1. Forced Labor
1.1 Overview
In 2003 sources
inside and outside of Burma continued to provide extensive reports of government
organized forced labor. Incidents of forced labor occurred primarily as
portering for military operations, construction of military bases, income
generation projects for the military, work on infrastructure projects such as
roads and bridges, and forced conscription into the military. There appears to
be a direct correlation between forced labor and military activities in rural
ethnic areas. The ILO Liaison Officer for Myanmar released a statement in March
2003 naming Myanmar as the only country in the world where forced labor is
imposed by government-related authorities. (Source: “Myanmar Plan to Eliminate
Force Labour Not Adequate: ILO," AFP, 11 March 2003)
The ILO Liaison Officer has noted that the government has "come from a position of complete denial of the existence of forced labour to recognition of forced labour and now have the presence of the ILO in the country." Yet, despite the Government's ratification of Order No. 1/99 in 2000 which bans forced labor, the ILO noted, "the recourse to forced labour continued in practice and that the situation was particularly serious and appeared to have changed very little in certain areas with a heavy presence of the army" (source: Developments concerning the question of the observance by the Government of Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29), ILO, November 2003). Although the Penal Code provides for the punishment of persons who impose forced labor, there were no known cases of the application of this provision. In 2003, the Myanmar Ministry of Labor's Convention 29 Implementation Committee did not identify or prosecute any instances of forced labor (source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004).
Ceasefire agreements in ethnic areas have not appeared to have a strong impact in reducing forced labor. After the SPDC military has pacified an area, it typically endeavors to establish both a physical and sociological presence. This involves building military facilities and demanding loyalty from local civilians. Villagers are forced to display allegiance by transporting supplies, working on construction projects, and providing food and money to the soldiers. Villagers that resist may be accused of supporting ethnic insurgents and face physical punishment and the destruction of their villages. Once the military has established a full-time presence, it begins considering infrastructure projects that will directly generate income and foster cross-border trade. The subsequent construction of roads and bridges again places local civilians in forced labor situations. New roads and bridges facilitate the arrival of more troops, creating further opportunities for forced labor.
A Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) report reviewing 2003 activities provides insight on the relationship between forced labor and territorial control: “A constant element of both the SPDC and the DKBA’s efforts to control the region is the use of villagers for forced labour. Villagers throughout the district told KHRG researchers that they are still forced to build fences, cut and carry bamboo, carry rice to outlying camps, stand sentry along roads and at Army camps, carry messages between camps and villages, repair roads and canals, build huts, guide columns of soldiers, work in the fields of SPDC Army units, and make and send thatch. Villages interviewed by KHRG have indicated that there has been a decline in the amount of forced labour demanded by SPDC units. This apparent decline is in part because SPDC units have become more adept at demanding the labour indirectly, such as through the DKBA, or the abbot of the village monastery, or verbally at meetings. Despite this decrease, villagers continue to complain that after performing all this forced labour they do not have enough time to work their fields. Most village tract heads and many of the village heads in the eastern part of Pa’an District now have copies of SPDC Order 1/99 which is supposed to ban the use of some types of forced labour, but it is commonly disregarded by SPDC officers when it is shown to them. Village heads who have gone to SPDC officers to complain after they were ordered to provide forced laborers have been told, “Don’t show us this. We don’t understand about this, so you have to go and show it to our superior leaders.” The villagers do not dare to show it to higher SPDC officers who are often in towns far away and cannot protect them from reprisals from local units. This leaves the villagers with no choice but to provide the labour. There appears to be some need by lower ranking officers at the battalion level to cover up their use of forced labour from higher ranking officers. KHRG researchers have been told by villagers of instances wherein SPDC officers stop using forced labour when SPDC leaders or higher ranking officers come for a visit, and then begin demanding the labour again as soon as they go back . . . this suggests that either there have been threats of punishment for the use of forced labour, or that the officers are simply covering it up so their superiors are not embarrassed by having to be confronted by it.” (Source: Eastern Pa’an District, Forced Labour, Food Security and the Consolidation of Control, Karen Human Rights Group, 23 March 2004)
The process for conscripting forced labor was reported to have changed slightly in 2003. Military units relied on verbal instructions rather then written documents when issuing orders to village headmen to provide labor. A June 2003 Earthrights International report described an area in eastern Burma where village heads are required to attend a weekly meeting to receive the latest demands for labor: "Orders [for forced labor] come, directly or indirectly, from mid- to high-ranking military officers. In this particular area, they often come from a strategic commander who is responsible for overseeing many battalions and is accountable to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that rules Burma. The orders come frequently and are coordinated, demanding labor, materials, and money. This combination of evidence confirms the existence of a “systematic” practice and a “preconceived plan or policy” which are key components for demonstrating crimes against humanity." Efforts to resist attending the meetings resulted in physical punishment, including a headman being buried so that only his head remained above ground. Villagers were then forced to step on their headman's head (source: Entrenched: An Investigative Report on the Systematic Use of Forced Labor by the Burmese Army in Rural Areas, Earthrights International, 13 June 2003). Also, in ethnically Burman central regions where forced labor has lessened considerably, demands for forced labor are increasingly being replaced by demands for materials and money. Military officials often allow households to substitute money for labor in infrastructure projects. In rural areas however, widespread poverty forces most households to contribute labor. There were also reports that authorities sometimes made payments for the people or materials they requisition, although far below market rates.
In rural regions, especially ethnic border areas, Myanmar-Tatmadaw movement often includes forcing citizens to act as porters for rations and munitions. Although ceasefires existed or were being discussed with the majority of the ethnic resistance armies, accounts of forced portering for military movement remain widespread. Moving supplies between camps or delivering materials for the creation of new camps is most common. The accounts typically describe portering assignments lasting from a few days to a week, in which villagers are not compensated and are required to supply their own food. Additionally descriptions of mistreatment, illness, and death are common. Porters are often worked to the point of exhaustion, beaten if they cannot continue, and sometimes shot. To conscript the required number of civilians, troops, police, and local Peace and Development Council officials usually provide village headmen with a quota for porters and time of service. In areas where not enough men are available, women and children are forced to porter instead. An inability to provide the demanded labor results in fines or extortion. Often villagers attempt to pay instead so that they are not taken from their work and families and do not have to risk death.
The Government routinely forces civilians to work on construction and maintenance projects. Infrastructure projects in which forced labor is utilized include the building and maintenance of roads and bridges, the construction of facilities to aid heavy industry, and other projects aimed at boosting economic potential. These projects undermine the economic potential of those forced to work on them. While few 2003 reports surfaced of forced labor for civil infrastructure in central Burma, the border states continued to provide detailed accounts of labor focused human rights abuses. In Mon State the security of pipelines, which are critical to the economic position of the SPDC, continued to involve thousands of involuntary laborers. In Shan and Karen States, the most frequent instances of forced labor involved road construction and repair. In Arakan state, roads damaged during the monsoon season are usually repaired with forced labor at the onset of dry season. These road construction projects may also be implemented to facilitate border access and surveillance for the military, or for the opening of new trade routes as a result of improved relations with neighboring countries. Projects were typically coordinated by military officers and Township Peace and Development Councils, and demanded the work of dozens to hundreds of men, women, and children. Predominantly the work of villagers went unpaid, with some instances of payment promised but not delivered, and occasional payment far below market rate.
In areas with an SPDC military presence the local people are regularly summoned to do one or more days of forced labor at military camps. Whenever a new battalion moves into an area, the nearby villages are forced to provide most of the labor and building materials for the camps. This work usually takes the form of building barracks and bunkers, digging trenches, erecting fences, and clearing the ground in and around camps. At established military camps, similar work is often demanded in maintaining the upkeep of the camp. The construction of sentry posts in and near the camp is common, which is followed by required sentry duty. In addition, in rural areas, especially those with a history of insurgency, the presence of a military camp usually means the seizure of land near the camp for the cultivation of rice and other crops. Local villagers are then forced to work the land to produce food for the camp. Outright demands for food from nearby villages are common.
Forced labor at military camps may be institutionalized through registration processes and formal meetings. Village heads are sometimes ordered to provide comprehensive and detailed registration lists of everyone and everything in their villages. These lists are then used to assess paddy quotas, quotas for forced labor, fees and extortion money, demands for carts, vehicles and other equipment, and to closely monitor the movement of villagers and the arrival of anyone new in the village. People found to be unregistered can be arrested, accused of being ‘insurgents’, and detained and/or tortured. The registration lists are also a tool for intimidation, making the villagers believe that the SPDC knows everything about them and making them afraid to do anything out of the ordinary. Demands for labor, as well as demands for porters and various fees, are often dictated at regular meetings called by the battalion officers that must be attended by village heads and sometimes heads of households. In some areas, each village has to send several people on rotating shifts of three to five days to the military camp for miscellaneous forced labor, which is sometimes referred to as ‘patrol’. This labor routinely includes clearing scrub and grass in and around the camp, maintaining barracks, digging and maintaining trenches and bunkers, building fences and man-traps, cutting firewood, carrying water, cooking, cleaning, and delivering messages to other military camps and order letters to local villages. The Nasaka Border Security Camps in Arakan State offer a clear illustration of the manner in which forced camp labor is methodically practiced and monitored so that work stoppages can occur around ILO visits. In the dry season activities such as camp construction and rehabilitation, road building and brick-baking occur. With the onset of the monsoon tasks such as ploughing of Nasaka paddy fields, planting of trees, road and bridge repair, etc. become predominant. Recruitment of sentries and porters is a year-round practice, not linked to any particular season. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Convicts are regularly used for unpaid labor as porters, on infrastructure projects, on income generation projects for the military, and even for the benefit of private businesses. Historically, prisoners have been treated much more brutally than civilians and are routinely used in very dangerous or inhuman work, such as blowing up rock faces, digging at cliff-sites, plowing fields in the place of animals and carrying loads to the front lines. In past years prison labor has also been used on numerous infrastructure and tourism projects. In its review of 2003, Amnesty International reported on portering for the military, noting that “inmates are reportedly taken in large numbers from the prison system to carry goods for the military in counter-insurgency areas. Portering for the army is the most arduous form of forced labor, a practice which has been endemic in Myanmar for decades. Porters have been forced to carry very heavy loads of military supplies for several days or even weeks, sometimes in extremely dangerous conditions, including through minefields and during battles between the army and armed opposition groups. They are routinely deprived of adequate food, water and medical care, and as a result they often become too weak perform their duties. Soldiers sometimes beat or kick them if they are too weak to carry their load or keep up with the military column. Many prisoners convicted of common crimes have reportedly died as a result of their ill-treatment during portering” (source: Myanmar: The Administration of Justice - Grave and Abiding Concerns, Amnesty International, 4 January 2004). During 2003, the military continued to take prisoners from jails in Shan State for use as porters. In October, during its offensive against the KNU, the Burmese Army reportedly used over 300 prisoners as porters (source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004).
Prisoners are also routinely taken from prisons to labor camps around the country where they are organized into groups to work on projects or are sent to portering duties. Prisoners can allegedly pay large sums of money to avoid being taken for portering or labor camp duties. However those who are unable to pay must work in the labor camps. Indications of private businesses actively taking advantage of prison labor surfaced in 2003. As an example, on 29 May 2003, two leading tea leaf companies were reported to have been exploiting prison labor. The two implicated tea companies, Ah Yee Taung and Yuzana, rejected accusations of using prison laborers in their production processes. Other businesses in the areas of bean packing, pickle packing, and car servicing have also been cited as exploiting laborers from prisons including Mandalay, Thayet and Meik-Hti-La. A bean factory in Meik-Hti-Lar, owned by U Win Shwe of Bayintnaung Sein Pann street in Rangoon, was accused of using prison labor. (Source: “Pickled Tea Giants Reject the Use of Forced Labor," Network Media Group, 29 May 2003)
2003 saw the implementation of a systematic process for involving civilians in military service. Following the attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD on 30 May, compulsory military training was reported throughout the country. The authorities indicated that the purpose of the training was to prepare the population to defend the country from foreign invasions and destructive elements. While the reports of who was required to attend and for how long varied, many trainees indicated that they were taught how to use small weapons and propaganda to defend the State. In some instances, trainees were required to purchase uniforms and bamboo sticks. On 21 July, it was reported that all civil servants, members of State sponsored organizations, and their families were required to attend the training (source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui- Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, July 2003). The collection of funds for the trainings from both families of trainees and the citizens of the respective townships also occurred. In his report to the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro reported, “Every township has to send a certain number of persons to this training, mainly men between 18 and 40 but sometimes also women. Civilians reportedly must attend this training for one month part-time or two weeks full-time, and to endure the economic hardship caused by absence from work. Moreover, in some cases, they are also required to cover the cost of training and weapons such as bamboo sticks. Upon completion of the training, their names are registered and they may be called back at any time,” (source: Pinheiro, Paulo Sergio, Situation of human rights in Myanmar, Economic and Social Council Resolution on Burma at the UNCHR 2004, Sixtieth session, 5 January 2004). According to reports, the Government compensated trainees with food and, in rare cases, a token per diem payment. (Please see chapter on assembly and association for more information on the 30 May incident at Depayin.)
Forced conscription of both adults and children into the armed forces continued throughout 2003. Diplomatic representatives of the United States reported learning that the Government would not allow soldiers to leave the army at the end of their enlistment without first recruiting three or four replacements, even if that meant forced recruitment. Forced recruitment for the police forces often follows the same pattern. In addition, authorities reportedly rounded up teenage children in Rangoon and Mandalay and forced them into porterage or military service. (Source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004) (Please see chapter on children for more information about child soldiers in Burma.)
1.2 ILO Activities in Burma
In 1998, the International Labour Organization (ILO) found forced labor to be generalized and systematic in Burma, and implored the ruling junta to take action. On 17 December 1998, it imposed sanctions against Burma under Article 33 of the ILO constitution. In November of 2000, the ILO urged its 175 member governments to impose sanctions on and review their relationships with Burma as a means to ensure that Burma was not engaging in the use of forced labor. This was an unprecedented move on the part of the ILO and led the SPDC to issue Order No. 1/99, officially banning forced labor in accordance with ILO Convention No. 29. In March 2002, the ILO and SPDC agreed that the ILO would appoint a liaison officer to Burma. On 9 September 2002, Ms. Hông-Trang Perret-Nguyen was given the position. Her initial observations, made in September, October, and November 2002, described forced labor as continuing despite the ILO sanctions imposed. She noted that very few villagers were unaware of Order No. 1/99 and that military personnel were forcing villagers to give false testimony.
On 21 February new talks began between senior officials of the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior judicial officials, and Ms. Perret-Nguyen. On 27 May the Government and the ILO agreed on a joint Plan of Action with an agenda that included: the dissemination of information, awareness-raising programs, a pilot project for non-forced labor local road construction, expansion of the use of animal transportation, enhancing public awareness of the mechanism for filing complaints, specific responsibilities of the Field Observation Teams, and the role of the ILO facilitator in dealing with allegations of forced labor. The Action Plan was to be implemented over an 18-month period beginning 1 July. The non-forced labor pilot project was to be a 65-kilometer road in Myeik, Tenasserim Division constructed with voluntary and paid labor. Myeik was chosen because there continued to be heavy allegations of forced labor continuing in the area. A Public Relations campaign was designed to reach out to the non-Burman ethnic communities by distributing copies of Order No. 1/99 in pamphlets translated into the Mon, Karen, Chin, Karenni, Kachin and Shan languages. The Ministry of Labour was put in charge of seven Field Observation Teams in areas where forced labor is routinely reported, and military officials and personnel were to be educated in monthly workshops. General Khin Nyunt expressed his government’s support for the Joint Plan of Action stating that, “the military authorities wish to have positive and constructive cooperation with the ILO, and we are carefully considering the ILO’s advice on how to change our practices.” (Source: “ILO and Forced Labour in Burma," Kao-Wao News, No. 45, 7 June 2003)
The joint Plan of Action was initiated by both sides and the formal signature was to have taken place in Geneva during the ILO Conference. However on 30 May, Aung San Suu Kyi’s motorcade was attacked creating what the ILO termed “a climate of uncertainty and fear” and calling into question “the will and ability of the authorities to make significant progress in the elimination of forced labour.” The ILO did not go ahead with the planned signature. (Source: Developments concerning the question of the observance by the Government of Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29), ILO, November 2003)
Upon her return to Rangoon in July, the Liaison Officer was unable to arrange meetings with the SPDC authorities. In written communication, the Director-General of the Myanmar Department of Labor expressed disappointment that the ILO had not gone ahead with the implementation of the joint Plan of Action. He also indicated that the authorities were proceeding "in their own way" toward the desired goal, and that connecting labor eradication cooperation to the internal political situation would not yield positive results. In July and August, the SPDC’s Convention 29 Implementation Committee sent four field observation teams to Karen/Mon States, Magwe Division, Pegu Division and Karenni/southern Shan States. According to the Committee, these teams had not come across “any cases of forced labour, had found that no complaints concerning forced labour had been received, and that the Orders prohibiting forced labour were widely known.” In an 8 September meeting, the Minister for Labor “noted with regret that the ILO had linked the forced labor issue with the domestic political affairs of the country, and reiterated the Government’s intention to continue to try its best to eradicate forced labor with or without assistance from the ILO.” Ms. Perret-Nguyen responded that the ILO’s concern was not with political events but rather their impact on the feasibility of having a Plan of Action implemented. In November, the ILO Committee of Experts noted that "measures to stop the exaction of forced labor, such as concrete and specific instructions to the civilian and military authorities and budgetary allocation for the effective replacement of forced and unpaid labor" had not been taken, and that "there had been no prosecution of or sanctions imposed on persons for exacting forced labor." (Source: Developments concerning the question of the observance by the Government of Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29), ILO, November 2003)
Concerns were raised throughout the year over the SPDC’s attempts to conceal the occurance of human rights violations, including forced labor. Several instances of trainings held by the USDA and other local authorities were reported throughout the year where trainees were instructed how to lie to international organizations and monitoring institutions. On 16 February, the Township Peace and Development Council in Yong-Dong village, Mudon Township, Mon State was reported to have conducted trainings on how to lie and how lead the international monitors, such as Amnesty International, away from information or evidence that could ruin Burma’s international image. The trainees consisted of over 100 USDA members who were instructed by military authorities. One trainee noted, “We are told not to tell the truth about forced labor to international organizations," he then added, “It’s a course on how to lie to people who ask questions.” The officials forced young boys and girls to attend the training course. Mi Yin Mon, a teenage girl said, “I was so disgusted with the training which instructs us not to tell the truth about the abuses that we have suffered for years.” (Source: “USDA Train Villagers to Lie to International Institutions," Kao Wao News No. 39, Feb 26 – March 15, 2003) (See chapter on freedom of expression for more information)
1.3 Forced Labor Resulting from International Joint Ventures
In 2003, the case of John Doe et al versus Unocal Corp., 00-56603, continued in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Unocal, based in El Segundo, California, was accused of being complicit in slavery, murder and rape carried out by the Burmese military during the construction of the Yadana natural gas pipeline in Tenasserim Division. During the 1990’s building of the pipeline, the military provided Unocal with security and other amenities. The case involves 18 farmers who allege they were raped or enslaved by the military. The list of plaintiffs includes relatives of those who were allegedly murdered while the pipeline was under construction. On 14 February 2003, the court announced in a two-sentence order that it would rehear the case against Unocal with 11 judges. (Source: “Court Sets Aside Suit against Unocal in Myanmar Rights Violations," AP, 14 February 2003)
In May at the Unocal shareholder meeting, a group of major pension funds expressed their concern that Unocal’s involvement in Burma was a financial liability and was weighing down the stock price. The group was comprised of representatives from 10 investment funds which own more than 4.5 million Unocal shares, or 1.6% of the stock. All members of the group signed a letter requesting Unocal reevaluate its engagement in the pipeline project in Burma. In reply, Unocal’s chairman and chief executive, Charles Williamson stated, "We have no intention of leaving Burma because we believe in what we are doing there." (Source: Douglass, Elizabeth, “Stockholders Press Unocal on Myanmar," Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2003)
Meanwhile U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft’s Justice Department filed a “friend of the court” (amicus curiae) on behalf of Unocal asking the federal appeals court to review the validity of pursuing the case under the Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789. This act allows for U.S. citizens to be held accountable for offences committed outside the U.S. against foreign nationals. Recently the Alien Tort Claims Act has become a prominent and powerful instrument in policing the behavior of U.S. corporations in countries like Burma where the rule of law does not adequately protect the population. The government brief claimed the Tort law “has been commandeered and transformed into a font of causes of action permitting aliens to bring human rights claims in United States courts, even when the disputes are wholly between foreign nationals and when the alleged injuries were incurred in a foreign country, often with no connection whatsoever with the United States." The intervention of the U.S. government raises the possibility that the issue will ultimately reach the Supreme Court. (Source: Lobe, Jim, “Villagers Vs Oil Giant: Ashcroft to the Rescue," Inter Press Service, 16 May 2003)
Unocal maintained that U.S. sanctions on Burma issued by the White House would not affect its investment in the pipeline project. The company said a grandfather clause in the sanctions would allow it to continue engagement there. Unocal also indicated it was committed to the principle of engagement to achieve both economic and social improvements in countries where it worked. Unocal noted that concern about the events of 30 May and the crackdown on the democracy movement had been asserted to the SPDC through diplomat channels. (Source: Thongrung, Watcharapong, “Unocal Says Project in Burma Will Go Ahead," The Nation, 11 August 2003)
The case was set to go to trial in December in Los Angeles, seven years after it was first filed. The first phase would decide the essential point as to whether or not Unocal the corporate entity should be the defendant. In the second phase of the trial, the specific allegation of Unocal’s indirect aid and profit from the perpetration of human rights abuses by soldiers guarding the pipeline will be addressed. In pretrial hearings, Unocal indicated plans to assail the validity of some of the plaintiffs’ testimony. Unocal lawyers specifically cited Jane Doe 1 and her husband John Doe 1, who provided testimony regarding the death of their baby at the hands of Burma soldiers. According to their testimony made in 2002, soldiers came searching for John Doe 1 after he had run away from a forced labor crew for the pipeline. Instead they found his wife, Jane Doe 1, and assaulted her. As a result, the soldiers knocked her baby out of her arms and into a cooking fire. The baby died from internal injuries after the family had arrived at a refugee camp in Thailand. Yet, Unocal’s lawyers submitted an article from a Thai newspaper, which indicates that the husband had been engaged in forced labor for a railway project and not the pipeline. Connected to the article is a photograph of Jane Doe 1 and the injured baby. In December, Unocal’s lawyers contended that the family is misinforming and questioned whether or not the baby was actually deceased. Conversely, lawyers for the plaintiffs indicated the possession of ample evidence that the battalion guarding the pipeline had perpetrated the violation against the family. Specifically, Jane Doe 1 had identified the insignia of Battalion No. 407 on the uniforms of the soldiers who attacked her. Battalion 407 was one of multiple units that conscripted labor in the area for the pipeline. (Source: Girion, Lisa, “Unocal Pipeline Trial to Begin," LA Times, 8 December 2003)
A second case related to the Yadana pipeline involves French gas giant, TotalFinaElf and the Belgium-based human rights group Actions Birmanie, which filed charges in a Brussels court in 2002. Actions Birmanie accused TotalFinaElf of crimes against humanity stemming from the company’s involvement in the construction of the natural gas pipeline. The suit is based on the Belgian "law of universal competence."
On 16 January 2003, Le Nouvel Observateur printed an article on Burmese farmers from Tavoy region who are plaintiffs and witnesses in the case against TotalFinaElf. The article reported, “At present all those connected in any way to the court case have had to flee and hide in the jungle. Out of the dozen plaintiffs and witnesses, one disappeared two months ago and another is too scared to talk further.” At the same time, a large scale military operation launched by the 9th Division of the Thai Army was reported in the areas near Total’s plants. The operation was launched following a meeting in Bangkok between French lawyers and the Burmese involved in the court case. A Thai Army officer indicated that the purpose of the operation was to secure the French pipeline as it was threatened by a pipeline resistance movement. According to villagers who have fled the area, the pipeline’s track through the jungle was strewn with bombs. (Source: Payen, Cyril, "Burma, Forced Laborers for the Pipeline," Le Nouvel Observateur, 16 January 2003). Thus, an additional effect of pipeline construction and the resulting legal action is increased military activity in Thailand. In both Thailand and Burma former and current forced laborers now face additional physical harm at the hands of the militaries. Forced labor on the site of the pipeline continues to be a major factor driving refugees into Thailand, where Thai police engage in the usual process of arrest, incarceration, intimidation, and forced repatriation.
