We are sending this report directly from the field. It begins with a summary
of the situation followed by photographs and an update of the situation from
Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State, Burma. 9 November 2007
The Burma Army has now maintained almost two years of unceasing attacks in Karen
State, beginning in February of 2006 and still continuing to this time. The Burma
Army's most recent offensive in northern Karen State has killed over 370 men,
women and children and displaced over 30,000 people, most of whom are now in hiding.
Over 33 new Burma Army camps were built in the areas of Papun, Nyaunglebin and
Toungoo districts in 2006 alone, with over 52 new camps by January 2008.
The slow but unrelenting attacks and building of new camps seem to be driven
by a plan to dominate, chase out or crush any people in these areas. This was
the largest offensive in Karen State since 1997. It began in February 2006,
with troops from over fifty battalions attacking through the rainy season, and
the construction of 10 new main camps and 42 smaller support camps. The Burma
Army is now completing the construction of two new roads that effectively cut
the northern Karen State into quarters.
The disruption of their food production, burning of their homes and the shoot-on-sight
orders of the Burma Army have made staying in their homeland untenable for thousands
of people. Of the over 30,000 displaced, over 5,000 have already left their
homes for the Thai border.
Pictures of current Burma Army activity, forced labor and forced relocation:
The Burma Army is currently attacking IDP hide sites in the Ler Wah area of
Nyaunglebin District.
The people in this area have fled to new sites but there are indications that
the Burma Army may continue their movement further east and thus be a threat
to more IDPs.
Burma Army troops from Muthey moving to Paw Key Ko,
25 September
Burma Army using forced labor by making porters carry
supplies, 25 September
The MOC commander and TOC commanded with forced porters, 25 September
Villager from Pay Tu Sa Leh in forced relocation
site near Ler Doh town, 25 July
Summary of the situation in Nyaunglebin District, Northern Karen State, Eastern
Burma:
In Nyaunglebin District (Kler Lwe Htu) over 36 men, women (including a pregnant
woman) and children have been killed by the Burma Army. Of the over 400 porters
used in this area, over 20 have died. There are over 11,000 displaced people
in all three townships. This number varies from 5,000-11,000 depending on Burma
Army activities. *as of Dec. 2007
In Shweygyn and Kyauk Kyi townships, 9 villagers have been killed and 2,000-6,000
displaced depending on Burma Army activities.
In Mon Township 27 civilians have been killed and over 5,000 people displaced.
Of the people displaced in Mon Township, over 1,500 IDPs are north of the Mon
River, over 1,600 IDPs are south of the Mon River, 1,000 are in other districts
and over 1,000 have gone to refugee camps or IDP safe sites out of the district.
Also, since February 2006, 27 villagers have been killed and 4 wounded in Mon
Township alone by the Burma Army.
Five villages have been burned in Mon Township. This does not include the many
field houses and rice barns burned as well. Landmines were then placed on trails
and in the remains of the villages themselves. Of the villages not burned, 7
village tracts of 21 villages have been completely abandoned while many in the
7 remaining village tracts have had over half of their people flee and not return.
The Burma Army has established 28 new camps (4 main camps and 24 small camps)
in this area. More roads are now being planned in Mon Township between Tha Byin
Nyu and Busakee.
Letter from villagers now in a forced relocation site under the control of
the Burma Army:
(Note: This letter was sent out earlier this week by the FBR
Nyaunglebin team and is included in this more comprehensive report. The letter
was delivered to the FBR team by villagers relaying the letter from a forced
relocation site in Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State, Burma at the end
of September 2007. The names of villages and villagers names have been changed
to protect these people from reprisals as they are still trapped in the Burma
Army forced relocation site. The Burma Army has forcefully relocated thousands
of people in Eastern Burma with over 100,000 people in over 100 forced relocation
sites. )
To: Our leader/responsible person
Subject: Information about our situation.
"First of all, I thank God for this opportunity to express my village's
situation on behalf of all the villagers.
