KAO WAO NEWS No. 24

 

An electronic newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma

 

No. 24, August 1-12, 2002

 

READERS' FRONT

RAPE VICTIMS COMPENSATED BY ARMY

PEOPLE READY FOR CHANGE

ARMY GRABS MORE LAND

KAREN COMMEMORATE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

DIALOGUE HAS NOT YET BEGUN

FOURTEENTH YEAR AFTER NATION WIDE UPRISING

MON WOMEN SEEK POLITICAL ROLE

ARAKAN SOCIAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

MIGRANTS DETAINED AND TORTURED BY THAI

CHINESE DRUG LORD AND BURMESE ARMY

 

 

READERS' FRONT

 

Dear Kao-Wao,

You have quoted “Licence to Rape” by Shan group that Burmese Army committed rape crimes some as young as five years old.  The Army is well known for its training  School for Rape” (Earth Rights International’s report) and they must be held for abusing humanitarian and human rights law.  Is there any report in the Mon area?

 

Mehm Monsai Bangkok

 

 

Rape as weapon of war

 

RAPE VICTIMS COMPENSATED BY ARMY

(Kao-Wao, August 3, 2002)

 

The victims who were raped and killed by the Burmese Army in Mon State, Southern Burma received compensation from the Tactical Commander on the next day of incident.

 

Rape and massacred incident has taken place on July 22, 2002 while four soldiers from Infantry Battalion No. 62 shot and killed five Mon villagers in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State after raping a young girl.  Sgt. San Lwin, Thein Naing (Private ID No. 176399) and two soldiers based in Thanbyuzayat town were out on patrol when they went into "Galen-Padaw" village and spotted the 16-year-old Mi Eat-Sar, a secondary school girl while she was preparing food inside the house for donation for the monks at dawn.

 

While the soldiers were raping the girl, the grandfather woke up and tried to help her; a soldier shot him on the spot. Other family members woke up and ran around in the house in terror while the rampant shooting occurred. Mi Eat Sar, the rape victim and her family members, Nai Kun Tit (66 years, the village headman), Mi Kun Bae (60 years, wife of Nai Kun Tit), Min Chit Ko (20 years, brother of victim) and Nai Wet Tae (a) Nai Tun (42 years) were killed in the early morning.

 

New Mon State Party which also operated the area reported, the Tactical Commander from Thanbyuzayat's IB No. 62 headquarters came to the village and gave 200,000 kyats (200 US $), 2 tins of cooking oil and 20 sacks of rice to the family members of victims on the next day.  But Mon villagers were ordered to say that the family was caught in the middle of fighting between rebels and their battalions according to the local witness.

 

In the international level, Burmese military has strongly dismissed allegations by two Shan NGOs that it supported the systematic rape of hundreds of ethnic women and girls by its soldiers. The Shan Human Rights Foundation and Shan Women's Action Network recently released a report, "Licence to Rape", in which they accused Burmese Army of officially condoning rape as "a weapon of war" against civilian populations.

 

 

PEOPLE READY FOR CHANGE

(Kao-Wao, August 1, 2002)

 

Democratic and ethnic leaders urge the military junta to begin the political normalization process in Burma and initiate sustainable peace developments.

 

A statement was released after the joint Secretariat and the Presidium board of NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma) held a meeting on July 30-31, 2002 at the Thai-Burma border.  NCUG the biggest umbrella organization of democratic forces stated that it is time to end the systematic human rights abuse and military offences against the ethnic nationalities and commence a dialogue.

 

NCUB, comprised of Democratic Alliance of Burma, National Democratic Front, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) and National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, claimed cooperating with the military regime in the giving of aid will ignore the overall suffering of all people, and issued an appeal to the military regime to concentrate on the democratization process to bring about a speedy political solution. The opposition leaders believe a meaningful dialogue must commence immediately and request the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General Mr. Razali Ishmael to support a move toward initiating a tri-partite dialogue process for his forthcoming trip to Burma.

 

It called on the governments of Japan, Australia and other South East Asian nations to review their policy of co-operation with the military regime while urging the UN agencies and International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Burma to speak out on human rights violations and to closely adhere to their mandates of transparency, accountability, rights and witnessing.

 

Meanwhile, recommendations letters were sent to UN Special Envoy on August 1, 2002 from the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), and the Network for Democracy and Development.

 

They point out the lack of progress given to the release of political prisoners as being too slow while the Burmese authorities continue to put restrictions upon the activities of political organizations. Moreover, the authorities have allowed unrestrained military operations in the ethnic minority areas with troops committing arbitrary human rights violations such as rape. They call on the entire population to form a national solidarity front and to work toward national reconciliation.

 

 

Life in Mon State

 

ARMY GRABS MORE LAND

(Based on DVB and Kao-Wao, August 1, 2002)

 

The Burmese Army continues to confiscate land and commit human rights violation in Mon State ahead of the coming visit of the UN Special Envoy and foreign diplomats.

 

The Democratic Voice of Burma radio, on July 28, 2002, reported that No. 606 Heavy Artillery Headquarters under the Southeast Military Command based in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State, is planning to open a new Heavy Artillery Battalion in Thanbyuzayat Township.