In 2003, reports of forced labor and forced relocation began to surface from the Salween Dam project in Shan State. On 20 December 2002, the Thai company, MDX Group, signed an agreement with Burma’s Department of Hydroelectric Power to build the dam. Most of the power generated by the 4,500 megawatt dam, the largest in SE Asia, will be exported to Thailand. Construction activities in 2003 led to the first instances of forced labor described by Shan ethnic labor monitoring organizations. In January, a militia leader in Mongton Township warned the local villagers, "If you continue to stay, you will be forced to work for them with little or no pay," he further added, "And in the end, after the dam is finished, you will still be thrown out of your homes anyway. You should therefore move while you still have time." Construction of the dam has not only raised serious concerns of potential human rights abuses but also of environmental degradation. (Source: “The Salween Dam Project; Residents Advised to Move," Shan Herald Agency for News, 14 February 2003)
In February, the SPDC and the Government of India agreed to implement several economic development projects which have raised concerns over the potential human rights abuses that may occur if they are pursued. Major foreign corporations such as Daewoo International, ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), Gail and Korean Gas Company (Kogas) are funding the projects, which include a multi-model transport project over the Kaladan River and a pipeline along the river to India. As a result, organizations like the Arakan Independence Alliance fear increases in forced labor, forced relocation, extrajudicial executions, and environmental degradation that may ensue if SPDC military presence in Arakan and Chin States is augmented under the guise of guarding the pipeline. The AIA stated, “As has been clear from the past experiences, these projects will not develop the situation in the region, but it will increase the oppression of the SPDC against the peoples of Arakan in particular and Burma in general.” (Source: “AIA Has Released A Joint Press Release about the Recent Agreement of Burma and India to Develop Economic Projects," Kaladan News, 5 February 2003)
1.4 Portering - Partial List of Incidents for 2003
Arakan State
Carrying of food
On 3 February 2003, porters were forced to carry food to the military’s In Tu Lah Nasaka camp. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In March 2003 force portering of rice occurred in Bauk Shu Pwai village. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In May 2003 forced portering and the beating of porters occurred in Ye Aung San Yah Phwai village. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Karen State
Note: Dooplaya, Pa-an and Papun, as reported below, are all areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Dooplaya District falls mostly in SPDC demarcated Karen State and partially in SPDC demarcated Mon State. Dooplaya District is under the patrol of the 6th Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Papun and Pa-an Districts fall entirely in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Papun District is under the patrol of the 5th Brigade of the KNLA and Pa-an is under the patrol of the 7th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize these as official districts. Instead, the SPDC considers there to be 3 districts (North to South: Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and Pa-an) and 7 townships (North to South: Than Daung, Papun, Hlaing Bwe, Pa’an, Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and Kya In Seik Gyi) within Karen State. These townships do not correspond with the KNU demarcated districts and townships, even for those which share the same name.
Dooplaya District
Killing of a porter
On 14 September 2003 at 9:45 pm, because of fighting between local KNLA troops and the SPDC at Taung Dee and Khon Ka Won villages, the SPDC LIB 538 killed 1 of their porters saying that this porter had given information to the KNLA troops. The troops also took 1 pig from Taung Dee village as a fine for the fighting took place near this village. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Pa-an District
Wanton looting, slapping and portering
On 17 June 2003, troops from LIB 703, led by officer Tun Tun Win, entered Kyauk Ta Lay Kho Village and looted a pig belonging to Ma Than Yin as well as 12 unidentified chickens. The soldiers slept there for a night and in the morning demanded 4 porters to carry their supplies to Klaw Ka Ti. On the same day some troops at the motor road summoned the village headman, Saw Per Hai, and slapped his face 2 times and forced him to carry a supply to Htee Nyar Li Kyo. The troops also slapped Saw Pah Kwa on the back of the neck 2 times when they saw him on the motor road. In the evening the troops again entered Kyawk Ta Lay Kho Village and asked Saw Pah Nar Lo to climb and pluck coconut. Because he could not climb, they beat him 2 times. In the village the troops demanded 1 basket of rice and looted 10 gas lighters, 2 watches, 2 batteries, and 2 packets of dry noodle from a shop, and 1 packet of smoke from village headman's house. (Source: Department of Information, KNU, 2003)
Papun District
Forced carrying of firearm cartridges
On 18 June 2003, SPDC IB 63 led by the officer Myint Oo entered Thwa Hta village, Mudraw Township and told villagers not to leave the area. He also forcibly asked 9 porters in village to carry their cartridges up to Bu Wa Kwee village and asked for 2 tins of rice and 14 chickens. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 23 June 2003, SPDC LIB 63 led by officer Aung Soe entered Thwa Hta village and asked 6 porters to go with them when patrolling the area and to carry their cartridges over a two day period. On the same date, DKBA leader Pah Pa Na forcibly asked the Thwa Hta villagers to provide 700 thatches for roofing and 200 pieces of bamboo, and also forced them to serve as contribute laborers. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Mon State
Thaton District
Note: Thaton District is demarcated by the KNU as part of Karen territory. Thaton District falls mostly in the SPDC demarcated area of Mon State, while the area to the east of the Donthami River lies within SPDC demarcated Karen State. Thaton District is under the patrol of the 1st Brigade of the KNLA.
Porter conscription
On 30 May 2003, SPDC IB 28, based in Mae Khu Hta village under Commander Aung Kyaw Myint, forcibly asked 40 villagers from the surrounding villages of Mae Khu Htad, Htee Doh Hta, To Mu and Mae Khu Khee to serve as porters. Moreover, the troops also demanded regular porters to stand by at Mae Khu Hta every day. Those villagers were from Mae Khu Hta, Mae Nyo Hta, Htee Doh Hta, To Mu and Mae Khu Khee villages. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Ye Township
Forced portering and restriction on movement and purchasing goods
In planning to launch a military offensive against a Mon splinter group in January 2003, SPDC LIB 273 took 3 porters for 7 day periods from each village along the Ye-Tavoy motor road in Ye Township. LIB 273, with 60 men led by Maj. Kyaw Soe, forced each porter to carry 6 motor shells and an army bag with food supplies. Some porters reported being unable to sleep at night because of mosquitoes. If caught attempting to flee, they would be punished with a fine of 10,000 kyat, 1 sack (about 66 kilogram) of rice, and face 20 blows with gun-butts. In addition to taking porters from Aleskan, Law-thaing, Kyaukadin, Kywetalin, and Yapu villages, LIB 282 and LIB 273 ordered remaining villagers to ask for a permission letter from the headman or army commanders to leave the village. Farmers were told to eat only 1 meal per day. (Source: HURFOM, January 2003)
In February 2003, SPDC LIB 273 ordered village headmen in northern Ye Phyu Township to provide people from their villages to carry ammunition and equipment in a military operation against Mon rebels, an escaped porter said last week. From Lok Zaing Village, the escapee said 3 people each from Htan JaNu, Kreik KaDin, Lok Zaing, Rot Ta Mah and Dide Tu villages were forced at gunpoint to carry heavy equipment for the Burmese soldiers. “Major Kyaw Soe arrested us and ordered us to porter. We do not have enough food and sleep, and they don’t give us mosquito nets either,” he said. The LIB 273 severely punished porters who tried to escape by beating them with a gun or fining them 10,000 kyat. According to local villagers, the army was also banning local people from buying medicines and batteries so as to cut off products from the rebel groups. Traders and shopkeepers will be severely punished and fined if they sell their products. Consequently, people who are sick are unable to buy medicines due to the ban on the selling of products in the rural areas. (Source: “Mon State at War," Kao Wao, 1 March 2003)
Pegu Division
Note: Both Nyaunglebin District and Taungoo District are areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Taungoo falls partially in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and partially in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Taungoo is under the patrol of the 2nd Brigade of the KNLA. Nyaunglebin falls in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and is under the patrol of the 3rd Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Nyaunglebin or Taungoo as official districts.
Nyaunglebin District
Forced transport of military rations
On 13 March 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 599 demanded 600 male and female porters to carry military food supplies to Ko La Wah Lu camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 19 March 2003, SPDC LIB 264 Column 2 led by Commander Thein Ko Ko Oo and a guerrilla troop led by Commander San Zaw Tun forced 400 villagers from Kyauk Kyi Paut and Tha Pye Nyunt to carry 150 sacks of rice from Ma La Daw to Ter Ler Day. According to the information from the front line area, the SPDC was preparing an operation against Karen people in Mone Township, Kler Lwe Htoo district. Five battalions were believed to be involved in the operation. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 10 July 2003, SPDC LIB 590 ordered village heads in Mone Township area to provide 500 porters. Those unable to carry a load had to pay 5,000 kyat each. SPDC Column 2 ordered village heads in the same area of Mone Township to provide 250 porters to launch a military operation along Kyauk Kyi car road. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 31 December 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 349, under Commander Hsan Myint, forced 20 villagers of Ma-la-daw in Mone Township to carry food supplies from Ta-ler-day to Tha-bye-nyunt military camp. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 31 December 2003, SPDC troops from 599 forced the villagers of Pa-ta-lah in Kyauk-kyi Township to carry food supplies with 50 ox carts to Aung-soe-moe military camp. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
Taungoo District
On 14 January 2003, SPDC troops from IB 60 led by Captain Myo Thein, forced 30 villagers from 3 villages in Thandaung Township, Taungoo District to carry food supplies for the army at the front. The same troops forced have 3 villagers to be porters for the army since December 2002. (Source: “Forced Labour in Karen State,” DVB, 25 January 2003).
On 26 January 2003 tactical commander Khin Maung Oo from tactical No.3 forced 10 cars from Kler Lar and Kaw Thay Der to send military food supplies from the Southern Command headquarters to Ka Law Soe. Each car was sent 3 times. (Source: KORD)
On 28 January 2003, 117 people from Ker Weh, Ker Der Kar, Tha Bar Per and K'shi Khi, were forced to be porters from Ka Thwi Di to Day Law bridge by SPDC IB 26 under the control of Battalion Commander Khin Maung Cho. On February 22, 2003 the same troops entered Gar Mu Der village, and forced Saw Ba Sein (age 24), Saw Ta Htoo Htu (age 35), and Saw Ta Mya (age 20), to join them. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 2 June 2003, SPDC IB 92 based in Kaw Thay Der, Kler Lar forcibly seized 250 villagers including men, women and children and made them carry food rations from Klerlar up to Tha Aye Hta and to Wah Soe village, where their front line camps are located. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 2 June 2003, SPDC IB 35 company commander Tin Win, based in Day Lo To, forcibly conscripted 40 people from Kler Lar village, 10 from Ler Gi Kho Der village and 10 from Ler Gi Der Kah village to act as porters. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 7 June 2003, SPDC (Ta Pa Ka) Southern Command, (Sa Ba Ha) Military Strategy - 1, based in Klerlar sent for the Kawthayder village headman and said villagers must carry military food rations to the Thaayehta camp. Non-compliance would result in restrictions on movement and shooting to kill if found near paddy plantations and fruit tree gardens. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 8 June 2003, SPDC IB 92, based in Kawthayder under officer Htun Htun Win entered the village and made porters of 2 villagers from Saw Neh Keh and Saw Eh Sei. On 9 June 2003, they seized more villagers and forced them to carry their things from Thaayehta up to Wahsoe. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 11 June 2003, SPDC IB 92, based in Kawthayder village, seized 13 Kawthayder villagers and forced them to carry things to front lines at Klerla and Wahsoe. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 11 June 2003, SPDC IB 92 led by Win Htun and IB 39 led by Win Soe seized 29 Wathokho villagers, including 4 women, and forced them to carry things to their camp at Thaayehta, Wahsoe on the Karenni border. The 4 women were:
(1) Naw Poe Wah, with her suckling baby;
(2) Naw Eh Moo Say Lay Wah, with her suckling baby;
(3) Naw Moo Paw, with her suckling baby; and
(4) Naw Lah Moo, with her suckling baby.
On the same day, 200 porters from Klerla were forced to carry military supplies from Thaayehta to the front line camp on the Karenni border at Pimukho. Those villagers were forced to carry things until they could no longer stand. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 9 July 2003, SPDC IB 92 based in Kaw Thay Der and led by warrant officer Htun Wae forcibly collected villagers from Kaw Thay Der village and asked them to carry military ammunition to the front line camp at Naw Soe. The villagers were:
(1) Naw Ma, age 30;
(2) Naw Ah Sei, age 26;
(3) Naw S'pyah, age 15;
(4) Naw Sheh Ni, age 21;
(5) Naw Sa Ri, age 13; and
(6) Naw Moo Paw, age 15. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 15 July 2003, SPDC IB 92 based in Kaw Thay Der village and led by warrant officer Htun Wai arrested Kaw Thay Der villagers and forced them to carry military ammunition to the front line camp at Naw Soe. They were:
(1) Naw Ella, age 33;
(2) Naw Wah Wah, age 34;
(3) Naw Ta Moo, age20;
(4) Naw Taw Tay, age 16;
(5) Naw Ta Yah Yah, age 20; and
(6) Naw Karay Karay, age 16.
On the same day SPDC IB 124 led by Commander Ko Ko Aung arrested Ga Mu Der villagers and forced them to carry military ammunition from Kler Lar to Tha Aye Hta. They were:
(1) Saw Ah Ro, age 30;
(2) Saw Ler Wah, age 20; and
(3) Saw Way Sa, age 20. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 17 July 2003, SPDC LIB 124 led by Officer Ko Ko Aung sent sick soldiers back to Kler Lar to forcibly collect porters from Ga Mu Der village. Those villagers were:
(1) Saw Ah Ro,
(2) Saw Ta Gay Doh,
(3) Saw Paw Ler,
(4) Saw Mya Htoo,
(5) Saw Ko Ri,
(6) Saw Ba Win,
(7) Saw Hser Gay, and
(8) Saw Ah Paw. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 18 July 2003, SPDC IB 92 led by the warrant officer Htun Wai forcibly collected Kaw Thay Der villagers to carry their military supplies up to Naw Soe. The villagers were:
(1) Naw Jue Ju, age 37;
(2) Naw Teh Yeh, age 28;
(3) Naw Kree Kri, age 27;
(4) Saw Doh Htoo, age 36;
(5) Naw June Eh; and
(6) Naw Moe Toe, age 39. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 19 July 2003, LIB 124 led by Officer Ko Ko Ayng forcibly asked Ga Mu Der villagers to carry military supplies to Kler La village. The villagers were:
(1) Saw To Dae, age 25;
(2) Saw Eh Paw, age 28; and
(3) Saw Ri Moo, age 27. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 23 July 2003, SPDC IB 29 led by Warrant Officer Htun Wai forced Kaw Thay Der villagers to carry military supplies to Naw Soe. Those villagers were:
(1) Saw Than Htun, age 27;
(2) Naw Blu Doh, age 23;
(3) Naw Mer Poe, age 25;
(4) Naw Sa Gay, age 28;
(5) Saw Poe Htoo, age 20;
(6) Naw Eh Dee, age 19;
(7) Naw Htoo Lweh, age 18; and
(8) Naw Neh Ni, age 23.
In the same day his troops forcibly collected 47 male and female porters in Kaw Thay Der village and asked them to build a fence for their camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 8 August 2003, SPDC IB 92 under warrant officer Htun Wai forced the Kaw Thay Der villagers to carry their military supplies up to their front line camp at Naw Soe. The villagers were:
(1) Saw Gri Paw, age 30;
(2) Naw Ma La Sein, age 45;
(3) Naw Eldah, age 35;
(4) Naw Rah Ra, age 34;
(5) Naw Say, age 45;
(6) Naw Ti Ti Keh, age 26; and
(7) Naw Baw Bay, age 36.
Htun Wai also extorted money from 5 car owners whenever they came back from town. He asked 2000 kyat from each. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 9 August 2003, SPDC IB 124 led by Second Battalion Commander Ko Ko Gyi arrested 3 villagers of Ga Mu Der and forced them to carry military supplies up to Ta Aye Hta. Those villagers were:
(1) Saw Mu Htoo, age 30;
(2) Saw Ta Moo Htoo, age 40; and
(3) Saw Rai Oo, age 28. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 1 September 2003, SPDC IB 73 headed by Officer Myo Htun and based in Klaw Mi Der forcibly asked Klaw Mi Der villagers to carry military rations from Peh Leh Wa to Klaw Mi Der, their base camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 10 September 2003, SPDC IB 26 under Officer Htun Kyaing based in Kaw Thay Der forcibly asked 7 Kaw Thay Der women and men to carry military equipment to Naw Soe camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 13 September 2003, SPDC IB 26 Officer Htun Kyaing forced 4 Kaw Thay Der women villagers to carry military equipment to Naw Soe. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 15 October 2003, SPDC IB 73 headed by Officer Aung Nyunt Win forcibly asked 6 women and 14 men from Hoo Mu Der village to work on camp construction. On the same day this troop forced 4 women and 11 men of Klaw Mi Der villager to carry military food to Pet Let Wa. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 6 November 2003, Commander Khin Maung Oo forcibly seized 10 villagers from Klay Soe Khee village and asked them to carry military supplies up to Kheh Mu Der village. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 7 November 2003, SPDC IB 26, under Sergeant Major Htun Kyaing, based in Kaw Thay Der camp, forced 10 villagers of Kaw Thay Der village to carry military equipment up to Now Soe camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 23 December 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 264, under Commander Thant-Zin, forced 13 villagers from Ku-thay-deh and 13 from Peh-leh-wah to carry food supplies to the front line headquarters. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 29 December 2003, SPDC LIB 439 forced 10 villagers of Klor-mee-deh to carry military rations from P-let-wa to the front line military camp. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
Shan State
Beating of porters
On 24 July 2003, conscripted porters Ti-Ya (male, age 31), Kaw-Lin (male, age 26) and Zit-Ta (male, age 35) were beaten to the point of loosing consciousness by SPDC troops from in a forest in Kun-Hing Township. The 3 villagers were originally from Loi Keng village in Loi Keng village tract, Kun-Hing Township, which was forcibly relocated to Kun-Hing town relocation site in 1996 by the SLORC. On the day of the incident, a patrol of about 45-50 SPDC troops from IB 246, led by Captain Than Maung Oo, told a community headman at Kun-Hing relocation site that they needed 3 villagers to serve as porters. Ti-Ya, Kaw-Lin, and Zit-Ta were forced to carry military things and go with the patrol. At one point in a forest, the SPDC troops started asking the villagers about the whereabouts of Shan soldiers. When the villagers said they did not know, the troops beat and tortured them. The SPDC troops put plastic bags over the heads of the 3 men and beat them so harshly that each of them lost consciousness at least 2 times. Conscripted only to serve as porters, they were tortured for not knowing where Shan soldiers were. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Forced vehicular portering
Starting in January 2003, SPDC troops in Lai-Kha and Loi-Lem Townships have been extracting vehicular portering from civilian drivers. Drivers of cars, trucks and mini-tractors have to transport troops, take them to markets, transport military gear, and remain on standby at military bases until their forced shifts are completed. The owners have to provide their own food for themselves and for their vehicles. There is also a 100 kyat fee at every town crossing. (Source: SHRF, April 2003)
Tenasserim Division
Note: Mergui-Tavoy District is an area demarcated by the KNU as part of Karen territory. Mergui-Tavoy falls into SPDC demarcated Tenasserim Division and is under the patrol of the 4th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Mergui-Tavoy as an official district.
