16. Landmines in Burma
“Landmines maim and kill thousands of innocent people every year and hold entire communities hostage. They prevent food and medical aid from reaching people in need, render agricultural land useless, [and] hinder the return of displaced families to their communities…"
16.1 Background
On 5 December 1997, in response to growing humanitarian concern about the non-military casualties of antipersonnel landmines, the Mine Ban Treaty (also known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on Their Destruction) was signed by 122 countries. However, in opposition to the worldwide trend, Burma has to date not acceded to or signed the treaty and continues to be, not only a regular user of land mines but, also a producer.
Anti-personnel landmines are victim-activated weapons that indiscriminately kill and maim civilians, soldiers, elderly people, women, children and animals. Most forms of landmines remain functioning long after military personnel have departed or even after the cessation of hostilities which most often leads to injuries and death among civilians. In Burma there are many people injured or killed by landmines each month, though exact figures are not known. (Source: "Halt Mine Use in Burma/Myanmar," ICBL, April 2004)
The atrocities related to landmines in Burma are not limited to the injury and death of non-military personnel but also include their use to violate Article 13 of the UN Declaration of Human rights, that of an individual’s freedom of movement both internally and internationally. In order to restrict the movement of supplies and information to insurgent groups, well-established routes to and from villages have been mined. Villages themselves have also been mined in attempts to prevent the return of both forcibly relocated communities as well as, in some areas, refugees.
Though totals are not known, the number of casualties related to landmines appears to be increasing. This has been especially noticeable over the last five to six years. The growth of landmine related casualties is at least partially the result of the cumulative effect of continued deployment over the years. As of 2003, nine out of Burma’s fourteen states and divisions were mine-affected. (Source: Impact of Landmines on Children in the East Asia and Pacific Region, UNICEF, September 2003)
16.2 Human Minesweepers
As in previous years, the practice of sending porters ahead of troop patrols in order to detonate landmines continued throughout 2003. Civilians conscripted from villages were forced to carry ammunition and food supplies as well as to act more specifically as human minesweepers. In a release by the U.S. Department of State it was noted that, “From August 5 until mid-October [2003] government soldiers reportedly forced villagers from Na Bue Township [Karen State] to porter ammunition and supplies and to act as mine sweepers for the troops. Many villagers and prisoners have been killed or injured from subsequent landmine explosions.” (Source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004)
Reports about the use of porters to detonate mines came in from states both along the border with Thailand as well as those along the India and Bangladesh borders. In some cases, it was reported that landmine survivors in these situations were executed by Burmese Army troops. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, August 2003)
16.3 Situation in Border Areas
The long running conflicts in Burma’s history have left much of the country heavily mined, though this tends to be concentrated in the ethnic states along the country’s borders that are the major areas of insurgent activity. Mines are laid in these regions to prevent armed groups from advancing into the centre of the country as well as to hinder the ability of villagers to offer ethnic opposition soldiers logistical support. While still in use, village paths are laid with mines and villagers continue to travel over these routes, largely out of necessity, before any accidents take place. When villagers are relocated during counter-insurgency campaigns their former land is often mined in order to prevent them from returning.
The heaviest deployment of landmines has been in Eastern Burma in Karen, Shan, and Karenni States though the border with Bangladesh is also heavily mined (source: Land Mine Monitor 2003, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, August 2003). These border areas are also hindered by minimal access to health service providers. Landmine victims are often forced, if it is possible, to leave the country in search of treatment. During 2003, it was reported that the number of landmine victims crossing into Tak Province, Thailand in search of medical assistance increased. In September 2003, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported eleven cases of landmine injuries, four of which were in Mae La refugee camp (source: “Open Session Summary,” CCSDPT, 8 October 2003).
