORCE Despite original promises of being allowed to recruit a total of 9,000 troops, the actual number of the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) or Karen Border Guard Force has been reduced considerably. In fact, a number of the original offers made to the DKBA have been revoked. At a 7 May 2010 meeting held at Myaing Gyi Ngu, DKBA Chairman U Tha Htoo Kyaw stated that ‘According to the SE Commander, the BGF will retain the DKBA badge.’ In fact the DKBA were given uniforms with SPDC military patches and all Karen flags in DKBA areas were removed and replaced by the national flag.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparatory Survey for the Project for Strengthening Connectivity of International Highway in Mekong Region Final Report Phase-I
    MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR PREPARATORY SURVEY FOR THE PROJECT FOR STRENGTHENING CONNECTIVITY OF INTERNATIONAL HIGHWAY IN MEKONG REGION FINAL REPORT PHASE-I SURVEY REPORT (FEASIBILITY STUDY) DECEMBER 2016 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS GLOBAL CO., LTD. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF JAPAN CTI ENGINEERING CO., LTD. 1R NIPPON KOEI CO., LTD. CR(4) 16-077 MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR PREPARATORY SURVEY FOR THE PROJECT FOR STRENGTHENING CONNECTIVITY OF INTERNATIONAL HIGHWAY IN MEKONG REGION FINAL REPORT PHASE-I SURVEY REPORT (FEASIBILITY STUDY) DECEMBER 2016 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS GLOBAL CO., LTD. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF JAPAN CTI ENGINEERING CO., LTD. NIPPON KOEI CO., LTD. Currency Equivalents USD 1.00 = MMK 1030.9 = JPY 120.4 (May 2015) *MMK: Myanmar Kyat Republic of the Union of Myanmar Location map of the survey area India China Bangladesh Laos Myanmar Legend Thailand Target Route GMS East-West Economic Corridor GMS Southern Economic Corridor Asian Highway Route Major city Basic data of Myanmar Source: MOFA ■Area Approximately 680,000km2 ■Total trade ■Population Approximately 51.41 million (Central Statistical Organization (FY2013/14)) (Sep, 2014 (Provisional statistics by （1）Export：Approximately 11.2 billion USD Ministry of Immigration and Population, （2）Import：Approximately 13.7 billion USD Myanmar)) ■Major trading items ■Capital Nay Pyi Taw （1）Export：Natural gas, beans, clothing, teak, etc. （2）Import：Machinery, essential oil, manufactured ） ■Ethnicity Burmese (Approximately 70% and goods, etc. Many other ethnic minorities ■Currency Kyat 1USD= 1,285Kyat (Rate of central ■Language Burmese bank of Myanmar: Feb 2016) ■Religion Buddhism (Approximately 90%), ■Japanese ODA Christian, Muslim etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Read the WASH Assessment
    WASH ASSESSMENT Kayin, Myanmar From august 19th to 31th 2019 / Report date: September 6th 2019 Authors: Timothée LE GUELLEC (PUI), Thomas Monnet, Loïc Bruckert (Aquassistance) SOMMAIRE Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………................................. 1 Context……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………... 1 General context………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 1 Mission scope …………………………………………………………………………………….…………................ 2 Main findings……………………………………………….…………………………………………………….……... 3 Access to water, sanitation and hygiene…………..……………………………………………………….……… 3 Governance……………………………………….………….…………………………………………………… 3 Water availability…………………………………………….………………………………………………….… 4 Water quality…………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 5 Sanitation and hygiene…………………………………………………………………………………………… 7 WaSH in Schools………………………………………………..…………………………………….……….… 8 WaSH in health care facilities…………………………………………………………………….……………… 9 WaSH in camps……………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Logistics and market……………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 11 Equipment and material………………………………………………………………………………..………… 11 Services providers…………………………………………………………………………………………………11 Roads conditions and transportation…………………………………………………………….………………11 Constraints and opportunities……………………………………………………………………...…………………11 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Long term WaSH strategy…………………………………………………………………………………...…………12 Foster coordination between state and non-state actors………………………………………………………12 Improve and monitor water quality…………………………………………………………………………….…12
    [Show full text]
  • Toungoo Field Report: Fighting Grounds: Land Disputes, Militarisation and Development Challenges in a Time Of
    Toungoo Field Report: Fighting grounds: land disputes, militarisation and development challenges in a time of ‘peace’, December 2015 to December 2016 April 3, 2018 Field Report April 3, 2018 / KHRG #17-4-F1 Toungoo Field Report: Fighting grounds: land disputes, militarisation and development challenges in a time of ‘peace’, December 2015 to December 2016 This field report includes information submitted by KHRG researchers describing events occurring in Toungoo District between December 2015 and December 2016. It describes different human rights violations and other issues important to the local community including, militarisation, land confiscation, displacement, development projects, discrimination, drugs, taxation, health and education. Across all areas of Toungoo District in 2016, ongoing military activities which strengthened army camps and violated the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) Code of Conduct – especially military trainings and troop and ammunition reinforcements by the Tatmadaw – threatened the stability of the current peace process and caused significant safety and livelihood worries for many villagers. In 2016, land confiscation remained one of the most important issues causing disputes between villagers and the main perpetrators of land confiscation in Toungoo District: the Tatmadaw, private companies, and the Burma/Myanmar government. Due to concerns about the negative impact of land confiscation on livelihoods, victims of land confiscation in Toungoo District attempted to reclaim their confiscated land by holding protests and using many other different strategies. In Toungoo District in 2016, the main cause of forced displacement was the implementation of development projects by powerful economic actors such as Kaung Myanmar Aung Company (KMAC). Although these projects damaged villagers‟ land, prior consent was not given and consultation was not provided by companies before their projects were implemented.