We, the Tha Kaw Tha Kae villagers, have been living on the frontline and
facing many difficulties. Because of these difficulties, many of the villagers
have passed away but some still live by the grace of God. We had lived in
the Tha Kaw Tha Kae village for 43 years without having to move when, suddenly,
on June 3, 2007 our village was forced to move for the first time.
In the place that our village relocated we could not work and could not make
money. As a result some villagers only stayed one and half months, then returned
back to their home village. The Burma Army wrote these villagers permission
to go, but the villagers had to pay 1500 kyat twice a month in order to be
allowed to stay.
Our village headman took a census and, as of June 5, 2007, the total number
of families was 50. Based on the census, the village headman arranged a school
for the village children. We had a primary school with 40 students and 2 school
teachers. We, the villagers, paid 20,000 kyat per month for the two teachers.
We started our school on June 13, 2007 and held classes for 55 days. However,
we had to again move suddenly on August 7, 2007.
This time we had to move to the Doo Dah relocation site. We again set up
school in Doo Dah and all teachers continued teaching at this relocation site.
However, many villagers had no work and no food. The villagers that did not
have bullock carts could only bring the belongings that they could carry to
the relocation site. They had to leave many things behind. The Burma Army
went to the village, took the belongings that were left behind, and sold them.
The villagers that fled had no time to rest, despite heat and rain, so they
faced many health problems. They also had trouble getting enough food for
their families.
Now, in the new relocation site, we have no place to build our houses and
we have to live with other people. We must continue to be patient. Even though
we stay in the relocation site, we have to find our food by returning and
working secretly in our home village. We have to do this secretly since the
Burma Army no longer permits us to return.
We, the villagers, are oppressed by the Burma Army in many ways. Because
of this, many villagers face health problems and many pass away. Due to the
lack of medicine, the following people have died:
Pu Ta Ku
Saw Pwo
Daughter
Ma O La
Naw Ku Paw
Saw Kyaw Aye
Saw Kyaw Kyi
child no name
child no name
According to the information we mention above, we beg our leaders to help
us and to send this information to world." -On behalf of the Tha Kaw Tha Kae
villagers, Saw Tha Moo La-
Thank you to all who care for these villagers and others in Burma who live
under oppression.
Your love and action brings hope.
God bless you,
Nyaunglebin Free Burma Ranger Team
Nyaunglebin, Karen State, Burma
8 November 2007
Message of encouragement and unity from the Karen in the Karen State for the
demonstrators in Burma. 27 September 2007:
This message was also sent earlier- directly from the Karen
people in the Karen State of Eastern Burma to the demonstrators in the cities
of Burma on 27 September 2007.
"We the Nyaunglebin District, Karen State, Free Burma Ranger team, Karen
Women's Organization, Karen Youth Organization (FBR, KWO, KYO) work for freedom
and democracy and for our people. Therefore we support the demonstration groups
in Burma in the current situation.
According to the demonstrations in Rangoon and all over Burma, on behalf
of the Nyaunglebin District FBR, we now send this supporting letter to you.
We strongly stand together and support the demonstrating groups.
In Burma the Monks are expressing the desire of the Burmese people by peaceful
demonstration but the SPDC Regime is using weapons to attack and kill the
monks and the people. The SPDC want only to hold on to power. This is a very
ugly and bad thing that is happening.
As the world is against the terrorism, we too feel the same and resist the
SPDC regime of terror in Burma. This is our firm stand and we call on all
to pray, act with courage and never surrender in our struggle for democracy
and freedom.
This is our message of support from the Karen people here in the Nyaunglebin
District of the Karen State. We will do our part to continue the struggle
and share with you the same goals".
May God bless you, lead you and protect you,
Your Karen brothers and sisters of the Nyaunglebin FBR, KYO and KWO.
27 September 2007
Karen of Nyaunglebin District, Karen State from
the FBR, KYO, KWO.
Thank you and God bless you,
The Nyaungklebin District, Karen State, Burma
Free Burma Ranger Teams
The Free Burma Ranger’s (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and
love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity
or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human
rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under
the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational
resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military
attacks.
