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Title: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Health - BPHWT 10-year report - A decade of providing primary health care in Burma?s displaced and vulnerable communities
Description/subject: Preface: "Ten years ago, health workers from the Mon, Karen, and Karenni States in Burma came together as the Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT) in partnership with the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand. The need for mobile healthcare services grew out of increasing military attacks against civilians in eastern Burma in the late 1990s, coupled with a lack of local, official healthcare. These circumstances prevented a large proportion of the population from receiving basic primary and preventative healthcare services. Since 1998, BPHWT has stayed true to its founding mission: to equip internally displaced persons with enough knowledge and skills that they are able to address the health problems of their own communities and work towards the development of a sustainable health infrastructure. The Back Pack Health Worker Team established key principles that have guided our work since the inception of the organization: to provide healthcare services to all, regardless of ethnic group, age, gender, religion, or political affiliation; to focus on communities where access to primary and preventive healthcare services is severely limited; to collaborate with local organizations and communities; to improve health through a multi-sectorial development and integration approach; and, to foster inter-ethnic unity and trust, thereby promoting democracy in Burma. Over the past ten years, BPHWT has expanded from 32 teams serving 64,000 people in the eastern border region of Burma to 80 teams serving over 187,000 people in eastern and western Burma. Over time, the scope of BPHWT?s services and programs has expanded as well. BPHWT has trained more than 1,300 multi-ethnic health workers who are currently living and working in their communities in Burma, providing primary and preventive healthcare services and enabling communities to address and prevent health problems. As BPHWT has grown, so has our reputation, and we have gained support and assistance from an expanding base of local and international health and education professionals and donors. As BPHWT looks towards the next ten years, we will continue to focus on strengthening and expanding our community-based primary healthcare system in Burma. Whether the future brings continued conflict or peace and democracy. BPHWT remains committed to our community-based approach, aimed at empowering local populations and bringing ethnic groups together in the name of improving health for all."
Source/publisher: Back Pack Health Worker Team
Date of publication: 2010-12-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-09-05
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 2.8 MB
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Title: Provision of Primary Health Care among Internally Displaced Persons and Vulnerable Populations of Burma - BPHWT 2010 Annual Report:
Description/subject: 1) Executive Summary Over sixty years of civil war in Burma have resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. These people have fled their homes, been obliged to go into hiding for their own safety and have faced forced relocation. Compounding the loss of homes and security is a lack of basic human rights, including the right to health. People living along the country?s borders as well as inside ethnic nationalities? areas have been severely affected. The Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT) has been providing primary health care for over ten years in the conflict and rural areas of Burma, where access to healthcare is otherwise unavailable. The BPHWT provides a range of medical care, community health education and prevention, and maternal and child healthcare services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable community members in Burma. Doctors and health workers from Karen, Karenni, and Mon States established the BPHWT in 1998. The organization initially included 32 teams, comprising 120 health workers. Over the years and in response to increasing demand, the number of teams has gradually increased. In 2010, the BPHWT included 81 teams, with each team being comprised of 3 to 5 health workers. BPHWT teams now target displaced and vulnerable communities with no other access to healthcare in Karen, Karenni, Mon, Arakan, Kachin, and Shan States, and the Tenasserim Division. The teams deliver a range of health care programs to a target population of 180,000 IDPs and other vulnerable people. The BPHWT aims to equip people with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and address their own health problems, while working towards long-term sustainable development with respect to community healthcare. In 2010, the BPHWT continued to work with communities in its target areas to implement its three health programs, namely Medical Care Program, Mother and Child Healthcare Program and Community Health Education and Prevention Program. Three new Back Pack teams were created in Kachin, Shan-Kayah and Palaung areas to serve communities with no other access to healthcare. BPHWT also worked in collaboration with Burma Medical Association, National Health and Education Committee and ethnic health organizations serving the Karen, Karenni, Mon, Shan and Palaung communities to plan, design and implement a health and human rights survey in eastern Burma; the results of this survey were published in October 2010 in the report entitled Diagnosis: Critical - Health and Human Rights in Eastern Burma. Displaced Mother with a Child 2010 4 The BPHWT?s Ten Years Report 1998-2009, detailing the BPHWT?s programs and organizational development from 1998 through 2009, was also published in 2010. The BPHWT continued to conduct its regular monitoring and evaluation activities throughout 2010. In addition, BPHWT workers were given technical support by the Global Health Access Program (GHAP) to implement an Impact Assessment Survey so as to evaluate the outcomes of the BPHWT?s three health programs in target communities. The results of this survey will be published in 2011. At the March 2010 Donors? Meeting, it was decided that an external evaluation would be conducted, in order to assess the BPHWT?s programs and management structure. A consultant was recruited and is currently conducting consultations with target communities, partner organizations and BPHWT medics, staff and Leading Group. The results of this evaluation will be published in 2011. After the November 2010 elections in Burma, increased armed conflict and conflictrelated abuses in areas of Karen State opposite Thailand?s Kanchanaburi, Tak and Mae Hong Song Provinces drove large displacement of populations, both inside Karen State and into Thailand. On the Thai side of the border, the pattern of civilian influxes evolved. The first large battles in November led to larger influxes of Burmese civilians openly fleeing into Thailand, where they were provided with temporary shelter in sites recognised by Thai authorities. But by the end of December, Thai authorities had shut down the last of the temporary shelter sites and the community network, under the overall coordination of the Mae Tao Clinic, was supporting a total of 9852 newly-displaced people - comprised of 2039 households with 7867 men and 3779 women. Out of these 9852 displaced people, there were 5212 children under five years of age among the newly-displaced people in hiding sites along the Thai-Burma border areas. Since the escalations in armed conflict and displacement in the aftermath of Burma?s elections, the Back Pack Health Worker Team has worked with the network of community organizations providing assistance to civilians displaced by ongoing conflict and human rights abuses along the Thai-Burma border. Inside Karen State, eight teams of Back Pack Health Workers were deployed to provide health services to civilians affected by the increases in conflict and conflict-related abuses. The BPHWT also set up a number of borderline mobile Out- Patient Department (OPD) clinics, to provide health care and assistance to displaced civilians hiding along the Thai-Burma border. Each borderline mobile OPD clinic was staffed by three to five experienced BPHWT medics and supplied with the medicines and equipment needed for the Displaced Mother and Children 5 provision of healthcare to the displaced civilians. On the Thai side of the border, BPHWT has worked as part of the community based Emergency Relief Team (ERT) providing assistance to thousands of newly displaced civilians in unofficial or hiding sites. BPHWT health workers worked with the Mae Tao Clinic and Burma Medical Association as part of the health team, providing medical assistance to civilians in hiding along the Thai-Burma border, particularly to those more vulnerable such as pregnant women, children and the elderly
Source/publisher: Back Pack Health Worker Team ( BPHWT)
Date of publication: 2011-06-10
Date of entry/update: 2011-09-05
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1.8 MB
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Title: The Burma Boy (video)
Description/subject: Barnaby Phillips follows the life of one of the forgotten heroes of World War II..."In December 1941, the Japanese invasion of Burma (now Myanmar) opened what would be the longest land campaign fought by the British in the Second World War. It began with defeat and retreat for Britain, as Rangoon fell to the Japanese in March 1942. But the fighting went on, over a varied terrain of jungles, mountains, plains and wide rivers, until the Japanese forces surrendered in August 1945. Some 100,000 African soldiers were taken from British colonies to fight in the jungles of Burma against the Japanese. They performed heroically in one of the most brutal theatres of war, yet their contribution has been largely ignored, both in Britain and their now independent home countries. In the villages of Nigeria and Ghana, these veterans are known as ?the Burma Boys?. They brought back terrifying tales from faraway lands. Few survived, even fewer are alive today. Al Jazeera?s Barnaby Phillips travels to Nigeria, Burma and Japan to find a Nigerian veteran of the war and to talk to those who fought alongside him as well as against him. He even finds the family that saved the life of the wounded veteran in the jungles of Myanmar..."
