Landmines are weapons that kill and maim indiscriminately, whether it be civilians, soldiers, elderly, women, children or animals and cause injury and death long after the official end of a war. Contrary to trends in the rest of the world, rather than reduce or abolish the use of landmines, the SPDC has actually increased production of anti-personnel landmines and at least in the case of the Burma-Bangladesh border, is actively maintaining minefields. In Asia, Burma is currently second only to Afghanistan in the number of new landmine victims, surpassing even Cambodia and the SPDC was one of only three government military forces in Asia to use anti-personnel landmines in 2000, the others being Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The SPDC has not signed the Mine Ban Treaty and abstained from the 1999 UN General Assembly vote on the treaty, saying, "A sweeping ban on landmines is unnecessary and unjustified. The problem is the indiscriminate use of mines, as well as the transfer of them." Although the SPDC is not known to export landmines, mines from China, Israel, Italy, Russia and the United States have been found planted inside Burma, indicating past or present importation of them. By their own admission, accepting transferred (imported) landmines makes them part of the problem.

In 1999 alone there were 1,500 mine victims according to Landmine Monitor Report 2000. Of Burma’s 14 states and divisions, 10 of them are affected by landmines. Evidence suggests that in Karen State there is one landmine victim everyday. Civilians become landmine victims in two ways. One way is their use as human minesweepers (see below), another is accidentally stepping on landmines planted in areas where civilians reside. In efforts to block supply routes for armed ethnic organizations, the SPDC plants mines on supply and escape routes used by villagers and refugees. Villages from which people have fled or have been forcibly relocated from are also mined to prevent the villagers from returning as well as to block access to food, supplies and intelligence to opposition groups. Landmines have also been planted along streams, paths, roads and passes that are used by civilians, including those fleeing Burma. It is estimated that there is one civilian death for every two military casualties associated with landmines. In a particularly troubling statement, the Myanmar Red Cross stated that "the problem [of landmines] is going a way" and that resources should not be wasted on this issue.

The use of landmines has taken an even uglier turn in Burma, as the SPDC has been known to use villagers, as well as animals, as live minesweepers. This specific targeting of civilians is contrary to the claims of the SPDC that landmine use has not been directed against civilian populations. Civilians conscripted for forced portering in conflict areas are sometimes sent ahead of the troops so that they will detonate mines. In 1999 and 2000 there were reports that human minesweepers were being used in Dooplaya District, Karen State, south of the Karen State capital Pa-an, during military assaults on SSA positions near Tachilek in Shan State and in operations against God’s Army in the Tenasserim Division. A survey of refugees along the Thai-Burma border by a Danish medical group found that forced portering and forced minesweeping accounted for half of landmine casualties (Burma Debate, Winter 2000/2001).

The border states and divisions of Burma are the most heavily mined areas in the country due to the civil war being fought with ethnic groups living along the border. The border areas already have problems with security and adequate health care and mine pollution only compounds these problems. The presence of landmines means that ethnic people cannot engage in everyday activities, such as farming, gathering food or traveling without fear of being killed or losing limbs due to landmines. In addition, as previously mentioned, villagers who have been forcibly located cannot safely return to their original villages to collect property, food supplies or check on their homes.

It is thought that the majority of people injured by landmines die before they get medical treatment. Mine victims often have limited or no access to healthcare facilities and may have to walk for days to find medical care. Sometimes the security situation can mean that no treatment is available for a long period of time. In some cases landmine victims have been turned back by the SPDC before they could reach a hospital.

It is reported that the SPDC regularly mines areas inside Thailand. Landmines planted in 1999 and 2000 killed and injured several Thai military forces while patrolling the border and Thai authorities have cleared mines in several areas along the border. In the past 20 years, there have been 1,000 Thai landmine victims.

