ND Burma
ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.
The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma Calls for An End to Junta Violence in New Briefing Paper: “Destruction & Displacement: Civilian Safety and Security at Risk Post-Coup in Myanmar”
/in Press Releases and StatementsThe Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma Calls for An End to Junta Violence in New Briefing Paper: “Destruction & Displacement: Civilian Safety and Security at Risk Post-Coup in Myanmar”
21 June 2021
Widespread internal displacement is on the rise in conflict-torn Myanmar. Following the failed military coup on 1 February, civilians in rural and urban areas have been forced to abandon their homes as they flee junta violence. A new briefing paper by the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma), ‘Destruction & Displacement: Civilian Safety and Security at Risk Post-Coup in Myanmar,’ condemns the failed military coup, which has exacerbated brewing conflict in the borderlands as the junta’s quest for power and control blinds them from justice and meaningful reforms. Since the coup, over a quarter of a million people have been forcibly displaced. Our members demand an end to military rule in Myanmar and for immediate consequences against the leaders of the regime who are responsible for crimes against humanity.
ND-Burma’s latest briefing paper concludes that civilians are not safe anywhere in Myanmar. Junta security forces are acting with lawlessness as they evoke a culture of fear throughout the country. Civilians are being arrested and detained under draconian policies. While in detention, they are subject to torture, which has resulted in the death of several senior level officials. Women and young girls are subject to sexual violence. Meanwhile, conflict is being waged in urban and rural areas resulting in growing numbers of internal displacement. The junta is acting without a shed of humanity, as those in remote parts of the country who are starving and without life-saving necessities are denied humanitarian aid.
The consequences of conflict have been carried by our communities for far too long. The current situation overall demands civilian security and livelihoods are preserved and protected, especially amid a raging pandemic. Victims deserve justice for the crimes that have been perpetrated against them prior to the coup, and after. Without such steps forward, the people in Myanmar will be forced to reconcile with a future that they do not deserve. They are entitled to prosperous futures which grant them security and safety.
Further, the international community must hold the junta to account to ensure peace and democratic stability for all. Humanitarian aid organizations must be supported with the funding and resources needed to provide aid to their communities directly. Any facilitation of aid through the junta assumes recognition of the regime, which should not be legitimized. The preservation of basic human rights and freedoms must be upheld in Myanmar for the present and for the generations to come.
Media Contact
ND-Burma is a network that consists of 13-member organisations who represent a range of ethnic nationalities, women and former political prisoners. ND-Burma member organisations have been documenting human rights abuses and fighting for justice for victims since 2004. The network consists of nine Full Members and four Affiliate Members as follows.
Full Members:
Affiliate Members:
On World Refugee Day, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland Condemns the Forced Internal Displacement of Civilians in Burma with Release of Briefing Paper on Humanitarian Crisis
/in Member statements20 June 2021
Internal displacement in Burma has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee for their lives from state-sponsored abuses by the military. On World Refugee Day, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), calls for an immediate end to human rights violations persecuted against the people of Burma. Our latest briefing paper, ‘Displacement on the Rise: A Crisis in Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi Region,’ documents a climate of fear cultivated by the junta, leading to a dramatic increase in internal displacement of civilians across the country. HURFOM strongly condemns the escalation of violence.
On World Refugee Day, HURFOM is reminded of Burma’s history, which over the last seven decades has been marred by violence by the Burma Army. Their onslaught led to the establishment of nine refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border where hundreds of thousands traumatized survivors sought safety. Ethnic people have long been targeted by the regime for their culture and traditions as well as their resistance to live under the regime’s occupation. Today is a testament to their ongoing strength and willful determination to live freely and peacefully in their home country. It saddens HURFOM that the current reality is not safe for their return.
Since seizing power in a coup on 1 February, the people of Burma have been forced to suffer deep-rooted consequences. Their livelihoods have been put on hold as the economic state of affairs spirals. In addition to increased militarization, warrantless arrests and property destruction, civilians have been forced to make difficult choices. In Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi region, civilians have been forced to flee for various reasons including being targeted by the regime for their anti-coup activities. Thousands have fled to escape violent conditions in their townships as well as to seek greater livelihood opportunities. HURFOM documentation suggests at least 41 have been killed, 1,372 arrested and detained and over 222 injured in our target areas since the coup.
