PRESS RELEASE (16)

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National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)



Information Sheet (16)


SLORC's Human Rights Violations In the Areas of Fighting

1. SLORC troops have destroyed mosques belonging to Muslims
living in the villages of Kyaik Don, Kyauk Phya, Pha Kalawni and
Mae Kathihta. These villages from the KNU 6th Brigade of Duplaya
District fell to the SLORC during the current offensive against
the Karen.

2. On 3/3/97, SLORC troops forcibly took away corrugated iron
roofings from the mosque in Kyaik Don. Two soldiers fell off from
the roof and sustained injuries while taking them off. They had
to be transported to the base in a helicopter. At the same time,
soldiers strew religious books on the ground, ripping them to
pieces and burning them.

The SLORC is threatening Muslims who are caught in the battle
zones to convert to Buddhism. They are also forcing them to move
to Kyar Enn Seik Gyi and Than Pura towns.

3. Two women aged between 28 and 38 from Phosimu village, who do
not want to be identified, were repeatedly raped by Burmese
soldiers. According to these women, they were forced to do
various odd jobs for the soldiers in the day time and had to
sleep with at least five and sometimes as many as 15 soldiers at
night.

4. SLORC troops have been confiscating rice belonging to
villagers in Azin village area and selling it back at 1,000 Kyat
per 100lb.

5. The NCUB Information Committee will continue to look into
violations of human rights by SLORC soldiers in villages within
Duplaya District. 

Information Committee
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)