 

A group comprising, Lt Col Thant Zin Maw, commander of Ye-based No. 311 Heavy Artillery Battalion, and township-level officials from Land Records Office, Forestry Department, and General Administration Department recently arrived in Karoppi Village to choose a site for the battalion by confiscating land from civilians for constructing the battalion and other livestock breeding and agriculture activities.

 

A large area of private lands were confiscated by the army: 23 acres of pasture, 26 acres of forest land, 11 acres of rubber plantation owned by Atin, 14 acres owned by U Paw Tote, 12 acres of rubber plantation owned by Daw Tin Ngwe, and 14 acres of rubber plantation owned by Nai Sa Net.

 

Forced labour and extortion continue in remote areas of southern Ye Township.  On July 30, 2002 about 150 troops from Light Infantry Battalion of No. 343 led by Lt Col. Maung Maung Oo, Maj. Naing Naing and Captain Lin Oo came to Mi HtawHla Dout village accusing villagers for supporting the breakaway group, the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party.  After continual harassment and intimidation, the military officers ordered four villagers, suspected of having contact with insurgent groups, to pay 100,000 Kyats each.

 

According to a local witness, villagers charged to pay include, Nai Nyein, village headman, Secretary Nai HaNu, Nai Shoung and Nai Kyaw.  Local villagers are frightened and suffer continuous hardship from the SPDC troops and the New Mon State Party is unable to protect them because of the cease-fire agreement with the ruling junta, said a villager from the area. HRP reported Mon villagers of Wae Kwao (Pauk PinKwin) in southern Ye are ordered to embank the railroad link to Ye and Tavoy by the military column at the same time.

 

 

KAREN COMMEMORATE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

(Kao-Wao, August 12, 2002)

 

The Karen remembered their heroes and salute with high regard that had fought for freedom.  Karen Solidarity Organization (KSO) issued a statement on the Karen Martyr’s day and expressed that all Karen people deeply mourn the loss of their heroes.  Their national leader Saw Ba Oo Gyi was killed on this day in 1950 at Kaw Kone village, Kaw Kareik Township by the Burmese army.

 

The statement issued on the 52nd anniversary of Karen Martyr’s day is an expression by the Karen people who pay tribute with high regard to all those who have fought for democracy and freedom.  The Karen peacefully requested for freedom and equality from the former parliamentary government but their request through peaceful means was denied and an unwanted civil war was born, read the statement.

 

Since 1949 the Karen have fought for an autonomous state and due to the civil war, thousand of civilians have been massacred, burned and tortured, including Christian pastors and Buddhist Monks by the army.  The movement suffered a major setback in 1994 when a group of unsatisfied Buddhist Karen left the Karen National Union, one of the strongest armed opposition groups fighting against the military regime.

 

In early 1995, the Burmese Army captured Manerplaw, the KNU's largest base, but the Karen struggle continues and remains closely allied with other ethnic and democratic forces.  The Karen Solidarity Organization urges all Karen organizations to join hands and work on a systematic plan and to define objectives for the future.

 

 

DIALOGUE HAS NOT YET BEGUN

(Based on AFP, Aug 4, 2002)

 

The National League for Democracy denied reports that political dialogue had already begun with ruling military regime in Burma.

 

Japanese Kyodo news earlier reported that Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), had signalled during talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi that de facto political dialogue had begun with the NLD. Kawaguchi has said she planned to urge both sides to move forward with the democratization process during her two-day visit to Yangon. It is the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Burma since 1983.

 

The talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta, which are aimed at facilitating democratic reform in the military-run state, began in October 2000. So far the talks have led to the release of nearly 300 political prisoners, as well as Aung San Suu Kyi herself from 19 months of house arrest. Immediately after her May 6 release, the charismatic leader said the talks had progressed past an initial confidence-building stage and would begin to tackle thorny issues. But she said no specific arrangements or timetable had been set.

 

Since then she has been given freedom to travel on political trips outside the capital, and many NLD offices have reopened. But observers say little other substantial progress towards democracy has as yet been made.

 

 

FOURTEENTH YEAR AFTER NATION WIDE UPRISING

(Kao-Wao, August 9, 2002)

 

Burma communities worldwide remembered 8-8-88 nation-wide uprising, when all people in Burma called for democracy and human rights.

 

Amid of hope for change after release of democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and international pressure, Burmese communities waged their war by demonstrations and voices to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the general uprising, which has changed all political situations in Burma and ended the one party military rule fourteenth year ago.  The military led one party BSPP (Burma Socialist Programme Party) was dissolved and General Ne Win stepped down during this historical day.  Students, monks, civil servants and all walks of peoples fought for changed but thousands of civilians are massacred when the military staged a coup in September 1988 by killing demonstrators.

 

From exile, the 8888 generation continue their fight for democracy back home and several demonstration were taken places in front of Burmese embassies, at refugee camps, churches and temples across USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Korea and England.

 

Thailand based Overseas Mon Young Monks Union (OMYMU) issued a statement on the 14th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising and called to allow freedom of the Mon National Democratic Front. It also demanded to free political prisoners including Mon MPs and Chairman Nai Tun Thein (under house-arrest) and to allow calling the parliament for convening led by NLD which won the victory in the 1990 election.