Barnaby Phillips
Source/publisher: Al Jazeera
Date of publication: 2011-08-29
Date of entry/update: 2011-09-03
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar
Description/subject: By Tomas Ojea Quintana, 25 August 2011, Yangon International Airport, Myanmar..... "I have just concluded my five-day mission to Myanmar - my fourth visit to the country since I was appointed in March 2008 and my first since February 2010. I would like to thank the Government of Myanmar for its invitation and hospitality, and for the cooperation and flexibility shown during my visit. During the mission, I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Chief of Police, the Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, who also holds the position of the Minister of Labour, the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Union Election Commission and with some of the Presidential Advisors. I also met with the Speakers and members of the Pyi Thu and Amyotha Hluttaws, including representatives of ethnic political parties, and had the privilege to observe the second regular session of the Pyi Thu Hluttaw..."
Tomás Ojea Quintana
Source/publisher: United Nations
Date of publication: 2011-08-25
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-25
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 73.54 KB
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Title: Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam
Description/subject: "The Irrawaddy River flows from north to south through the center of Burma. Since 2005, Burma?s military junta in partnership with the China Power Investment Corporation have been preparing plans to build a 3,600 - 6,000 megawatt Irrawaddy Myitsone dam on the river. China Gezhouba is the main dam builder. Located a mile below the confluence of the Mali and N?Mai Rivers in Kachin State, the source of the Irrawaddy River, the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam is the largest of seven dams now proposed for these three rivers. If built, the Irrawaddy Myitsone dam would create a reservoir the size of New York City and displace 10,000 people, mostly from the Kachin ethnic group. The dam will also submerge historical churches, temples, and cultural heritage sites that are central to Kachin identity and history. The dam site is located within the Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin rainforest region, which is recognized as one of the world?s top biodiversity hotspots and a global conservation priority. If built, the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam would inundate approximately 766 square kilometers of this pristine rainforest and cause irreversible damage to its river systems. The dam would also disrupt transportation of nutrients to the Irrawaddy?s delta, which provides nearly 60 percent of Burma?s rice. Local communities oppose the dam not just because of its environmental impacts, displacement, and threats to cultural sites, but also because the dam is located less than 100 kilometers from a major fault line, posing a risk to basin inhabitants should an earthquake weaken the dam structure or cause landslides in the reservoir. If the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam were to break during an earthquake, it would endanger the lives of hundred of thousands of people by flooding Kachin State?s largest city, Myikyina. In May 2007, twelve respected leaders from Kachin State sent a letter at the request of local communities to Senior General Than Shwe and the junta?s Ministry of Electric Power calling for the project to be cancelled. In December 2007, the Burma Rivers Network also sent a letter to the Chinese government calling on Chinese companies operating in Burma to conduct environmental and social impact assessments, publicly release information, and include affected communities in the decision-making process. Neither letter has yet received a response. In Burma, the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) is working to protect the Irrawaddy River and its communities in Kachin State. International Rivers is working to support local groups? efforts against the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam and is also challenging CSG?s involvement in dams in Burma..."
Source/publisher: International Rivers
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-18
Type: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
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Title: Irrawaddy Appeal
Description/subject: "...To conserve the Irrawaddy is to protect our economy and our environment as well as to safeguard our cultural heritage. Most important of all, uniting in conservation efforts would carry dividends in the way of better understanding and practical cooperation. Many individuals and organizations have done valuable research on the Irrawaddy and there will surely be no lack of information and practical suggestions that could serve as a basis for a conservation scheme. Much can be achieved simply by the strict application of already existing laws and regulations pertaining to the conservation of forests and rivers. We therefore appeal to environmental experts, to conservationists and to lovers of nature, peace and harmony everywhere to join us in a campaign to create a worldwide awareness of the dangers threatening one of the most important rivers of Asia. Together we can find solutions to problems, ecological, economic, technical, and political, related to the Irrawaddy."
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Source/publisher: 54-56 University Avenue, Rangoon
Date of publication: 2011-08-11
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-18
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 59.05 KB
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Title: Perpetual natural heritage relayed with good volition
Description/subject: "...All the hydropower projects the government has been implementing across the nation including the ones on the confluence of the Ayeyawady River, upstream the Maykha River and the Malikha River in Kachin State are prudent ones for all-round development of the regions, and creating job opportunities. So, they are the facilities of national heritage. To sum up, the government has been investing heavily in generation of electric power and building national grids and power houses to supply electricity to the people. It indicates that the government is taking measures in all sectors, utilizing natural resources and aquatic and terrestrial resources across the Union most effectively, in the long-term interests of the democratic nation and the generations to follow. In its drive for improving the infrastructures with benevolent attitude, the government aims to narrow the gab of the rich and the poor and accelerating the development momentum of respective regions in order to hand down the perpetual natural heritage."
A Staff Member, MEPE (Ministry for Electric Power?)
Source/publisher: "The New Light of Myanmar"
Date of publication: 2011-08-09
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-18
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 191.86 KB
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Title: Burma?s Navy Attacks Civilians? Livelihood - An Account on Land Confiscation and Human Rights Violations on Kywe Thone Nyi Ma Island, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division
Description/subject: "...Beginning in December 2010, Burmese Navy Unit No. 43, under the command of Ka Dike-based government navy regional command head quarters, began to confiscate the rubber plantations and household plots of villagers on Kywe Thone Nyi Ma Island, Yebyu Township, Tennaserim Division. Since then, all land on which red signboards were placed by the navy has been confiscated. This report documents the confiscation of over 1,000 acres of land on Kywe Thone Nyi Ma Island. However, HURFOM found that Navy Unit No. 43 has surveyed and marked out a total of another 3,000 acres of land to be consficated from the residents of Kywe Thone Nyi Ma Island and the easterly neighboring villages across the water in Yebyu Township. Officials from Navy Unit No. 43 explained that the land seized would be used as a training field for military skills training and constructing army barracks and hostels. Land was confiscated from around 240 rubber plantation owners without compensation, and a decree was issued banning landowners from cultivating or entering their plots. Seizures ranged from four to ten acres and consisted of already-in-production rubber plantations and paddy lands that provided villagers in the area with sustainable incomes and future monetary security. Without means to support themselves. they are unable to feed their families and send their children to school. And in some cases, they are forced from their homes..."
Source/publisher: Human Rights Foundation of Monland - Burma
Date of publication: 2011-06-30
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-18
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1.68 MB
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Title: THE NORTH WAR: A KACHIN CONFLICT COMPILATION REPORT
Description/subject: "This is a resource compilation report which is intended for journalists, aid workers and other researchers who may be interested in the in the June/July 2011 conflict between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Burma?s military regime in Kachin State, Burma. News stories and documents related to the conflict are categorized and reproduced or linked here, with a list of background information sources. They are in chronological order within each category. Project Maje hopes that the ongoing situation in northern Burma, including resource extraction and human rights issues in addition to the KIO conflict, will be covered in increasing depth and scope by journalists and other investigators in the future..."