Mergui/Tavoy District
Porters conscripted
On 6 January 2003, SPDC Battalion Commander Than Sein from Light Infantry Battalion 401 conscripted porters from 7 villages in Ta Hpo Hkee area, in Eastern Mergui Township, Mergui district. According to a villager from Ta Hpo Hkee area, Ta Hpo Hkee village had to send 50 people, Pler Hta, Pway Plaw, and Ka Wei had to send 50 people, Dalein Da had to send 45 people, Ta Hpo Hta's Karen ward had to send 45 people, Ta Hpo Hta's Burmese ward had to send 45 people, Ta Mla had to send 45 people, and Ler Kaw Htee had to send 30 people. Porters were forced to carry military supplies to Htee Mu Hkee camp on the Thai-Burma border in the east. Those who did not want to go have to pay 20,000 kyat for their replacement. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Long tail boats forced to transport fuel
On 11 January 2003, Operation Commander Soe Thet of the SPDC’s No.1 Strategic Command, based in Myitta village about 37 kilometers to the east of Tavoy, demanded 5 long tail boats from Katawni village, which is in the south of Myitta village. He forced the long tail boats to transport diesel south to Mawhta, a deserted Karen village on the Tenasserim River. The diesel is for the construction of a military transportation road. The villagers received no payment for the four day trip. On January 16, Operation Commander Soe Thet demanded 7 more long tail boats from Katawni and 2 long tail boats from Htoo Ler village to again transport diesel to Mawhta. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Portering of provisions and ammunition
In February 2003, 10 villages including Tagu, Thantaik, Tharabwin, Thabawleiggyi and Nyaungpingwin reported forced portering of provisions and ammunition. Each village has to provide 50 villagers in response to an order by Colonel Than Myint, the 2nd Military Strategist based in Tenasserim. The 10 heads of the village were summoned to the military base and given the order. He also ordered them not to leak the news to the ICRC and labor organizations. (Source: “Forced Labours in Tenasserim Division," DVB, 25 February 2003)
Villagers fined for failing to provide porter services
On 3 March 2003, SPDC troops from No.2 Strategic Command HQ demanded forced portering from the local villagers in the Kay area of Mergui district. According to a local source, the troops demanded 7 villagers from Met Wah village, 12 villagers from Thehko, and 26 villagers from Kauk Yo village. None of the villagers came, so the SPDC troops fined them 40,000 kyat each. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, March 2003)
Forced portering of barbed wire
On 20 June 2003, Coastal Region Military Command No. 3 Strategic Command HQ located at Myitta village 35 miles in the east of Tavoy sent 900 rolls of barbed wire to three of its outposts on Thai-Burma border. For that transport they summoned villagers from Kaw Paw (Myay Kan Baw) village tract which has 8 villages. According to the population of the villages, each village had to send 30 to 50 villagers per day to transport the barbed wire weighing 85 kg per roll. On June 22, 2003, 2 forced laborers from Kameik village in Kaw Paw Track in the northeast of Tavoy stepped on a land mine while being forced to transport barbed wire under this No.3 Strategic Command order. Both porters were wounded seriously one mile before their arrival at the "Thu Ka" SPDC outpost on Thai Burma border. They were carried back to their own village by other villages also being forced to carry barbed wire. A villager from Kameik who arrived at the Thai-Burma border on 23 June 2003 said that the military at Myitta summoned villagers to carry rolls of barbed wire to the border outposts. The order said that villagers must carry 900 rolls of barbed wire round after round until finished. Those absent for the task incurred a fee of 10,000 kyat for the 2 day round trip. While overseeing the movement of barbed wire on 25 June 2003, SPDC LIB 596 came across 3 villagers collecting rattan cane, and conscripted them for portering services. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
Forced elephant portering
On 15 July 2003, LIB 557 commander, Tin Maung Win ordered villagers with elephants in Pawa village tract, Taninthayi Township, Mergui district, to pull lumber to his camp at Theindaw village. Elephants owned by Maung Kyi, Bo Thet, and Naw Tha May pulled 20 tons of lumber each along with their mahouts and food. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
Conscription of vehicles and prisoner porters
On 3 November 2003, No.2 Tactical Command and three other battalions under No.20 LID, led by Colonel Win Naing, conscripted 15 civilian trucks and forced sent them to the front line. These troops also brought 120 prisoners from Mergui and Kaw Thaung jail as forced porters. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, November 2003)
1.5 Forced Labor for Infrastructure Projects - Partial List of Incidents for 2003
Arakan State
Village expansion
In January 2003, forced construction work took place in Thin Ga Net village to make an extention for the habitation of new settlers. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Road construction and killing for refusal to work
On 12 February 2003, the Buthidaung Township Peace and Development Council Chairman ordered the villagers of 76 villages, between Buthidaung Town and Yaung Chaung village to construct a road linking Buthidaung Town and Yaung Chaung village. The road is about 12 miles long, 10 ft. in width and 2 ft. in height. In addition, 4 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep canals are to be dug along both sides of the road. 20 villagers from each village, totaling 1,520 people, have been participating in road construction without any wages. The SPDC authorities are providing 24 policemen to supervise the road construction. On 13 February, a man named Sami Yuddin son of Abul Hossain (age 42), hailing from Yaung Chaung village of Buthidaung Township in Arakan State was killed by police for declining to participate in forced labor. (Source: Kaladan, 2003)
Wood collection
In June 2003 villagers from Pan Bai Chaung were ordered to collect wood for Military Intelligence in the Taung Bazar. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Bridge construction
On 12 June 2003, the commander of SPDC Battalion No.565 in Buthidaung Township ordered the Rohingya villagers of Nan Ra Gon, San Nyin Way (Lambarbil-East) and Quendaung villages to construct a bridge on the Dabruchaung River. The battalion commander called a meeting with the villagers, including VPDC chairmen and secretaries. In the meeting, he asked the participants, who had to affix their signatures and thumb impressions on blank paper sheets, to provide labor for the construction of the bridge, said a local VPDC member. The commander warned the villagers of serious action in case of non-compliance. Accordingly, since 20 June 2003, a total of 150 laborers, 50 from each village, have been working at the construction site, he said. The bridge is 90 ft. long and 12 ft. wide. Besides forced labor, the villagers have to provide a total of 24 pillars, 13 ft. x 3 ft., 10 ft. x 3 ft., and 7 ft. x 3 ft. for the construction of the bridge, a source further added. The forced labor is making the poor villagers more hapless and exhausted while forcing them to live on a starvation diet, the source added. (Source: “Forced Labor Still Continuing in Northern Arakan," Kaladan News, 9 July 2003)
Planting seedlings along military road
On 30 June 2003, the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman of Buthidaung Township in Arakan State ordered 5 villages to plant seedlings along the roadside. The villagers of Quan Dine, Tharakani, Nanragon, Dabru Chaung and Sinyan Way had to plant 92 seedlings per family along both sides of the road at a distance of 4 ft. They had to purchase these seedlings from the government agriculture department at the rate of 100 kyat per seedlings. They also had to fence the seedlings in to protect them from cattle and had to spray them with chemical fertilizer. The road is connected to Buthidaung Town from the headquarters of MOC-15 of Buthidaung Township. (Source: “Does Forced Labor Exist in Arakan?" Kaladan, 22 August 2003)
Forced road construction
As of 8 December 2003 a 16 kilometers long road from Da Byu Chaung to Palay Daung was being constructed in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State with the forced labor of villagers. The road was being constructed from Da Byu Chaung MOC-15 to Palay Daung Battalion No.535 through the Krama Taung, San Nyin Way, Mori Chaung villages of Buthidaung Township. The neighboring villagers had to supply about 200 forced laborers daily for the construction of the road. Some soldiers from Krama Taung Battalion and Palay Daung Battalion No.535 had also participated in the road construction. The road is 18 ft. wide and was previously constructed with forced labor before being destroyed by rain. Qyuan Daung village tract of Buthidaung Township had to provide 20 laborers daily to Battalion No.565 for the construction work. A second Palay Daung village also has to provide forced laborers for the construction work of Battalion No.535. The laborers have to cut bamboo and pillars from the deep forest and carry it to the army Battalion. For MOC-15 of Buthidaung Township, the nearby villages also have to provide laborers daily, but they have been paid 500 kyat per head daily while outside labor is 1,000 kyat per day. (Source: “Palay Daung Road under Construction," Kaladan, 8 December 2003)
Kyauktaw Township
Forced construction of road to support eventual pipeline
Since the beginning of 2003, in a bid to construct a road and possibly a gas
pipeline to the north-eastern part of India, large-scale use of forced labor was
reportedly used in Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in
Chin State. Hundreds of men, women and children could be seen streaming to the
worksites everyday at the village tracts upriver on the Kaladan including
Tarwaing-oing, Mreik-wa, Chin Lat Wa, Nwge Let Wa, Kung Chaung, Miza , Milet wa
and Tinnma. The laborers have been forced to bring their own food, water,
medicine, and tools to dig earth, break blocks of stone and dig drains. The
Burmese military authorities were seen supervising and bullying the forced
laborers. The summer heat and lack of safe drinking water added to the problem
as water-borne (intestinal) diseases broke out in pockets of the hard to reach
jungle areas. At least 7 people have been reportedly killed in and around
Letpanwa under Paletwa Township alone. The diarrhea disease also contaminated
some border villages on Bangladesh side claiming at least 19 lives at Mawdokwa
Village. This road can in no way be considered as a simple road leading to the
north-east India because there will be gas pipelines installed at a later date
for the export of the Rakhine (Arakan) gas to India. (Source: “Forced Labor in
Construction of Gas Pipeline in Burma," Narinjara, 14 June 2003)
House construction
On 3 January 2003, villagers in In Tu Lah were forced to build houses for new settlers. Families had to work up to 20 days per month. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Pagoda construction
From January to March 2003, Muslims in Ngar Yant Chaung were forced to build a Buddhist pagoda on top of a hill. In addition to labor, money was also extorted. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Road construction
In January/February 2003 many workers, mostly children and the elderly, were forced to work on a road between Kha Moung Seik and Bauk Shu Pwai Yah. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In February 2003, forced road construction took place along the Nga Khu Ya – Jadiprang route. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
From April to May 2003, individuals from Thinn Baw Kway and other nearby villages were conscripted to work on the new Rathedaung-Maungdaw road. This large-scale road construction project has been active since January 2003. The road could ultimately be part of the Asian Highway linking project but is certainly built as well to ease communication between Northern Arakan and Sittwe across the Mayu mountain range in view of the improved trade relations with neighboring Bangladesh. According to various sources, this road construction project is being implemented by a large pool of forced laborers, who are not paid and have to bring their own food to the work-site for several consecutive days. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
A June 2003 report indicated that forced labor has being widely used in the construction of a road that runs through the middle section of the Mayu ranges to connect the Mayu and Naaf Rivers. Connecting Rathedaung and Maungdaw Townships in Rakhine State, road construction has been ongoing since January 2003. The road is being constructed under the direct supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Aung Naing Tun, commander of the tactical unit at Buthidaung. An elderly man working on the road told correspondents that the villagers from the western bank of the Mayu River are being conscripted for the construction work. Each morning villagers from Athak-Naingra, Auk-Naingra, Belami, Shwet-Prung, Chinn-Rwa, Thanga-net, Navi-cheik, Paingphaw-brung, Kan-brung, Thabre-daw, Zedi-brung, and Thaya-gung are forced to work on the road. The varieties of jobs include embankment formation and the carrying of stone chips, bricks, mortar, and other road construction materials. (Source: “Forced Labour in the Road through the Mayu Ranges," Narinjara, 25 June 2003)
Village infrastructure
In March 2003, beautification projects took place in Thinn Baw Kway with the use of forced labor. Projects included planting trees and fencing an area, as well as the collection of wood and roofing for construction work at Rayaka office. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In April 2003, villagers from Ye Aung San Yah Phwai were forced to build fences around a school compound. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Irrigation dam
In April 2003, villagers from Kha Moung Zeik were forced to work on the construction of an irrigation dam, while simultaneously providing camp maintenance and sentry duty. Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Bridge repair
In May 2003, villagers from Cah Lay Day Phatt were forced into bridge repair work. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In June 2003, villagers from Inn Din were forced into bridge repair work. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Burmese border authority requests end to forced labor
On 14 November 2003, the Burmese Border Authority ("Nasaka") located in Maung Daw and Bu Thee Daung Townships issued a request to the local authorities of Nasaka to stop the use of forced labor. The request came after a UNHCR official complained to the Nasaka area No.9 Regional commander, Major Ran Naing Soe. The complaint outlined that the local military had been exploiting adolescents and students from the region through forced labor. The resulting request urged the troops not to use the local population as forced labor, and to offer wages if labor was necessary. The local troops were also asked to explain to other troops passing through their areas not to make use of forced labor. Throughout Arakan State, the local authority uses civilians to build barracks and roads, provide transportation vehicles (including military hardware), and to work the military-owned rice paddies. It was learnt from a local headman that the local Nasaka No.9, based in Taung Ba Zar Village, Bu The Daung Township, used high school students for forced labor. (Source: “No Forced Labour, Please: The Burmese Border Authority Request the Local Authorities," Narinjara, 25 November 2003)
Sandoway Township
Building construction
From 15 to 20 November 2003, 25 villagers from May La Maung village of An Township had to collect material for building construction and was then forced to complete construction without receiving any wages. This incident occurred under the direction of Captain Thu Raine Htun, the commander of An region under the Western Command. The buildings are to house the engineers and workers for the An-MaEi road construction. Simultaneously, 30 villagers from Ka Zu Kaine village were forced to clear the shoulders of the road. According to the local sources, the road between Ann and Ma Ei building had progressed to half a mile by the end of November, and the regional military authority was coercing local people to "volunteer" in road construction by saying that "you should work to build the road you are going to use.” (Source: “Forced Labor Continues in Arakan State," Narinjara News, 28 December 2003)
Labor and material for tourist complex
In December 2003, a report noted that large numbers of valuable timber trees were being felled for the construction of a tourism complex in Ngapali sea beach in Sandoway District in Arakan state, while locals were being used as forced labor. Military personnel were also building permanent quarters inside the reserve forest, at Khamong village of Talaing daung village track in An Township, to extract valuable woods from these reserve forest. The villagers were being used for forced labor for various works like construction of houses, locating specific trees and logging them without any payments. One victim said, "not only do the villagers have to supply their physical labor free of cost but they also have to provide buffaloes." The villagers also had to manage food and water on their own. Forced laborer for logging was being extracted from the following villages: Kalaing daung, Khamong, Mhroy, Raymathin and the two additional Chin tribal villages of Hang Royk and Pathagrow in the An Township. The price of a ton of wood is 150,000 kyat in An Township, 400,000 kyat in Sittwe, and 200,000 kyat in Sandoway, according to a timber merchant. (Source: “Force Labor for Construction Ngapali Sea Beach Tourism Complex," Narinjara, 16 December 2003)
Chin State
Forcible money collection for infrastructure projects
In February 2003, Burmese military authorities forcibly collected money from local villagers in southern Chin State. Major Myint Tun Oo, commander of LIB 266 ordered that every household pay 13,000 kyat for development projects being undertaken in Rezua town. The order was in effect for several villages in Matupi Township. In issuing the order, Major Myint Tun Oo said that the money would be used for road construction and tea plantation projects in Rezua, a new township administrative center established by the military regime last year. Sawthing, Ramsai and Thangdia are some of the villages that have already paid 500,000 kyat each to the army. By paying the money, villagers are to be exempted from doing forced labor. The collection of money began in mid-January with the payment deadline being set as 17 February 2003. (Source: Rhododendron News, CHRO, Volume VII. No. I., January-February 2004)
Forced construction of roads and village infrastructure
In December 2003, over 200 households in Rezua town from southern Chin state were forced to work in road construction by the SPDC authority. In the month of November, the authority ordered residences of Rezua town to take responsibility for laying concrete on the town’s major roads. However, as the town residents were busy working at their farm in harvesting season, they could not start the road construction in November. The SPDC issued an order that any of the 200 households who failed to construct their quota before the deadline will be severely punished. The forced laborers had to provide the necessary tools and food as the SPDC provides them only with cement. The SPDC granted Rezua village town status in the year 2002 and residents of Rezua were forced to construct most of the town’s infrastructures such as schools and hospitals. (Source: Rhododendron News, CHRO, Volume VII. No. I., January-February 2004)
Forced construction of India-Burma Ceremonial hall
On 8 December 2003, Colonel Tin Hla, SPDC commander of Tactical 1 in Chin state, visited the Rih area (India-Burma border) to inspect the progress of the India-Burma border trade route which is schedule to be opened soon. The colonel issued an order that every household in the area should send 1 person per day to construct a hall to celebrate the opening ceremony of India-Burma border trade route. The army told the villagers that the hall should be elegant since many dignitaries as well as foreigners will attend to opening ceremony. (Source: Rhododendron News, CHRO, Volume VII. No. I. January-February 2004)
Karen State
(See note above about Pa-an and Papun Districts in section 1.4)
Pa-an District
Road construction
In 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 548, LIB 202 and DKBA troops from No.2 battalion forced villagers in Paing-kyone Township from the towns of Pi-ta-ka, Taung-zone, Hteh-thu, and P-ta to construct a road in the area. SPDC troops from LIB 548 and DKBA troops from No. 3 battalion also forced villagers in Na-bu Township from the towns of Ker-kah and Noh-pyu to construct a road from Kaukariek to Na-bu. The villagers had no time to work for their own businesses as road construction was full time. They received no food or equipment support from the SPDC. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
In March and April 2003, the local authorities of Kawkareik Township, Karen State, under the instruction of the Southeast Command’s commander, Maj. Gen. Thura Myint Aung, forced hundreds of local Mon and Karen ethnic civilians to construct a 16-mile-long road, which connects Kawbein and Kyonedoe villages. U Ko Ko Gyi, (a retired colonel or brigadier), the chairman of the Kawkareik District Peace and Development Council ordered the headmen of the Kawbein, Kaw-pauk Min-ywa, Kharit, and Kaw-go Village Tract Peace and Development Councils to start building the road on 10 March, 2003. The construction was stopped for a short break in mid-April during the water festival, which celebrates the Burmese New Year. On 22 April, 2003, the authorities forced people from another 3 village tracts, Kaw-lyan, Kanni, and Thayet-taw, to work on the road construction together with those from the 5 village tracts previously mentioned. On that day chairman U Ko Ko Gyi called a meeting with village headmen from various village tracts and instructed them to complete the road as quickly as possible. He wanted to complete the construction before the beginning of the rainy season. During the meeting, the chairman of Kharit village, Nai Ba Zan, reported to U Ko Ko Gyi that work assignment to his village tract were overloaded, so that the villagers would not be able to complete the construction on time. The authorities had ordered Kha-rit village tract, which has about 870 households, to construct about 1.4 miles (7400 ft.). This workload ratio was much higher than that of other villages. Therefore, Nai Ba Zan complained to the authorities for an unfair work assignment. U Ko Ko Gyi was angry at him and slapped him in the face 4 times in front of other village headmen and told him to continue the construction with respect to the order. The distance between Kawbein and Kyonedoe village is approximately 16 miles. Both villages are located on the bank of Gyaing River (see the map). The authorities instructed the headmen of the village tracts located between the 2 villages to take responsibility for building a 16-mile-long embankment, 15 ft. in width and 3 ft. in height, to be used as a road connecting the 2 villages. Building a 3-foot high embankment is a common practice for road construction in the area. In order to have the embankment leveled all the way through, the villagers had to build the embankment higher than 3 feet in the places where the road passed through valleys. The authorities defined the route and the space for the embankment. The villagers dug soil pits along both sides of the route to obtain soil for building the embankment. After digging soil pits, the villagers had to carry the soil with their hand-made baskets and filled on the defined space of embankment. The villagers had to provide their own tools to dig and carry the soil. After filling the soil in place, they had to press and pound it to get a strong and fixed embankment. Villagers had to bring their own food and had to work a whole day, from dawn to dusk without any wages. They were forced to work on the construction every day until their assignments were completed. Before Burmese New Year (from 13 April to 17 April, 2003), the authorities instructed the following 5 village tracts to complete 4 miles of the road. Each village was assigned to work the following distance:
(1) Kaw-bein village tract, 1 mile long;
(2) Kaw-pauk village tract, 0.5 mile long;
(3) Min-ywa village tract, 0.5 mile long;
(4) Kharit village tract, 1.4 mile (or 7400 feet) long; and
(5) Kaw-go village tract, 0.6 mile long.
During the Burmese New Year, the construction was stopped and started again after the New Year. Three out of those 5 villages were continuously conscripted to construct the remaining part of the road, i.e., villagers from those 3 village tracts had to construct an additional 4 miles. After the authorities assigned projects to village headmen, the headmen assigned the work to all households in their villages. The village headmen placed the villagers into small groups and arranged for them to work in shifts. After the headman assigned work to a household, that household could decide who in their family had to work. When men were available they went. When men were not available, or busy with other family businesses, women and children were sent to the construction sites. According to a villager from Kaw-bein village, a group of villagers from the village were ordered to work on the construction for 3 days per shift. In 3 working days, each household was ordered to complete 3 ft. (with 15 ft. in width and 3 ft. in height) of the embankment. In the mid-May, because of the heavy rain, the authorities had to cease the construction. Villagers, who were forced to construct the road without the help of machinery, could not complete the road at the time. Only about 30% of the road was completed. Over 7,800 households were conscripted to work in the road construction. (Source: HURFOM, April 2003)
Civilians blamed for incomplete road
In June local civilians were made responsible for the incomplete construction of the 30-mile-long Tarana-Kyonedoe motor road that connects Mon and Karen State. The Southeast Command of the SPDC, which leads the construction project, is giving responsibility to the Kawkareik Township authorities in Karen State, which in turn are conscripting civilian labor. The authorities have conscripted villagers from 25 villages along the road. The road was constructed from Tarana village in Kyaikmayaw Township to Kyone-doe village in Kawkareik Township. The villagers are conscripted on a rotational basis in 3 day increments. Work requirements include construction of an embankment adjacent to the road, 3 ft. in height, 15 ft. in width and 3 ft. in length for each family. In some places, where the authorities were unable to monitor, the civilians built the embankment by putting leaves underneath. As a result, the embankment became unstable and was destroyed by floods at the beginning of rainy season, which started in mid-May in the area. When the local SPDC and construction authorities inspected the construction, they found some parts of the embankment destroyed and called in the headmen blaming the civilians who constructed the embankment carelessly. When the SPDC authorities planned to build the road with the use of forced labor, the New Mon State Party had urged them not to use civilian labor but to use machinery instead. If necessary, the NMSP said they would take security for their machinery, such as tractors, bulldozer and other equipment. The Chief Commander of Southeast Command, Maj. Gen. Thura Myint Aung asked the NMSP leaders from Thaton district not to interfere with the use of forced labor. (Source: “Forced Labour Continues Despite ILO Resolution; Civilians Blamed for Incomplete Road," Kao Wao News No.47, 22 June –7 July 2003)
Extortion for bridge construction and road clearance for officer visit
On 22 June 2003, the Oslo based Democratic Voice of Burma radio reported that Ko Kyi Win and Ko Hla Nyein, the chairman and secretary of Zathapyin village in Karen State, were ordered by the local army Battalion 81 to collect 10,000 kyat from each household in nearby villages. The Pa-an-Khaya Bridge was to be built for trucks and passenger buses. An army officer was going to come to inspect the bridge on 5 July and each household was being forced to contribute 1 person for forced labor to clean the road. (Source: “Forced Labour Continues Despite ILO Resolution; Civilians Blamed for Incomplete Road," Kao Wao News No.47, 22 June –7 July 2003)
Fence construction
On 18 September 2003, DKBA commander Kyaw Than instructed Battalion Commander Nyan Soe to construct a fence between Baw Naw Klo and Kho Tha Nay, for which 1 person from every household was conscripted. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Papun District
Road construction
In March 2003, villagers from 19 villages in Maekalaw and Mae Htaw circles of Papun Township were still being forced to build tarmac roads without pay. The commander of the Southeast Command, Colonel Tin Kyu, was leading and Colonel Myint Win Aung was responsible for overseeing the project. KNU General Secretary Phado Manh Sha reported the following about the project: "The roads are from here to Kamaung, and from Kamaung to Papun and Bilin. They are repairing the road between Papun and Pahaik everyday. Now, they have made the 9-mile road between Papun and Bilin a tarmac one. They are also building the Papun-Tagundaing road as a reserve. They have been forcing villagers from Mae Kalaw and Mae Htaw circles to build the roads since November. There are more than 3000 women and more than 2000 men; all together nearly 6000 people. They started the project in November and they still haven’t finished it and it might go on until the rainy season." (Source: “Forced Labor in Karen State," DVB, 12 March 2003)
Road clearance
On 15 August 2003, SPDC IB 95 under Battalion Commander Tin Hlaing forcibly asked 11 people from Mae Nyo Hta village to serve as laborers for clearing a car road. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Exploded mine removal
On 22 August 2003, LIB 434 forced villagers to dig and pick out exploded KNLA land mines. Those villagers were:
(1) 11 from Thwa Kho Law village;
(2) 5 from Ta Hu Law;
(3) 5 from Tha Pa Su Law;
(4) 5 from Khaw Klah;
(5) 5 from Ta Dwee Kho;
(6) 5 from Po Baw Kho;
(7) 11 from Ku Saik; and
(8) 10 from Ma Htaw villages. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Digging road canals
On 23 August 2003, SPDC LIB 340 forced 19 Noh Law Hsu villagers to dig a canal along both sides of the car road from Ku Saik to Ma Htaw village with a height of 1 foot and a depth of 1 foot. On 24 August LIB 340 forced 23 villagers from Htee Ber Ka Hta and Noh Law Hsu villages to further dig the canal on both sides of the car road. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Road reconstruction
From 24 to 28 August 2003, IB 51 under Commander Tin Hlaing forcibly asked 18 people of Mae Nyo Hta villager to dig land in order to reconstruct the car road. During the reconstruction period villagers had to work from 6:00 am to 11:00 am and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Road clearance
On 24 August 2003, SPDC IB 93 based in Htee Ber Ka Hta under Column Commander Aung Khin Thain and based in Taung Thone Lone under Second Battalion Commander Tu Rain forced villagers to clear a road for them. Conscriptions included:
(1) 20 people from Baw Tho Hta village;
(2) 20 from Htee Law Thi Hta;
(3) 20 from Htee Theh Lay;
(4) 15 from Po Ma Heh;
(5) 35 from Ka Pi Khee;
(6) 7 from Noh La;
(7) 7 from Htee Ka Hsaw Meh;
(8) 15 from Pway Htaw Ro;
(9) 15 from Noh Gaw;
(10) 15 from Wa Tho Kla;
(11) 5 from Hsa Law Teh;
(12) 15 from Htee Tha Blu Hta;
(13) 10 from Htaw Meh Hta;
(14) 10 from Po Khay;
(15) 5 from Po Leh;
(16) 10 from Bler Per; and
(17) 20 from Noh Paw Htee.
