In Hpa-an District, there are many armed groups operating, including the Tatmadaw, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Border Guard Force (BGF),[1] KNU/KNLA-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC)[2] and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA).[3] The multiplicity of actors in Hpa-an District contributes to the complexity and variety of human right abuses documented by KHRG.

Drug production, sale and use

In 2013, KHRG continued to receive reports concerning the production, sale and use of methamphetamines in Hpa-an District, particularly in Nabu Township. In fact, villagers in Hpa-an District have consistently identified the sale and use of drugs and the subsequent social problems in their district as one of their primary concerns. Furthermore, KHRG has received an increased number of reports concerning narcotics since the 2012 preliminary ceasefire;[4] this has been attributed to the increased cooperation amongst armed groups and the increase in the number of areas accessible to KHRG community members. In Hpa-an District, methamphetamine, commonly referred to by its Thai name yaba,[5] is produced and sold by state and ethnic armed groups, causing villagers to fear addressing the issue publicly due to documented incidents of violent retribution or even death. Methamphetamine is widely available in Hpa-an District and KHRG has received numerous reports of its negative social impacts, including addiction, mental health issues and financial hardship, as well as violent incidents, including killings, threats and intimidation.

According to reports KHRG has received, methamphetamine is most commonly produced in Nabu Township by BGF Battalion #1016, led by Battalion Commander Mya Hkaing.[6] The drugs are then distributed and sold throughout Hpa-an District, most commonly by KNU/KNLA-PC, BGF and DKBA soldiers, their wives and relatives. Yaba is readily available and is openly sold during local festivals, specifically during Ar Wer Day.[7] Soldiers themselves commonly use methamphetamines and villagers are often reluctant to implicate or even speak with KHRG regarding armed groups’ involvement in the narcotics trade due to fear of violent reprisals. At a meeting initiated by a KHRG community member on May 13th 2013, in Yaw Kuh village tract, Nabu Township, villagers voiced their concerns that:

“The k’thee k’thay [methamphetamine tablets] destroys our children, husbands and destroys many of our children and grandchildren. There are some people who became crazy because of k’thee k’thay; some lost their farms and some lost their motorbikes. We dare not submit this issue to any armed group because the armed groups do it [manufacture and sell the drug]. There are also some villagers who have good relationships with the armed groups, and the armed groups provide them with [permission] documents that allow them to sell k’thee k’thay. The armed group that established the [permission] documents for selling k’thee k’thay is the BGF. If we speak openly, there are five groups that use the drug and sell the drug in our area. They are the Tatmadaw, KNLA, DKBA, KNU-KNLA-PC and the BGF. None of them do not do it. So, we dare not speak carelessly. If we were to say so, we are afraid that people would come and kill us. We do not want it [the drug], but we cannot do [anything].”

Villagers, Yaw Kuh village tract, Nabu Township, Hpa-an District

(Received in July 2013)[8]

The widespread use of methamphetamines and its social impacts are reflected in several reports KHRG has received of drug fuelled rampages where villagers have had to fear for their safety. For example, on February 11th 2013, DKBA Officer Maw Bee Aye, intoxicated from methamphetamines, returned to A--- village in Nabu Township and randomly fired his gun throughout the village. Although villagers were afraid, they dared not report or speak about the incident. In another incident, on February 16th 2013, in B--- village, Nabu Township, Saw C---, who had been using yaba, came back to the village and destroyed a substantial amount of villagers’ property and killed several farm animals.[9]

KHRG has consistently received reports from villages relating their frustration over their inability to stop the sale and production of drugs in their area. The sale of methamphetamines can be quite lucrative for some villagers, which can impede efforts to eradicate the sale of drugs in local villages, and as one female villager from Htee Hpoh Kyaw village tract noted, “You can get half of your profits by selling methamphetamines”.[10] Some women are worried about their children as people can find drugs easily around the villages and they worry for the young people who are using those drugs. However, villagers often reported feeling like they cannot do anything to protect themselves and their family. One villager stated, “Even the village head and village tract leader, they can’t…[do anything about the drug problem]…as people who sell them have oh daw aner.”[11] One of the KNLA Battalion #101 military intelligence officers voiced his concern that if they take action to stop this it could reignite conflict between armed groups, so instead they just stay quiet and do nothing. Most of the villagers KHRG talked to reported wanting to stop drugs from being sold in their village, however they felt helpless when having to interact with armed groups which can be dangerous.