Source/publisher: Project Maje
Date of publication: 2011-07-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-17
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: BURMA?S ENVIRONMENT: PEOPLE, PROBLEMS, POLICIES (English; Executive Summary in Burmese)
Description/subject: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "Burma has extensive biodiversity and abundant natural resources, which have in recent years been threatened by militarization, large-scale resource extraction, and infrastructure development. Burma has some laws and policies related to protecting people and the environment, but the country lacks the necessary administrative and legal structures, standards, safeguards and political will to enforce such provisions. The country is also a party to several international treaties relating to the environment, including those on protection of biodiversity and indigenous peoples, wildlife, and countering climate change. It is unclear, however, how the contents of those treaties that have been ratified have been incorporated into domestic law. Many organizations are active in Burma on projects and programs related to environmental protection and sustainable development. This includes a broad range of community-based organizations, grassroots organizations, national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and church groups both based in government-controlled areas of Burma (?inside?) and those based in the Thai and Chinese border regions (?border groups?). Many organizations take the ?traditional? conservation approach or the rights-based approach or both. Organizations that are using a rights-based approach work from a perspective of sustainable development and livelihoods and subsequently focus on issues such as food security, land tenure and rights, and community development and organizing. Conservation organizations tend to focus specifically on environmental protection, although with varying strategies to achieve their common goal. Organizations working on environmental issues also focus on environmental awareness, education and training, policy development, advocacy and networking. Communities continue to be excluded from protected forest areas, threatening their forestbased livelihoods. The 1990s and 2000s witnessed severe logging, first along the Thai-Burma border and then along the China border in northern Burma. Although the logging rush has somewhat subsided along these borders, the government and military continue to allocate logging concessions to Chinese and Burmese business people, irrespective of national and local laws regulating sustainable forestry practices. Timber, however, contributes much less to GDP as other resource sectors boom. Community forestry is positioned to challenge the manner in which timber resources are managed, providing some promising devolutionii trends. Land tenure remains very weak in Burma. The state owns all the land and resources in Burma, with most villagers having no formal land title for their customary agricultural land. New policies have been put in place allocating land concessions to private entities which do not respect customary land rights or informal land holdings. There are no safeguards to protect farmers from the onslaught of capitalism or mechanisms to help them benefit. Control over natural resources is a major cause of conflict in ethnic areas, where the majority of Burma?s natural resources remain. Foreign direct investment in Burma is concentrated in energy and extractive sectors and often results in militarization and displacement. Recently ii a delegation of authority by a central government to local governing units The Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG) 08 there has been heightened interest from countries in the region for more investment opportunities. Given the lack of sound economic policy and unwillingness of the state to reconcile with ethnic armed groups, an increase in foreign investment could have a major impact on the environment and communities living in these areas. While they do not provide loans, international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund remain engaged in Burma. The Asian Development Bank in particular provides assistance through various channels and facilitates private investment. Burma is currently facing many threats to the natural environment and sustainable livelihoods, such as construction of large dams, oil and gas extraction, mining, deforestation, large-scale agricultural concessions, illegal wildlife trade and climate change. The majority of Burma?s income comes from selling off natural resources, including billions of dollars from gas and hydropower development. Investment comes from countries within the region– most significantly China, India and Thailand. Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and Korea are also key investors looking to increase investments after the elections. These resource extractive investments damage the environment and threaten local resource-based livelihoods, particularly in ethnic areas. In order to take steps towards ecologically and socially responsible development in Burma, Burma must have a sound policy framework for environmental protection and sustainable development that enables citizens to take part in decision making about their own development, and ensures responsible private sector investment. Until then, new foreign investors investing in energy, extractive and plantation sectors should refrain from investing. Existing investors should immediately cease all project-related work - particularly in sensitive areas throughout Burma - until adequate safeguards are in place to ensure investment does not lead to unnecessary destruction of the natural environment and local livelihoods. At the same time, International NGOs and UN agencies should ensure people are recognized as key actors in their own development, rather than passive recipients of commodities and services; and civil society organizations should empower communities throughout Burma to understand their rights..."
Source/publisher: The Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG)
Date of publication: 2011-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-16
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese (executive summary)
Format : pdf
Size: 3.39 MB
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Title: Endangered Wild Elephant in Megatha Forest, Karen State, Burma
Description/subject: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "A team of ethnic Karen researchers from the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) has undertaken this study to begin documentation of the wild elephant population and rich biodiversity in Megatha Forest (also known as Megatha Wildlife Sanctuary) in a corner of Karen State that is part of the elephants? native habitat. The report describes the method and results of the wild elephant survey in Megatha Forest by a cooperative team of researchers made up of stakeholders, including KESAN, the Dooplaya Forest Department staff, and local villagers. The research took place from May 2008 to November 2010. The study area includes lowland, hills and valleys, with elevations from about 400 meters to 1052 meters. The forest in the area can be categorized as semi-evergreen, mix-deciduous, meadows and bamboo dominated forests, which vary from slightly disturbed to undisturbed. This forest is under the local administration of Karen Forest Department, Dooplaya District Offi ce, but direct threats to wild elephants and other wildlife remain, in large part due to civil war in Burma and industrial resource extraction. In this study, we used both primary survey and secondary survey research techniques. The primary research method is to survey and collect data by direct sighting of the species through personal encounters and evidence of presence. For primary data collation, we prepared forms for each of the surveyors to fi ll out during their survey days. We recorded the evidence both with eye contact and evidence auch as tracks, feces, sleeping sites, and vocalizations. Secondary survey and data collection involved interviewing local experts, forest offi cers, hunters and poachers. We selected many different kinds of people in the communities to share their knowledge of wild elephants and other animal populations. We probed the threat status, wildlife trade, and confl icts affecting wildlife, using both structured and semi-structured interviews. The elephant population is not very large so the surveyors had diffi culty estimating the population through direct observation. The total number of wild elephants found to reside in this forest is estimated to be 15 individuals. There are also many other kinds of large animals in this forest, but only some could be recorded by the team because the focus was primarily on elephants. Further study of large animals in Karen State in encouraged, with KESAN offering willing assistance. The fi eld surveys also recorded 60 other species, including 27 mammals, 23 birds, 8 reptiles and 5 amphibians. Out of 60 species, 9 are listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, 7 are Vulnerable, and 6 are Near Threatened. With this accounting, it can be seen that the Megatha Forest provides a good example of an intact ecosystem, but because 22 out of 60 species are at risk, the forest faces signifi cant threats. These threats, including ongoing war and militarization and accelerating natural resource exploitation, may seriously degrade the Megatha Forest. Logging and mining permitted by the Burmese State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and its Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) are rapidly depleting the remaining natural forest in the area, leading to the loss of at least one severely endangered species, the Sumatran rhinoceros. Therefore, KESAN makes the following recommendations to conserve Megatha Forest: 1. Do not seek war. 2. Do not allow logging and mining. 3. Do not allow rubber plantations that will result in forest encroachment. 4. Strict enforcement of poaching laws."
Saw Blaw Htoo, Martin Bergoffen, Saw Wee Eh Htoo
Source/publisher: Karen Environmental and Social Action Network
Date of publication: 2011-08-01
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-16
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 4.45 MB
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Title: Statement released by Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Home Affairs, The Union of the Republic of Myanmar on allegations of US State Department in its Trafficking in Persons Report 2011
Description/subject: "The US Department of State issued 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report on 27 June 2011. The report placed Myanmar in Tier 3 as a country thai does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so by using the standards of US?s Trafficked Victim Protection Act 2000 (TVPA). The tier placement is made without recognizing the efforts and progress made in combating human trafficking. Myanmar has been placed in Tier 3 for 11 years, continuously...the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs strongly rejects the allegations and statements mentioned in 2011 US Trafficking in Persons Report that do not reflect and recognize the significant efforts made in elimination of trafficking..."