Eight days of conscripted labor was demanded until 31 August. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Road construction
On 16 December 2003, SPDC troops from IB 98 Tactical 2, under Commander Zaw Soe Thein, forced the villagers from Htee-theh-lay, Pah-lo-doh, Pah-lo-poe, Taw-thu-klah, and Kaing-daw in Dwe-lo Township to construct a road from Papun to Ka-daing-ti. One person from each household in these villagers had to bring their own food and equipment. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 17 December 2003, SPDC troops from IB 39, under Battalion Commander Zaw Moe Lin, forced the villagers of Htee-tha-blu-hta, Hsaw-meh-hta, Baw-tho-hta, Wa-tho-klah, Htee-lor-thit-hta, Noh-gaw, Kpi-kee, Pway-taw-roh, Noh-lah, Htee-hsor-meh, Pah-lo, Taw-thoo-klah, Htee-theh-lay , Pah-loh-doh, and Pwah-si-hta to construct a motor road and canal from Papun to Ka-daing-ti. The commander proclaimed that the road is for peace restoration so the villagers had to do their best. If any skirmish or bomb explosion happened near the road construction site, the village headman would be killed first. If any military equipment was destroyed during construction, the villagers would have to pay fines. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
Mon State
Extortion to hire Kanbuak-Myaingkalay pipeline guards
On 19 January 2003, Mudon Township authorities ordered villagers along the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline to increase the number of guards along the route. However the village headmen offered to collect money to hire guards instead. Mudon Township authorities collected 200 kyat from every household with the stated intent of hiring laborers. (Source: HURFOM, January 2003)
Pipeline maintenance, guarding, and explosion accountability
On 16 March 2003, SPDC IB 31 Commander, Lt. Col. Naing Win, ordered farmers near the Kanbuak-Myaingkalay pipeline route in the southern part of Mudon Township and in Thanbyuzayat Township to assume responsibility for security along the pipeline. Explosions would be punishable. The order instructed farmers in the area to fence the pipeline, cover it where it was above ground, and establish security along it. There are about 500 farmers along the pipeline route in the southern part of Mudon Township. The order forces some of them to hire day-laborers from the village at 1000 kyat per day. One farmer from Kwan-hlar village had to spend about 80,000 kyat to have laborers dig earth and cover the pipeline route. Farmers already busy with their farms now take on additional security duties. A farmer from Doma village in southern part of Mudon Township said the amount of additional money he has to spend on the pipeline has led him to consider abandoning the land and going to Thailand to seek work for family income. (Source: HURFOM, March 2003)
Pipeline guarding and explosion accountability
In Thanbyuzayat Township, the authorities have continuously instructed villagers to guard along the pipeline. On 6 January 2003, the Thanbyuzayat Township based commander of IB 31 reconfirmed that all village headmen along the pipeline must take responsibility for guarding it. Additionally, the authorities ordered that if villagers found parts of the gas pipeline above the ground, they must to inform the village headmen and then cover it. The authorities and army also informed farm and plantation owners they would be punished for any explosions on their property. One villager said, "'this pipeline belongs to companies and the regime. Why are they forcing civilians to guard it?" Gas from Yadana gas field is brought from Kanbauk onshore gas station into a cement factory in Pa-an Township, Karen State, by passing through Mon State. This pipeline has exploded many times in the past because the quality of pipeline is not good and it passes through the salty area of Mon State. Nearby villagers have also been subjected to emissions from gas explosions. (Source: HURFOM, January 2003)
Clearing and
fencing of Kanbuak-Myaigkaly pipeline
As of 12 February 2003, SPDC IB 62 based in Thanbyuzayat Township ordered the villagers in the southern part of Thanbyuzayat to clear all the bushes along the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas pipeline route and to fence the route to prevent attacks from rebel soldiers. The battalion commander ordered 100 villagers to clear 15 kilometers of bushes between Htinn-yuu and Sakan-gyi villages in 2 days. Additionally, villagers were told to find bamboo and other materials and to fence the pipeline at 10 locations along the 15 kilometer stretch. According to a villager interviewed, work was demanded from many women over 50 and under 18. (Source: HURFOM, February 2003)
Woman raped during pipeline guard duty
In late February 2003, a 17-year-old Mon woman was raped while guarding the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline. She was substituting for her husband who was fishing that day. (Source: HURFOM, June 2003)
Pipeline guard duty
A June 2003 order instructed all villages in Ye and Thanbyuzayat Townships to provide 5 individuals from each village for 24-hour guard duty of the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline. If a villager failed to perform the duty, that family would not be allowed to stay in the village, said the authorities. “Households unable to guard [the pipeline] need to hire a substitute to perform the duty. If you cannot find a substitute, you have to pay a 2,000 kyat fine. If you cannot pay the fine and fail to perform the duties, the village headman orders you to leave the village immediately," said a villager. “We are in a difficult situation just seeking money and food [for our families] even when there is no instruction for guarding the pipeline. We, the poor families, face food shortage if we guard the pipeline. We cannot pay the 2,000 kyat fine as we earn only 100 kyat per day." (Source: HURFOM, June 2003)
Thaton District
(See note above about Thaton District in section 1.4)
Road and bridge construction
On 8 May 2003, SPDC LIB 341 forced 13 villagers of Klaw Day village to work on car road construction. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 24 October 2003, SPDC IB 9 under Battalion Commander Myo Myint and SPDC IB 8 under Commander Myo Sein, based in Shwe-yaung-pya and Daw-ya, forced villagers to construct a motor road from Myah-gone to Kyaik-tu villages. The road is about 11 miles in distance. The villagers conscripted were:
(1) Mit-chaung-aing,
(2) Mya-gone, Klor-keh,
(3) Shwe-yaung-pya,
(4) Lao-keh, kyat-ta-raw,
(5) Taw-klay,
(6) Shwe-aye-doh,
(7) Daw-ya, Keh maw, and
(8) Kyaik-tu-gone.
Each villager was forced to provide their own food and equipment. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 6 December 2003, SPDC troops from IB 9, under Battalion Commander Myo-Myint, and SPDC troops from IB 8 under Commander Myo Sein, forced the villagers in Thatone Township to construct a road from Myah-gone to Kyauk-tu. The orders were as follows:
(1) Mit-chang-aing villagers, to construct 1 bridge and 100 tin of stone;
(2) Myah-gone villagers, 1 bridge and 150 tin of stone;
(3) Klor-keh villagers, 2 bridges and 150 tin of stone;
(4) Shwe-yaung-pya villagers, 1 bridge and 290 tin of stone;
(5) Lao-keh villagers, 4 bridges and 480 tin of stone;
(6) Kya-taraw villagers, 1 bridge and 250 tin of stone;
(7) Taung-klay villagers, 1 bridge and 400 tin of stone;
(8) Shwe-aye-doh villagers, 1 bridge and 200 tin of stone;
(9) Daw-ya villagers, 1 bridge and 300 tin of stone; and
(10) Kyauk-tu villagers, 1 bridge and 150 tin of stone.
All the villagers have to bring their own food supplies and equipment. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
Helicopter pad to
protect Thai fishing industry
On 9 January 2003, the Burmese Army's IB 62 and IB 31 forced local villagers to build a helicopter landing pad on Kalae-gote Island in the northwestern part of Ye Township. One person per house per village, creating a group of over 60 people, was forced to do daily work on the island. As most of the island landscape is hills, villagers were forced to dig and establish a level landing ground. The project took place on confiscated land. The helicopter pad is for the artillery regiment, which is equipped with five 81 mm mortars that were built on the island 2 months ago. According to a villager's report, the main purpose of the landing pad is for patrolling the area with the objective of protecting the fishing business between Thai companies and Burmese authorities in the Andaman Sea. Since 1996, Thai trading groups have been planning to build a highway road to the island across the Thailand-Burma border area in Three Pagodas Pass. Thai companies also planned to build a deep seaport on the island for trading purpose. The 1997 Thai economic crisis postponed the project until now. (Source: HURFOM, January 2003)
Forced pipeline clearing and fencing
On 8 February 2003, there was a gas pipeline explosion near Lamine village in Ye Township, to which the SPDC responded by ordering villagers to clear bushes and construct fencing. The soldiers also threatened punishment to the workers if further damage occurred to the pipeline. (Source: HURFOM, February 2003)
Pegu Division
(See note above about Nyaunglebin and Taungoo Districts in section 1.4)
Nyaunglebin District
Road clearing
On 16 March 2003, SPDC IB 26, 28 and LIB 264 ordered the Ma La Daw village headman to provide 1 person from each house to clean the car road between Ma La Daw and Ta Ler Day. Villagers had to bring their own food. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Taungoo District
Road construction, clearance, and supply transport
On 5 August 2003, SPDC (Sa Ba Ha) Military Strategic Command 2, under Commander Khin Maung Oo, forcibly collected 20 villagers from Khu Ler Der and 40 from Maw Wa Der to serve as contribute laborers, clearing bushes along the car road from Pa Let Wa to Maw Wa Der. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 20 December 2003, SPDC troops from Southern command, under Tactical 1 Commander Khin Maung Oo, gathered villagers in Tan-Ta-Bin Township, Taungoo District and forced them to clear mines and construct the motor road from Bor-gali to Bu-hsa-khee military camp. The villages involved in the conscription were:
(1) Kaw-soe-koh village, 40 people;
(2) Maw-pah-deh village, 30 people;
(3) Ku-plor-deh village, 15 people;
(4) Wa-tho-koh village, 20 people;
(5) Ler-koh village, 15 people;
(6) Peh-kor-deh village, 60 people;
(7) Gah-mu-deh village, 15 people; and
(8) Deh-doh village, 20 people.
In addition, the troops conscripted additional porters to carry food supplies from Baw-gali to Tha-aye-hta military camp. These included:
(1) Baw-gali, 200 people;
(2) Kaw-soe-koh, 70 people;
(3) Wa-tho-koh, 20 people;
(4) Ler-koh, 15 people;
(5) Maw-pah-deh, 20 people;
(6) Ku-plaw-deh, 20 people;
(7) Peh-kaw-deh, 60 people;
(8) Maw-koh-deh, 20 people; and
(9) Deh-doh, 20 people. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 22 December 2003, troops from SPDC Southern Command IB 92, under Commander Win Min Tun, forced 6 villagers from Kaw-thay-deh village and 10 from Klee-soe-kee to clear a road and follow a bulldozer. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 27 December 2003, SPDC troops from Southern Command, under Tactical Commander Khin Soe, forcibly captured villagers at Baw-gali, Tan-ta-bin Township, and forced them to clear bushes and landmines along the road. Villagers conscripted were:
(1) Baw-gali, 80 people;
(2) Kaw-soe-koh, 31 people;
(3) Wa-tho-koh, 17 people;
(4) Ler-koh, 7 people;
(5) Maw-pah-deh, 26 people;
(6) Ku-plaw-deh, 10 people;
(7) Per-kaw-deh, 57 people;
(8) Deh-doh, 16 people; and
(9) Maw-koh-deh, 10 people.
The villagers had to bring their own food supplies and equipment. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
On 31 December 2003, SPDC troops from IB 39 and IB 92 forced the villagers of Baw-gali to clear a motor road and forced truck owners Saw Ta Toh and Saw Maw Kroh to carry military equipment to Tha-aye-hta military headquarters. There was no support or assistance for the owners or the drivers. (Source: FTUK, 2003)
Sagaing Division
Carrying of stones and unpaid wages
On 25 February 2003, it was reported that villagers of Homalin and Leshi Townships had been ordered by the Northwest Military Command’s commander, General Soe Win, to contribute stones for the building of the Htamanbi Leshi motorway. To make the practice look voluntary, he guaranteed them 200 kyat for each 10 cubic feet of stones provided, to be paid by government construction contractors. The market rate for the same amount of stones was 2,000 kyat and some poor people were forced to do the job. After 1 year, more than 400,000 kyat had still not been paid to workers. (Source: “Forced Labour in Sagaing Division," DVB, 25 February 2003)
Shan State
Vehicle conscription for road construction
Starting in April 2003 and extending at least until October 2003, mini-tractors in Nawng Kaw village tract in Hsipaw Township were forcibly conscripted by SPDC troops from IB 67 and IB 22. The mini-tractors were from the following villages:
(1) 2 from Nawng Kaw village;
(2) 4 from Kawng Laang Tai village;
(3) 2 from Nam Pim village;
(4) 3 from Naa Mon village;
(5) 7 from Paang Niu village;
(6) 3 from Paang Murd village; and
(7) 3 from Nam Yaang village.
The tractors were used at the owners' expense, without compensation, to carry rocks, stones, and water to a road building project in Hsipaw Township. (Source: SHRF, October 2003)
Forced road maintenance and watch
As of February 2003, SPDC troops from IB 246 were continuing to force 80-90 villagers from Kun-Hing Township to fix the road from south of Kun-Hing town to Kaeng Tawng area in Murng-Nai Township. The project, which has been running since October 2002, involves villagers working 11-12 days at a time clearing brushes and trees within 10 yards on both sides of the road and digging out small bends to straighten the road. Work was from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with a midday break. Workers were restricted from movement in the evening and slept in a group surrounded by SPDC troops. Villagers had to use their own tools, provide their own food, and received no compensation for their labor. (Source: SHRF, February 2003)
As of February 2003, SPDC troops from IB 246 were continuing to force villagers in Saai Mon village tract in Kun-Hing Township to keep watch along the road between Kho Lam village and Kun Hing town every day without pay and without food. The practice has been in effect since October 2002. (Source: SHRF, February 2003)
Road construction
Since 22 November 2003, forced labor was being used in the construction of a road west of Lai-Kha. IB 64 was forcing 5-10 people per village to work 15 days at a time. Villagers were also required to provide their own food. About 45-50 workers were required to split rocks and those who had mini-tractors had to use them to carry the rocks, while the rest had to work leveling the ground and paving the road with rocks. The workers were mixed with prisoners and civilian ethnic Burmans brought in from other areas by the SPDC troops. The SPDC troops provided fuel for the civilian tractors for 5 days and then forced collection of money from local people for the next 10 days. People also had to provide money for chickens and pigs for the troops. Anyone failing to work was fined 20,000 kyat and their headman was fined an additional 2,000 kyat. (Source: SHRF, January 2004)
Extortion and forced labor
On 17 August 2003, 3 villagers from the outskirts of Lai-Kha town took a mini-tractor to gather bamboo to fence their rice fields. As they reached the edge of the fields with a truckload of bamboo, they were stopped by a group of local SPDC troops, who accused the villagers of cutting bamboo without permission and confiscated the bamboo. The troops also detained the mini-tractor and the 3 villagers, and money was extorted for their release. Each of the villagers had to pay 1,500 kyat for the mini-tractor, 500 kyat for not having asked permission and 200 kyat for a pass to gather bamboo again. Altogether all of them had to pay 6,600 kyat for the mini-tractor and themselves, but their bamboo was confiscated. A few days after that, local SPDC military authorities issued an order requiring owners of mini-tractors to provide a truckload of bamboo for each mini-tractor for the military for free. People who did not own a mini-tractor were required to build fences with the bamboo for the military, also unpaid. (Source: SHRF, January 2004)
Road construction
In January 2003, Lashio authorities received 20 million kyat from the central government to reconstruct the main road between Mantu and Lashio Township, Shan State. The Lashio authorities gave half of the money to an unnamed commander of LIB 324 based in Namtu Township and ordered him to take responsibility for reconstructing the road within 2 months. But, on 21 April 2003, the commander ordered villagers from Man San, Nam Tong Kong, Pang Lin, Man Ma, Nar Seang, Maing Yu and Maing Yin villages to build the road. Each village had to send 25 people for 3 weeks. The villagers had to bring their own food and construction materials. Anyone who refused to go had to pay 15,000 kyat in compensation for their 3 week absence, said one of the Palaung villagers. (Source: Palaung Youth Newsletter, PYNG, August 2003)
Road construction
Since February 2003, LIB 514 has forced 50-60 people to bring food and work for 20 days at a time in order to construct a road north of Murng-Kerng from Paang Kaetu to Naa Saai. Fuel for the people’s mini-tractors, also conscripted, was provided for 5 days, with the remaining 15 to be bought with money collected from workers and villagers. People also had to provide money for chickens and pigs for the troops. Anyone failing to work was fined 20,000 kyat with their headman being fined an additional 2,000 kyat. (Source: SHRF, January 2004)
Killing of forced laborers and money extortion
In late February 2003, 3 forced laborers on a road construction project were killed by SPDC troops from Murng-Nai-based LIB 576 and Murng-Pan-based LIB 332. During the project, from February 2002 to March 2003, the SPDC troops overseeing the construction conscripted Lung Kam (male, age 56), Lung Aa-Zay-Ya (male, age 53) and Zaai Kawn (male, age 41) from Wan Kaad village in Kun Long village tract, Murng-Nai Township to serve as guides to help find the shortest route for building the road. Each was provided a monthly salary of 500 kyat and a sack of rice during the first three months of their conscription. Afterwards, the SPDC troops ordered the village headman of Wan Kaad to borrow rice and money from his villagers for the salaries of the 3 men, saying that they would pay it back as soon as they received the allotted budget from their superiors. As the road neared completion in late February 2003, the 3 guides were taken from the camp by SPDC troops and did not return. When the road was completed in late March 2003, the SPDC troops came to Wan Kaad village and told the headman and elders that the 3 men had run away before completing their duties and village leaders were responsible for their misconduct. Troops were paraphrased as stating, “Your villagers ran away before fulfilling their duties. It was government work. Why didn’t you instruct them to serve until the work was completed, you deserve punishment for this.” A fine of 60,000 kyat was levied and subsequently bargained down to 45,000 kyat. Money was collected from every house in the village. A few days later, villagers of Wan Kaad who had gone to catch fish found the bodies of the 3 men, recognizable only by the clothes on them, in a pile near a stream in a valley called Huay Nam Kaab in Murng-Pan Township, about 3 miles from the labor camp where they were last seen. (Source: SHRF, June 2003)
Road repair
On 28 April 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 324, Column 2
led by Captain Aung Myint based in Namtu township forced villagers in Man kang,
Nam Lang and Na Lin villages to come with their own food and own material to
reconstruct the road between Man Kang and Nar Lin. They ordered them to finish
all of the work within 3 weeks. That evening, the captain ordered his soldiers
to steal 2 cows from Man Kang village. When the cow owner U Yee Lea complained
about this to the captain he was told that the cows had been given as food to
the villagers who were reconstructing the road. In reality, the soldiers
themselves had eaten the beef. (Source: Palaung Youth Newsletter, PYNG,
August 2003)
Forced cutting of wood for construction projects
On 8 February 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 324 led by Commander Sein Win Myaing, based in Namtu Township Northern Shan State, ordered Pang Long and Pan Noi villagers to cut 10 tons of wood within 1 month in order to repair the monastery and schools in their villages in Namtu Township. He said he would buy all 10 tons. So the villagers were happy to cut the woods because they knew that Commander Sein Win Myaing had received 500,000 kyat for repairing the monastery and schools. After that the Pan Lon and Pan Noi villagers cut all the woods and transported them to the 2 places in need. On April 14, the headman went to the LIB 324 camps and asked the money from the commander but the commander threatened the headman to go back before he got angry, according to one of local villagers from Pang Long village. (Source: Palaung Youth Newsletter, PYNG, August 2003)
Road repair
On 28 May 2003, SPDC commander from LIB 33 based in Pang Long Township, Shan State, ordered villagers to reconstruct the road in Man Lin, Ho Pong, Ho Tong, Pang Kar, Man Vow, Loi Kyea and Man Lon. Each villager had to work for 2 weeks. They also had to bring their own food and materials and anyone who refused to go had to pay 10,000 kyat per week. Anyone who refused to work or pay the fine was arrested, forced to work and charged 20,000 kyat. (Source: Palaung Youth Newsletter, PYNG, August 2003)
Vehicular conscription and forced fuel purchasing
Since July 2003, unpaid forced labor of civilian populations and their vehicles has been occurring in Tachileik. In Murng Phong village tract, 2 villagers and 1 car or truck with a driver were required to be at the military camp all times to serve the SPDC soldiers. Villagers had to take turns and work in rotation to fulfill their forced labor duty, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm the next day. Other villages reported similar activities. Additionally, a vehicle was being forced to run for free each day along the line from Tachileik town to Kaeng Laab village tract with the SPDC selling 50 liters of fuel at 12 baht per liter. A truck or car usually needs 75 liters of fuel to run between Tachilek and Kaeng Laab, so the vehicle owners still needed to buy 25 liters from outside dealers. Furthermore, if a vehicle broke down or was unable to run on its designated day, the owner had to hire another vehicle to run instead, which cost him at least 1,000 baht a day. (Source: SHRF, January 2004)
Forced painting of signboards
In October 2003, a painter was forced to paint signboards for the military by SPDC troops of Military Intelligence unit No.22, using his own paints and getting nothing for it, except intimidation. On the day that marked the end of the Buddhist lent, 8 October 2003, when Buddhists traditionally go to the temples early in the morning to make merit, Zaai Yi (not his real name), a painter by profession, and his wife were preparing to go to the temple. Before they could leave their house however, at about 6:00 am, 2 SPDC soldiers from MI 22 came by on motorcycle and told Zaai Yi that their major had sent for him, saying, “Our major wants you to go and paint some signboards at the camp. You must go immediately.” When Zaai Yi asked them if it would be possible for him to go to the temple first and come later, the SPDC troops said, “Which one do you think is more important? Your personal matters or our military matters? You must know that!” Zaai Yi dared not say anything more, but told his wife to go to the temple alone and hastily gathered his brushes and paints and followed the SPDC troops to the military camp. There he was to paint signboards for welcoming military authorities that would be visiting from Rangoon the next day. Zaai Yi worked hard, stopping briefly only once to eat a meal which he had to buy with his own money, and managed to finish the signboards in the afternoon of that day. After handing in the signboards to the SPDC troops, the following words were all what he got in return: “If you don’t want to lose your livelihood as a painter, every time you are needed by our military you should put all your other matters aside and come immediately. Understand?” (Source: SHRF, January 2004)
Tenasserim Division
(See note above about Mergui/Tavoy District in section 1.4)
Mergui/Tavoy District
Forced construction of bridges
In January 2003, the No.12 Military Training Center based near Pasawoak (Wanzawoak) village in Palaw Township, Mergui district, continued forcing villagers from Paycha village tract, Pasawoak village tract, and Palauk village tract to build bridges between Paycha village to Ya Wah Mountain. There were 13 bridges scheduled to be built. An SPDC logging business is also said to exist in the area on the site of relocated villagers’ betel nut plantations. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Civilian boats conscripted for bridge construction
Starting on 4 May 2003, boat owners were conscripted to transport stone chipping and ballast to the Kywego bridge construction site 10 miles northeast of Mergui, the HQ of Coastal Region Military Command in Tenasserim Division. The boat owners who had to transport such materials are Maung Pyit, Ko Myint Htay, Naing Kin, Than Htay Aung, Oo Myint Kyaw from Pawatt village and Ko Win Oo from Hpayahtwet village in the south east of Mergui. The boat owners were required to supply fuel and were unable to provide the regular trips from Pawatt to Mergui. Captain Kyaw Kyaw Htun, one of the SPDC military officers charged with material collection, said that those who volunteered to transport stones for the bridge would make merit and be "Sedanashin" (merit maker) for the rest of the public. One of the boat owners said that "Sedanashin" will be rewarded only in "Neikban" (heaven), and would not help him buy food for his family. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, May 2003)
Forced roadside clearing
On 3 November 2003, the No.1 Strategic Command's Commander Col. Soe Thet ordered people along the Tenasserim River valley in Taninthayi Township to clear the roadside between Taninthayi and Theindaw. As the locals were facing food problems during that season, they requested free time to search for food. The request was denied. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, October 2003)
1.6 Forced Labor for Military Camps, Military Income Generation, and Guide Services - Partial List of Incidents for 2003
Arakan State
Buthidaung Township
Cultivation of rice for SPDC
On 20 April 2003, a section of the SPDC went to Koin Daung village in Buthidaung Township in Arakan State and arrested 20 villagers for forced labor. The MOC-15 headquarters of Buthidaung had previously seized 10 acres of arable lands from Rohingya villages adjacent to the military headquarters for growing paddy with forced labor. The arrested villagers had to reap the paddy fields in the day and had to stay in the military headquarters at night. They were fed by the villagers of Da Bru Chaung, another village near the military camp. Additional work included threshing, carrying, storing the grains in the granary, placing the paddy under heat, etc. After 4 days the villagers were freed on 23 April 2003, without any wages. (Source: “Army Arrested 20 Villagers for Forced Labor," Kaladan News, 7 May 2003)
In June 2003, villagers at Goat Pi were forced to plough Nasaka paddy fields and provide oxen for camp usage. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
From June to August 2003, forced labor activities routinely occurred at Ba Da Gar. Work included the repair and maintenance of the military camp, collection of firewood for the military, provisioning of chicken and black pepper seeds, provisioning of jackfruit seeds, planting and ploughing of fields, and sentry duty. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
On 12 June 2003, the Commander of MOC-15 of Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, ordered 5 villages to work in farmlands controlled by the army camps. The 5 villages, Nan Yah Gone, Aley Chaung (Ali Yaung), Kwan Dine (Koin Daung), Tha Yet Kin Manu (Say Ra Kuni), and San Nyin Way (Lambabil-East) were ordered to provide 60 daily laborers to plough the paddy fields controlled by the army camps. The order contradicted the earlier order issued by the same army asking each village to provide daily, 12 laborers to till 4 acres of land. Accordingly, the chairmen of the 5 villages have to send to the army camps, without any respite, daily 60 ploughmen, 120 oxen and 60 plows, together with other agricultural tools, from their respective villages. These farmlands, which were earlier seized from the poor villagers for the purpose of the construction of army camps, have now been used by the army as paddy fields to support their families or their camps. (Source: “Forced Labor for Growing Paddy," Kaladan News, 1 July 2003)
As of 13 September 2003, villagers of Buthidaung Township had to provide labor for the Nasaka camps, for military camps, and for Military Intelligence operations. Tasks included cleaning and fencing camps, building latrines, carrying water, and preparing firewood. Additional longer term work included ploughing fields and growing paddy in fields which had been seized from villagers. Military units involved were LIB 551, 552, 553, 556, and MOC-14. Every day, 1 villager from a village tract had to go to the Nasaka office and stand by from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. His duty was to pass any news from Nasaka to village Chairmen or villagers
Since 12 December 2003, MOC-15 based in Dabru Chaung village of Buthidaung Township has forced 100 villagers from Quen Dine, Nanragon, Tharakkani and Sinyan Way to harvest 10 acres of paddy lands. Previously, MOC-15 seized this arable land from Rohingya villages adjacent to the military headquarters. The commander warned the villagers to take serious action in case of non-compliance. As a result a total of 100 laborers have been working daily at the harvest site by rotation. The commander gathered all the laborers engaged in the labor and asked them to affix their signatures and thumb impressions on blank paper sheets, as acknowledgement of voluntary services for the harvest. The villagers have to reap the paddy fields and do other work such as threshing, carrying, storing the grains in the granary and putting the paddy into heat. MOC-15 continues the use of force labor despite a 14 November 2003 request by Nasaka to end the practice. (Source: “Forced Labor for Harvest in Northern Arakan," Kaladan News, 20 December 2003)
Forced maintenance inside Nasaka border security camps
In January 2003, forced camp maintenance work took place at Inn Din. Every family had to provide labor 4 days per month. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In January 2003, building and portering work for a Nasaka camp took place in In Tu Lah. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In February 2003, forced work was ordered inside Nasaka Sector 2 camp, in Bauk Shu Pwai Yah village. Labor included collecting firewood for brick backing and stakes. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In February 2003, villagers in Kha Moung Seik were forced to build bunkers in a Nasaka camp. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
In February/March 2003, villagers in Bauk Shu Pwai had to collect firewood for the Aung Shu camp brickfield. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
On 10 March 2003, it was reported that the SPDC used at least 500 forced laborers to construct the Bandoola Camp of the Nasaka Security Forces under Nasaka Area One Aungthabray (Aungthabyi) headquarters. They had used the forced labor to carry thousands of bags of cement and steel rods, and in carrying the supplies and ration of the security forces during January. Additionally, large scale forced labor was reported at Khamaung-cheik Nasaka camp, in Nasaka Area 2. Work included building strong bunkers and constructing a Buddhist temple at Way-la-daung village. At Ngaraing-chaung, forced labor is also being used to construct what the junta calls Natala Model Village for new settlers. Furthermore, at Aung Juu camp, the Nasaka forces used at least 500 villagers from nearby villages as forced labor for cutting down firewood for the brickfield owned by the Nasaka. For cutting and carrying the firewood they gave 10 kyat for every piece of firewood log brought to the brick kiln. Because of the long distance and heavy weight of the logs, a stout worker could carry 7 or 8 hardwood logs in a day, making the payment something of a mockery. The forced laborers complained that although there was an order to pay each worker 400 kyat per day, each of them had been paid 100 kyat. They complained that a meal in a third class restaurant costs them 500 kyat. The forced laborers also complained that a person performing unskilled work in the village or town can earn at least 500 kyat per day, while the coarse variety of rice, the only staple food for the poor, costs as much as 300 kyat a kilo. Many of the local villagers said that in recent years the junta has stopped all kinds of forced labor at least 1 month in advance of the visit of foreign dignitaries, including the team from ILO. During this period the villagers are again and again briefed regularly with what to tell to the visitors and what not to when asked. The villagers also said that although the junta uses forced labor, the villagers have been told to use the term of “voluntary labor” for those conscripted for carrying out tasks like carrying hard firewood, bricks, cement bags, ration and ammunition boxes, and construction of buildings. (Source: “The Changing Faces of Forced Labour," Narinjara News, 10 March 2003)
In May 2003, In Tu Lah villagers were involved in forced labor in maintaining a Nasaka border camp. In addition a generator was requisition for use at the camp. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Artillery installation to guard gas fields
In March 2003, forced construction of an artillery base on Farunga Island was reported from the village of Soemegyi. The base is being installed at the southern tip of West Farunga Island, about fifty kilometres south to Sittwe. The artillery base is aimed at safeguarding the construction of facilities in an offshore gas field, from which the gas would ultimately be piped to neighboring countries. The Chin minority villagers in the nearby areas including Soemegyi village have been engaged in forced labour in the construction of the artillery base. A total of 5 such artillery bases in the nearby islands of Kyun-thaya in Mrebon Township, Man-aung, Thabru-chaing in Thandway Township, and Oyster lighthouse beside the one at Farunga were to be constructed for the purpose offering protection to the offshore gas interest. (Source: Forum-Asia, 2003)
Karen State
(See note above about Dooplaya, Pa-an and Papun Districts in section 1.4)
Dooplaya District
Portering and extortion for army transfer and camp maintenance
In April 2003, LIB 234 stationed at the Three Pagodas Pass Thai-Burma border
town began being replaced by LIB 344. A witness reported that Lt Colonel Win
Myint of LIB 234 issued an order to local people around the Three Pagodas Pass
area to provide labor. At least 2 people from each village were ordered to be
available to provide immediate labor in transferring army supplies from the
border. Village headmen from Jao Ja-Blu and Kwan Ta-Moih also were ordered to
collect cash from their villages to pay for the porters' expenses, a local
source said. According to a local resident, the village headmen knocked on the
doors of every household to collect cash on the Burmese New Year day and to
round up porters demanded by the army. Each household was forced to pay 50 baht.