Eastern Burma is thought to be the most heavily mined part of the country. In the states and divisions in Burma that border Thailand, southern Shan State and the banks of the Salween river, Dweh Loh Township in Karen State, and the Tenasserim Division from Amalakee southward were all mined by the SPDC or their allies in 2000. Among the ethnic armed groups the KNLA and KA are thought to be the biggest users of mines and have planted them in Karen and Karenni States. Landmines have been used in conflicts between government troops and armed ethnic groups and in conflicts between armed ethnic organizations in disputes over territory and "business interests". (Landmine Monitor Report 2000)

The Bangladesh-Burma border, 270 kilometers comprised of dense forests, hills and 60 kilometers of sea, is the longest minefield in the country, with mines running almost the entire length of the border north up to the Indian border. Mines have been laid since the 1991 mass exodus of 250,000 Rohingya Muslims from Arakan State. The SPDC has said that the minefields are necessary to stop cross-border movement by armed ethnic opposition groups, however they also prevent or make it extremely dangerous for refugees to cross the border and impede cross-border economic activities.

The landmines affect Burmese and Bangladeshi citizens, as well as animals. In some cases mines are planted inside Bangladesh because of poor border demarcation and thick vegetation. In July of 2000, a Bangladeshi organization that works with handicapped people held a press conference in which they said that between 1995 and 1999 more than 500 Bangladeshi nationals been killed by landmines while cutting bamboo inside Arakan State in Burma. They also said that more than 120 Bangladeshis had been disabled between 1998 and 1999 due to landmines and that 24 people from Arakan state along 26 wild elephants had been killed from landmine explosions. The government of Bangladesh has repeatedly asked the Burmese government to remove the landmines from along the border, however it is believed that SPDC military engineers are actively replacing old or exploded mines along the border.

On April 20 of 2000, a captain from the Na Sa Ka (SPDC Border Forces) told Bangladeshi nationals that over 10,000 landmines had been planted in the forests along the border. He apparently told them this to reassure them that insurgents could not cross the border. He explained that the landmines were made in China and could last for up to 70 years in the ground. On December 5, 2000, it was reported that landmine explosions along the border had killed seven Bangladeshis and 4 Burmese nationals in the previous month.

During the 1999-2000 dry season the SPDC completed the construction of a strategic car road from Kyauk Kyi to Hsaw Hta which passes through the Loo Thaw Township in Mu Traw district. SPDC troops set up sentry posts along the strategic road about 150 meters apart. Land mines have been laid between the sentry posts. As a result, this fortified road has cut Mu Traw district in two making travel between the southern part and the northern part of Mu Traw district very difficult. In addition, an old car road has been re-constructed from Papun to Dah Kwin and Papun to Kyauk Nyat. SPDC troops have also planted land mines along this car road and adjacent traveling paths. (Source: CIDKP)

On April 22, 2000, three IDPs from Klaw Beleh, Hsoe Tasha district, Karenni State stepped on a landmine that had been planted by SPDC troops near the border with Thailand. Khu Su Reh, 25, died immediately and two others were seriously wounded. (Source: KNAHR)

On June 2 2000, a combined force of troops from LIB 337 and the KNPLF entered Phukraku village, Kayla Township, Karenni State and ordered 5 villagers to carry rations to the Htarleh base. On their return, one of the porters, Pray Reh, age 43, stepped on a landmine and his leg was seriously injured. After this incident, a LIB 337 officer arrested 7 Phukraku villagers and tortured them. (Source: KNAHR)

On May 2, 2000, troops from SPDC IB 48 seized villagers from Baw-ga-li and Gor-thay-doe villages, Toun-goo District, Karen State and took them to Bu-sa-khee military camp as porters. The troops also forced them to find landmines and Saw Ta Tu from Baw-ga-li village lost a leg as a result of stepping on a landmine in Si-hkeh-doe area. (Source: KIC)

On April 30, 2000, at about 12:30 p.m., Saw Par Twe Maw of Tee-ko village, Ler-kla Village Tract, Nyaung-lay-bin District, Karen State, was killed instantly by a landmine planted by SPDC troops. (Source: KIC)

During June of 2000, villagers in Tharn-dang and Tan-da-bin Townships, Toun-goo District, Karen Sate were in increased danger from landmines as the result of SPDC troops from Strategic Command No. 1 and No. 3 planting a large number of landmines near the villages. (Source: KIC)