Source/publisher: Myanmar Union Government
Date of publication: 2011-08-04
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-16
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 110.3 KB
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Title: Trafficking In Persons Report 2011 (section on Burma)
Description/subject: "Burma is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and for women and children subjected to sex trafficking in other countries. Burmese children are forced to labor as hawkers and beggars in Thailand. Many Burmese men, women, and children who migrate for work in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, India, and South Korea are subjected to conditions of forced labor or sex trafficking in these countries. Poor economic conditions within Burma have led to increased legal and illegal migration of Burmese men, women, and children throughout East Asia and to destinations as far as the Middle East, where they are subject to forced labor and sex trafficking. For example, men are subjected to forced labor in the fishing and construction industries abroad. Some Bangladeshi trafficking victims transit Burma en route to Malaysia, while Chinese victims transit Burma en route to Thailand. The government has yet to address the systemic political and economic factors that cause many Burmese to seek employment through both legal and illegal means in neighboring countries, where some become victims of trafficking...".....Along with Cuba, North Korea and Sudan, Burma has remained in Tier 3 since 2004.
Source/publisher: US Department of State
Date of publication: 2011-06-27
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-15
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 324.75 KB
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Title: Hydropower development on the Irrawaddy river basin above Myitkyina
Description/subject: This dossier contains the full text of the environmental impact assesment (EIA) done by Chinese and Burmese experts and published in October 2009. The title is: "ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (SPECIAL INVESTIGATION) ON HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT OF AYEYAWADY RIVER BASIN ABOVE MYITKYINA, KACHIN STATE, MYANMAR". The dossier also contains links to other documents on the project including the EIA commissioned by the CHINA POWER INVESTMENT CORPORATION (CPI).
Source/publisher: Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) and other sources
Date of publication: 2009-09-30
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-12
Type: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 109.36 KB
Local URL: PDF icon EIA-dossier.pdf
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Title: SAVE MONG KOK FROM COAL
Description/subject: "Only 40 kms north of the Thai border in the mountains of eastern Shan State, Thai investors are poised to begin mining and burning large reserves of coal at Mong Kok. Ihis project — which will ravage a pristine valley and poison the Kok River, impacting countless Shan and northern Thai communities downstream - must be stopped immediately. The Italian-Thai Power Company has entered into agreements with the Burmese military regime to develop an open-pit coal mine and power plant at Mong Kok in eastern Shan State, to export both coal and power to Thailand. Home to over a thousand Shan, Lahu and Akha farmers, Mong Kok lies in a conflict zone, where troops of the Burmese junta clash regularly with ethnic resistance forces, and commit systematic abuses against the local peoples. The regime has poured troops into the area to secure the mining site. Villagers have been forced to sell their farmlands for a pittance, and are being forced into a resettlement site directly adjacent to the mining area. Many have fled to the Thai border. Conducted in secrecy and with armed intimidation, this project blatantly contradicts any standards of responsible investment. But if Thai investors think the project?s impacts are going to stay safely outside their borders, they should think again. Hundreds of coal trucks a day and huge new power pylons will be blighting the scenic Chiang Rai landscape, while the mine and power plant will be flushing poisons into the Kok River - harming an ecosystem that sustains countless communities downstream in Thailand, and threatening the lucrative tourist trade along with it..."
Hark Mong Kok
Source/publisher: http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/save_mong_kok_from_coal_eng.pdf-red.pdf
Date of publication: 2011-06-30
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-11
Type: Individual Documents
Category: Coal mining
Language: English, Shan, Burmese, Thai
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 2.55 MB 2.8 MB 2.83 MB
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Title: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?s Open Letter of 28 July 2011
Description/subject: To: 1) U Thein Sein, President, Union of Myanmar 2) Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) 3) Karen National Union (KNU) 4) New Mon State Party (NMSP) 5) Shan State Army (SSA)(Unofficial Translation)
Source/publisher: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Date of publication: 2011-07-28
Date of entry/update: 2011-08-02
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: Exploring Paradoxes around Higher Education in Protracted Refugee Situations The Case of Burmese Refugees in Thailand
Description/subject: Abstract: "This literature-based study explores three main paradoxes underlying Higher Education in Protracted Refugee Situations both theoretically as well as in relation to the case of Burmese refugees in Thailand. Firstly, the study will explore the paradox of basic relief for refugees on the one hand and developmental efforts for higher education on the other. Secondly, the issue of higher education and the nation-state will be addressed in relation to refugees? perceived liminality in the national world order. The last paradox to resolve revolves around ways refugees are commonly perceived as victims of war and conflict who are unable to cope with the challenges of higher education. Following a rights-based approach and adopting post-structural theories, this dissertation demonstrates how dominant educational discourse emphasises externalities and thereby neglects the individual?s right to higher education from permeating into practice while powerful narratives of refugees as dependent victims have shaped reality in justifying mechanisms for international protection and incapacitating refugees. The study concludes that higher education could be both a means and an end to refugee empowerment."
Barbara Zeus
Source/publisher: Institute of Education University of London
Date of publication: 2009-09-01
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-31
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 20: Working Paper No. 10:17 - Nu, Early Plays and Ba Thoung, Adaptation of ?An Enemy of the People”
Description/subject: Contents:- About the Contributors... I INTRODUCTION (Hans-Ber;nd Zöllner): Plays on the Fringe 4 Ba Thoung?s Vision and Nu?s Dream; Unplayed Plays - Unrealised Visions of Modernity; About This Volume... II MATERIAL on Nu, Modern Drama: 1 Bibliographical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Title Page; 2 Critique of Nu "Modern Plays" in the Nagani Weekly; 3 Htay Htay Myint, Book Review (Translation: Thakin Hla Kun); Introduction; Play 1: U Klein; Play 2: Naung Daw Chut-Khan; Play 3: Sukara; Play 4: The Husband of a Wicked Wife; Play 5: An Elephant Must Lose Its Life; 4 Translation (Tin Hlaing); U Kalein; The Husband of a Bad Wife; The Wife of a Bad Husband; Get a Husband, Kill an Elephant; Sukra; 5 Nu, Forward to "Wolf the Wolf of Man"... III MATERIAL on BA THOUNG, An Enemy of the People; 1 Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters)173 Reproduction of Title Page ; Reproduction of Title Page (2nd Edition, 1963); Nu and Ba Thoung, Plays; 2 Preface to the First Edition (Translation: Tin Hlaing); 3 Tin Hlaing, Book Review; Thakin Ba Thaung; Summary of the Play; The Translation of Terms and Concepts; Impact; 4 Kyaw Nyaing, Book Review1... V APPENDICES: SHORT INFORMATION on the MAKING of the BOOK REPORTS; INFORMATION about COMMENTARIES on BOOK REPORTS