    [Show full text]
  • Civil Law Inside
    (1) . Civil Law Book\ English\ Civilaw Inside Eng (1) (2) . Civil Law Book\ English\ Civilaw Inside Eng (2) (3) THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR THE UNION CIVIL SERVICE BOARD CIVIL SERVICE PERSONNEL RULES 26 March, 2014 Civil Law Book\ English\ Civilaw Inside Eng (3) (4) . Civil Law Book\ English\ Civilaw Inside Eng (4) A (5) Civil Service Personnel Rules CONTENTS Sr. No Particulars Page 1. Chapter I Title and Definition 1-4 2. Chapter II Specifications for the Appointment of Service 4-6 Personnel 3. Chapter III Appointment of Service Personnel and 7-13 Transfer to Another Department - Appointment of Gazetted Officer 7-8 - Selection and Appointment of General 8 Service Staff and Clerical Staff - Selection and Appointment of Technical Staff 9-11 - Selection and Appointment of Professional Staff 11 - Selection and Appointment of Management 11 Staff (Economic) and Management Staff (Administration, Social) - Transfer to Another Department 12-13 4. Chapter IV Promotion 13-25 - Formation of Qualification Inspection Board 13-14 - Assessment of Qualification 14-15 - Specifications for Promotion 16 - Assessment of Qualifications of the Service 16-19 Personnel of Time Scale Pay (140‚000Kyats- 2000kyats-150‚000kyats) and Below - Relaxation of the Term of Post and the Term 20-21 of Service for Promotion of Service Personnel Civil Law Book\ English\ Civilaw Inside Eng (5) B Sr. No Particulars Page - Conducting Personal Interview 21 - Making a Waiting List 21-22 - Conditions in Which Promotion is not Entitled 22-23 - Promotion from the Rank of Time Scale Pay 23-25 (160,000kyats-2000kyats-170,000kyats) to (180,000kyats-2000kyats-190,000kyats) and then to (200,000kyats-2000kyats-210,000kyats) - Promotion as a Special Case 25 - Appointment to the Immediate Lower Post 25 Against a Vacant Post 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Land Confiscation and Local Response in Southeast Myanmar
    ‘With only our voices, what can we do?’: Land con ‘With ‘With only our voices, what can we do?’: Land confi scation and local response in southeast Myanmar fi scation and local response in southeast Myanmar Villagers in Karen areas of southeast Myanmar continue to face wide spread land confi scation at the hands of a multiplicity of actors. Much of this can be attributed to the rapid expansion of domestic and international commercial interest and investment in southeast Myanmar since the January 2012 preliminary ceasefi re between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Myanmar government. KHRG fi rst documented this in a 2013 report entitled ‘Losing Ground’, which documented cases of land confi scation between January 2011 and November 2012. This report, ‘With only our voices, what can we do?’, is a follow up to that analysis and highlights continued issue areas while identifying newly documented trends. The present analysis assesses land confi scation according to a number of different factors, including: land use type; geographic distribution across KHRG’s seven research areas; perpetrators involved; whether or not compensation and/or consultation occurred; and the effects that confi scation had on local villagers. This report also seeks to highlight local responses to land confi scation, emphasising the agency that individuals and communities in southeast Myanmar already possess and the obstacles that they face when attempting to protect their own human rights. By focusing on local perspectives and giving priority to villagers’ voices, this report aims to provide local, national, and international actors with a resource that will allow them to base policy and programmatic decisions that will impact communities in southeast Myanmar more closely on the experiences and concerns of the people living there.
    [Show full text]
  • In Pursuit of Morality
    In Pursuit of Morality Moral Agency and Everyday Ethics of Plong Karen Buddhists in Southeastern Myanmar Justine Alexandra Chambers A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Australian National University October 2018 © Copyright by Justine Alexandra Chambers 2018. All Rights Reserved i STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY Except where otherwise indicated, this thesis is my own original work. Justine Chambers 5 October 2018 Department of Anthropology College of Asia and the Pacific The Australian National University ii ABSTRACT This thesis explores how Buddhist Plong Karen people in Hpa-an, the capital of Karen State, Myanmar pursue morality in what is a time of momentous social, political and cultural change. As one of the rare ethnographic studies to be conducted among Plong Karen people in Myanmar in recent decades, my research problematises existing literature and assumptions about ‘the Karen’. Informed by eighteen months of participant observation in Hpa-an, I examine the multiple ways that Plong Karen Buddhists broker, cultivate, enact, traverse and bound morality. Through an analysis of local social relations and the merit-power nexus, I show that brokering morality is enmeshed in both the complexities of the Buddhist “moral universe” (Walton 2016) and other Karen ethical frameworks that define and make personhood. I examine the Buddhist concept of thila (P. sīla), moral discipline, and how the everyday cultivation of moral “technologies of the self” (Foucault 1997), engenders a form of moral agency and power for elderly Plong Karen men and women of the Hpu Takit sect. Taking the formation of gendered subjectivities during the transitional youth period as a process of “moral becoming” (Mattingly 2014), I demonstrate the ways young women employ moral agency as they test and experiment with multiple modes of everyday ethics and selfhood.
    [Show full text]