"They (the SPDC) illegally allow the Thai businessmen to open TV game shops and
other gambling outfits at Three Pagodas Pass to collect under-table taxes from
these services. But they never use this money for the porter fees. Rather they
charge us," said Mr. Rein, a community worker from Three Pagodas Pass. The SPDC
based on the Thai-Burma border routinely seizes goods and other materials from
local traders such as timber, chairs and other furniture, which in turn is sold.
Despite all this money collection and thievery, they continue to harass and
demand money from civilians to pay for the portering, a local trader added.
However, some porters escape by paying bribes to their captors, like Zaw Maung
who was freed after he paid an SPDC Corporal 300 baht. Zaw Maung earns about
1000 baht (US$ 25) a week as a laborer and was able to pay the officer to avoid
portering. The SPDC routinely replaces soldiers at the border area every three
months, but the soldiers do not use the ordinary route, fearing attack from the
rebels if they use the main motor road between Three Pagoda Pass and ThanPhyu
ZaYat, which is only a 7-hour drive by truck. The SPDC Border Unit, also
stationed at Doe Ha Gay near Three Pagodas Pass, operated as the watchdog for
the Thai Army. Local villagers from the surrounding areas provided free labor to
the army fortnightly without protest. Poor villagers were mostly targeted and
had no say if ordered to clear the bush near the army camp. When ordered to work
they had to bring their own food and supplies for sleeping out in the jungle at
night. Villagers from Hta Wai village, composed of Karen, Mon and Tavoyan, are
to provide at least 4 people from their villages to work for the SPDC Border
Unit. If they fail to report they are arrested or beaten. They are guarded by
guns while they work. (Source: “Porters Used for Army Transfer," Kao Wao News
No. 43, April 23 – May 13, 2003)
Pa’an District
Camp Construction and Portering
From August to September 2003, the SPDC and DKBA forced villagers in Kawkareik Township of Karen State to construct their barracks, said Saw Le War (age 24), of Pawwipho, who recently arrived in Thailand. “We also have to carry rice sacks and ammunition to their border camp. We can’t bear it so we ran away to the border. We have to go there with our own food. So we have to neglect our paddy field which is our family’s ration for the whole year. We also have to provide them with rice." About 150 villagers from throughout Karen State arrived at the Thai-Burma border after being told by Burma Army battalions 701, 702 and 706, and DKBA battalion 999 to provide soldiers with food and labor. The Karen arriving in Thailand were provided food and health care by Thai authorities and non-governmental organizations in the area. Makeshift huts have been constructed to house them along the Moei River which separates the 2 countries. (Source: Aung Su Shin, “Karens Flee Labor Conscription," Irrawaddy, 24 September, 2003)
Camp construction and maintenance
On 3 January 2003, the SPDC Military Tactical Strategy Command demanded 25 villagers from the 5 villages of Klaw Hta, Kler Oo Der, War Mi Day, Maw T'kot Der and Hto Lwi Kyo and 20 from the 3 villages of To They Poo, Ter Gaw Soe and Day Baw Kaw to do unpaid work in their base camps. On 5 January, 2003, they demanded 174,000 kyat from the same 5 villages of Klaw Hta, Kler Oo Der, War Mi Day, Maw T'kot Der and Hto Lwi Kyo and 150,000 kyat from the same 3 villages of To They Poo, Ter Gaw Soe and Day Baw Kaw. These villages were responsible to provide the above mentioned amount every month from January 2003 until the transporting of military food ration was complete. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Staring on 14 January 2003 SPDC troop LIB 2 based in Kaw Pu sent for villagers from Paw Mu Der village and forced them to work every day in their military camp. They asked 10 people to complete 40 days of work. Villagers had to bring their own food and materials. Moreover this troop sent for villagers from Htee Baw Khee village and forced them to take sentry for their car road and to sweep the road in order to clear landmines. Five people per day over 5 weeks were conscripted. The villagers were paid nothing and provided no materials to sweep the car road. The military has told the villagers work will continue until complete. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 30 August 2003, LIB 340 again forced 14 villagers of Htee Ber Ka Hta and 7 villagers of Klaw Lor Klo Hta to build the Bo Ya Naing Camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Mon State
Forced logging for new army base
In January 2003, the Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) group from the Thai-Burma border reported that individuals from Anin and Htin-Yuu (Kwan Proi) villages of Thanbyu Zayat Township were forced to cut down trees and saw them into 280 tons of lumber, which will be used to construct a new artillery regiment No.315. "The order we received from the village headmen said we need to cut down trees from our areas and saw it into lumber. If we don’t provide this amount, then we have to buy it, 280 tons in total required by the army,” a villager said. "Because of this order, if we can’t buy lumber from other places, we have to cut all of our rubber plantation trees,” protested another villager. According to the IMNA source, Mon farmers need to find laborers and hire the equipment needed for the logs and pay for all expenses. For those who have to buy lumber from the outside, they have to pay 200,000 kyat per ton. The villagers complained this is the first time that they have had to provide lumber to the authorities and the Burmese Army under force. (Source: “Forced Logging for New Army Base," Kao Wao News No. 36, Jan 16-29, 2003)
Pegu Division
(See note on Taungoo District above in Section 1.4)
Taungoo District
Camp construction and maintenance
On 7 June 2003, SPDC LIB 559 based at Kaserdoh forcibly asked villagers from the surrounding villages to rebuild their camp at Kaserdoh. One person was conscripted from Shahseepo, Yeshan, Zeepyugone, Tawkoo, Kaserdoh, Tilo, and Pehtoeday. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 21 June 2003, SPDC LIB 599 based at Kaserdoh camp forcibly seized 40 villagers from Shahseebo, Yeshan, Tawku and Zeepugone villages and forced them to serve at their base camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 10 July 2003, SPDC LIB 599 led by officer Than Aung forcibly collected 1 villager from Zee Pyu Gone, 2 from Taw Koo village and 5 from Ye Shan village, and forced them to serve at K'ser Doh. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 15 July 2003, SPDC troops led by Warrant Officer Htun Wai based in Kaw Thay Der camp forcibly asked the Kaw Thay Der villagers to cut bamboos and build a fence at the camp. Those villagers were:
(1) Naw Heh Blu, age 28;
(2) Saw Win Kyaw, age 32;
(3) Naw Hseh Po, age 35;
(4) Naw Moo Naw, age 52;
(5) Naw Ble Po, age 40;
(6) Saw Ba Oo, age 30;
(7) Saw Mo Shay, age 35;
(8) Naw Ti Ma, age 20;
(9) Naw Sarah, age 30;
(10) Saw Maw Kha, age 23;
(11) Naw Ru Ru, age 50;
(12) Naw Toe To, age 35; and
(13) Naw Heh Pi, age 43. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 2 August 2003, the commander of (Sa Ba Ha) Military Strategic Command, Khin Maung Oo, under the control of the (Ta Pa Ka) Southern Command, forcibly asked Ler Kho villagers to cut bamboo and construct their military camp at Kler La. On 8 August, this troop also asked Wa Tho Kho villagers to cut bamboo for the camp at Kler La. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 12 September 2003, SPDC IB 73 officer Maung Maung Soe forced 46 people from the villages of Tha Pan Chaung, Kyah Pa Sa, Bo Teh and Tha Ye Pa to construct a new camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 8 October 2003, SPDC troop IB 73 headed by officer Aung Kyaw Moe based in Klaw Mi Day village forcibly asked one person from each household in Klaw Mi Day to build their military camp. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 29 October 2003, SPDC IB 73 based in Klaw Mi Der under officer Aung Nyo Win forcibly asked 8 men and 2 women of Hoo Mu Der village to cut bamboo for them. On October 31 the same troop and officer forcibly asked 7 villagers of Kheh Der village to construct their camp at Klaw Mi Der. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 1 November 2003, the IB 73 commander, Major Aung Nyunt Win, based in Klaw Mi Der area forcibly collected women and children of Kheh Der, Hu Mu Der, Ler Kla Der and Klaw Mi Der for the reconstruction of Klaw Mi Der and Peh Leh Wah military base camps. Additionally, 12,000 kyat was extorted from the villages of Kheh Der, Hoo Mu Der, Ler Klah Der and Klaw Mi Der villages on a monthly basis. On 4 November 2003, another 10,000 kyat was extorted from Hoo Mu Der villagers. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 2 November 2003, LIB 20, Column No.2, controlled by Officer Htay Win forcibly collected 2 villagers each from Taw Ku and Zee Pyu to serve as massagers at the Pa Yah Ywa village. On 4 November the troop began rotating the 4 massagers every 2 days. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Shan State
Forced sesame cultivation
In February 2003, it was reported that villagers of Kai Eg and Loi Saai villages in Laai Kam village tract, Kun-Hing Township, were continuing to be forced to cultivate Japanese sesame for SPDC troops from IB 246 at a 5-acre piece of land about 10 miles from Kun-Hing town. Former workers also report that other villages in the township are forced to work for the Burmese military. (Source: SHRF, February 2003)
Forced labor by SPDC troops and local police
In October 2003, Murng-Long villagers in Murng Long village tract, Kyawk-Me Township, reported various forced labor abuses committed by SPDC troops and the Murng Long police station. Every day 4 villagers are required to report to the military camp. Occasionally, up to 50 people are gathered for specific projects. Force labor includes: carrying letters; going as porters; doing sanitary work in the camp; digging trenches; digging latrine pits; clearing bush and grass; asking for vegetables and chickens from the villagers and bringing them back for the troops; going to buy liquor for the troops; carrying water to the camp with ox-carts; etc. Women also had to pick out unwanted seeds from rice and beans, and wash the clothes of the soldiers, including military boots. The police station at Murng Long has occasionally requisitioned from 5 to 50 villagers to clear bushes, build fences, do sanitary work, and seasonally grow crops for the police. (Source: SHRF, October 2003)
Village headman and woman murdered while serving as military guides
On 14 February 2003, a column of 50 SPDC troops said to be from Murng-Mit Township forced Paw Thawn (age 47), the headman from Nawng Leng village in Yurng village tract, Lai-Kha Township, to serve as a guide on their patrol of the area east of Lai-Kha town. At 10:00 am they reached Huay Nam Waw Khe and shot and killed Paw Thawn. The SPDC troops continued to patrol the area and forcibly took a woman, Naang Lu (age 38), from Nam Pa Kaang village to serve as a guide back towards Lai-Kha town. When they reached Nam Waw Mon, southwest of Nam Pa Kaang village, at around 1:00 pm, the troops shot dead Naang Lu, and continued to Lai-Kha town. When they reached the town they told people that they had gone out to find and kill army deserters. The next day, villagers of Nawng Leng and relatives of Paw Thawn set out to look for their headman, asking people along the way whether they had seen SPDC troops and their headman. Villagers of Nam Pa Kaang said that they had seen only SPDC troops but not the headman, and that the troops had taken Naang Lu from their village as a guide and she had not yet returned. They also reported hearing several gunshots in the morning and the afternoon the day before. People from both villages then went in search of their missing villagers and found the bodies of Paw Thawn and Naang Lu at the places where they had been murdered. (Source: SHRF, May 2003)
Firewood for army camps
In April 2003, the Palaung Youth Group reported that SPDC LIB 22, led by Zaw Moe in Man Pa village, Man Tong Township, Northern Shan State, ordered every house in Man Pa village and Man Kang village to cut firewood for use in the army camp. According to the order, anyone who did not provide the wood would be forced to pay 5,000 kyat per tether. Villagers complained that the army was not using the wood for their camp but selling it to a coffee company in Namtu Township at 4,000 kyat per tether. (Source: Kao Wao News No. 43, April 23 – May 13, 2003)
Forced charcoal production
In January 2003, SPDC military authorities in Mu-Se and Nam-Kham Townships began forcing people to cut wood and sell it for charcoal exports to China. Piles of 2-ft-long pieces of wood, 1 arm-span high and wide, and sell it for 10,000 kyat, of which 4,000 kyat was to go to SPDC military authorities and 3,000 kyat to the Forestry Department. The 3,000 kyat remaining was well below the value of time and labor. Local people reported the practice was occurring in almost all the village tracts and additionally fear the negative environmental impact of the practice. (Source: SHRF, April 2003)
Palaung villager shot at, his buffalo stolen, and villagers forced to carry meat
On 20 April 2003, Aai Ngern (age 28), of Phaa Ngaab village, Kho Lam village tract, Nam-Zarng Township, was shot at by 25 SPDC troops from IB 66 as he was grazing his buffalo 11 miles from Kho Lam village on the road from Kho Lam to Kaeng Tawng in Murng-Nai Township. The troops fired 14-15 bullets over Aai Ngern's head to scare him. After he fled, the troops killed his buffalo and forced 5 villagers from Wan Phui village to carry the meat back to their camp at Kho Lam. (Source: SHRF, June 2003)
Land confiscation and forced food cultivation
In 1999, SPDC troops of LIB 332 confiscated the Naa Nawng Keng rice fields in Ho Phaai Long village in Ho Phaai Long village tract, Murng-Pan Township. Every year villagers are forced to cultivate 16 baskets of rice seeds. In June 2003, LIB 332 confiscated additional adjacent rice fields from two Huay Maak Phurng villagers, Lung Nyo and Wan-Na, who had moved to live in Ho Phaai Long village earlier this year. When Lung Nyo and Wan-Na returned to cultivate their land, SPDC troops told them the area had become military property because the original owners had fled to Thailand. The villagers of Ho Phaai Long were subsequently also cultivating the additional land for SPDC troop benefit. (Source: SHRF, September 2003)
Murng-Phyak Township
Vehicle conscription and extortion
In October 2003, it was reported that a dispatch of SPDC troops from Murng-Phyak-based IB 221, stationed in Murng Lung village tract in Murng-Sart Township, were conscripting 2 civilian trucks from Murng-Phyak each month and using them to transport troops and logistics between Murng-Phyak and Murng-Sart. The conscription of the trucks commenced in May 2003. The 2 trucks were kept on standby at the military camp in Murng Lung until they were replaced by 2 other trucks. An order was issued requiring all car owners in Murng-Phyak Township to provide money to service the 2 conscripted trucks requires car owners to gather a total of 400,000 kyat per month. (Source: SHRF, October 2003)
Civilian guide beaten to death
On 12 May 2003, Lung Nya, (male, age 54), was working at a farm north of Kun Mong village when a patrol of SPDC troops forced him to serve as a guide. Lung Nya was originally from Wan Lao village in Kun-Hing Township, and had been forcibly relocated to Kun Mong village in Murng-Nai Township in 1996-97 by the SLORC. 20 days after being conscripted as a guide, villagers hunting in the forest found his decayed body, recognizable only by his clothes, bamboo hat and sandals. Near his head lay a thick, heavy bamboo stick, indicating he had been beaten to death. After the incident villagers in Kun Mong heard SPDC soldiers saying Lung Nya had been executed after serving as a guide for 16 days because he was a supporter of the Shan resistance. The SPDC soldiers believed he knew the routes well enough to have been serving as a guide for Shan soldiers. (Source: SHRF, September 2003)
Murng-Sar Township
Forced camp maintenance
In February 2003, local people in the Murng Kok and Murng Nim village tracts, Murn-Sart provinces reported unpaid forced labor in support of SPDC military battalions LIB 580, LIB 579, and an Artillery Unit. Every person in both village tracts was required to go to a battalion for 3 days per week to clear in and around the military camps, fix and clear roads, cultivate military farms, build and fix fences, build and fix barracks, gather and weave thatched roofing, cut wood and bamboo, and gather firewood. Villagers had to provide their own food and tools and receive no compensation. (Source: SHRF, February 2003)
Murng-Ton Township
Extortion of travelers
In February 2003, it was reported that SPDC troops from IB 65 at Pung Pa Khem village in Murng-Ton Township have been extorting money and labor from traveling displaced people. A car owner, U Hpyu, working under the instruction of Capt. Win Zaw, the commander of SPDC troops from IB 65 stationed at Pung Pa Khem village, had been transporting and extorting money from travelers between Murng-Ton town and Pung Pa Khem. U Hpyu waited near the military checkpoint at the exit of Murng-Ton for people traveling towards the border areas and took them as far as Pung Pa Khem village. He charged 1,200 baht for transport and 50 baht for 1-night lodging. The extortion further impoverished displaced people and left many begging for food in the area. Those who could not pay were taken to the military camp and forced to work for 15-20 days. (Source: SHRF, February 2003)
Civilian guide beaten to death
On 6 April 2003, a column of 60-70 SPDC troops from IB 277, led by Maj. Moe Aung, forcibly conscripted Zaai Kham Sai (male, age 31), from Hawng Lin village in Phaa Khe village tract, Murng-Ton Township, to be used as a guide. After Zaai Kham Sai had guided the SPDC troops all day through many hidden paths and shortcuts, they reached Loi Hin Kawng, southeast of Naa Pa Kaao and stopped to rest. Maj. Moe Aung told his troops that Zaai Kham Sai knew the routes in the area so well that he must be a guide used by the Shan soldiers, and ordered his execution. The SPDC troops took Zaai Kham Sai to a place about 20 yards away from their resting spot and forced him to dig a hole. The troops then beat him to death with a stick and buried him in the grave.