HURFOM is deeply worried for the future of Burma. Innocent civilians should not be forced to carry the burden of war. Therefore, we call on the international community for urgent humanitarian assistance including food, water, and shelter for displaced populations. Further, donors and international agencies focusing on war-affected refugees and IDPs must recognize the work of local community-based service providers, organizations, and civil society groups trusted by the beneficiaries to coordinate an effective and efficient humanitarian response.
Download the briefing paper in English here.
For more information:
Nai Aue Mon, HURFOM Program Director
Email: info@rehmonnya.org
Signal: 086 167 9741
Press release by the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT)
/in Member statementsA new briefing paper released today by KWAT provides an update of human rights violations by the regime’s security forces in urban and rural areas of Kachin State and Muse District of northern Shan State during April and May, 2021.
Security forces have continued to use live ammunition against unarmed protesters, killing two men, in Bhamo and Hpakant. They have also continued hunting out activists in urban areas, arresting sixty-one people during the two months, including NLD members, doctors, journalists, and youth leaders.
In rural areas, in response to losses inflicted by the KIA, the regime’s forces have stepped up brutal reprisals against civilians, including torture, arbitrary shooting, and shelling of residential areas.
Youth in Myitkyina, Mohnyin and Kamaing have been arbitrarily arrested and tortured for suspected links to the KIA. This included three boys returning from playing football, who were detained in a military base for 12 days, beaten in the head with guns and burned with cigarettes.
Escalated shelling along the Dawhpumyang-Momauk highway in southeast Kachin State has killed nine villagers and injured fifteen, including three children. This was in direct retaliation for KIA gains in the area, including the recapture of the Alaw Bum mountaintop base on March 25, and the shooting down of a regime helicopter on May 3.
The attacks on civilians have caused large-scale displacement, with over 6,000 new IDPs fleeing to Momauk and Bhamo towns. Their former homes are now occupied by Burma Army troops from the notorious elite infantry divisions 77, 88 and 99, who have been looting villagers’ property, livestock and food.
KWAT is calling for economic and diplomatic sanctions on the illegitimate coup regime, and for a global arms embargo and no-fly zone over Burma. Neighbouring countries, including China, are urged to stop the regime from using their airspace to launch attacks.
KWAT urges foreign governments to endorse the National Unity Government as the legitimate government of Burma, and requests international donors to provide humanitarian aid cross-border to the IDPs in ethnic areas.
For more information:
Moon Nay Li (+66 85233791)
Download full PDF version of report in [English]
Deadly reprisals: regime steps up attacks on civilians in retaliation for conflict losses in northern Burma
/in ND-Burma Members' ReportsA new briefing paper released today by KWAT provides an update of human rights violations by the regime’s security forces in urban and rural areas of Kachin State and Muse District of northern Shan State during April and May, 2021.
Download full PDF version of report in [English]
Refugees in Kayah State suffering from food shortages
/in NewsThis picture taken on June 1, 2021 shows people taking refuge in a jungle area in Demoso, Kayah state, after they fled from conflict zones where fighting between the Myanmar military and members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) took place as the country remains in turmoil after the February military coup. Photo: AFP
A member of a local refugee relief team told Mizzima that tens of thousands of refugees in Kayah State are currently facing food shortages.
Relief teams are sending food as far as they can reach but refugees West of Demawso, Daw Nga Kha Kone Thar 4 mile, Loi Nam Fa and Shan-Kayah border are out of reach for relief teams and are facing a lack of rice and provisions, there is also a high price and scarcity of commodities in the vicinity.
Due to military attacks against refugee camps in the eastern part of Demawso, Loi Yin and Moe Byel, refugees have been forced to flee to different places. In addition, the military burnt food left over from the camps when refugees fled according to an official.
Mizzima News
“Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar Post-Coup” (June 7 -13) 2021
/in HR Situation