For example, on March 11th 2013, a 16-year-old student from D--- village, Nabu Township was killed by BGF soldiers after approaching them in order to reclaim property which he had traded for drugs. After confessing to his father that he had sold his motorbike for yaba, his father insisted he buy back the motorbike for 90,000 kyat (US $87.67).[12] The student met with the soldiers and asked for his motorbike back, however, worried that the information would appear publicly, the soldiers arrested him and then beat him to death with a brick.[13] Less than three weeks later, on March 27th 2013, a 62-year-old villager from E--- village, Htoh Kaw Koh village tract, Nabu Township was killed after confronting BGF Battalion #1016 soldiers about the sale of methamphetamines in her village. She told the soldiers that, “You all are Burma’s [Tatmadaw] people. You became rich because you sell k’thee k’thay. I don’t respect you.” She argued with BGF soldiers and then four of Battalion Commander Mya Khaing’s soldiers killed her in E--- village at the riverside by tying her neck with rope and stoning her to death.

Landmines and restrictions on the freedom of movement

Although landmines continued to pose a threat to villagers in Hpa-an District during 2013, particularly in Nabu Township, villagers in Paingkyon Township reported feeling safer from landmines than in previous years. Landmines were a common defensive strategy used by armed groups in Hpa-an District and landmines were planted in villagers’ plantations, gardens or farms where armed groups believed opposing armed groups would operate.

In Paingkyon Township, villagers reported that they can safely go and cut trees in forested areas outside their village for building and repairing their houses and that there were no new landmines planted in their area. Villagers reported that existing KNLA, BGF and Tatmadaw landmines are marked by the villagers for safety. Landmines were planted within specific areas and villagers asked the KNLA, BGF and Tatmadaw for the location of those landmines so villagers would be able to mark and notify people of those places.[14]

In contrast, landmines planted prior to the 2012 preliminary ceasefire, as well as those reported to be planted after by the BGF and DKBA, continued to pose a threat to villagers in Nabu Township during 2013. Villagers reported feeling unsafe to cut trees and gather wood or bamboo in forested areas around their village in order to repair their houses.[15] For example, on January 20th 2013, Saw F--- stepped on a landmine in G--- village, which resulted in his leg being amputated. The landmine was new and was reportedly planted by the DKBA.[16] Villagers in Nabu Township strategize by cutting down their own mango, jackfruit and marian trees, as well as other trees that they have planted in their gardens. Villagers mentioned that armed groups did not inform the villagers when they planted landmines, nor did they remember the locations.

Land confiscation

During 2013, KHRG continued to receive reports from rural villagers concerning new and ongoing land issues. Local villagers reported that land confiscation was still occurring and that they had not received compensation for land that had been appropriated prior to 2013. As a consequence, villagers experienced problems earning their livelihoods and KHRG has received several reports of villagers having to sell their possessions to buy back their confiscated land.

For example, in H--- village, Taw Soh village tract, Paingkyon Township, two BGF officers confiscated approximately 20 acres of land from two villagers. Although, both Naw I--- and Naw J--- held official land grants provided by the Burma/Myanmar government, BGF Battalion #1020 officers Boh Kyaw Hay and Boh Kya Aye told them, “Your land grant is illegal, so we will take your lands.” The officers demanded the women pay a total of 1,100,000 kyat (US $1,071.60) for the return of the land. The women negotiated with soldiers, but ultimately sold their personal belongings in order to pay for the return of their land. Naw I--- had to sell her gold and Naw J--- had to sell one of her motorbikes, after which their land was returned to them.[17]

In Nabu Township, villagers actively sought back access to their farmlands and plantations that had been confiscated prior to 2013. In May 2013, villagers in K--- village went to get land grant documents at the Burma/Myanmar Kawkareik administrative office in order to be able to work on their farms again. When they brought their land documents back and showed them to Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[18] #548’s battalion commander, he accused the documents of being fake and denied the villagers access to their land saying it was now military land. In K--- village, there are 30 households and 150 people whose lands were confiscated by the army and they have been staying in the K--- village monastery garden ever since. There were over 1,000 acres of land that were confiscated by Tatmadaw LIB #547, 548 and 549.[19]

Arbitrary taxation and demands

In 2013, KHRG continued to receive reports concerning arbitrary taxation practiced by armed groups and religious leaders. Particularly, villagers identified BGF Battalion #1015, led by Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye[20] in Paingkyon Township, as one of the primary perpetrators.[21] However, villagers in Paingkyon Township have used negotiation as a successful strategy in reducing the amount of tax paid to armed groups.

For example, Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye directly orders his soldiers to collect taxes on cows that have been traded. A pair of cows are taxed 10,000 kyat (US $10.13) at checkpoints set up in L--- village, Paw Yay Poo village tract and  M--- village, Meh Pra Hkee village tract, Paingkyon Township. For this reason, villagers mentioned that they do not receive a lot of profit from trading their livestock. Villagers strategized by lobbying the BGF to reduce the tax on traded livestock, which was later approved.