According to the KNU, in the beginning of June 2000 the SPDC’s Southern Regional Commander, Major General Tin Aye, ordered his units in Than Daung and Tantabin townships to lay more landmines. The order originated at Army Headquarters, Rangoon. Other reports indicate that more landmines have been laid in June 2000. When the road building was temporarily halted at the beginning of the rainy season on the Mawchi road, many landmines were left in the Sho Ser area where the SPDC had not yet built a camp to secure the area. (Source: KHRG)

On June 2, 2000, 5 displaced villagers from Loi-Lem township were killed in a landmine blast, planted by members of UWSA (United Wa State Army) about 1 mile from Nam Hoo Khun village in Pung Pa Khem tract, Murng-Ton township. The victims were from Loi-lem Township and had been heading for Thailand.
(Source: SHRF)

On June 8, 2000, two villagers were killed instantly by landmines planted by SPDC troops, between Weh-doe-ko and Doe-kah, Taun-goo District, Karen State. (Source: KIC)

On June 10, 2000, Saw Aye Kler, Saw Kree Lay and a woman from Ler-ker-doe-ko village, Toun-goo village, Karen State ran into troops from SPDC IB 20 while they were outside of the village. They ran away out of fear and hid themselves, after dropping their sling baskets. After the troops had left, they came out from hiding and came back to get their baskets. A bomb, placed by the SPDC troops at the bottom of one of the baskets, exploded killing the two men, Saw Kree Lay and Saw Aye Kler, on the spot, while wounding the woman. (Source: KIC)

On June 16, 2000, Saw Maung Pwe, a villager from Saw-mu-plaw area, Lu-thaw township stepped on a land mine planted by SPDC IB 439 and he was killed on the spot.(Source: KAWU)

On June 18, 2000, Saw-mu-plaw villager Saw Maung Pway stepped on a land mine, in Lor-play-ko, Doo-pla-ya district, planted by the SPDC troops from LIB 439. He was killed instantly. (Source: KIC)

On June 23, 2000, a buffalo owned by Oo Keh Khee of Kyaukkyi Township, Karen State was killed by stepping on a land mine planted by SPDC troops. (Source: KAWU)

On June 25, 2000, two land mines planted by the SPDC army exploded at Mu Theh area, Kyaukkyi Township, Karen State and killed two buffalo owned by villagers.
(Source: KAWU)

On June 25, 2000, troops from SPDC IB 235 planted land mines in areas of Tan-ta-bin township, Toun-goo district, Karen State. (Source: KIC)

On July 2, 2000, Saw Shew Moo, age 50, from Pa Kaw Khee village, Kyaukkyi Township, Karen State lost one of his legs due to stepping on a land mine planted by SPDC troops near Hkeh Doe village. (Source: KAWU)

On July 2, 2000, two soldiers from SPDC IB 84 and a convict used as a porter were killed by stepping on their own land mines in Kyaukkyi Township, Karen State. (Source: KAWU)

On July 3, 2000, Ler-keh-doe-doh villager Saw Apoe was killed by a land-mine, planted by SPDC troops, between Ler-keh-doe-doh and Keh-weh village, Toung-goo District, Karen State. (Source: KIC)

On August 6 2000, troops from IB 26 forced 29 people from Kaw Thay Day village, Toungoo Township, Karen State, including Naw Peh Lay Loo, age 38, and Naw Gah Naw, age 20, and Naw Say Gree to go in front of the troops along the Bosakee village road to clear landmines. LIB 26, based in Toungoo District, are using villagers as human land mine sweepers. The SPDC troops are using these villagers in this way out of fear of landmines planted by opposition troops. (Source: DVB)

On August 8 2000, Naw Mae Ku (or) Naw Balu Htoo, age 50, from Pawel village, Toungoo District, Karen State was killed instantly by landmine planted by SPDC troops from IB 35 led by Aung Min Oo. (Source: KWO)

On August 16, 2000, at about 7 a.m., in Toun-goo District, Karen State, Par-waing villager Naw Mer Ku, 50, daughter of Saw Tee Thah, stepped on a land mine planted by the SPDC troops while she was on her way to her farm and was killed instantly. (Source: KIC)