Displaced villagers used to build military stronghold and provide food and security
In September 2003, it was reported that villagers from Kaad Lur village relocation site in Haai Laai village tract, Nam-Zarng Township, were still being forced to build a military stronghold in the center of their village by SPDC troops from the MOC-21. The project had commenced at the beginning of 2003. In 1997 the SLORC implemented a forced relocation to Kaad Lur of villages on both sides of the Nam-Zarng – Kun-Hing road, which is about 5 miles west of Kho Lam village in Nam-Zarng Township. The relocation site had about 200 households. These displaced people were being used by MOC-21 to dig trenches and build 3 layers of fences around the new military stronghold. In addition, villagers of Kaad Lur were required to guard nearby roads in rotations of 6 people and to cultivate 3 acres of corn for SPDC troops. Villagers had been informed by the SPDC that next year they would have to grow Japanese sesame. (Source: SHRF, September 2003)
Conscripted guide disappears, family forced to flee
In October 2003, Zaai Sai (age 26), was conscripted to serve as a guide for SPDC troops at Kaad Lur village relocation site in Haai Laai village tract, Nam-Zarng Township. Zaai Sai and his family were originally from Haai Laai village which had been forcibly relocated to Kaad Lur relocation site in 1997 by the SLORC. At the time of this report in December 2003, Zaai Sai had not yet returned from his conscription. Since his conscription Zaai had not returned. His wife, Naang Htun, and their son (age 6), and daughter (age 4), waited several months at the relocation site, until they were no longer able to access sufficient food. Naang Htun and the children fled to Thailand hoping to find work for survival. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Tenasserim Division
(See note on Mergui/Tavoy District above in Section 1.4)
Mergui/Tavoy District
SPDC establishes rice quotas
Starting in January 2003, the Commander of No.12 Military Training Center, based near Pasawoak (Wanzawoak) village in Palaw Township, Mergui district, forced local villagers to establish rice plantations at 2 locations and give the rice quota to the army. The first location was between Pasawoak village and Panywepoeklo village, and the second was between Paycha and Nya Htaw (Ngatek) village. Each family had to cultivate at least 4 acres, and after harvest had to pay the army 4 baskets per acre (a basket is the standard unit of measurement of rice. 1 basket = 46 pounds or 21 kegs). The Pasawoak village tract is comprised of Pasawoak village and the villages of Panwepoeklo and Mawkakleh. The Paycha village tract is Paycha village and the villages of Nya Htaw, Paycha Maw, Myitchinsut, Lerpahdoh, and Katawni. According to the source in Paycha village, after the harvest, SPDC troops ordered the villagers to sell their rice or pay the rice quota. Here the farmers had to pay 12 baskets per acre as the quota. Although the market price of rice was 3,000 kyat per basket, the military officers paid them only 370 kyat. The officers told the villagers that anyone who failed to supply the rice had pay 3,000 kyat per basket instead. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Villagers forced to build and pay for sentry posts
On 25 May 2003, SPDC No.12 Division Training Center's deputy headmaster Major Khin Zaw ordered villagers from Pyicha village tract to build 4 sentry posts on 4 separate locations. Pyicha village alone was ordered to build 1 office building and 1 rest house. All the structures would cost 260,000 kyat, which the villagers have to bear. Pyicha is a relocation site on the border of Tavoy and Mergui in Tenasserim division. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, May 2003)
Forced provision of bamboo
On 10 July 2003, militia at Pawa tract (an area between Mergui and Kaw Thaung in Tenasserim division) demanded 600 pieces of bamboo from Pawa Plaw Hpa Htaw. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
On 19 July 2003, militia at Tahpohta on the Tenasserim river bank in the northeast of Mergui Township demanded that 1000 pieces of bamboo must be sent to them by 24 July 2003. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
Home construction projects and restrictions on movement
On 22 July 2003, the LIB 561 column commander issued an order for Taket village, Teninthayi Township, Mergui district which included the following demands:
(1) All households in the village must construct bamboo fencing for their house;
(2) Every villager must dig a fox-hole under his house;
(3) All plantation owners must clear bushes in their plantations;
(4) All villagers must sleep only in their own houses and empty houses will be dismantled;
(5) The village must construct a sentry post and gate;
(6) Villagers must take responsibility for sentry duty; and
(7) Villagers with musket guns must get permission.
(Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
Forced construction of ration stores
On 30 August 2003, the SPDC's No.20 Light Infantry Division Commander Brigadier Gen. Hkin Zaw Win forced villagers from Naw Tet to build 2 ration stores. Naw Tet is a relocation site situated on the bank of Tenasserim River, about 35 km east of Palauk, a town on Mergui-Tavoy road. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, August 2003)
Forced sentry duty and fines
In November 2003, villagers from Ta Ket, a Karen town 50 miles southeast of Mergui town, were forced by SPDC’s LIB 561 to serve at sentry posts for security purposes and as messengers about KNU movement. Battalion 2IC ordered the villagers to post 5 men per week to perform 24 hour sentry watches and to promptly send messengers with information on strange movements. On 5 November 2003, a 67-year-old villager from Ta Ket was fined for failing to report the movement of Karen soldiers to Burmese troops on time. Poo Ler Moo was accused of delay in sending information and was fined by 2nd Commander Maj. Kyaw Oo from LIB 561 to pay 1 knife and 1 pig, a value of 10,000 kyat. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, November 2003)
Clearing of land
On 25 November 2003, Coastal Military Region Commander Own Myint ordered No.1 Tactical Command to clear 1,000 acres of land where he intended to establish a summer rice crop for military self sufficiency. To fulfill this order the No.1 Tactical Commander ordered the villages of Ta Ket, Thein Kun, Nyaung Bin Gwin, Ta Gu, Kywe Ka Yan, Ka Mu Kru, Pa Wa, Maw Tone, and Thein Daw to each clear 100 acres of land. Any village unable to fulfill its quota was forced to pay 1,000 kyat per acre to No.1 Tactical Command headquarters. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, November 2003)
Forced labor in rice farming projects
In January 2003, Burmese troops from IB 104 based in Myitta village about 37 km to the east of Tavoy, ordered villagers from Pwaypoeklah village in Kamoethway area to work on a rice farming project beside the village. Each household was ordered to cultivate 1 acre of rice. There were about 50 houses in Pwaypoeklah village. The villagers were told to finish clearing the place by March and that work would continue through the rainy season. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Forced construction of new artillery battalion
Starting on 10 January 2003, SPDC troops forced local villagers in Kawpaw village tract, Tavoy, to construct a military camp between the deserted Karen villages of Kaymoechon and Dahthway Kyauk. Requirements include an artillery battalion camp and a food store. A second site between Taung Tho Lon and Hindan Chaung, closer to Tavoy town, was also scheduled for construction. According to local Karen, these artillery battalions were unrelated to KNLA movement in the area and were designed to show that Yodaya (Thailand) is Burma’s enemy. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Forced coal exploration
According to a source at a forced relocation site in Htoo Ler village on the Pawklo River (Banchaung) to the east of Tavoy, on 21 January 2003 SPDC troop from IB 104 began exploring the area surrounding Htoo Ler village for coal deposits. 2 villagers per day were being forced to work for the SPDC. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
Forced construction of sentry posts and sentry duty
In the last week of May 2003, the Tavoy Township PDC ordered the Maungmeshaung village PDC to use village labor to build 2 sentry posts between Maungmeshaung village and Zeekya village (in Yebyu Township), and 2 sentry posts between Maungmehaung and Zaha villages. After those sentry posts were completed the villagers were ordered to work as sentry. According to that order, the village PDC provided villagers to serve on 24 hour shifts. Those missing duty faced a fee of 1,000 kyat. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
On 3 June 2003, SPDC LIB 410 in Yebyu Township, Tavoy district, order villagers from Zinba to construct 4 sentry posts at the village entrances and at junctions inside the village. The stated need for the posts was “village security". After construction finished, the military ordered the village PDC to provide 24-hour security personnel from the village. The PDC placed 3 men on each sentry post and required an alarm signal at 1 hour intervals. The village then had to send messengers reporting on KNU activity to LIB 410 headquarters. Anyone missing sentry duty was required to pay 1,000 kyat for substitution. Sentry guards absent from their post or failing to strike the hourly alarm signal were kicked, hit and beaten by the soldiers. If the villagers failed to send updates on KNU activity, they were labeled KNU supporters and are tortured. As LIB 410 is 1 of the battalions responsible for the Yadana Gas Pipeline, it further required 2 guides from Zinba every 15 days for patrols. One guiding shift lasts 3 to 7 days, or is payable with a 5,000 kyat fee for avoidance. In addition, the Zinba village, with about 100 households, has to pay 200 kyat per month to the village PDC for a “general fund.” (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
According to a June 2003 order from the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) at Moung Me Shaung village, Tavoy Township, villagers were forced to build 2 sentry posts on the Ye-Tavoy road between Mung Me Shaung village and Zeekya village in Yebyu Township, and 2 sentry posts between Maung Me Shaung and Zaha village. After construction was completed the village was ordered to take guard responsibility for those 4 posts on 24-hour shifts. People not wanting to work could pay 1,000 kyat as substitution. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
Forced construction of sentry posts and restriction on personal movement
In 2003, SPDC No.1 Strategic Commander, Col. Soe Thet moved his headquarters to Yahpoo village in the northern area of Yebyu Township, Tavoy district. From 15 May to 25 May, 2000, villagers had to build sentry posts along the Ye-Tavoy road:
(1) Mayangchaung villagers had to build 4 posts between Yahpoo and Kywetalin villages;
(2) Kywetalin villagers had to build 4 posts between Kywetalin and Lauk Thaing villages;
(3) Laukthaing villagers had to build 4 posts between Laukthaing and Kyaukkadin villages;
(4) Laukthaing villagers had to build 4 posts between Kyaukkadin and Alesakern villages; and
(5) Alesakarn villagers had to build 4 posts between Alesakarn village and Malwedaung village in Yebyu Township.
Each sentry post required a checking point and gate, a bunker, a trench, a barrack for armed personals, and security fences. All work was done with the villagers’ own tools and food. After the construction projects, the No.1 Strategic Commander posted armed personnel from DKBA and KPA at the sentry posts. The armed troopers allowed passage from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm only. In addition, personal movement restrictions were put in place. No villagers were allowed outside their homes between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am. Villagers were told to construct fences around their village and leave only 2 openings for access to the village. No use of flashlights was allowed. Only candles or kerosene lamps could be used. A second commander, Kyaq Zwa, ordered the Yepone, Nankye and Kyaukshaat villages on the Ye-Tavoy road to build 2 sentry posts between each of the 3 villages. When finished he ordered villagers to place at least 6 villagers per post. Any villager who missed his turn was required to pay 1,000 kyat for substitution. In May, 2003, the SPDC's Coastal Region Military Command HQ issued a similar order to build sentry posts between villages along the Ye-Tavoy, Mergui-Tavoy, and Mergui-Kawk Thaung car-roads with the labor of villagers along the road. A villager sentry duty order was also issued. In Yepone, and area of current KNU activity, villagers were required to send daily KNU troop updates to LIB 408 HQ. The effort requires 2 villagers per day, with a fine of 500 kyat for missing a turn. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, May 2003)
Forced provision of food and supplies
On 16 June 2003, SPDC's LIB 581 troops, led by Major Min Kyu, stationed at Htu Ler village in Paw Klo area in the southeast of Tavoy, demanded 2 elephants and 40 villagers from Kahtaungni village go to his camp. The order required all 40 villagers to 2 days of food for the troops. On 18 June 2003, Major Min Kyu demanded 30 villagers from Khaw Htee village and 40 villagers from Htu Ler village bring 2 days of food for his troops. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
Forced cultivation of paddy fields
Starting on 15 June 2003, villagers from Muang Me Shaung village were informed by IB 25 and LIB 401 that they would be required to work a military paddy field that had been confiscated from local villagers without compensation. The villagers would have to plough the land and sought the seeds. One person from each household was required to attend. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
Ongoing forced labor in Pa Ga Ye
On 20 September 2003, a villager from Pa Ga Ye, 6 miles east of Tavoy town, described forced labor taking place since 1992. In Pa Ga Ye, a village of 400 households, every day 2 villagers were forced to standby as porters for LIB 402. Each had to bring food, a sword, and a pack of firewood. If unable to stand duty, villagers were required to pay 1,000 kyat. Forgetting to bring firewood resulted in a 500 kyat fine. An additional 500 to 700 kyat monthly fee went to the local PDC. This money was called ‘donation for development’ and went towards hosting visiting authorities. Every 3 months, 10 villagers had to carry food and other supplies to the border military outpost, 50 miles in the east of Tavoy. The village PDC demanded 1500 kyat from each household that cannot provide a porter. Villagers who could not serve as porters or pay fees were imprisoned. Every Saturday 1 person each from every household had to go on roadside clearing duty on the Myitta-Tavoy car road. Being absent cost 500 kyat. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, September 2003)
Forced domestic work
On 20 October 2003, the SPDC forced people from Pyicha, Myitchinzu, Lerhpadoh, Wagon, Mawkakle, Kataungni and Pasaw O village, situated 50 miles south of Tavoy, to work as domestic laborers. The people were forced to work at IB 280 No.12 Divisional Military Training Center, and No.309 Artillery Battalion HQ. Each village was ordered to send 30 people per week for 1-day duty. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, October 2003)
Forced military battalion labor
At the end of 2003, villagers from Hsin Pu Nit, in Laung Lon Township, Tavoy District, were forced by the SPDC to work in various labors for IB 104, which was stationed at Taw She in Tavoy District. The people were not paid. Instead they had to pay for transportation whenever they went to work at the military camp. People who were absent had to hire a replacement for 800 kyat per day. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, November 2003)
1.7 Forced Prison Labor - Partial List of Incidents for 2003
Arakan State
Forced infrastructure projects
On 10 June 2003, it was reported that at a prison camp at Kyi-gan-braung (Kyi-gan byin) in Maungdaw Township on the border with Bangladesh, inmates were engaged in the construction of roads, bridges and military camps. (Source: “Prison Labor in Western Burma," Narinjara, 10 June 2003)
Forced infrastructure and timber projects
In 2003, at Mrauk-u Township, at the Lenyang-daung prison camp on the Lemro River, prison labor was used to extract stones and pebbles utilized in construction of roads, bridges and military installations. A released prisoner from the camp also reported logging and timber extraction from the state-owned forests. "Timber extraction has been done at an alarming rate, causing large areas of virgin forests to vanish in a few years, which could bring a natural disaster as the topsoil in the region get diluted," he said. "Much of the money from forest products go to the upkeep of the families of the army, navy, police and other law enforcement agencies since the junta cannot pay enough for their subsistence." (Source: “Prison Labor in Western Burma," Narinjara, 10 June 2003)
Salt works prison labor
In June 2003, accounts of prison labor surfaced at Thabra (Thabya) Island prison camp in Pauktaw Township in Rakhine, in association with a privately owned salt works company in the area. The salt works is owned by Maung Tun Mya from Pauktaw Town, who in collusion with the prison officers has apparently been using prison labor. Maung Tun Mya is alleged to be bribing the officers, who additionally confiscate wages Tun Mya gives to the prisoners. There are approximately 80 prisoners in the camp and they are also engaged in the nearby state shrimp ponds and hatcheries. (Source: “Prison Labor in Western Burma," Narinjara, 10 June 2003)
Forced shrimp cultivation
In 2003, at a camp in Kyaw-zan-rwa Village under Ponnagyun Township, the inmates were engaged in construction works and shrimp cultivation, earnings from which would go to the "welfare fund" of the Burmese Army and other law enforcement agencies. The prison guards confiscated the wages given to the prisoners by the private businessmen and owners of the fish farms, and the food given to the inmates was also of poor quality and inadequate in amount. (Source: “Prison Labor in Western Burma," Narinjara, 10 June 2003)
Karen State
Prisoner porters used by SPDC in KNLA offensive
In October 2003, 2 days before an SPDC-KNLA battle, 11 escaped Myanmar army porters reached KNLA positions after fleeing and walking through the mine-infested jungle for 4 days. They were all taken from jails in Myanmar and forced to carry ammunition and supplies for the army. One of the escapees, 46-year-old Zaw Win, says he was forced to carry 2,000 rounds of ammunition weighing about 25 kg for more than 1 month. He was taken from a prison in Pegu Division where he was jailed for involvement in an underground lottery. He said about 1,000 forced porters - mainly prisoners - were being used for this offensive, which included 10 battalions of government troops. The 11 escaped porters add that at times they were used as "human minesweepers" - walking in front of the soldiers in places suspected of being mined. Win said when the porters were walking with Myanmar soldiers they had to keep pace or they were punished. "You cannot rest. If you do they will kick you or hit you with a stick," he said. The escapees are all underweight and say they were only fed once a day for more than a month and then nothing during their 4-day ordeal to rebel lines - where they said they were being treated well. Many of them, such as 26-year-old Thang Saw, had badly cut shoulders from rope burn caused by carrying supplies on their backs in bamboo baskets. Saw was also taken from a prison in Pegu Division where he was jailed for knife-fighting. Asked what he thinks about the soldiers for whom he was forced to porter, he replied: "They are very, very cruel." Win said the porters were told by their captors that if they escaped and managed to reach KNLA positions, the rebels would kill them. But he said it wasn't the rebels he was afraid of, so he took his chances and fled his unit on the morning of 8 October with another porter, 45-year-old Aung Min. Their captors were wrong. "I'm just afraid of the SPDC," Win said. (Source: Rand, Nelson. “Setback Fails To Deter Karen Guerillas," South China Morning Post, 22 October 2003)
Pa-an District
(See note on Pa-an District above in Section 1.4)
Two prisoners die of malaria
On 19 August 2003, 2 prisoners, Thar Aye (age 30) from Rangoon and Kar Zin (age 34) from Kyaikto, died of malaria in Htoung Wi prison camp at Kha Laung Nos village near Zhwekapin Taung in Pa-an Township. These 2 prisoners had been sentenced to hard labor. Even though they were suffering from malaria, they still had to work hard and were unable to obtain health treatment. The prison camp was opened in 2002. There are over 1,500 prisoners in the camp and the warden is U Kyaw Thein, according to Maung Phyo from Pa-an. (Source: MAN, 2003)
Mon State
Prisoner beaten to death after asking for relief
On 20 July 2003, in New Life Prison in Moulmein, Kyaikmaraw Township, prisoners were asked to work in groups of 5 to plough fields. One group, which included Ko Hla Aung, was tired and complained to the Sergeant Tin Hla. In response, Sergeant Tin Hla and his members beat the men in the group. Prisoner Ko Hla Aung died in the incident. A witness and run away prisoner, Ko Tin Soe, who saw the death of Ko Hla Aung, said, “That day was 20 July and we had to go work in the paddy fields. Because it was rainy season, we were especially tired. We didn’t have enough food but we had to work everyday and the warrant officers scolded us. We couldn’t stand it anymore and we complained to the Sergeant, Tin Hla. That was the reason that they beat us. All 5 prisoners in Ko Hla Aung’s group were beaten. 3 of them were Muslims and Ko Hla Aung was a Buddhist.” Ko Tin Soe’s colleague said that even the Prison Warden Wai Htun knew about the death of Ko Hla but took no action. Ko Tin Soe and his colleague bribed the prison authorities in order to escape. They arrived in Mae Sot, Thailand on 30 July 2003. (Source: MAN, August 2003)
Three prisoners die of exhaustion
In July 2003, 3 prisoners died at New Life Prison Camp in Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State. These prisoners died because they had to plough paddy fields when they were already exhausted, said a person in Mae Sot who ran away from that camp. (Source: MAN, 2003)
1.8 Forced Conscription and Forced Military Training - Partial List of Incidents for 2003
Forced national military training in Burma
On 31 July 2003, it was reported that all family members of police and firefighters were required to have military training. In addition, the SPDC decided that 21 July would be “Defense against Foreign Aggression and Militia Day.” It was reported that many people attended the training out of fear of the consequences for not attending. In Magwe Division, the wife a policeman reportedly attended to save her husband’s job. It was also reported that those with medical conditions had to provide certification of their conditions in order to be exempted from the training. If proof of their conditions was not provided, they would face punishment. (Source: “National Military Training Are Forced in Burma," DVB, 31 July 2003)
On 23 July 2003, it was reported that the authorities were sending messages of high alert of an ‘impending war’ among the defense forces and the general people. The Burmese junta has issued orders to give compulsory military training to the family members of all the defense personnel aged between 18 and 40, irrespective of sexes, according to sources in the administration. (Source: “Burmese Junta’s Attempt to Divert People’s Attention from the Depayin Massacre," Narinjara, 23 July 2003)
Arakan State
Buthidaung Township
On 23 July 2003, it was reported that in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State nearly 20 miles from the Bangladesh border, the hill people including Khami, Mro and Daingnet living in the eastern part of the town, had been given military training and provided with arms and ammunitions. (Source: “Burmese Junta’s Attempt to Divert People’s Attention from the Depayin Massacre," Narinjara, 23 July 2003)
New conscription for the SPDC Army
On 20 February 2003, it was reported that Maung Than Naing Tun, an 18-year-old secondary school matriculation student and son of U Than Win of Bo Ba Chouk Street, Dala Town opposite Rangoon, was forcibly conscripted into the army. While he went traveling to Rakhine State, Nasaka troops picked him up at Maungdaw town and forced him to join the armed forces in the middle of February. He was threatened with being arrested and jailed if he refused to join the armed service, said sources in the town. Maung Than Naing Tun was unable to produce a national registration card when the troops demanded as he had lost it on the way from Rangoon. It was reported that many young visitors had been conscripted under similar circumstances. In addition, it was reported that Nasaka Headquarters at Kyi-gan-byin ordered each of the 9 Nasaka circles to conscript at least 5 people from each area. Servicemen who wanted to go on pension were instructed to find 2 new recruits as replacements. At the time of this report, recruitment teams had already visited approximately 10 villages in the Punnagyun and Kyauktaw Township areas. (Source: “New Conscription for the Burmese Army," Narinjara, 20 February 2003)
In July 2003, according to Maung Tun Yein (age 17), LIB 538, at Rathedaung Town, about 30 miles north of Sittwe was conducting fresh conscriptions in and near his township Kodan-gauk village, Maungdaw Township. Sergeant Major Thaung Myint, Sergeant Tun Yein, and Sgt Soe Tin of LIB 538 came to Kodan-gauk village on 11 July 2003 and forced the village chairman to collect villagers for conscription to the army. Although each army battalion is supposed to have 700 members, there were only 150 to 200 members on average in each of the nearly 60 battalions across Rakhine State. The Burmese Army has been desperately trying to fill up the gap, Tun Yein said. Maung Tun Yein said that people were then reluctant to join the army because most of the people extremely disliked the life of a soldier. He also added that though the ruling Burmese military regime issued orders not to forcefully draft civilians into the army, they are actively coercing civilians into the defense services. Meanwhile the villagers had been forced to offer food and drink to the members of the Burmese army who came to conduct the conscription as well as to those who have been newly and forcefully recruited. (Source: “Forced Conscription in Western Burma," Narinjara News, 17 July 2003)
Conscription orders issued
On 18 June 2003, Narinjara News reported that all army deserters of the last 5 or 6 years had been called to join the armed forces and, in a strongly worded notice, had been warned that the ultimate consequence of not complying with the official order was a prison sentence for 3 years. A member of the LIB 430, Tun Aye, who recently fled to a neighboring country and who deserted the army 4 years previously described an order to catch all deserters and place them in military duties. In addition, an official statement from the Western Commander ordered army recruitment to be carried out in the following manner, effective June 2003:
(1) Each of the headquarters of the different defense forces in the state had to
conscript at least 2 individuals every month.
(2) Each battalion stationed across the state had to recruit at least 2 new
recruits every month.
(3) Each of the companies had to recruit at least 1 person every month.
