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Villagers living and dying for the army
UN envoy briefs General Assembly President on Myanmar visit
Secretary-General calls for tangible political progress in Myanmar

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Villagers living and dying for the army
By Hseng Khio Fah
www.shanland.org No.08-9/2008 : 17 September 2008 : Human Rights

In order to escape several abuses and forced labor by the Burmese military, villagers in Southern Shan State have been fleeing to the Thai-Burma border, according to SHAN sources from the border.

Soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #524 and Infantry Battalion (IB) #246 based in Kunhing have been subjecting villagers to do forced labor including to provide security and  portering and doing domestic work like collecting firewood and building fence for the battalion, said Sai Panti,28, from Kunhing who fled to Fang district on 20 August.

“Each from every household must take turns going to do sentry duty at the local command post for 5 days a week. If we refuse to comply, we would be fined Kyat 1,500 (US $ 1.25) per day,” said Sai Panti.

“Moreover, widows are requried to pay Kyat 2,500 (US $ 2) if they can’t go and a person who is absent for portering must pay Kyat 10,000 (US $ 8). We even have no time to work for our livelihood,” complained Sai Panti’s wife Nang Herng, 23.

Similar incidents took place in Keng Tawng sub-township, Mongnai township.

On 16 July, a group of Burmese soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 569 based in Keng Tawng, went to patrol around Kunhing area and called on the headman of Hsai Khao village, Hsai Khao village tract, to order villagers to carry weapons and to show the shortcut to the location of the rebels, according a local villager who fled to the border.

Sai Nanda, 28, who is not a native of Hsai Khao was chosen as the guide, but as he was not able to show the way, he was beaten at his head until the blood came out, said a source.

“You must be a member of the rebels, as you don’t know the way,” a villager quoted soldiers as saying.

He was sent back to the village after he got many injuries. But no one including the village headman dared to open the case at the top.

“The soldiers did not even go to the place where they said they wanted to go,” complained the villager.

Human rights situation in Shan State are reported monthly by the Shan Human Rights Foundation based in Chiangmai.

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UN envoy briefs General Assembly President on Myanmar visit

UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari

4 September 2008 – United Nations Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari has briefed the President of the General Assembly on his recent visit to Myanmar, during which he held talks with a range of people on issues such as national reconciliation and how to help the South-East Asian nation tackle its socio-economic challenges.

According to a statement issued after yesterday’s meeting, Assembly President Srgjan Kerim reiterated the 192-member body’s continued engagement “to promote national reconciliation, democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar as mandated by the resolutions of the General Assembly.”

The President also encouraged the Government of Myanmar “to continue to work closely with the Special Advisor to achieve concrete progress on the suggestions he put forward during his recent visit” – his fourth to the country over the past year.

Mr. Kerim stressed the need for continued engagement and strong commitment from all parties to continue the process of national reconciliation, pointing out that such engagement must be “serious and credible” with the aim of achieving concrete results.

The President reiterated his continuous support for Mr. Gambari’s efforts on behalf of the Secretary-General, and also noted the important role played by neighbouring countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Group of Friends of Myanmar.

He “further encourages those countries to remain engaged in the political process,” the statement added.

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Secretary-General calls for tangible political progress in Myanmar

11 September 2008 – Myanmar has not experienced the political progress as anticipated and its Government should take real measures towards setting up a more inclusive political process that promotes human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

Mr. Ban told a press conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York that he shared the frustration “many feel with the situation in Myanmar, [where] we have not seen the political progress I had hoped for.

“We want to see the parties – in particular, the Government of Myanmar – take tangible steps towards establishing a credible and inclusive political process in the country, which of course must include progress on human rights,” he added.

UN Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari, who has just completed a visit to Myanmar, his fourth over the past year, briefed the Security Council today on his findings and on the latest developments in the South-East Asian country.

Mr. Gambari later told journalists that “the tangible results of my last visit fell below our expectations,” but added that the UN “will not give up on working for national reconciliation, democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar.”

He said he had informed the Government during his visit that it is now time to build on the cooperation with the UN that had emerged in response to the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Nargis, which claimed tens of thousands of lives in early May.

“It is imperative for the Government of Myanmar at this point to deliver substantive results in responsive to our key concerns and suggestions, particularly with regard to the release of political prisoners and the resumption of dialogue between the Government and [National League for Democracy leader] Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years and her current period of detention started in 2003.

Mr. Gambari added: “The very much talked about fact that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not meet me on this visit is disappointing to all of us as it means that I could not ascertain and report her own views, as I have always done in the past. I therefore look forward to continuing our discussions at the earliest opportunity.

“Aung San Suu Kyi’s health is also our concern, of course, and I have again asked the Government to ensure regular access to her doctor.”

In response to questions today, Mr. Ban said he would also convene an ambassador-level meeting of the Group of Friends on Myanmar tomorrow to discuss the latest developments with concerned UN Member States.

“I’ll try to continue to do whatever I can, in close coordination with Member States, particularly those countries which may have some influence on Myanmar.”

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