In addition, authorities in the neighboring countries of Thailand and Bangladesh have claimed that troops from both the Burmese Army and various insurgent forces have crossed the border and subsequently laid mines on their soil. Cross border issues of mine use have also involved logging projects with foreign agents where mines were used to protect contracted areas as well as to restrict expansion. (Source: "Halt Mine Use in Burma/Myanmar," ICBL, 28 April 2004)
16.4 Mine Deployment
Burma is the only other nation aside from Russia that continues to deploy landmines on a regular basis (source: "Landmine Use in Burma Continues," The Irrawaddy, September 11, 2003). There are currently three types of mines that are produced in Burma. These are the MM1, MM2, and Claymore-type mines (source: Land Mine Monitor 2003, ICBL, August 2003). The Burmese Army’s primary supplier is the state-run Myanmar Defense Products Industries (source: Under Pressure, ALTSEAN, September 2003). In the past, the Burma Army imported mines originating from countries as varied as China, India, Israel, Italy, Russia and the United States. However, in 2003 it appeared that the Burmese Military restricted themselves to landmines that were already in their stockpile or that they produced themselves.
The Burmese Army's landmine deployment was focused on areas of heaviest insurgent activity such as the eastern states of Karen, Shan, and Karenni as well as the western border areas in Chin and Arakan States. Mines were laid for militarily strategic gains, as well as for the purpose of severing contact between the civilian population and insurgent forces.
In 2003, it was reported that there were at least 15 armed groups using mines. These include the Pa-o People’s Liberation Front; All Burma Muslim Union; Wa National Army; Rohingya Solidarity Organization; Chin National Army; Shan State Army; United Wa State Army; Karenni Army; Karen National Liberation Army; Democratic Karen Buddhist Army; All Burma Students Democratic Front; People’s Defense Forces; and Myiek-Dawei United Front. The New Mon State Party (NMSP) as well as a splinter group, the Hongsawatoi Restoration Group (HRG) were both reported to have recently begun to use mines as well (source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003). A representative from the NMSP however, denied these allegations and claimed that the group had not used mines since their ceasefire with the SPDC in 1995 (source: “Landmine Use in Burma Continues,” Irrawaddy, 11 September 2003).
Insurgent forces have a variety of means to procure landmines which include buying them on the black market and manufacturing their own, often with organic materials. Moreover, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines reported, “At least several hundred landmines in NSA [Non State Actor] arsenals have come from lifting SPDC-laid mines, or from SPDC stocks seized during operations. NSAs have, in some cases, re-laid these SPDC mines.” In 2003, the DKBA was also manufacturing a Claymore-type directional fragmentation mine. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
16.5 De-mining
Inside Burma, no de-mining activities for humanitarian purposes took place in 2003 (source: "Halt Mine Use in Burma/Myanmar," ICBL, April 2004). The limited de-mining that did take place was usually by civilians under the coercion of the Burmese Military for strategic goals. There has also been no systematic recording done of mined areas either by the Burmese Army or insurgent forces (source: Impact of Landmines on Children in the East Asia and Pacific Region, UNICEF, September 2003). This creates serious difficulties for any future de-mining efforts. Insurgent soldiers have, in the past, claimed that they’ve given verbal warnings to local villagers about landmine locations. Conversely, landmine victims interviewed in a survey by Non-Violence International, did not provide any reports of having ever heard such a warning (source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003).
16.6 Thailand-Burma Border
Burma’s border with Thailand has been systematically mined and civilians suffered in 2003 from mines that may have been laid many years before. The Burmese Army continued its attempts in 2003 to use mines as a means of controlling the movement of both insurgent forces and civilians. Footpaths between villages were mined seemingly to prevent interaction between villagers and armed groups. SPDC and DKBA troops also laid mines in farmland as well as in villages after they were burnt down in order to prevent villagers from returning to former homes once they had been forcibly removed.
Many jungle routes that lead across to Thailand were also mined. This was ostensibly to prevent armed groups from crossing the border but also served to restrict refugees from both leaving for Thailand and returning to Burma. This has the dual effect of creating landmine victims and hindering their efforts to seek treatment in Thailand. There were reports of refugees returning to Burma from Thailand and being killed on their way in landmine explosions. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
16.7 Bangladesh-Burma Border
The 208 kilometer long Burma-Bangladesh border that passes through extremely rugged terrain, continues to be one of the most heavily mined areas in the country. The Burmese Army has deployed landmines here since 1991, when 250,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh from Arakan State. The mines were allegedly laid to restrict the cross-border movement of insurgent forces, though it has also made it extremely dangerous for the subsequent travel of refugees both fleeing and returning to Burma as well as economic migrants and traders.