Non-compliance would entail fines and the responsible officials in the armed forces would face drastic measures, the official order said. (Source: “Increased Conscripts in the Burmese Army," Narinjara News, 18 June 2003)
Karen State
Pa-an District
On 8 September 2003, it was reported that civil servants, family members of SPDC soldiers, and students were being forced to attend a 1 month military training in Pa’an town. The authorities indicated that the training was to prepare people to protect the country. A wife of a soldier in battalion 204 reported that she needed to sell things in the market in order to support her family because he husband’s salary as a soldier was not enough. The money she made was used to cover the costs of her children’s school fees, which were 100,000 kyat per year. Because she had to attend the training, she did not have enough time to conduct her business. She also indicated that families of regular soldiers were required to water and care for the battalion’s plantations, cut down bushes, feed the animals, and clean the animal areas for the battalion. (Source: HRDU, 2003)
Mandalay Division
Military training for the people and students in Mandalay
On 3 July 2003, military training commenced for people in Chan Aye Tha Zan, Aung Myae Tha Zan, Ma Ha Aung Myae, Pyi gi Tha Kon and Pa Thein Kyi Townships, in Mandalay Division. USDA members and battalions from the Central Military Headquarters organized the training. Approximately 30 people attended each training session. The training lasted about 1 month. Each month there was a training and they would continue to have monthly trainings as long as was needed. The authorities reportedly held some trainings in high schools for the students. The students had to participate. (Source: HRDU, 14 August 2003)
Mon State
On 4 August 2003, it was reported that all government employees in Mon State were required to attend a 1 month basic military training facilitated by the Burmese Army. Approximately 800 civil servants from Mudon Township were required to buy uniforms costing 2,950 kyat. The training exercises were held in the Township Soccer Ground and the trainees were house in the city hall. Both male and female civil servants, including teachers were required to attend. They were divided into 2 groups, the first of which consisted of 433 people. The trainees reportedly learned how to use small weapons and to implement propaganda as a method of defense if the State comes under the attack of foreign elements. All civil servants between the ages of 15 and 60 years old were required to attend. In July, over 200 civil servants from Kyaikmayaw Township were reportedly forced to attend a similar training. Government employees stayed at the compound of Shwe Hin Tha city hall and attended the training from 2:00 to 4:00 pm then stayed over night in a camp. (Source: “Government Employees Forced into Military Training," Kao Wao, 4 August 2003)
Teachers join defense training
On 4 October 2003, it was reported that public schools in Thanbyu Zayat had to change their teaching schedule after all civil servants were ordered to attend the “State Defense Force” training in town. All school teachers and government employees were required to attend the training and had to alter their normal school time in order to do so. For the month of October, schools were open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Civil servants in Thanbyu Zayat were divided into groups and ordered to attend the training in the Burma Army compound located about 5 miles from the city. The teachers were ordered to join the training after school hours in the afternoon. Civil servants in Mudon were reportedly required to attend the same sort of training conducted by IB 209. The Mudon training ran from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and again from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. In Ye, trainings were conducted by IB 61. Trainees were required to purchase a uniform and villagers were required to pay for the costs. The trainees learned how to use small weapons and propaganda to defend the State against foreign invasion. (Source: “Teachers Join Defense Training," Kao Wao, 4 October 2003)
Ye Township
On 4 July 2003,
it was reported that SPDC IB 343 was conducting compulsory military training for
USDA and SPDC as well as villagers in northern Ye township, Mon State. Every man
between the ages of 18 and 40 were expected to sign up for the training. It was
reported that in the last week of June and first week of July, members of the
Township Peace and Development Council went to the villages and held meetings to
villagers to attend the trainings. Villagers were told that they had no choice
but to attend and if they could not, they had to pay the authorities 20,000 kyat
instead. At the time of the report, the authorities had recruited approximately
1,000 men from Yaung-daung village near Thanbyu Zayat city. (Source: “Villagers
Flee Forced Military Training," Kao Wao News No. 47, 4 July 2003)
Ahlone Township
Military training for factory workers in Rangoon
Starting on 7 October 2003, factory workers in Ahlone Township, Rangoon, were reportedly forced to attend military training to prepare them to defend against foreign aggression. 200 people from the different wards were trained at 4 different locations, which were mostly school playgrounds. The trainings were held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm everyday. Each training lasted 1 month. (Source: “SPDC Training Civilians to ‘Defend’ Burma against Foreign Aggression," DVB, 14 October, 2003)
Villagers forced into fire safety training
Shan State
Young men forced to join militia
On 2 March 2003, the battalion commander of LIB 514 issued an order saying that young men, aged between 18 and 25 years and not attending school, were required to register their names with the military authorities no later than 15 April 2003. These young men were to receive military training and later serve as people’s militia. The parents of those who failed to register or tried to avoid registration would have to pay a fine of 300,000 kyat for each man. All young men, no matter how many from a single family, were to register without fail or face the fine. Some parents who had mostly male children were so afraid that they fled the region. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Forced military training
On 21 July 2003, an order was issued by the SPDC authorities to headmen and community leaders to provide military authorities with the names of all men aged 18 to 50. Those on the list were to undergo people’s militia training in batches, 21 days per batch, and were banned from traveling from the area until they had completed their training. Approximately 1,000 people were to be trained as people’s militia in each village tract in Tachilek Township. The first batch of training started on 25 July 2003 with 90 people from Murng Phong village tract, under the supervision of Maj. Moe Kyaw Thu from No.3 Tactical Command. The training lasted from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm every day, without holidays. Civilian trainees had to provide their own food. The training was said to be for protecting their respective villages and village tracts, but what the trainees actually had to do was listen to patriotic doctrines, telling them to love their nation and country, and to practice with sticks and slingshots. The trainees had to crouch, crawl and shoot their slingshots using clay pellets. The one who shot the straightest got a distinction mark at the end of the day. Many people thought this was ridiculous and a waste of time, which caused a lot of trouble and losses for the farmers, since it was replacing effort normally used to feed their families. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Murng-Ton Township
Forced military training
On 8 August 2003, the SPDC commander of the Triangle Regional Command came to Murng-Sart town and issued an order requiring the people of Murng-Ton Township to attend a course of military training. Each village tract, such as Murng Taw, Murng Thaa, Murng Jawt, Pung Pa Khem, Murng Haang and Me Ken, had to provide 1,000 men, aged between 16 and 50, to attend the training. All the government servants in the township were also required to attend the training. It was also reported that the military training started on 13 August 2003 in Pung Pa Khem village tract; on 10 August 2003 in Murng-Ton town area and on 11 August 2003 in Me Ken village tract, and the other village tracts followed later. As the training progressed, there were a lot of complaints from those who had to attend, especially the farmers. Some said they were forced to neglect their newly planted rice fields; some said weeds had grown longer than the rice plants in their farms and some said their rice fields had dried up because they could not go to irrigate them. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Murng-Nai Township
Forced military training
In August 2003, the township authorities forced the people in Murng-Nai Township to undergo military training. The authorities explained that everyone had to be trained as people’s militia to protect the country from outside invasion. In Murng-Nai town area, the training ground was in the compound of the former palace of the prince of Murng-Nai. All the townspeople, both men and women, including government servants, aged between 15 and 45, were required to attend the training. The training was held in batches, each batch comprised 100 people and the course was 20 days. Those who completely failed to attend a training course with their batches as designated would face a punishment of a 1-month prison term. Those who partly failed to attend would have to pay a fine of 1,500 kyat for each day. (Source: SHRF, December 2003)
Tenasserim Division
On 21 July 2003, the SPDC military junta ordered all areas of Tenasserim Division to conduct trainings for basic military procedures and skills to handle assault weapons, purportedly for National Defense purposes. Everyone between the ages of 14 and 40 was told to attend the training. The order's objective was given as defense against foreign enemies. According to the order, issued by the Coastal Region Military Command, township administrations councils had to recruit and send 20 to 30 hard core people and 40 to 60 villagers as reserves from each village under their control. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, Karen National Union, July 2003)
On 29 September 2003, Sergeant Lwin Myo Aung from LIB 599, who was assigned to Pawa village area in Bokpyin Township, was drunk and ordered a militiaman Naing Win from Lethiet to go and search for more whisky. Naing Win told him that it was too late and the shops were closed. The sergeant told him that he had failed to obey an order and hit him in the face, breaking his eyeball. Lethiet's militia leader Than Aye reported the case to the commander from No.1 Tactical Command and requested to detach Naing Win from Lwin Myo Aung's command. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, October 2003)
Palaw Township
Villagers forced to join militia
On 9
October 2003, IB 280 commander, Lt. Col. Khin Maung Aye ordered all the villages
along Tavoy-Mergui car-road in Palaw Township to attend
pyithusit
training. The more populated villages were told to send 30 people and the
smaller villages 15 people. The communities requested to reduce the number of
demanded attendants was in vain.
The training was to be held at Chaw Htoe village in Palaw Township.
(Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report:
Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU,
October 2003)
Tavoy District
Villagers forced to join militia
In January 2003, it was reported that villagers in Kamoethway area, in the east of Tavoy, Tenasserim Division were forced to join Pyithusit (Burmese military backed people's militia) according to a source from that area in Waku village. According to the source, the Waku village headmen asked his villagers to join Pyithusit individually for 3 week shifts. Those who did not want to go on their turn were required to pay 3,500 kyat instead. Those who do not want to join for the whole year had to give 30,000 kyat. The village headman complained about the Pyithusit, to which the Burmese troops responded that forming the militia is for the peace of the community. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, January 2003)
In the first week of June, the No.12 Military Divisional Training Center demanded 6 villages in Pyicha village tract, 50 miles in the south of Tavoy to attend a people's militia training for 15 days. Pyicha, Myitchinzu, Lerhpadoh, Wahgon, Mawkakle and Kahtaungni villages had to send 20 villagers each to attend the training which took place between 16 and 30 June 2003. For the training, the military asked for 1,000 kyat of support from all the houses whose family members did not participate in the training. They said this money would be used for food and training necessities for those who attended the training. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, June 2003)
Since in the first week of July 2003 SPDC's LIB 410, stationed 50 miles north of Tavoy, demanded villages in the area send 10 men per village to attend pyithusit training. Villages which did not send their men had to pay 1,500 kyat per household. Those who attended the military training had to take along necessary food stuff from their own villages. The head trainer was Myo Min Aung, an officer from LIB 410. He demanded that all villages take responsibility for their expenditures during the training period. It was not known how long the training would take place. Yapoo, Ywahaun, Tahkawlo and Mile 60 villages were the first batch to attend that military training. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, July 2003)
Forced military training
A 14 May 2003 order by the military demanded that villagers from villages near the No.12 Division Training Center had to attend military training. Villages affected included Pyicha, Pasaw Ook, Lerhpado, Hmyitchinzu, Maw Kat Kle, Kahtaungni, Wahgon. Each village was ordered to send 120 recruits, including women, and every recruit had to arrive with 2 sets of military uniforms. At that time a male military uniform cost 8,500 kyat and a female uniform cost 9,000 kyat. The training was scheduled to last 1 month. Village headmen asked if money could be sent instead. The officers accepted the proposal and the village headmen collected money from their villages. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, May 2003)
Villagers forced to join the SPDC Army
It was reported that the SPDC government was forcibly collecting people from every village in Myait Town, Myait district to become new soldiers. On 20 December 2003, Mg Aung Myo, the son of U Htoo Win and Daw Myint Kyi who lived in Tavoy Su quarter, Myait Town ran away to Ranong, Thailand out of fear of becoming a soldier. He was afraid because the authorities were forcibly collecting 1 to 3 people from every village in Myait town, Myait district to become new soldiers. There were reportedly many people that ran away from the prospect of being soldiers. (Source: THRF, 2003)
1.9 Documents and Sample Forced Labor Orders
Order #1:
To: Chairman
________________Village
Subject: Request for two laborers
I request two laborers from the Chairman to arrive today, 16 March 2003. They must not be absent.
Camp Leader
Ah Nan Dway Camp
(Source: KHRIC, 2003)
Order #2:
To: Chairman
_________________ Village
Date: 25 January 2003
Subject: Request for three villagers
I request three villagers from the Chairman's village to be labourers for the military camp on 26 January 2003. They should not be absent. The Chairman or the Secretary must come together with the labourers. We will have them work for three days and feed them for those three days.
Camp Leader
Anandway Camp
(Source: KHRIC, 2003)
Order #3:
To: Chairman
________________ Village
Tomorrow, have two people go to Taung Zoe to deliver letters and the battalion commander wants to see you too. On the 11th, you must come to Taung Zoe camp after breakfast with the two people for delivering letters.
Camp Leader
Tuang Zoe Camp
10 December 2002
(Source: KHRIC, 2003)
Order #4:
Date - 30/1/2003
To
Chairman
.................... village
Subject: Calling for the emergency matter:
1. Regarding the above subject, the Chairman, alone or with village heads must sellect approximately eight people as carriers and to present them today at 12:00 pm in order to come and give the information to us as soon as you received the message.
2. The mentioned carriers will be sent back to the village tomorrow morning.
Signature
Htet Aung
Camp incharge
No. (2) Column
Taungswun Military camp
(Source: BLC, 2003)
1.10 Interviews and Personal Accounts
Interviews Regarding Forced Military Training
Interview #1
Source: Interviewed by Human Rights Documentation Unit
Interview Date: 20 September 2003
Name: Ko Aung Kyaw Lwin (not real name)
Ethnicity: Burman
Religion: Buddhism
Sex: Male
Occupation: Corporal in Burmese Army
In Rangoon, the authorities are ordering the people who work for the government and their family members to attend military trainings. This includes my family and me. The authorities indicated that the trainings are to prepare us to protect the country against foreign invasion. The police force, military forces, fire department and USDA members are the organizers of the trainings.
The trainings last for one and half months and run from lunch-time until 4:00 in the afternoon. The governmental departments for which the attendees work provide transportation to the training site. The trainings are being held at different football fields in Rangoon and in spaces in government department compounds.
Families of the police force and army are trained differently than the regular people who work for the government. The families of the police force and army, learn how to handle guns. This includes learning to shoot, hold, how to take apart and how to put a gun back together again. Regular government employees are only given wooden guns.
Two people from each family of a regular government employee must attend the training. For the families of the armed forces, every family member has to attend without failure. If someone does not want to attend the training, they have to pay money through the department for which they work. They have to pay 10,000 to 40,000 kyat but not every department can pay that amount of money. As a result, some bad government workers are asking for money from the business owners around the city.
At the military training in Rangoon, the Burmese Prime Minister, General Khin Nyunt spoke. In his speech, he said that everyone knows that Americans are fighting a war of aggression in Iraq. Therefore, if Americans, with the help of traitors who are in America and the rebels, come and attack Burma, protection will be needed. These trainings are to create another force for the army. He indicated that we do not want any country to be involved in our country's problems. He said that we will solve our problems ourselves. Thus, every department should be alert and should listen to the leaders' orders that help develop the country.
Interview #2
Partial
Interview
Source: Interviewed by Human Rights Documentation Unit
Date: 18 August 2003
Name: Kyaw Kyaw Khaing (not real name)
Address: Paung Township, Mon State
Ethnicity: Mon/Burman
Religion: Buddhist
Sex: Male
It is really hard to stay in Burma because of the economy. I ran a karaoke bar.
[Omitted]. Many others are suffering from the same financial problems but don’t
dare leave their jobs for fear that they will not find another.
[Paragraph omitted]
There are other difficulties as well. The place where we live is outside of downtown. It is like a village area. It is very hard to find jobs there. Many people are daily-wage workers and do anything they can for money. They do not dare complain because it is so hard to find a job.
Even though most villagers are having money problems, the local officials are forcing them to attend military training. They run monthly trainings. They combine five villages and every month 200 people from the five village group must attend. Everyone from age 18 to 50 must attend. So far the training has only happened one time. The first training was for men and the second will be for women. People who attend must sleep at their homes and travel to the training everyday. The training is run by IB 24 based in Thaton Township but they run the training in Paung Township. Everyone must learn to handle and operate a gun.
The people who went to the first training were almost all married. Their families were upset because they could not make money during the training period. No one complained because they had to go. The training schedule is three hours per day for one month. Saturday and Sunday are holidays.
The military did not give us a reason for the training, they just say it is a military order. We think we will really have to go and fight but we do not know who we will fight against. The military just says that we must know how to use a gun for protection. We strongly believe that we have to attend the training for protection because of the civil war and in case of emergency.
[Paragraph omitted]
[Paragraph omitted]
[Paragraph omitted]
[Paragraph omitted]
Interview #3
Partial Interview
Source: Interviewed by Human Rights Documentation Unit
Interview Date: 15 November 2003
Name: Daw Nyo Nyo (not real name)
Address: Paung Township, Mon State
Ethnicity: Mon
Religion: Buddhist
Sex: Female
In our area, every person who works for the government has to attend military training in their village. September 19 to October 19 was the first training. People just received a letter informing them that they had to attend a training. My son received his letter the day before he had to go to the training. He is a teacher. The principle of his school sent him his letter. The order is from the Central Government but it has worked its way down through all the different levels of government to the people. The order is nation-wide.
My son's wife also works for the government in the Department of XXXXX. She had to attend the training as well. The training they attended was the last one in our area. There were many, but now the authorities are finished in our area.
People from 18 to 45 years of age had to attend. Old people did not have to attend because the government knows that they will die. Everybody has to attend for one month. On Saturday and Sunday, there is no training. People sleep at their own houses and go training from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. After the training session, the attendees can go to work. At the end of every training, the attendees had to pay 300 kyat for "thank you" money.
Both men and women had to attend. Some people do not attend everyday but make sure to show up at the end of the training so that their names go on the list of persons who completed the training. If you do not attend one, you must go to the next one. There is no way out of it. So, people want their name on the list of those finished.
The Paung Township police were in charge of these trainings. They held the trainings in the Paung Township playground. They teach the attendees how to use guns and how to march, just like a military training. First, the people had to buy bamboo poles and learn to carry and hold them as if they were guns. At the end of the training, they used real guns. They have to learn because if an emergency occurs, they can be emergency troops. If a foreign country invades, the people will be ready. The authorities say that one day, America will come to our country.
I like America and I want the Americans to come and help here. Some people believe what the authorities say. The people who believe are usually friends of the authorities or with Khin Nyunt. Those who only read the government newspaper and listen to the government radio probably believe. I listen to RFA, VOA, and BBC. I do not listen to the government radio. The government is always saying stuff like this. They even teach these ideas in the schools.
Interviews Regarding Forced Labor
Source: Interviewed by Burma Issues
Name: Maung Maung Kyaw (not real name)
Address: Pegu Division
Ethnicity: Burman
Religion: Buddhist
Q: Can you tell me a little of your background?
A: Burmese troops often come to my village and ask for porter fees and for free labour. They never pay us anything for this labour and on top of that we have to support ourselves whilst doing the labour. For example we have to bring our own food. For this free labour we have to work on government projects like irrigation projects. We usually have to go for 25 days to a month. Those villagers who have money, they can pay not to go and do this free labour, but people like me who have no money we have to go and do the free labour. One person from each family has to go and do this free labour.
After last years harvest I had no employment so I started to sell tickets for the underground lottery. I had no work and was facing many difficulties for food and my children’s education. So the police arrested me. They arrested me on 11 January 2003, they arrested me in Kyone Ma Kauk village and kept me in the police detention centre there for two days. On 13 January 2003, they sent me to court in Khone MaKyauk where they sentenced me to 1.5 years imprisonment. The next day they sent me to Thayawaddy Prison.
When I arrived at the prison the prison authorities came and interrogated me. If I was slow to answer their questions they would beat me. If people had money they could pay 500 kyat not to be interrogated and beaten. While in prison they forced me to make bricks. We would work from 7:00 am - 10:00 am and then stop for breakfast. We would then work from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
Q: Were you given enough food?
A: We were given enough rice but not enough fish paste and it was fresh, not cooked fish paste. They never gave us any vegetables or meat. Sometimes the ICRC would come but before the ICRC came the prison authorities would tell us that if we had anything to report to the ICRC then we had to report it to them (the prison authorities) now, and when the ICRC came we were not allowed to say anything to them. They also prepared good food for us when they know the ICRC is going to visit but as soon as the ICRC leaves they take it away again. They (the prison authorities) tell the ICRC that they feed us this food everyday. The food they serve when the ICRC are coming is curries, bean dishes, every other day we just get rice and bad fish paste.
ICRC also brings us soap, toothpaste and dishes and cutlery but the prison authorities also take all this away once ICRC has left.
Q: How long were you in jail for?
A: Over four months. During that time I also spent 1.5 months making mats because the prison authorities said they didn’t have enough mats. I also had to make incense, each day I had to make 20,000 sticks. At night they would also make some prisoners spy or keep guard on the other prisoners.
One day the prison authorities came in with a list of prisoners, there were 150 people on the list and these people were told they had to go and be porters. One hundred of the people on the list paid between 20-40,000 kyat each to the prison authorities and they didn’t have to go. The remaining 50, myself included, had to go and be porters because we didn’t have enough money to bribe our way out of it. Those of us who could not pay were then moved to a different part of the prison, we were chained and given a blue convict uniform. The 100 who had paid money were kept in the prison and given a white uniform. Only then did I truly realize that I was being taken to be a porter.
Q: Who gave the authority to choose you to be porters?
A: The military battalion approached the prison and told them they needed 50 porters and then the prison authorities chose the prisoners to become porters. On 7 September we left the prison to become porters and we stayed in Thaton for one night. The next day we traveled to Pa-an and stayed at the No.1 military base. We stayed at this base for 23 days and were kept chained the whole time. After this they unchained us and took us to be porters.
Q: What happened to you after you go out of prison?
A: We left Pa-an and went to Mae Pleh and stopped at the monastery there. All the soldiers and porters met together at this monastery. At 5:00 pm we were told we were allowed to eat. We were given enough rice for two people but we had to share it amongst five people. After this they gave us bags of ammunition and supplies. In my bag I had to carry shells. The bag weighed about 40 kg. That night we left the monastery. We were only allowed to sleep for two hours that night and then we had to get up and continue to travel. At 12:00 pm we are allowed to stop and eat, then we have to cook for the soldiers as well and then we continue to travel until nightfall. Those who could not carry the bags were beaten. On one day I saw 3 porters who were beaten and left in the forest (not dead though) because they couldn’t carry their packs anymore. We walked like this for 8 days. One day we were climbing up a mountain but we had not yet reached the top and we were tired. We asked the soldiers if we could rest and have some water but they told us no and then beat all of us porters. I was beaten three times with the butt of a rifle because I was too tired to go on. When we finally arrived at the top of the mountain we had to wait a long time for food and then they only gave us a cup of rice and some salt.
Q: How many days did it take you to arrive to the base?
A: From Mae Pleh monastery it took us eight days and when we finally arrived at the base they made us dig a bunker straight away. We had to work on this day and night. At this time the KNLA was firing on the Burmese base and the Burmese troops took cover in the bunker that we had dug. We were left to fend for ourselves outside the bunker. All the time we had to dig the bunker we were never given enough food to eat or water to drink. One night we were ordered to go to Platoon No.4, this platoon already had four porters. All of us porters were told that the next day we would go to a landmine field and that we porters had to go in front to find the landmines. I realized that if I did this that I would die. I didn’t want to die for the Burmese Army so I thought it was better to try and escape. I escaped with my friend Maw Zaw Way.
On the trip from Mae Pleh to the Burmese base I saw many dead porters from stepping on landmines and this scared me, I did not want to end like this. In Mae Pleh there were many porters - 600. 300 of us went to the Maw Pa Thu, Burmese Army base and 300 of them went to Myawaddy.
Q: Did you see any porters killed by fighting?
A: Yes. They were shot in the fighting by the KNLA and also many of them stepped on landmines.
Q: How did you escape?
A: We were told to go out and clear the landmines but I didn’t even know what a landmine looked like and I didn’t know how to clear the landmines. So I ran away. We ran for three days without food and water before we reached a KNU base. Four porters had escaped before we did and the Burmese soldiers told us that their throats had been cut by the KNU so if any of the rest of us tried to escape a similar fate would await us. They said this to deter us from escaping.
Q: How would you describe the way in which you were treated?
A: Injustice, inhuman, they treat us worse than dogs. We all come from the same nation, one country. I don’t know why they treat us like this. It is unfair and unjust.
Q: How did you feel when you arrived here?
A: When I think what the Burmese soldiers have done to me I get very angry. The KNU have empathy for us, they care for us.
