Border Guard Forces (BGF) in Karen State

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Websites/Multiple Documents

Description: Further reports on BGF activities in Karen State can be found here
Source/publisher: Online Burma/Myanmar Library
Date of entry/update: 2013-07-27
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Individual Documents

Description: ''On 28 November 2018, Saw K---, the village head of T---, was on his way back from Hkaw Taw Poo [Myaing Gyi Ngu]. He was travelling with two local teachers returning from the funeral of U Thuzana. They were travelling by boat on the Pweh Loh Kloh river between Myaing Gyi Ngu and T--- village. On that day, BGF #1014 had set up an informal checkpoint at the end of the Htee Lah Beh Hta Bridge. According to local people, it was not a regular checkpoint. This particular BGF checkpoint did not allow people to cross the river after 5 PM. On 28 November 2018, Saw K--- crossed the Pweh Loh Kloh river with a few travellers. According to local witnesses, they arrived at the check point at 5:58 PM, after which the village head got off the boat and made himself known to BGF #1014. Then, the platoon commander Hpo Dah ordered a soldier, Kyeh Nee, to beat the village head. Following that order, the soldier beat Saw K--- with a bamboo stick without any explanation. Saw K--- was the only one beaten by the soldier. The local people travelling with him saw him faint after his head was hit twice. The soldier proceeded to beat his body, which left him with very serious injuries...''
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2018-12-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 535.62 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes the shooting and subsequent death of Saw A---, a villager from B--- village, Htee Tha Daw Hta village tract, Bu Tho Township. Saw A--- was shot on March 15th 2015 between 7 and 8 pm. The perpetrator was Private Saw Kyaw Ka of Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1013 Company #3, led by Company Second-in-Command Hpah Yuh Khay. The villager was on his way to go spear fishing when he came across the BGF and was shot by accident, as it was already dark outside. When the injured villager protested the BGF shooting of villagers, he was shot twice more. The BGF left Saw A--- at the place where he was shot and he was only sent to Hpa-an Hospital when his fellow villagers came for him later that night. He was under treatment for two days before passing away in the hospital on March 17th 2015. He was buried in the graveyard of Hkaw Taw Town. As a result of Saw A---?s death, his family has been facing livelihood issues so his wife met with Battalion #1013 Commander Maung Hla Kyaing to demand that he compensate her by providing her with financial support for one month. Although the commander agreed, no compensation has been paid out yet..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-09-08
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 505.41 KB
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Description: "This Incident Report describes a violent threat made on April 25th 2015 by senior monk U Nyan Ni Ka to the siblings of Maung A---, who was killed by Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers from Battalion #1011 on April 24th 2015. Monk U Nyan Ni Ka threatened the siblings when they came to request compensation for Maung A---?s death. Monk U Nyan Ni Ka said he would cut them all with his knife. As a result of this threat, Maung A---?s siblings were frightened and had to return to their village without receiving the full amount of money that they had expected to receive. For more information on the killing of Maung A---, see: ?Hpa-an Incident Report: Violent abuse and killing committed by BGF soldiers in Myaing Gyi Ngu Town, April 2015,” KHRG, August 2015..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-28
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format :
Size: 196 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes events occurring in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District in June 2015, including explicit threats and the indiscriminate firing of small arms and mortars by Border Guard Force (BGF) soldiers. The first incident took place on June 13th 2015, when the soldiers of Htoo Lwe Baw Company from BGF Battalion #1015 shelled mortars and fired small arms into P--- place, in G--- village, injuring villagers? livestock and damaging their rubber plantations. The second incident was perpetrated by Second Lieutenant Tha Beh from BGF Battalion #1014, who on June 17th 2015 threatened to kill one or two villagers for allegedly supporting the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The villagers fear the BGF soldiers because they have previously committed numerous abuses toward the villagers in the area and continue to threaten their lives and livelihoods both physically and verbally.[1]..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-06
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 253.88 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes events in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District, including killing, violent abuse and restrictions on freedom of movement, as well as recent fighting between Border Guard Force (BGF) and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers, following increased BGF activity in the area. The first incident involved a villager who was shot and killed by a BGF private from Battalion #1013, while he was travelling at night time. The second incident involved a villager who was beaten until he was unconscious by BGF Battalion #1014 2nd Lieutenant Tha Beh. The villager was accused of contacting and being supportive of KNLA soldiers. In response to recent BGF activity, the Karen National Union (KNU) further imposed restrictions on villagers? freedom of movement with the intention of catching BGF forces in the villager restricted areas."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-07-07
