The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) called on the international community to use its platforms and diplomatic will to change the deeply concerning trajectory of violence in Burma.
HURFPM said this begins with measures and concrete steps to prosecute Min Aung Hlaing and end his legacy of tyranny.
Across the country, civilians participated in nationwide Silent Strikes to show their disdain and ongoing rejection of the military. Many photographs taken by HURFOM reporters showed empty main roads during the Silent Strikes in Southeastern Myanmar, particularly in Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi Region.
The junta army has committed murder, torture, sexual assault, rape, arbitrary arrests, destruction of property, and many other offences. Hundreds of people have been killed, while others face a lifetime behind bars. The regime has not held back in replacing judges with those advancing their militarized agenda.
The atrocities perpetrated are ongoing, they are systematic, widespread, and without consequences. The junta-backed battalions are encouraged to continue their campaign of terror.
Throughout February, HURFOM became increasingly concerned about the imposition of Martial Law by the junta across southeast Myanmar.
On 2 February 2023, the military junta held a National Defense and Security Council meeting and declared that ‘absolute power, ’had been granted to the Commander-in-Chief for the next six months.
As of 3 February 2023, the Burma Army had declared Martial Law in 37 of the 330 townships across the country, including Tanintharyi Region, five townships in Bago Region, Ye Township in Mon State, Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik townships in Karen State. In Ye, Kyaik Hto and Bilin Townships in Mon State, Martial Law has been in effect for nearly two years.
On 17 February 2023, HURFOM released a briefing paper titled “We Cannot Move Freely,” which closely examines the impacts of Martial Law on civilians in Southeastern Burma. Several cases and testimonies from the community made clear that safe and secure access to their livelihoods has been seriously compromised.
According to HURFOM, the impacts of Martial Law have been disastrous. it is taking a devastating toll on civilians and making life worse for them as the Junta Continues to Commit Human Rights Violations With Impunity.
Shortly after the imposition of Martial Law in Mon State, the junta deployed more troops into Mon State’s Ye Township. One resident told HURFOM that military movements have increased, particularly at checkpoints: “Security is getting tougher”, they said.
In Ye Township three innocent civilians have been killed since the junta declared martial law on 2 February. The military has not confessed to the killings, and the victims are still far from justice.
Witnesses reported that on the morning of 19 February 2023, the soldiers of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 317 shot and killed an innocent civilian, Ko Yue, age 40. The soldiers shot the victim as he was riding his bicycle to market to sell spinach.
A former village committee member said of Ko Yue and his family:“ They are an ordinary family, living from hand to mouth, they are very poor and need little money to survive daily. He was killed arbitrarily five days ago; however, no one from the junta has confessed to the killings.”
Military affairs observers said that the junta’s declaration of Martial Law in many townships across the country signals more brutal oppression against pro-democracy groups, civilians, and local resistance armed forces strongholds. However, according to HURFOM, it also shows that the junta is losing on multiple battlefronts, taking revenge and trying to curb widespread rejection of its illegitimate rule.
Youths, in particular, have been leading a pro-democracy movement that calls for an immediate end to military rule.
An additional concern is the increased use of banned landmines in areas under Martial Law, which includes southern Mon State. During the first three weeks of the month, at least three civilians were seriously injured by landmines planted by the junta, according to reports from HURFOM fieldworkers. Burma has not signed the United Nations Mine Ban Treaty, which was adopted in 1997.
The most recent landmine victim, Nai Nyunt Wei, age 40, originally from Mawkanin Village in Ye Township, was seriously injured by a landmine near a bridge close to where soldiers from the junta’s notorious LIB 106 troops were stationed, on 17 February.
Earlier in the month, on 2 February 2023, a 55-year-old man from the same village returning from his plantation on his motorbike stepped on a landmine near to the Joe Ta Dar stream. He suffered a leg injury and was treated at Lamine Hospital.
The risk of death and severe injury by landmines has increased safety concerns for local people who fear going to work on their farms and rubber plantations. Consequently, they have begun to abandon their livelihoods.
“The use of landmines is cruel and disgusting,” said a local human rights educator from Ye Township. They continued: “They are using these weapons and directly targeting civilians, placing them in plantations, yards, homes, and even roads and bridges. The world must urgently respond to these terrorist forces to stop the use of landmines and to ensure those responsible for war crimes meet justice.”
Another social worker who spoke to HURFOM called for immediate assistance and said: “There is an urgent need for a scaled-up humanitarian response that provides proper psychosocial and rehabilitative support. Many conflict-affected victims need food, especially those forced to live under Martial Law.”
HURFOM remains concerned about escalating human rights violations being committed by the Burma Army in Southeastern Burma.
The imposition of Martial Law and the placement of landmines in townships across the country is unjustified and threatens the rights of all people. The current conditions will worsen with no international community intervention.
Burma’s conflict is unique because it is the world’s longest-running civil war. HURFOM is calling for an immediate end to impunity and an end to the violence.