Q: What do you want to do for the future?
A: I want to listen to the KNU, maybe it will depend on them.
Q: Do you plan to go back to Burma?
A: If I go back now they will arrest and torture me so now I chose not to go back.
Source: Interviewed by Forum-Asia
Date of Interview: 26 March 2003
Home: Buthidaung Township
Ethnicity: Rohingya
Religion: Muslim
In Buthidaung Township, there are 21 brickyards: 17 under the Army and 4 under the Nasaka. At present, the Nasaka use labour in their brickyards in Taung Bazar [Ngar Yant Chaung], Khyan Daung [Kyaung Taung], Hpon Marli [Phone Nyo Lake] and close to Buthidaung town. The army also has brickyards in Changana [Thin Ga Net], Da Byu Chaung, Moghbil [Palai Taung], Krantama [Krin Tha Mar] and Lawadak [Let Wai Dad Pyin Shay]. In Lawadak area alone, there are 10 brickyards. Both the Nasaka and the Army are recruiting forced laborers for brick baking. The day before I left for Maungdaw [11 March], the Nasaka collected 300 laborers from four villages: Changana [Thin Ga Net], Khyan Daung [Kyaung Taung], Nyong Song [Nyang Chaung Kwe Gyo Maw] and Mingizi [Mee Gyaung Zay]. Some of these labourers are sent to the hills to collect firewood and carry it to the nearest brickyard while other labourers have to work inside the brickyards.
My family has to pay 2,000 kyat every month to the RaYaKa office to avoid this labour. Each family of my village must also supply 3 wooden poles a week to deliver to the closest brickyard. Those who can afford to buy wood from the market or hire a laborer to replace them can avoid the labour. But those who do not have money must work. Their families are almost starving, because the man, who earns the living of his family, has to fulfill the Nasaka requirements three times a week.
The Nasaka camp of Taung Bazar did not rent out all the land in their possession. They kept 50 acres of land under their own supervision, and instructed the RaYaKa Committee to recruit labourers to plough and plant seeds on those 50 acres. The RaYaKa allocates the work to the villagers. Those who have neither money nor cows have to give their manpower. Some lend their oxen, and others pay money. I paid 10,000 kyat to be exempted from cultivation work on the Nasaka’s land. The RaYaKa fixed the amount to be paid.
In Buthidaung, there are also 15 NaTaLa [new settlers’] villages in different parts of the township. One of these NaTaLa villages is located in a hamlet called Pirkhali [under Thin Ga Net Village Tract]. Last December [2002], the army and the Nasaka brought 40 new families from upper Burma to resettle them there, expanding the NaTaLa village. In January 2003, the Nasaka collected money and labourers through the RaYaKa office to build new houses for those 40 families. I had to pay 6,000 kyat for this purpose.
While traveling from Buthidaung to Maungdaw, I saw many people working at a place called “4-mile," located 4 miles from Maungdaw, near the wireless tower. They were carrying bricks and cement bags from the bottom to the top of the hill for the construction of a pagoda.
Source: Interviewed by Forum-Asia
Date of Interview: 26 February 2003
Address: Maungdaw Township
Ethnicity: Rohingya
Religion: Muslim
Q: What is the situation inside Arakan?
A: The Burmese authorities are now repairing the road between Hatimura [Jadiprang] and Nga Khu Ya using local labour without payment. The rehabilitation work started about a week ago. I used to hire a man to replace me. But this time I paid 30,000 kyat to the local authorities [RaYaKa] and to the Nasaka to avoid working on this road: 20,000 kyat to the Chairman and 10,000 kyat to the Nasaka. I often pay some money to them because I cross the border frequently. The Chairman knows about my activities very well. But I learnt that they do not use this money to pay the labourers.
Source: Interviewed by Forum-Asia
Date of Interview: 5 March 2003
Address: Near Maungdaw Town
Ethnicity: Rohingya
Religion: Muslim
Q: Have you ever been asked to perform labour duties?
A: No. I always pay to avoid it. But in addition, they often order me to supply gasoline for their jeeps and boats, sometimes a rice bag for their family. Whenever they have some important visitors, they demand cash, such as 50,000 or 60,000 kyat. They also demand money for special occasions such as the marriage of their relatives, religious festivals or when they need to travel to Akyab or Rangoon.
Source: Interviewed by Forum-Asia
Date of Interview: 23 August 2003
Address: xxx Village, Buthidaung Township (North)
Ethnicity: Rohingya
Religion: Muslim
Sex: Male
At present, the army no longer uses forced labour in my area. The soldiers are now carrying their food and supplies themselves. However, the Nasaka and the police are currently the worst exactors of forced labour.
Cultivation work
The Nasaka just started cultivating a large area of land of about 55 Kani [about 22 acres] located near its camp in Kyaung Taung. There are five village tracts under the Nasaka Kyaung Taung camp jurisdiction and the Nasaka demand 50 labourers from each village by rotation to work in these paddy fields. On 17 August, our Chairman sent 50 labourers from our village to work there. Each village has to provide 50 labourers for one day until the work is completed, which means 50 villagers for one day every five days. The second turn for our village was last Friday [22 August]. I left my village on Thursday so I do not know whether our Chairman sent the labourers for a second round. But I suppose so.
In addition, the Nasaka has already collected money to hire oxen to plough the land through the RaYaKa offices of these five village tracts. The amount for each family ranges between 300 and 500 kyat. In total, they collected 250,000 kyat to hire oxen. At the moment, they also plan to hire 10 permanent workers for the whole season and they need to collect 2,000,000 kyat in cash to pay their salaries. As I was leaving, the Chairmen of the five village tracts were calculating how much money each family would have to pay. In our village, we have already been informed that each family would have to pay between 1,500 and 2,000 kyat.
Brick-baking
The Kyaung Taung Nasaka has a brick-baking yard and, during the dry season, they recruited 16 labourers from different villages on a permanent basis to work in this yard. Beside this, each family had to supply firewood throughout the brick-baking season. My family had to provide three to four wooden poles matching the measurements given by the Nasaka.
Camp maintenance
They also requisitioned forced labour to repair houses, fences and to cut the grass in their compound. These labourers for camp maintenance are collected through various means. One of their tactics is punishing people who are caught traveling without a travel pass. To go from Ba Da Gar to Tin May only requires a few hours walk, but one must obtain a travel pass, which costs 700 kyat. One must first apply to the RaYaKa office, fill in a form and pay 200 kyat; then he must go to the Nasaka camp and pay an additional 500 kyat. It takes about one full day to complete all the formalities. Moreover, 700 kyat is a lot of money for a poor villager. Sometimes villagers do not apply for a travel pass and visit the neighbouring village secretly. Local agents [informers] often inform the Nasaka camp. The Nasaka summon the wrongdoer and impose a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 kyat as a punishment. If the wrongdoer is unable to pay the fine, he must work for 8 to 12 days. Whenever someone is caught, the Nasaka bring him to their camp and use him as a laborer or extort some bribe.
Let me narrate a specific case. About 20 days ago, two young men, Rashid and Sayed [not their real names] had a fight in our village. Sayed had the upper hand over Rashid. At that moment, local agents of the Nasaka arrived at the scene and sided with Rashid. They tried to attack Sayed who managed to run away. The quarrel ended without injury. Later the Nasaka agents brought Rashid to the Nasaka camp and complained that Sayed had attacked Rashid with a knife.
The Nasaka took note of the incident and sent some troops with the RaYaKa members to Sayed’s house. He was not there, but they searched his house. They examined all the boxes and chests of drawers but could not find anything incriminating, except for a photograph of Sayed with one of his friends who is now living in Saudi Arabia. The Nasaka confiscated the picture and enquired about the friend’s identity. When they obtained his details [the man of the photograph], they went to his family’s house at night and arrested all the male members: his father and elder brothers. Then the Nasaka took them to their camp and interrogated them about their son/brother who appeared on the picture with Sayed. The father and elder brothers replied that he has been living in Saudi Arabia for the last seven years and they have not heard from him. The Nasaka detained them inside their camp for 12 days. During that time, they had to work inside the camp cleaning the garden, clothes and tools during the daytime. Finally the family paid 450,000 kyat to release them from forced labour.
Sentry duty
I will give you another example of tricks used by the Nasaka and the police to collect forced labourers. In each ward of our village there are two sentry posts and in each post four men must perform sentry duty every night. The local authorities draw up the list for that duty. One night, the police and the Nasaka were patrolling very quietly near the sentry posts. When the sentries shouted: “Who is there?” the patrol angrily replied: “Why are you making such a howl like a dog? Don’t you see that we are patrolling? I know, you were all asleep and now you are pretending to perform your duty. You are barking like a frightened dog. You all must come to the camp and discuss with us!” In the morning, the sentries went to the camp and the Nasaka fined them 5,000 kyat each. When the men complained that they were poor and could not pay such an amount, the Nasaka punished them and ordered them to work in their camp for the next five days.
I have never worked as a sentry but my brothers have worked as labourers as well as sentries. About a month ago, my elder brother was performing his duty as a sentry with other three men. About an hour before dawn a police patrol team from a nearby police station passed near the sentry post where my brother was watching. A policeman came forward and told the sentries, including my brother: “You can sleep now. The night is over.” But my brother and the other three men did not leave their post nor did they lie down to sleep. 10-15 minutes later, the police came again and told them: “I told you to go to sleep but you did not listen to me. Now I order you to go to sleep and lie down here right now.” The men were compelled to lie down and the police left. Within five minutes another police patrol arrived and told them: “What you are doing? Are you doing your duty or are you sleeping? You are breaking the law! Come with us!” My brother and the three others replied that they were not sleeping but that another police patrol had compelled them to lie down. The police group did not reply and took them to their camp. Then, they ordered them to repair the fences of their camp.
At about 8:00 am my brother had not returned home and I went out to check on him. I was informed that he and the three other sentries were in the police camp. I met the RaYaKa Secretary but he refused to help me. Then I went to see an agent who has good relations with the police. I had to pay 6,000 kyat to the police through the agent. My brother was released and later I learnt that the other three men had to work for four days because they could not pay a bribe to the police.
Source: Interviewed by Forum-Asia
Date of Interview: 13 July 2003
Address: xxx Village, Buthidaung Township (North)
Ethnicity: Rohingya
Religion: Muslim
Age: 36
Sex: Male
Occupation: Farmer
In the first week of June 2003, the Seingoung [leader of a group of houses] came to me and asked me to pay a tax of 500 kyat. I asked him what for. He replied: “In our village the Nasaka have 16 Kani [about 6.5 acres] of paddy land, and the villagers have been asked to plough the Nasaka land. The money we are collecting is to buy paddy seeds for the cultivation of the Nasaka land.” Every family had to pay 500 kyat or else provide their labour to cultivate the Nasaka land.
Apart from this, forced labour is currently being used to repair the police camp and the houses of the police personnel, to fence the police barracks and to clean the grass in the police compound located in our village.
There is also a military camp in our village. They do not use porters at the moment, but the villagers have to supply firewood for their cooking needs. I saw with my own eyes our villagers carrying firewood to the army barracks.
In June the Nasaka also collected 300 kyat from each family of our village to buy black pepper seeds. Now again [early July] the Nasaka has issued an order through the RaYaKa office that every family must give half a kilo of jackfruit seeds and the collection of jackfruit seeds is going on at the moment. Every family of my village must also give one chicken to the Nasaka camp every two months.
In our village there is a brick-baking yard owned by the Nasaka. During the dry season, every family was compelled to supply firewood for the kilns every week.
Name: Sai Myo Aung (not real name)
Age: 34 years old
Address: Thi-paw Township, Northern Shan State
Ethnicity: Shan
Religion: Buddhist
Occupation: Cultivators (both)
Q: Why did the SPDC sentence you to prison?
A: The reason was that I was riding a bicycle which was made in China from La-Sho to Thi-paw Township. On the way, I encountered SPDC soldiers and they asked me for 50,000 kyat as a fine for illegally trading a foreign bicycle. I told them I just took the bicycle to give to my friend and it was not for trading but just for domestic use. Although I gave them 20,000 kyat, they continued demanding money. They were unsatisfied because they didn’t get all of the money. Instead, they took me right away to Thi-paw police station and sent me to court. Then the court sentenced me to two years in prison without reason.
Q: What kind or level was the court?
A: Thi-paw township court.
Q: What was the judge's name?
A: I don’t know the judge's name because I live in a forest village.
Q: Who arrested you?
A: SPDC soldiers.
Q: Do you know their battalion and position?
A: I can not guess it because I encountered them while traveling; otherwise there are many troops in Thi-paw.
Q: What is the prison where you were sent?
A: Mandalay prison.
Q: What was your prison registration number?
A: 3178/B
Q: Who did you live with in prison? (Was there anybody you knew or recognized?)
A: I lived with and knew Aik Tun, Kyaw Myint, Shan Gyi, and Wei Lin when I was in prison.
Q: Did you stay together with them?
A: Yes, I stayed together with Wei Lin, Shan Gyi (passed a way) and Ko Ye.
Q: Why was the guy named Shan Gyi killed?
A: He was shot to death by IB 68 soldiers without reason. More specifically he did not get enough food, so he collected some rice and beans which had fallen out of the food transportation cars on to the ground and he kept this under his bed. When the soldiers entered his room to get him out they found the rice and beans under his bed. The soldiers accused both me and Shan Gyi of attempting to escape and immediately they shot Shan Gyi until he died. Then they also tied me up with rope and intended to kill me the next morning. I was really scared to be killed so I tried to get free out the rope on my body and then I ran out of the prison.
The Second Major General Sein Pu from IB 68, who was also responsible as column 1 commander and battalion commander gave the order to the local authorities and soldiers to kill any of the porters who they found to be attempting to run away if they reached over the eastern part of Salween River.
Q: Were you ever tortured and can you explain in detail about how you suffered?
A: They put pieces of gunny bag into a milk tin and poured diesel fuel on the pieces. Then they took out the wet pieces of gunny bag from the milk tin and they tied them to my feet and lit them on fire and burnt my feet. Then they put a wet and green bamboo pole in the fire and pushed it straight into my mouth and said that they were feeding me “Kauk-hnjin-kyi-dau” (sticky rice cooked in a green bamboo tube). They also poked my stomach with it, hit me with their machine gun butts then tied me up with ropes onto a tree.
Q: How long did you stay in the forest?
A: I stayed in the forest for a week.
Q: When did you get the injuries on your feet?
A: I got the injuries on my feet on the night they burned my feet with the pieces of burning gunny bag. The injuries got so bad after I had suffered the burning that they became infected with liquid and then lice that attached to the infections three days later.
Q: What did you have to eat during the eight days in the forest?
A: I just ate honey from pieces of beehives and Gooseberries, that had fallen on to the ground, along with the water.
Q: What did you have to do when you were detained at Brigade No.144.
A: I had to transport rations such as rice, bean, milk, sugar and beef cans equal to the capacity of four transportation trucks. The transportation journey took one hour and fifteen minutes.
Q: Did you ever see the ICRC? Who did you see and what did they talk about to you?
A: I met and even talked with a man name Ko Naing Naing and a woman named Ma Cho from ICRC. They asked me: Did I get to take showers? Did I get enough food? How much soap did I get? How were my living conditions? I told them that everything was intolerable for me.
Q: Was there anybody near you when you answered like that? (I mean any guards or authorities near you?)
A: There were no guards or authorities near me except prison staff while I was talking to the ICRC members.
Q: Did you tell the ICRC your real name as Sai Hla Myint and what did the authorities say to you after they left?
A: Yes, I told the ICRC my real name was Sai Hla Myint. After the ICRC left, some of the prison authorities came and asked me what I talked about to the ICRC, although I replied that I didn’t talk about anything.
Q: Did you ever see any other laborers killed?
A: Yes, I saw a laborer named Aik Tun, who died because he had to work hard, didn’t get the enough food and lacked vitamins and energy. Another one was Ko Ye, who fled to try to escape together with me but fell into the river after he got injured when the soldiers who followed us shot him. I also didn’t pay attention to him because the soldiers followed up and were shooting at me as well. I expected that he absolutely would be killed even though he was still alive with serious injuries when he got arrested.
Q: Do you want to go back home? Do you have any plans to make contact with your family from your home?
A: I don’t have any plans to go back home. Instead I will stay here and fight back against the SPDC. I will get treatment for my injuries first and I will take care of my health and then make contact with my home.
Source: Interviewed by Free Burma Rangers
Name: Saw Bai Ler (not real name)
Age: 53 years old
Address: AAA village, Pa’an District, Karen State
Religion: Animist
Q: Can you tell us about your village; if BA or DKBA troops forced it to work?
A: The DKBA No.999 forced us to cut bushes, clean out around their camp, and construct a building. In addition whenever the food or military supplies arrived they demanded that the villagers nearby the camp provide porters. They sometimes demanded even women and elderly people when there were fewer men for carrying. Supplies were carried from Ta Kren River to the DKBA base.
Q: Can you tell us from which base the troops of DKBA who forced you to work came from?
A: We were mostly forced to work by DKBA troops from Special Battalion 999. The troops from this battalion had special privileges supported by BA.
Q: Can you tell us where their camp is now located?
A: The camp is now located at Pa Ngwe Hta.
Interview # 9
Source: Interviewed by Free Burma Rangers
Name: Saw Ther Kler (not real name)
Address: BBB village, Pa’an District, Karen State
Religion: Animist
Q: Can you tell us about forced labour committed by DKBA troops in your village?
A: On 2 June 2003, the DKBA Deputy Battalion Commander Saw Kya Aye from Special Battalion 999 forced us to clean out BBB area and construct their shelters including food stockpiles.
We had to bring our own food for work whenever we were forced and no wages were given either. Not longer after they again demanded us to clean the area in Pa Nwe Hta and to construct their camp. During working, the boats carrying food supplies arrived and we were forced to carry them up to the camp. Among workers doing the work there were even children aged around 12-13, elderly people and women included. Some women brought children with them because it was compulsory for each family to work.
Q: Where were the supplies to be carried from and to?
A: They were carried from Pa Ngwe Ta military camp to Kwee Htu camp.
Q: How many people were forced to carry at a time?
A: Sometimes about 30 – 40 people.
Q: Were you forced to do any other labors?
A: They forced us to cut down trees into logs without payment. They also took away by force the cut logs without paying costs back, in turn; they even threatened the owners.
Q: Where were you forced to do logging?
A: In the area of Pa Nwe Hta military camp and nearby.
Q: What would they use the wood for?
A: They said they would build shelters for their family. Actually they collected all of the logs and then floated them down along the Ta Kren River and sold them for their benefit. Even though we knew we did not dare to speak out.
Interview # 10
Source: Interviewed by Free Burma Rangers
Name: Pah Htoo Mu (not real name)
Address: CCC village, Pa’an District, Karen State
Religion: Animist
Q: Can you tell us if you have ever been forced to work by DKBA troops when living in CCC village?
A: When DKBA's troops were stationed at Det Pri Lay camp they forced us including women and elderly people to clean out the place, so as to construct the camp. They also demanded each village from Khaw Thoo Kee, Htee Mo Kee, Htee Pah Ren, Wa Mee Kla to provide 300 roofing leaves for the buildings. After the buildings had been finished they demanded villagers once a day to bring water for them up to the top of mountain. They also demanded each village nearby to provide two people to stay with them and they had to be changed at a regular three-day interval.
We always had to fulfil what the troop ordered from us, for example, domestic animals for meat and others. Sometimes when we failed for the order they fired heavy weapons at the village. They even demanded about 20 – 30 people at a time to carry their food from Htee Mo Hta to Det Pri Lay Kho camp.
Q: What is the name of commander of DKBA troops stationed there?
A: The troop commander's name was Pah Daw Bo and he had been stationing there for nearly two months.
Name: Maung Aye Kyi (not real name)
Age: 24
Address: Ler Poh Dan Township, Pegu division
Ethnicity: Burman
Religion: Buddhist
Maung Aye Kyi was recruited as a child soldier in 1992 and ran away from the army in 1996. After living in his home for six years, he was arrested for deserting the army and was sent to Hinthada Prison. There, he was made to do hard labor and was forced to porter for the Burmese Army in the offensives against the 7th Brigade which transpired from October to November 2003. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Maung Aye Kyi after he escaped from portering on the frontlines.
Q: Did you have to do hard work in the prison?
A: Yes. I worked in the paddyfield. They don’t use ox or buffalo, they use human who walk in lines with hoes to dig up the ground. We also have to plant vegetables. For those of us who work on plantations we stop at 11am for lunch and start again at 2pm-5pm.
Q: How many prisoners were in the prison?
A: When I left to be a porter there were 380 prisoners in the prison.
Q: How long did you stay in the prison?
A: For one month. After this they called us together and told us they would select 40 people to be porters. Those who could pay 30,000-40,000 kyat could stay in the prison, those who couldn’t pay had to become porters. On the 6th of September we left to become porters. They took the 40 of us to Insein prison where we stayed for a night and the next day we went to Paan prison, arriving on the 7th. We stayed at Paan prison for one month, we didn’t do anything while we were there and they kept us chained. They then took 95 of us (40 from his prison and 55 from Paan prison) and on the 30th of September the soldiers and the porters began their journey. On October 1 we stopped at the foot of the Dawnna Range before starting our trip to the Mae Pleh area. We had to carry pack with ammunition that weighed 30 viss (48kg). Those who can’t carry the packs get beaten. I didn’t witness any porters get killed by the Burmese soldiers but many were beaten. We received only 1 cup of rice per person every meal. Sometime we would get 1 or 2 meals per day. Eeven from this one cup of rice the soldiers would try and grab a handful from each porters cup. In the frontline they would get us porters to take the food to the frontline soldiers. At this time, because it was the middle of a fight, 1 porter and 2 soldiers were killed. They made me get down in the mud in the midle of the fighting and make them a meal and then when we returned to the base they beat me because they said the rice wasn’t good enough. They also made me walk across landime fields.
I fled the military in Nov 1996 and was arrested on the 7th of June, 2003.
Q: How did you escape from being a porter?
A: They ordered us to carry heavy loads and they never gave us enough food so I decided that if I continued I would die so it was better to run away. If I am killed while running then so be it, if I’m not killed then I will surivive. Before we left Paan prison some of the prisoners told us that if we run away while in the paddy field and we meet the KNU that they will not kill us. The Burmese Army told us that the KNU would kill us if they came across us. The prisoners told us to escape and run until we reached the KNU. So I thought I would be lucky if I could just reach the KNU. We ran away while we were cooking for the soldiers and we took all the cooking pots so that the soldiers couldn’t cook food anymore. There were four of us and one got injured by the landmine. We tried to carry him for a while but he told us to run for our lives and not to worry about him. He was like me, also a Burmese Army deserter. So we left him and ran until we met the KNU. Some KNU soldiers went back to get our friend but he had already died. The KNU soldiers told us not to worry, that we could meet their leaders and they would find appropriate work for us.
Q: How do you feel when you arrived here?
A: As I am a Burmese soldier I thought the KNU is my enemy and that they would treat me badly but they have treated me very well, equal to how they treat their own soldiers. I am very happy because I met a Karen soldier who I fought against in the past and now he is my friend.
Q: What do you think about the SPDC?
A: When I was in the Army I thought what they did was good and right and I believed that what they did was always right. But now I learn that the activities of the Burmese Army become worse and worse. When I was a porter in the frontline I see how they treat us and when I lived in my village I saw all the human rights violations they did. And now I think the Burmese Army have a very negative effect on the villagers as well. Because the villagers receive unfair treatment and they live under many years of oppression the villagers have changed from good to bad. The treatment of the villagers has changed the character of the villagers, they only see violence and oppression. For example the villagers only see the soldiers deal with things through money and violence so whenever the villagers have a problem they deal with it in the same way. Whoever has the most money wins or whoever kills the other wins. Villagers deal with their problems like this because it’s the only way they see the Burmese Army treat people. It is destroying the unity of the community and it is mostly excaberated by the SPDC.
Table of Contents Facts on Human Rights Violations in Burma 2003