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 686.03 KB
Local URL: PDF icon mlp10.17-op.pdf
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 19: Working Paper No. 10:16 - Material on Four Books about Sun Yat Sen
Description/subject: Contents:- About the Contributors... I INTRODUCTION (Hans-Bernd Zöllner) Look East to the West: Idealisation of Second-hand Experiences and Incorporation into the Buddhist Sphere; The Neglect of Difference and the Choice of New Models by the Political Elites; A Note on the Books? Contributors... About This Volume... II MATERIAL on Nationalism: 1 Kyaw Hoe, Bibliographical Information (Translation: Gunnar Peters); Reproduction of Title Page; Reproduction of Sun Yat Sen?s Photo; 2 Shwe Pyi Soe, Book Review (Translation: Ye Nyunt); Biography of Deedok U Ba Choe; Introduction; Context of the Book and Review; Dr Sun Yat Sen; Speeches 1-6; Reflection of the Time and System; Conclusion; 3 Salai Kipp Ko Liang, Book Report; Introduction; A Brief Comment on the Titles of the Burmese Versions; Summary of the Contents; Assessment; 4 Nagani News, Book Review of "Nationalism"; 5Nagani News, Book Review of "Racism" by Magnus Hirschfeld... III MATERIAL on People?s Power and French Revolution: 1 Kyaw Hoe, Bibliograpgraphical Information (Translation: Gunnar Peters); Four Books on Sun Yat Sen: Reproduction of Title Page; 2 Thein Pe, Foreword (Translation Ye Nyunt); 3 Shw Pyi Soe, Book Review (Translation Ye Nyunt); Biography of the author; Review of "People?s Power and French Revolution"; Reflection on Age and System in Myanmar; Conclusion... IV MATERIAL on Peoples? Power and English-American Great Revolution: 1 Kyaw Hoe, Bibliograpgraphical Information (Translation: Gunnar Peters); Reproduction of Title Page; 2 Mogyoe, Foreword (Translation: Ye Nyunt); 3 Shwe Pyi Soe, Book Review (Translation: Ye Nyunt); Introduction; (1) People?s Power; (2) The Historical Campaigns in England; (3) The American Revolution; Generalized Comment; Conclusion; V Material on The Inner History of the Chinese Revolution: 1 Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Reproduction of Title Page; 2 Nay Linn, Book Review (Translation: Richard Zatu); Brief Biography of the Translator; Summary of "The Inner Story of the Chinese Revolution" ; Evaluation... VI APPENDICES: SHORT INFORMATION on the MAKING of the BOOK REPORTS; INFORMATION about COMMENTARIES on BOOK REPORTS
Hans-Bernd Zoellner
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 542.78 KB
Local URL: PDF icon mlp10.16-op.pdf
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 18: Working Paper No. 10:15.1 - Material on Khin Khin Lay, Two Books about Germany
Description/subject: Contents: About the Contributors; I. INTRODUCTION (Hans-Bernd Zöllner): Countering Burmese Inclinations towards Germany in the Service of British Propaganda; The Problems of a "Non-Political" Political Book Club; Politics Based on a Combination of Knowledge and Science; Khin Khin Lay as an Independent Writer cum Entepreneur; Inconsistencies; About this Volume... II. MATERIAL on Rays of War: Bibliographical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Georg Noack); Reproduction of Title Page; Aye Aye Myint: Book Review (Translation:Richard Zatu); Biography of the writer; Gist of "Image of War"; Evaluation; Translation of the Book?s Final Pages; Ute Köster, Commentary on the Book Report; Translation of the Information on the Book?s Back Cover; Life of Edith Cavell (Wikipedia); Gordon Brown on Edith Cavell; Peter van Alfen... III. MATERIAL on Enemy of the World; 1. Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Georg Noack); Reproduction of Title Page, First Edition; Reproduction of Title Page, Reprint of 1967; Blurb of the 1967 Edition (Translation Richard Zatu); The Author?s Preface of 1967 (Translation Richard Zatu); Moe Hein Zaw, Book Review (Translation Richard Zatu); Biographical sketch of the author; Objective; Summary of the Story; Evaluation; Franziska Blum, Commentary on the Book Report... IV. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: SHORT INFORMATION on the MAKING of the BOOK REPORTS INFORMATION about COMMENTARIES on BOOK REPORTS.
Hans-Bernd Zöllner (ed.)
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 697.22 KB
Local URL: PDF icon mlp10.15.1-op.pdf
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 17. Working Paper No. 10:15 - Material on Four Books about Germany
Description/subject: Contents:- About the Contributors; I. INTRODUCTION (Hans-Bernd Zöllner): A Personal Note; Feelings of Sympathy towards Germany; A Period of Accelerating Tensions, both Internally and Externally; Britain?s Difficulties and Burmese Problems; Germany - Among Others; About This Volume and the Need for Further Research... II. MATERIAL on SHWE U DAUNG, What Hitler has Done: Bibliographical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Biography of the author/translator; The book?s abstract; Comments; Arthur Minsat, Commentary on the Book Report; Shwe Sin Aung, Reply to Arthur Minsat?s Commentary... III. MATERIAL on THEIN PE, Who is Wrong - Hitler or Chamberlain: Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Nay Lin, Book Review (Translation Tin Hlaing); Biographical sketch of the author; The contents in brief; Comments; Larah Wessendorf, Commentary on the Book Report; Nay Lin, Answer to Larah Wessendorf?s Commentary... IV. MATERIAL on BA KHAING, Internal Affairs of Germany: Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Reproduction of Title Page; Nay Lin, Book Review (Translation. Ye Nyunt); Summary; Review; Nay Lin, Answer to Christoph Mann?s Commentary... V. MATERIAL on THA DUN, Germany: Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Tun Aye, Apology (Translation: Maung Maung Aye); Map of Germany in 1871; Tha Dun, Foreword (Translation: Maung Maung Aye); Nwe Ni Aung, Summary of the Book?s Information on Bismarck and Hindenburg (Translation: Maung Maung Aye); Bismarck; Hindenburg... VI. Other Material: Germany in the Nagani Weekly79; Term Paper: Capitalism and Hitler as told by Nagani (1969/70);... VII. APPENDICES: SHORT INFORMATION on the MAKING of the BOOK REPORTS; INFORMATION about COMMENTARIES on BOOK REPORTS
Hans-Bernd Zöllner (ed.)
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 410.57 KB
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 12. Working Paper No. 10:10 - Material on Soe: Socialism and Chit Hlaing: Memories (updated)
Description/subject: updated July 2011... CONTENTS: About the Contributors... Foreword (Hans-Bernd Zöllner); I.INTRODUCTION (Robert H. Taylor)... II. MATERIAL ON SOE, SOCIALISM: 1.Kyaw Hoe: Bibliographical Information (Translation: Gunnar Peters); Reproduction of Title Page; Soe, Photos; 2.Translation (Tin Hlaing); The Significance of the Red Flag; Editor Thakin Than Tun?s Foreword; Foreword ; Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Appendix One; Appendix Two; Appendix Three; Appendix Four; 3 Nagani News, Socialism and Burma (Translation: Phone Kywe Myat); 4 Nagani News, Socialism (Translation: Phone Kywe Myat); 5 Nagani News, 11 Points of Discussion on Socialism (Translation: Phone Kywe Myat)... III. U CHIT HLAING, A SHORT NOTE ON MY INVOLVEMENT IN THE BURMA: SOCIALIST PROGRAMME PARTY (Unrevised Version)... IV. APPENDICES
Hans-Bernd Zoellner (ed)
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 544.46 KB
Local URL: PDF icon mlp10.10-op.pdf
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Title: Directives of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Information - Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (Burmese မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Description/subject: This document contains 6 regulations (Directives 43-48) addressed to printers and publishers. It also contains an introduction and a list of publications. An unofficial English version is being prepared. စာပေစိစစ်ရေးမူဝါဒများအား ပြောင်းလဲကျင့်သုံးရန်ထုတ်ပြန်သည့် မူဝါဒ၊ အမှာစာနှင့် ညွှန်ကြားချက်များ...