Furthermore, BGF Battalion #1015 soldiers forced villagers to pay taxes on their telephone lines once per year. For those who own or have set up a phone line with a tall antenna, they collect 30,000 kyat (US $29.22) per phone owner every year in every village that has telephones in Paingkyon Township. Some villagers do not want to pay the telephone tax to the BGF soldiers, so they told the BGF soldiers that, because they have to plant paddy or harvest crops, they do not have time to use the telephone often. Again, villagers were able to negotiate with BGF Battalion #1015 to reduce the amount of taxes paid.

BGF Battalion #1015 also demands taxes on boats, cars and tractors each year. In Paingkyon Township Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye instructed his soldiers to collect 5,000 kyat (US $4.70) for each boat in every village and village tract when possible. Each truck is taxed 50,000 kyat (US $48.71) per year. For hand tractors, Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye collects 10,000 kyat (US $9.74) each year.

Villagers also reported being subjected to arbitrary taxation by religious groups in Hpa-an District.Villagers reported being forced to provide donations, as well as having to build roads and pagodas under monks’ orders. One villager told KHRG “If we don’t go, if we don’t give [the] money that they asked [for], the money collectors told us that if you die, you will call monks.[22] As a result, we have to do [it]. We cannot avoid doing [the labour] as well as providing donations.”[23]

Forced labour

In 2013, KHRG received fewer reports concerning forced labour in Hpa-an District, due to the 2012 preliminary ceasefire. However, KHRG received several reports concerning forced labour involving Tatmadaw LIB #547, #548 and #549 in Nabu Township and BGF Battalion #1015 in Paingkyon Township.

On May 25th 2013, a villager from N--- village, Htoh Kaw Koh village tract, Nabu Township reported to a KHRG community member that, they are still subjected to forced labour in their area. He added:

“[Tatmadaw] LIB #547’s commander offered [ordered] me to plough and work his farmland and I replied to him that the land that you use it is not yours, you just grab from villagers and those lands are already transfer back to the land owners. He said that it is illegal land so we [Tatmadaw LIB #547] will still keep it because it is still belongs to [military] camp area. He came and asked me one day, two or three times, to go and work his farmland. So me and some villagers decided to go and help him for one day and bring along our four tractors.”

Villager, N--- village, Htoh Kaw Koh village tract, Nabu Township

(Received in July 2013)[24]

Village heads in O--- and P--- villages, Nabu Township, reported similar stories about forced labour and both villages worked only one day and brought their tractors as well. According to a KHRG community member, it is not only LIB #547 which ordered forced labour, but also LIB #548 and #549 as well.

Furthermore, on October 26th 2013, Q--- village, Pee T'Hka village tract, Paingkyon Township, BGF #1015 Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye forced villagers to cut trees and bamboo and to construct a stage for an event.[25]

Extrajudicial killings

On June 11th 2013, Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye ordered the arbitrary execution of a family in R--- village, Pee T' Ka village tract, Paingkyon Township. The killings of Saw S---, his wife and two daughters, the youngest of which was 13 years old, were committed by six soldiers from BGF Battalion #1015 under the direct orders of Cantonment Area Commander Kya Aye. The killings were ordered over accusations that Saw S--- had been practicing black magic. No investigation into these accusations was carried out. Saw S--- and his family were executed without question and their bodies, hut and belongings were set on fire. Soldiers also took two gold necklaces and a small amount of money from the victims’ hut.[26]

Fighting

On April 26th and 27th 2013, fighting broke out between the DKBA and BGF in Myaing Gyi Ngoo town, Hlaingbwe Township, injuring two children. Naw T---, who was one year and six months old at the time, and Saw U---, who was 20 days old at the time were both injured while they were sleeping inside the house during the skirmish. The elders went outside of the house to check the situation after hearing the sound of gunfire and at that time a bullet went into the house from the roof, which landed in the room where the children were sleeping. Naw T--- was injured on her head and her ear. She also received two wounds on her back from being struck by a bullet fragment. Saw U--- was hit on his face and his calf. In order for his grandchildren’s injuries to be healed, U V--- went to Hpa-an Hospital, which cost him 400,000 kyat (US $389.67). BGF Major General Maung Maung, provided 30,000 kyat (US $30.71) as compensation. Both children fully recovered from their injuries.[27]

Right to education

According to a KHRG community member, the Myanmar Peace Support Initiative (MPSI) came and built a school and supported education in Nabu Township. However, villagers have raised their concerns related to the school curriculum, as the Karen language is not taught in the school and the Karen flag is not allowed to be flown. Some of the villagers reflected on the situation and asked, “We live in a Karen village, we are the Karen ethnic group, so why can’t we learn Karen literature and why can’t we fly the Karen flag? We can only fly the Burmese flag and it means we are under control of the Burmese people. We have many Karen armed groups and I would like to tell them to take action in order for us to be able to learn our own language and to be able to fly our own flag at our village school as we are the Karen ethnic group.”[28]