On August 18, 2000, at about 7 p.m., Wa-tho-ko villager Saw Aung Thein Lay U, 31, son of Tar Pah Kler, who was serving as a porter for the SPDC troops, stepped on a land mine, in Plo-mu-doe area, Toun-goo District, Karen State and lost a leg. (Source: KIC)

On August 21, 2000, 5 relocated Shans were killed when the stepped on anti-personnel landmines planted by the UWSA in Mongton Township. They had come from Loilem - Namhukhoon village, Poompakhem Tract, Mongton Township on June 2 and were on their way to Ban Nawlae in Thailand. The victims were: Loong Zai, 47; Panti, 36, Zai Nyo,31; Awngla, 28; and Zai Mon, 24. All were originally from Sanien Tract, Panglong Township and had been forced to relocate to Loilem on August 25, 1997. They were on their way to work in the fruit orchards in the Fang District of Thailand because they could not make a living in the relocation site. (Source: S.H.A.N.)

On September 22, 2000, Maw-ku-doe villager Saw Moo Ku, M, 20, son of Saw Ta Biba, stepped on a land mine planted by SPDC IB 20 between Maw-ku-doe and Kaw-thay-doe, Toun-goo District, Karen State and was killed instantly. (Source: KIC)

On September 25, 2000, Commander Khin Maung Sint from IB 48 captured Naw Gayaw Gayaw to serve as a porter. She then lost both her legs stepping on a land mine in Si Kee village, Taungoo District, Karen State. (Source: KWO)

On September 19 2000, Naw Lay Too from Tee Belah village, Nyaunglebin Township, Karen State was killed after stepped on a landmine while working in her paddy fields. The landmine had been planted by LIB 351. (Source: DVB)

At the end of September, a cow and a buffalo owned by Saw Moe Bah from Mae Ku Tah village, Papun District, Karen State were killed after stepping on landmines planted by LIB 356. (Source: DVB)

On October 1 2000, Saw Paw Hmu from Mae Ku Kee village, Papun District, Karen State stepped on a landmine planted by IB 19 while on his way to his hillside paddy fields. He died immediately. (Source: DVB)

On October 2, 2000, 3 porters, who were being used as minesweepers, were killed in a landmine explosion at the front lines in Karen State. The porters, Ko Tin Maung Hla, age 23 from Mandalay, Ko Hla Yi, age 23 from Pa-an town, and Ko Nyan Tun, age 20 from Mandalay were being used as minesweepers by IB 203 led by Capt. Min Lwin Tun, under command of LID 22. (Source: MICB)

On October 9 2000, Saw Adah from Walocki village, Kawkereik Township, Karen State went outside his village to hunt for meat and collect vegetables. He stepped on a landmine. One leg was blown off, and the other was nearly blown off. He had to be sent to Myawaddy Hospital. As there was not enough medicine in the Myawaddy hospital, he had to be transferred to Mae Sot hospital across the border in Thailand. (Source: DVB)

On October 16, 2000, two Bangladeshi nationals were injured due to a landmine explosion on the Bangladesh-Burma border. They stepped on the landmine while cutting trees in a forested area near Nat Chuang Sayee in Bangladesh and Nantha Hills in Arakan State, Burma. The victims were from the Thet ethnic group and lived in Painhne Chuang village, Nat Chuang Sayee Township. One man was seriously injured in the right eye and the other suffered burns on half of his body. Two dogs that were accompanying them died instantly.
(Source: Mizzima News Group)

On October 20, 2000, Saw Ler Yu from Doo-pa-lai village, Nyaung-lay-bin District, Karen State, stepped on a land mine planted by SPDC troops and died on the spot. (Source: KIC)

On December 28, 2000, the Rangoon-Martaban train hit a landmine and overturned near Hninpale Station in Bilin Township, Mon State. The police escort carriage next to the engine was hit the hardest and three police escorts died on the spot. Some passenger carriages were derailed but the exact number of casualties is not known. (Source: DVB)

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