The Bangladesh-Burma border has also been mined by an opposition group named the Rohingya Solidarity Organization. The Bangladesh government has protested against the Burmese army's cross-border deployment of mines that continues to cause injuries in both countries. Reports of landmine victims in this area continued in 2003 along with alleged executions of landmine survivors by Nasaka (border security) officers. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
16.8 India-Burma Border
The U.S. Department of State reported that Naga refugees who sought shelter in India from SPDC military campaigns in 2001 have since grown in number to around 15,000 people. During 2003, they represented a larger population and were being pressured to return to Burma. They remained in difficult conditions in India however, at least partially because of reports that SPDC troops had burnt down their villages and laid landmines mines in order to dissuade them from returning. (Source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004)
16.8 Mine Risk Education
On 17 February 2003, a Briefing Session on "Landmine Issues in Myanmar" was hosted in Rangoon by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The session was organized around discussions with Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams, ICBL Coordinator Liz Bernstein, and the Landmine Monitor Burma/Myanmar researcher. It was attended by representatives from five UN agencies and eleven international and local NGOs. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
Further Mine Risk Education was given in Thailand to cross border medical workers in January 2003. In June 2003, Mines Advisory Group gave a five-day workshop on mine risk issues in Mon State. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
16.8 Landmines – partial list of incidents 2003
Chin State
In August 2003, it was reported that an elderly member of the Kumi community, who had been forced to work as a military porter near the tri-border area (India/Bangladesh/Burma), was executed after stepping on a landmine and pleading for help. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
Karen State
Note: Dooplaya, Pa-an, Papun and Thaton Districts, as reported below, are all areas demarcated by the KNU as 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 Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). 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 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, Pa-an and Myawaddy) and 7 townships (North to South: Than Daung, Papun, Hlaing Bwe, Pa’an, Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and Kya In Seik Gyi) within SPDC demarcated Karen State. These townships do not correspond with the KNU demarcated districts and townships, even for those which share the same name.
In January, a 23-year-old elephant was injured by a landmine on the Burma side of the border with Thailand near Umpang, followed in February 2003 by a 26-year-old elephant injured by a landmine near Mae Ramet. Both were transported to the Friends of the Asian Elephant in Thailand. (Source: Landmine Monitor Report 2003, ICBL, August 2003)
Pa-an District
On 23 February, at 1:40 pm, troops from DKBA 999 under the control of Maung Chit Thu came to Htee-law-thi village and planted landmines. As a result, Saw Moo Wah (age 13), later stepped on a landmine and lost one of his legs. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 24 July, DKBA troops led by Pah Daw Bo planted landmines in the villagers' chili plantation in Lu Plein Township of Pa-an District and wounded a woman, Naw Dah Dah (age 45) from Khaw-thoo-kee village. (Source: Department of Information, KNU, 2003)
On 1 August, combined troops from Burma Army LIB 703, Column 2 led by Bo Sein Win and DKBA led by Pah Daw Bo and Moe Kyo came to Si-pah-day-kee village in Lu Plein Township of Pa-an District and completely burned down the village including farm huts. After that they shot dead villagers' domestic animals such as pigs, chickens, and goats for meat. They then planted numerous landmines in the village. (Source: Department of Information, KNU, 2003)
On 26 September, it was reported that 6 people died as a result of a DKBA truck hitting a landmine in Thai Gan Nyi Naung village, 9 miles from Myawaddy. 4 DKBA trucks were on their way to Pa'an when 1 hit the landmine, killing 6 and seriously wounding 3, who were sent for medical treatment at Myawaddy Hospital. DKBA Captain Aung Myint was 1 of the 6 that were killed. It was unknown whether the KNU or the Burmese Army had planted that particular landmine. (Source: "Mine Blast Kills 6 DKBA Soldiers," Shin, Aung Su, Irrawaddy, 26 September 2003)
Pa-pun District
On 18 January, 9 civilians including 8 women were injured in a mine explosion. The victims were from Hsaw Pwe Der and Kyo Kho Der, Kaw Pu village tract, Bu Tho Township, Papun District, Karen State. They had been forced to act as porters and go to the front to work as mine sweepers by Battalion Commander Mya Thaung from LIB 341. They were also forced to send military food supplies between SPDC military camps, Hsaw Pwe Der and Pa Heh. Along the way a mine exploded in the bush, resulting in the injury of 6 people from Kyo Kho Der and 3 people from Hsaw Pwer Der.