Date of entry/update: 2015-07-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 180.22 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes two separate clashes which occurred in Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District in February 2015. The first incident occurred between the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) which led to the death of a KNLA soldier during the conflict. Following this incident, an investigation was commissioned by the Unity Committee for Karen Armed Groups (UCKAG), which found both sides culpable for the conflict. The second incident occurred between the BGF and the Tatmadaw versus the former Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Bo San Aung?s group which led to the death of one of Bo San Aung?s soldiers, two soldiers from the BGF and one soldier from the Tatmadaw. Villagers were caught in between the clashes and report being worried about what will happen in the future."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-05-01
Date of entry/update: 2015-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese and Karen
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 223.32 KB 374.39 KB 255.3 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes events occurring in Dwe Lo Township, Hpapun District in June 2014, particularly the repeated theft of villagers? poultry and livestock by Border Guard Force (BGF) Sergeant Saw Hpah Ghaw, from BGF Battalion #1013. Villagers have raised their concerns to KHRG as they have repeatedly witnessed Sergeant Saw Hpah Ghaw steal villagers? chickens, ducks and goats, despite receiving a salary from the Burma/Myanmar government. Animal husbandry is commonly practiced by villagers in Kayin State and is used to supplement their income. Villagers are reluctant to directly confront BGF Battalion #1013 regarding these incidents."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-01-23
Date of entry/update: 2015-03-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 159.25 KB
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Description: BGF and KNLA grenades injure villagers and their children in Papun District Download report as PDF [Adobe Acrobat PDF88 kb] This news bulletin is based on information submitted to KHRG in May 2013 by a community member describing grenade-related injuries suffered by villagers, including children, in Bu Tho Township, Papun District. In January 2013, a 23-year-old woman and her one-year-old son were injured when Tatmadaw Border Guard Force #1014 Company Sergeant Saw Day Day shot them with an inoperable grenade while intoxicated and in their home. In May 2013, grenade shrapnel injured a father and his two-month-old son when fighting broke out between Tatmadaw BGF #1014 forces and Karen National Liberation Army soldiers. All four injured villagers received treatment at Hkaw Taw Hpoh Hospital.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-07-05
Date of entry/update: 2013-08-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 87.32 KB
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Description: "This photo set includes three still photographs selected from images taken by a KHRG community member; one was taken in April 2013 and two were taken in June 2012. The photographs were taken in T?Nay Hsah Township, Hpa-an District and depict a tablet form of methamphetamine for sale, which is known locally as yaba, meaning ?crazy medicine? in Thai. The yaba pictured below was manufactured and sold by the Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1016?s commander, Mya Khaing, who is based in T?Nay Hsah Township. According to the community member who took these photos, the sale of the drug is pervasive throughout T?Nay Hsah and Ta Kreh townships and has seriously harmed many teenage villagers? lives and put some families in debt as a result.....No pdf format.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-07-04
Date of entry/update: 2013-08-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This report includes a situation update submitted to KHRG in December 2012 by a community member describing events occurring in Dooplaya District, between July and November 2012. The report describes problems relating to land confiscation and contains updated information regarding the sale of forest reserve for rubber plantations involving the BGF, with individuals who profited from the sale listed. Villagers in the area rely heavily upon the forest reserve for their livelihoods and are faced with a shortage of land for their animals to graze upon; further, villagers cows have been killed if they have continued to let them graze in the area. The community member explains that although fighting has ceased since the ceasefire agreement, otherwise the situation is the same; taxation demands and loss of livelihoods has resulted in villagers being forced to take odd jobs for daily wages, while some have left for foreign countries in search of work. Villagers have some access to healthcare and education supported by the Government, the KNU and local organizations..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-06-11
Date of entry/update: 2013-07-27
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 61.48 KB
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Description: This report is based on information submitted by a community member in June 2012 describing events occurring in April and May 2012.[1] The information described the activities of BGF Battalion #1014, which operates along the border of Thaton and Papun districts. According to the community member, the group that is based out of Hpa-an Township, in Thaton District, has committed different abuses against the villagers who are in Hpa-an Township. Between April and May 2012, the Battalion forced local villagers from Meh K?Na Hkee village tract to clear plantation land for two companies, from whom the Battalion officers received money. In Kyon Mon Thweh village tract, villagers were required to serve as soldiers in a local militia.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2013-06-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 41.09 KB