Source/publisher: Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Information - Press Scrutiny and Registration Division
Date of publication: 2011-06-07
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-20
Type: Individual Documents
Language: Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Format : pdf
Size: 993.87 KB
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Title: Myanmar Literature Project - 21: Working Paper No. 10:18 - Two Books on Sex and Gender
Description/subject: Contents:- About the ... I. INTRODUCTION (Hans-Bernd Zöllner): Connecting Burma to modernity - and vice versa; The personal and the political; Facts before fantasy; New and old ways of educating people; About this volume... II. MATERIAL on Hla Shwe, Husband and Wife: 1. Bibliographical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Hla Shwe, Foreword (Translation: Phone Kyaw Myat); 2. Thwe Thwe Nwe, Book Review (Translation: Thiri Than Win); Summary of contents; Thinking about this book; 3. Dagon Tayar, Dr. Hla Shwe (1947) (Translation: Phone Kyaw Myat); 4. Maung Maung Nyo, Dictator Dr. Hla Shwe (1961); 5. Aung Min Htut, A Commentary on Dr. Hla Shwe?s Translation, Prof. Mg Mg Nyo?s Book on the Same Subject and His letter... III. MATERIAL on Mya Sein, Women: 1. Bibliograpgraphical Information (Kyaw Hoe, Translation: Gunnar Peters); Mya Sein, Picture; Mya Sein, Photo Gallery; 2. Advertisment of "Woman" in book no. 96, "Sinn Fein"; 3. Deedoke U Ba Choe, Foreword (Translation: Phone Kyaw Myat); 4. Min Maw Thant, Book Review (Translation. Ma Thida); Brief biography of the author; Summary of the contents; Khin Khin Su?s problem; Lecture 1: Women in world history; A marriage proposal; Lecture 2: Male - female relations; Khin Khin Su in love; Lecture 3: Developments in England; Khin Khin Su?s reaction; Lecture 4: Women in China; Lecture 5: Women in Japan; Lecture 6: Women in India; Khin Khin Su?s own investigations - Women in Burma; Comments; 5. Andrea Fleschenberg, Commentary; 6. Ma Thanegi on Women; 7. Biography of Mya Sein (from the Who?s Who in Burma (1961)); 8. Mya Sein?s speeches at the BurmaRound Table Conference 1931... IV. Additional Material: 1. The "Upper Garments" controvery (1938) (Translation: Phone Kyaw Myint); 1.1 A Kyawt, The monks and the thin upper garments; 1.2: Sein Hlaing, The monks and the thin upper garments (response); 2. Khin Myo Chit, Problems of the Women of Burma (1940); 2.1 Review Maung Yoe (Translation: Ye Nyunt); 2.2: Review Shwe Pyi Soe (Translation: Phone Kyaw Myat); 3. The Bhikkuni Controversy; 3.1 Nagani News, Reference to a Book of Ashin Adiccavamsa (1938); 3.2 Shwe Oak Oar, Biography of Ashin Ardessa Wuntha (Adiccavamsa) Translation: Aung Min Htut; 3.3 Bricker, Discrimination of Women in Modern Burma (2006); 4. Than Than Nwe, Gendered Space: Women in Burmese Society; 5. Cherrryl Barron, Burma: Feminist Utopia?; 6. Chie Ikeya, The ?Traditional? High Status of Women in Burma - Conclusion ... V. APPENDICES: SHORT INFORMATION on the MAKING of the BOOK REPORTS; INFORMATION about COMMENTARIES on BOOK REPORTS.
Hans-Bernd Zöllner (ed.)
Source/publisher: Lehrstuhl für Südostasienkunde, Universität Passau, Myanmar Literature Project
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-19
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 641.65 KB
Local URL: PDF icon mlp10.18-op.pdf
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Title: From Prison to Front Line: Analysis of convict porter testimony 2009 ? 2011
Description/subject: "...Over the last two decades, KHRG has documented the abuse of convicts taken by the thousands from prisons across Burma and forced to serve as porters for frontline units of Burma?s state army, the Tatmadaw. In the last two years alone, Tatmadaw units have used at least 1,700 convict porters during two distinct, ongoing combat operations in Karen State and eastern Bago Division; this report presents full transcripts and analysis of interviews with 59 who escaped. In interviews with KHRG, every convict porter described being forced to carry unmanageable loads over hazardous terrain with minimal rest, food and water. Most told of being used deliberately as human shields during combat; forced to walk before troops in landmine-contaminated areas; and being refused medical attention when wounded or ill. Many saw porters executed when they were unable to continue marching or when desperation drove them to attempt escape. Abuses consistently described by porters violate Burma?s domestic and international legal obligations. If such abusive practices are to be halted, existing legal provisions must be enforced by measures that ensure accountability for the individuals that violate them. This report is intended to augment "Dead Men Walking: Convict Porters on the Front Lines in Eastern Burma", a joint report released by KHRG and Human Rights Watch in July 2011..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
Date of publication: 2011-07-13
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-15
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 3.23 MB
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Title: Dead Men Walking: Convict Porters on the Front Lines in Eastern Burma
Description/subject: "...For decades the Burmese army has forced civilians to risk life and limb serving as porters in barbaric conditions during military operations against rebel armed groups. Among those taken to do this often deadly work, for indefinite periods and without compensation, are common criminals serving time in Burma?s prisons and labor camps. Escaped convict porters described to us how the authorities selected them in a seemingly random fashion from prison and transferred them to army units fighting on the front lines. They are forced to carry huge loads of supplies and munitions in mountainous terrain, and given inadequate food and no medical care. Often they are used as ?human shields,? put in front of columns of troops facing ambush or sent first down mined roads or trails, the latter practice known as "atrocity demining.? The wounded are left to die; those who try to escape are frequently executed. Burma?s military government promised that the November 2010 elections, the country?s first elections in more than 20 years, would bring about human rights improvements. But soon after election day the Burmese army, the Tatmadaw, launched military operations that have been accompanied by a new round of abuses. In January 2011, the Tatmadaw, in collusion with the Corrections Department and the Burmese police, gathered an estimated 700 prisoners from approximately 12 prisons and labor camps throughout Burma to serve as porters for an ongoing offensive in southern Karen State, in the east of the country. The same month, another 500 prisoners were taken for use as porters during another separate military operation in northern Karen State and eastern Pegu Region, augmenting 500 porters used in the same area in an earlier stage of the operation in the preceding year. The men were a mix of serious and petty offenders, but their crimes or willingness to serve were not taken into consideration: only their ability to carry heavy loads of ammunition, food, and supplies for more than 17 Tatmadaw battalions engaged in operations against ethnic Karen armed groups. Karen civilians living in the combat zone, who would normally be forced to porter for the military under similarly horrendous conditions, had already fled by the thousands to the Thai border. The prisoners selected as porters described witnessing or enduring summary executions, torture and beatings, being used as ?human shields? to trip landmines or shield soldiers from fire, and being denied medical attention and adequate food and shelter. One convict porter, Ko Kyaw Htun (all prisoner names used in this report are pseudonyms), told how Burmese soldiers forced him to walk ahead when they suspected landmines were on the trails: ?They followed behind us. In their minds, if the mine explodes, the mine will hit us first.? Another porter, Tun Mok, described how soldiers recaptured him after trying to escape, and how they kicked and punched him, and then rolled a thick bamboo pole painfully up and down his shins. This report, based on Human Rights Watch and Karen Human Rights Group interviews with 58 convict porters who escaped to Thailand between 2010 and 2011, details the abuses. The porters we spoke with ranged in age from 20 to 57 years, and included serious offenders such as murderers and drug dealers, as well as individuals convicted of brawling and fraud— even illegal lottery sellers. Their sentences ranged from just one year to more than 20 years? imprisonment, and they were taken from different facilities, including labor camps, maximum security prisons, such as Insein prison in Rangoon, and local prisons for less serious offenders. The accounts shared by porters about the abuses they experienced in 2011 are horrific, but sadly not unusual. The use of convict porters is not an isolated, local, or rogue practice employed by some units or commanders, but has been credibly documented since as early as 1992. This report focuses on recent use of convict porters in Karen State, but the use of convict porters has also been reported in the past in Mon, Karenni, and Shan States. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has raised the issue of convict porters with the Burmese government since 1998, yet the problem persists, particularly during major offensive military operations. Burma?s forcible recruitment and mistreatment of convicts as uncompensated porters in conflict areas are grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Abuses include murder, torture, and the use of porters as human shields. Those responsible for ordering or participating in such mistreatment should be prosecuted for war crimes. Authorities in Burma have previously admitted the practice occurs, but have claimed that prisoners are not exposed to hostilities. The information gathered for this report, consistent with the evidence gathered over the past two decades, demonstrates that this simply is not true. The practice is ongoing, systematic, and is facilitated by several branches of government, suggesting decision-making at the highest levels of the Burmese military and political establishment. Officials and commanders who knew or should have known of such abuses but took no measures to stop it or punish those responsible should be held accountable as a matter of command responsibility. The use of convict porters on the front line is only one facet of the brutal counterinsurgency practices Burmese officials have used against ethnic minority populations since independence in 1948. These include deliberate attacks on civilian villages and towns, large-scale forced relocation, torture, extrajudicial executions, rape and other sexual violence against women and girls, and the use of child soldiers. Rebel armed groups have also been involved in abuses such as indiscriminate use of landmines, using civilians as forced labor, and recruitment of child soldiers. These abuses have led to growing calls for the establishment of a United Nations commission of inquiry into longstanding allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Burma. As the experiences contained in this report make clear, serious abuses that amount to war crimes are being committed with the involvement or knowledge of high-level civilian and military officials. Officers and soldiers commit atrocities with impunity. Credible and impartial investigations are needed into serious abuses committed by all parties to Burma?s internal armed conflicts. The international community?s failure to exert more effective pressure on the Burmese military to end the use of convict porters on the battlefield will condemn more men to take their place..."