 

The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) also stated that due to a lack of democracy, Burma suffers from isolation among the rest of the world and people have been facing difficulties from the deterioration of the entire country. The DPNS will not accept the "ordered democracy," the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has been initiating to legitimize the governing of a military dictatorship.  It will cooperate with the all people in order to continue the struggle for democracy on the 14th anniversary of the 8-8-88 commemorations it said.

 

 

MON WOMEN SEEK POLITICAL ROLE

(Kao-Wao, August 6, 2002)

 

The Overseas Mon Women Organization was recently formed in Thailand to promote participation of politics among women in exile.

 

The aims of the group are to improve capacity building, to increase participation of women in the political process, to participate freely in the international activities and to contribute to and strengthen the Mon nationality movement.  According to Ms. Hong NonSai, the former Chairwoman of MWO, the new group is made up of women leaders already involved within the Mon community and are teaming up with former members of the Mon Women Organization (MWO).

 

MWO was formed under the leadership of the New Mon State Party during the 1980s and reorganized in 1994.  The new Committee members were elected last November 2001 to carry out activities along the border and inside Burma. OMWO was founded to extend activities overseas and to be active in the political arena.

 

 

ARAKAN SOCIAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION

(Kao-Wao, August 3, 2002)

 

Arakan Youth and Buddhist monks in Thailand formed the Arakan Social Welfare Association (ASWA) to assist the Arakan people living in Thailand regarding their welfare issues.

 

A total of 12 imminent persons were elected to the Presidium Board and Executive Committee and the aims of the group are to assist the social problems facing Arakan people in solidarity, to develop education and profession to the members of ASWA and to build understanding and unity among the Arakanese who live in foreign countries.

 

According to the Executive Committee member, the group has set up their future plan how to assist the Arakan people back home and overseas in the health, education and culture and to raise funding among members, donors and use the funding systematically.

 

 

Migrant Watch

 

MIGRANTS DETAINED AND TORTURED BY THAI

(Kao Wao, Bangkok 3/8/2002)

 

Sixty-five Burmese migrant workers, rounded up and sent to the IDC (Immigration Detention Center) in Bangkok, are being held for an indefinite period of time by Thai authorities.

 

Workers were arrested from their respective places by the Thai policemen and sent to the IDC's lock-up. Regularly, arrested workers are sent from the lock-ups to the IDC, held for a week and sent to the Thai-Burma border. Burma then receives and investigates the deported migrant workers transferred by the Thai authority at a labor receiving camp at Myawady. But tension between the two countries has halted this process and those arrested have not been deported to the border. Workers have been in as long as (2-3) months in IDC without knowing when they will be released, said Ko Naing Win a social worker in Bangkok.

 

Three Mon workers who came back to their work sites in Thailand on August 1, 2002, said they were arrested at Wat Tuek, Maharchai a month ago by the police.  About 20,000 Baht saved by the fishery workers, Nai Polit, Kun Blai and Soe Naing of Ye in Mon State, were taken by the police and they were sent to Mae Sod border for deportation.  Anyhow, the three workers came back by trafficking gang but their money was confiscated by the police.

 

More than half of all prisoners in Thai jails are from Burma. (3691) Burma prisoners out of (7378) foreigner prisoners in Thai jails, charged in drug related cases and breaking illegal migrant laws under the Immigration Act. Thai soldiers and policemen have been cruel and abusive, torturing workers held under detention, mentioned a new report by Amnesty International; a London based Human Rights Group.

 

 

CHINESE DRUG LORD AND BURMESE ARMY

(Based on PSLF, August 2, 2002)

 

The leader of Counter Insurgent Force from Pan Say, a Chinese village in Maing Wee, Nam Kham Township in Northern Shan State, who is known as Pan Say Kyaw Myint is enjoying his days by cooperating with Burmese military officials, wheeling and dealing in logging, drug trafficking and committing human rights violations alongside the Burmese army.

 

According to a reliable source, Kyaw Myint ordered a Lisu local leader, Ya Paung to work with his group.   Failing to force Ya Paung to work, the Maing Wee police and local authorities raided Ya Paung's house.  The children and wife of the Lisu leader were ordered to get out of the house; they searched inside and placed a package of raw opium on the premises.  The policemen took photos of the opium, shortly after family members of Ya Paung were beaten and taken to Nam Kham and charged for possession of opium.

 

25 kyat units of gold, 2 viss unit of silver, jewelry and two motorcycles and cash valuing 6 million kyat (Burmese currency) were confiscated by Battalion Commander of IB 132 based in Kut Khaing, Shan State reported a village headman from Pan Say.  Ya Paung is in hiding due to the drug charges, but his wife is being held on the drug possession charge.

 

A local villager returning from the border reported that Pan Say Kyaw Myint lives in a luxurious home back in Rangoon and comes to the Maing Wee area during the opium season for drug business.  Kyaw Win, his brother, is in charge of power and business deals while the Mafia boss is absent.

 

 

KAO WAO NEWS GROUP Email: kaowao@hotmail.com

 

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