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Description: The following incident report was written by a community member who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights abuses. The community member who wrote this report described that on May 29th 2012, villagers were ordered to be recruited for a one-year service by Moe Nyo, a fomer DKBA leader now serving as a company commander in the BGF Battalion #1014, in order to form a new people?s militia group. The cost to avoid service was 50,000 kyat per month, which the villagers reported having difficulties with raising. Some villagers who refused to serve, but lacked the money to opt-out and responded to the order by fleeing their village. This report has been summarized along with three other Incident Reports received from this area in: "BGF Battalion #1014 forced labour and forced recruitment, April to May 2012," KHRG, May 2013.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-05-29
Date of entry/update: 2013-06-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 90.87 KB
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Description: The following incident report was written by a community member who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights abuses. The community member who wrote this report described an incident that occurred on May 29th 2012 in Kyoh Moh Thweh village tract, Hpa-an Township, Thaton District, where a group of BGF Battalion #1014 soldiers forcibly recruited villagers for a people?s militia. This report also includes information about the consequent problems the villagers endured related to this forced recruitment, such as having to pay money in lieu, or fleeing the area in order to avoid recruitment. In response to previous forced recruitment efforts, the community member reported that several villagers fled the area in order to avoid the forced service. This report has been summarized along with three other Incident Reports received from this area in: ?Border Guard #1014 forced labour and forced recruitment, April to May 2012,” KHRG, May 2013.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2013-06-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 118.53 KB
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Description: The following incident report was written by a community member who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights abuses, which describes an incident that occurred on April 25th 2012, when BGF soldiers forced villagers from T--- village, Meh K?Na Hkee village tract, Hpa-an Township, Thaton District, to clear plantations owned by Thein Lay Myaing and Shwe Than Lwin companies, which were located on land confiscated from the villagers. The report identifies the perpetrators as Thein Lay Myaing and Shwe Than Lwin companies, KSDDP and a company affiliated with BGF Battalion #1014, commanded by Tin Win and based out of Law Pu village in Hpa-an Township. This report has been summarized along with three other Incident Reports received from this area in: "BGF Battalion #1014 forced labour and forced recruitment, April to May 2012," KHRG, May 2013.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-05-27
Date of entry/update: 2013-06-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 125.55 KB
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Description: "This report is based on information submitted to KHRG in May 2012 by a community member[1] describing events occurring in Papun District, in May 2012, involving soldiers from Border Guard Battalion #1014, which is based out of K?Ter Tee and Hpaw Htee Hku villages. Commander Nyunt Thein and his Battalion Commander Maung Chit from the Battalion #1014 were identified, by name, as the ones who committed the abuses. Villagers were forced to build a camp for the Battalion #1014, which was also reported to have looted items from the villagers and forced them to do the camp?s work, all of which is uncompensated..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-03-25
Date of entry/update: 2013-05-01
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 253.21 KB
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Description: This report includes a situation update submitted to KHRG in December 2012 by a community member describing events occurring in Hpa-an District, between November and December 2012. The report details the concerns of villagers in T?Nay Hsah Township, who have faced significant declines in their paddy harvest due to bug infestation. The community member also raises villagers? concerns regarding the cutting down of teak-like trees by developers, for the establishment of rubber plantations. The report describes how this activity seriously threatens villagers? livelihoods, and takes place via the cooperation of companies and wealthy individuals with the Burma government. The report goes on to detail demands placed upon villagers by the Border Guard Force (BGF) to contribute money to pay soldiers? salaries. Though the community member reports that these demands are not as forcibly implemented as in the past; villagers still face threats if they do not comply. Many villagers in the area, however, have chosen not to pay the money requested of them by the BGF.
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-03-29
Date of entry/update: 2013-05-01
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 128.52 KB
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Description: "The following incident report was submitted to KHRG in May 2012 by a community member describing an incident that began on February 22nd 2012 in Dwe Lo Township, Papun District, where Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion #1014 soldiers forced between 70 or 80 villagers to construct their army camp without providing any wage, the necessary building materials for construction or medical care for villagers who became sick while labouring. According to the community member who wrote this report, forced labour demands continue, but are described by villagers as having decreased to a level with which the demands do not significantly infringe upon their normal routine and less precautions are taken..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2013-03-29
Date of entry/update: 2013-05-01
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 161.23 KB
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