Source/publisher: Human Rights Watch (HRW), Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
Date of publication: 2011-07-12
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-15
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1.57 MB
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Title: Education in refugee camps in Thailand: policy, practice and paucity
Description/subject: Executive Summary: "One of the notable features of education in the refugee camps in Thailand is that the system of schools and learning was set up, and is staffed and managed by the refugees residing in the camps, with help from external organisations. There are 70 schools in the seven predominantly Karen camps staffed by approximately 80 headteachers and 1 600 teachers. They support and foster the learning of more than 34 000 students. There are 11 schools in the two Karenni camps in the north. The education in the camps is sanctioned by the Thai authorities, and implemented and supported by local and international NGOs and community-based organisations (CBOs). Although the Royal Thai Government (RTG) is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, it does provide some form of sanctuary to the refugees and allows local and international organisations to operate in the camps. These organisations provide essential services in the areas of education, health, food and shelter. However, there are broad and specific restrictions imposed by the Thai government on the movement, livelihoods and education of the refugees. This has significant implications on their opportunities for personal and social development as well as the development of their community. This paper examines the impact of these restrictions and funding on the quality of the learning experience, the cost of schooling and the relevance of education in the camps."
Su-Ann Oh
Source/publisher: UNESCO (Education for All, Global Monitoring Report 2011)
Date of publication: 2009-11-30
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-13
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 184.63 KB
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Title: REGIME WATCH
Description/subject: LEGISLATIVE has moved to "PARLIAMENT WATCH" at http://www.altsean.org/Research/Regime%20Watch/Home.php .... EXECUTIVE:- President; Advisory Board; Vice-Presidents; National Defense and Security Council; Cabinet; Financial Commission; Division and State Administrations... Military: Tatmadaw Regional Commanders..... JUDICIAL: Supreme Court; Constitutional Tribunal; Election Commission... Anatomy of the regime..... RELATED REPORTS: Issues & Concerns Vol. 7 - Locked in, tied up: Burma?s disciplined democracy; 100 Days of Burmas Parliament - Strengthening the Status Quo; Thein Sein?s first 100 days: Words not matched by actions.
Source/publisher: ALTSEAN-Burma
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-12
Type: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Title: Charts of the coverage of political subjects and politicians over the period April-June 2011 by Burmese media in exile and private media subject to censorship restrictions
Description/subject: Political subjects and politicians (Time & Tone of the Coverage): Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB TV); "The Irrawaddy", "Mizzima", "Myanmar Times" and "Voice" Journal Charts of Burmese State-sponsored media coverage of political subjects and politicians in the period April-June 2011
Source/publisher: Memo98
Date of publication: 2011-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-02
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: Charts of the coverage of political subjects and politicians over the period April-June 2011 by Burmese State-sponsored media
Description/subject: Political subjects and politicians (Time & Tone of the Coverage) by MYANMAR TV, MYAWADDY TV... (Space & Tone of the Coverage) by KYAYMON (The Mirror), MYANMAR AHLIN (New Light of Myanmar)Charts of Burmese State-sponsored media coverage
Source/publisher: Memo98
Date of publication: 2011-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-02
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: Monitoring of Burmese media coverage in 2011. Report No. 4 (English)
Description/subject: CONCLUSION: "The results of monitoring in 2011 (which was conducted after the appointment of a new civilian government with the aim to assess if there was any change in the state policy revealed the opposite and confirmed the previous trends and patterns observed during the previous monitoring periods. It is thus possible to conclude that the monitored state-controlled media in Burma do not follow any journalistic standards, but serve only as a mouthpiece of the ruling powers. With more than a half a year after the flawed 2010 parliamentary elections, condemned by the United Nations and the whole international community, the main news programs of state-controlled TV channels once again showed only the top state officials and completely ignored any other stakeholders..."
Source/publisher: Memo98
Date of publication: 2011-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-01
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: REITH LECTURES 2011: SECURING FREEDOM. LECTURE ONE: LIBERTY (transcript, audio)
Description/subject: Transcript of the lecture..."...To be speaking to you now, through the BBC, has a very special meaning for me. It means that, once again, I am officially a free person. When I was officially un-free - that is to say when I was under house arrest - it was the BBC that spoke to me. I listened. But that listening also gave me a kind of freedom: the freedom of reaching out to other minds. Of course it was not the same as a personal exchange, but it was a form of human contact. The freedom to make contact with other human beings with whom you may wish to share your thoughts, your hopes, your laughter, and at times even your anger and indignation is a right that should never be violated. Even though I cannot be with you in person today, I am so grateful for this opportunity to exercise my right to human contact by sharing with you my thoughts on what freedom means to me and to others across the world who are still in the sad state of what I would call un-freedom..."
Aung San Suu Kyi
Source/publisher: BBC
Date of publication: 2011-06-28
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-01
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: World Drug Report 2011
Description/subject: Search for Myanmar (84 references)..."...While [opium] cultivation in Afghanistan remained stable, the global trend was mainly driven by increases in Myanmar, where cultivation rose by some 20 per cent from 2009. Consequently, opium production in Myanmar increased from 5 per cent of global production in 2007 to 12 per cent in 2010..."
Source/publisher: UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Date of publication: 2011-06-23
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-01
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: ETHNIC AREAS UPDATE: BURMA HEADS TOWARD CIVIL WAR
Description/subject: • Despite the 7 November election?s illusory promise of an inclusive democratic system, the situation in ethnic nationality areas continues to deteriorate... • In addition to the ongoing offensives against ethnic non-ceasefire groups, the Tatmadaw increasingly targeted ceasefire groups who rejected the regime?s Border Guard Force (BGF) scheme... • In Shan and Kachin States, the Tatmadaw broke ceasefire agreements signed in 1989 and 1994 respectively... • Ongoing fighting between the Tatmadaw and ethnic ceasefire and non-ceasefire groups displaced about 13,000 civilians in Kachin State, at least 700 in Northern Shan State, and forced over 1,800 to flee from Karen State into Thailand... • Civilians bore the brunt of the Tatmadaw?s military operations, which resulted in the death of 15 civilians in Northern Shan State and five in Karen State... Tatmadaw troops gang-raped at least 18 women and girls in Southern Kachin State... • Desertion continues to hit Tatmadaw battalions, including BGF units, engaged in military operations in ethnic areas... • Reports on the alleged use of chemical weapons by Tatmadaw troops surfaced during offensives against Shan State Army-North forces... • In February, in response to the Tatmadaw?s ongoing attacks in ethnic areas, 12 ethnic armed opposition groups, ceasefire groups, and political organizations agreed to form a new coalition - the Union Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)... • The situation for residents living in conflict zones of ethnic States remains grim as the regime re-launched its ?four cuts? policy which targets civilians... • The situation is likely to continue due to Burma?s constitution and the recently enacted laws, including the national conscription law.