The 6 people from Kyo Kho Der were the following:
(1) Naw Kyi Kha, age 20, daughter of Saw Win Sein;
(2) Naw Der Hga, age 17, daughter of Saw Kar;
(3) Naw Hai Kyi, age 20, daughter;
(4) Naw Ma Paw, age 17, daughter of Pah Kyi Maung;
(5) Naw Hto Pla, age 17, daughter of Pah Kho Thoo; and
(6) Naw Kwaw Kho, age 20, daughter of Pah Bo Lah.
The 3 people from Hsaw Pwe Der were:
(1) Naw Sa Say, age 19, daughter of Pah Maw Shwe;
(2) Naw Thoo Thoo, age 15, daughter of Pah Thi Daw; and
(3) Pah Ya Tha, age 27, son of Po Gay Hai.
Among the wounded, there were 3 girls under 18 years of age. (Source: KORD, 2003)
On 20 October, a buffalo belonging to a Plaw-po village was injured by a landmine planted by DKBA troops, near Plaw-po village in Thanton Township, Thaton District. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Mon State
In the second week of July, 3 porters from Ye Township were reported to have stepped on landmines while portering for the Burmese Army LIB 273. 38-year-old Nai Hein, died on the spot while 2 other men were cut badly on their legs. 3-4 days before Nai Hein's death, a woman named Mi Aye Thar also stepped on a landmine and died on the spot. (Source: "More porters died stepping on landmines," The Mon Forum, HURFOM, Issue No. 8/2003, 31 August 2003)
Note: Nyaunglebin District is an area demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. 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 as an official district.
Nyaunglebin District
On 29 January, villagers Saw Pa Blay (age 35), and Saw Sha Kaw Thaw stepped on landmines planted by troops from DKBA and SPDC LIB 599. As a result, Saw Pah Blay died on the spot and Saw Sha Kaw Thaw lost one of his legs. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 22 March, Thant Zin Oo and his troops from an SPDC guerrilla unit planted landmines in Mone Township and, as a result, 2 villagers, Kyauk-kyi-pauk and Aung San Oo, were wounded by one of the landmines near Paw-lor place. On 23 March 2003, another Kyauk-kyi-pauk villager was wounded by one of the landmines. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Shan State
On 20 October 2003, a buffalo belonging to a Plaw-po village was injured by a landmine planted by DKBA troops, near Plaw-po village in Thanton Township, Thaton District. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 8 November 2003, 2 villagers of Loiwiang, Kholam tract, Namzarng Township, who had fled to Fang in 1999 following Rangoon's forced relocation campaign, which occurred between 1996 and 1998, crossed the border into Mongton Township, Fang's adjoining neighbor in Burma's Shan State. The 2 were on their way to visit their homes when they stepped on a landmine. The blast resulted in 2 killed and 4 injured. The 2 that died were Sai Nyunt and Sai Pang and the 1 who was seriously wounded was Sai Ho, who was treated at Chiangmai's Pa Nge Hospital. (Source: "Landmines kill two on the border," S.H.A.N, 18 November 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.
On 3 March 2003, 2 villagers from Hkosay Hta, in Kamoethway area, in the east of Tavoy, Tenasserim Division stepped on a landmine when they traveled to the surrounding area of the village. According to a local source, Burmese troops from IB 25, which controlled security in Kamoethway area, had planted many landmines on the footpath to the border to block the villagers' travel to the border of Thailand. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report; Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, March 2003)
On 10 April 2003, an elephant owned by Saw Ki Kho stepped on a landmine set by Burma Army IB 17 and died. It happened by the side of a monastery at Pawat Plawhpahtaw (Pawat Kwinshe) in Tenasserim Township, in southern Tenasserim Division of Burma. In response to the death of that elephant the village leaders reported the case to IB 17's 2nd Column Commander Maj. Kyaw Lwin. The commander responded to them by stating that the activities of the military are not at all the responsibility of villagers and village leaders and, “Be careful to see that our army is trying to gain peace for all of you.” (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report; Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy Information Department, KNU, April 2003)
Table of Contents Facts on Human Rights Violations in Burma 2003