Source/publisher: ALTSEAN-Burma
Date of publication: 2011-06-29
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-30
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Local URL:
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Title: CIT 2011-100e session: S?ance sp?ciale pour l?examen des faits nouveaux concernant la question de l?ex?cution par le gouvernement du Myanmar de la convention (n? 29) sur le travail forc?, 1930
Description/subject: "...la commission a le regret de noter qu?il n?a pas ?t? enregistr? de progr?s substantiels quant ? l?application des recommandations formul?es par la commission d?enqu?te en 1998, ? savoir: 1) rendre les textes l?gislatifs conformes ? la convention (no 29) sur le travail forc?, 1930; 2) assurer que, dans la pratique, il ne soit plus impos? de travail forc? par les autorit?s; et 3) appliquer strictement les sanctions p?nales pr?vues en cas d?imposition de travail forc?. La commission a rappel? que les d?cisions prises par la Conf?rence en 2000 et en 2006 concernant l?application par le Myanmar de la convention no 29 – et tous les ?l?ments que ces d?cisions pr?voient – restent d?actualit? 1. Elle a exprim? le ferme espoir que le gouvernement s?emploiera d?urgence ? faire en sorte que toutes les mesures demand?es soient mises en oeuvre ? tous les niveaux de l?ensemble des autorit?s civiles et militaires. Elle a demand? instamment que le gouvernement donne suite int?gralement aux recommandations de la commission d?enqu?te et aux commentaires et observations de la commission d?experts sans d?lai. En particulier, le gouvernement devrait:..."
Source/publisher: Bureau International du Travail
Date of publication: 2011-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-17
Type: Individual Documents
Category:
Language: Francais, French
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Title: ILC 2011 (100th session):- Committee on the Application of Standards: Special Sitting to examine developments concerning the question of the observance by the Government of Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Provisional Record
Description/subject: "...the Committee regretted to note that there had been no substantive progress achieved towards complying with the 1998 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, namely to: (1) bring the legislative texts in line with the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29); (2) ensure that in actual practice forced labour is no longer imposed by the authorities; and (3) strictly enforce criminal penalties for the exaction of forced labour. The Committee recalled the continued relevance of the decisions concerning compliance by Myanmar with Convention No. 29, adopted by the Conference in 2000 and 2006, and all the elements contained therein. It expressed the firm expectation that the Government move with urgency to ensure that the actions requested are carried out at all levels and by all civil and military authorities. The Committee strongly urged the Government to fully implement, without delay, the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and the comments and observations of the Committee of Experts. The Government in particular should:..." [from the Conclusions]
Source/publisher: International Labour Office
Date of publication: 2011-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-17
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: IOM Brochure on labour registration ln Thailand (Thai and Burmese)
Description/subject: "...a bilingual (Thai-Burmese) brochure to disseminate information [on the process for registration of migrant workers and their children, beginning June 15th] in a clear and simple way to migrant communities in Thailand"
Source/publisher: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Date of publication: 2011-06-14
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-16
Type: Individual Documents
Category:
Language: Thai, Burmese
Format : pdf
Size: 644.1 KB
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Title: MIGRANT INFORMATION NOTE Issue # 11 – June 2011 (English)
Description/subject: "On 26 April 2011, the Cabinet approved the opening of a new round of registration for migrant workers from Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia and Lao PDR, as well as their children not exceeding 15 years of age. The Cabinet Resolution also included a number of additional provisions, such as the prevention and suppression of irregular migration and expediting the process of the recruitment of migrant workers from the three neighbouring countries. This IOM Migrant Information Note examines the details of the Cabinet Resolution and specifies the procedures involved in the registration of migrant workers and their children..."
Source/publisher: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Date of publication: 2011-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-16
Type: Individual Documents
Category:
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 93.35 KB
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Title: Stolen Lives: Human trafficking from Palaung areas of Burma to China
Description/subject: Executive Summary: "The Palaung Women?s Organization (PWO) has documented 72 cases of actual or suspected trafficking involving 110 people, which took place along the China-Burma border, mostly during the past six years. The majority of those trafficked were young Palaung women from tea farming communities in Namkham, Namhsan and Mantong townships. PWO surveys in villages from which women have been trafficked show that up to 41% of the population have migrated to work elsewhere. Large scale migration began after the surrender in 2005 of the Palaung State Liberation Army, which had controlled Palaung areas under a ceasefire agreement since 1991. There has been a surge of Burma Army troops and proxy militia into the area since the surrender, who have imposed increased controls and taxes on agriculture and trading. Together with rising prices of food commodities from Central Burma, and increasing costs of health and education, this has meant that tea farmers can no longer earn a living and young people have to leave home to survive. This has led to an alarming increase in the incidence of trafficking of women, men and children, mainly to China. Most of those trafficked were tricked into travelling to China by being offered well-paid jobs on farms or in factories. In 25% of the cases, women were forced to marry Chinese men, with brokers receiving up to 25,000 Yuan (approx 3,800 USD) for the transaction. 10% were forced into the sex trade. Some ended up being used as live feed for leeches. Known destinations were mainly in Yunnan province, but some ended up as far east as Shandong. A disturbing trend is that eleven of the cases were children under ten, fi ve of whom were under one year old. Most were boys. Some of these children were simply kidnapped from their homes, but others were sold by parents who were alcohol or drug users. As highlighted by PWO in earlier reports, opium cultivation in Palaung areas has skyrocketed in recent years due to the profi ts being made by the Burma Army and its militia from the drug trade. This has led to increasing addiction among Palaung men, who not only sell off all their possessions to buy drugs but also their children. In only eleven cases were the traffi cked persons able to escape, some after years of forced marriage to Chinese men. Family members seeking to trace traffi cked persons sought help in vain from local Burmese authorities and social organizations. In some cases perpetrators were arrested and jailed, but several paid bribes or fines and were then released. The Burmese military regime has passed anti-trafficking legislation since 2005 and set up special anti-trafficking units, including at Muse on the China-Burma border. However, these measures appear to have had little effect, due to failure to address the structural root causes driving human trafficking. The situation looks set to worsen following the November 2010 elections. Burma?s military rulers ensured that their cronies won in the Palaung areas, including well-known druglord Kyaw Myint, who is now an MP for Namkham. Militarization has continued unabated, and new military offensives by the regime against ethnic ceasefi re groups have ignited fighting once again in northern Shan State. Even before the new parliament was convened, a new national budget was approved which continued to prioritize military spending far above education and health. Radical structural political changes are thus urgently needed to address the problem of human trafficking and migration in Burma. PWO therefore makes the following recommendations:..."
Source/publisher: Palaung Women?s Organization
Date of publication: 2011-06-14
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-15
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese
Format : pdf pdf
Size: 2.31 MB 2.47 MB
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Title: Universal Periodic Review: Myanmar?s addendum to the Report of the Working Group
Description/subject: 1. "As a United Nations Member State, Myanmar seriously prepared its National Report to UPR and took an active part in the 10th session of the Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. Myanmar also gave extremely serious consideration to the recommendations made by many countries at the Working Group...2. The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has examined the recommendations under paragraph 106 of the Report of the Working Group on the UPR and hereby provides to the 17th session of the Human Rights Council further information on them as follows:..."
Source/publisher: Union of Myanmar via United Nations
Date of publication: 2011-05-27
Date of entry/update: 2011-06-15
Type: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 34.44 KB
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