FBR Report: In Chin State, Burma Army Continues to Use Forced Labor

 Chin State, Burma
15 February, 2013
 
Map showing area of report (click to see full size)
Burma Army soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 115, Commanded by Ku Luan, regularly uses forced labor in Falam Township, Chin State. Listed below are reports collected by Free Burma Ranger teams involving forced labor instances occurring from June 2012 to August 2012. Names have been omitted for safety and security purposes.
1. On 17 June 2012 , soldiers from  LIB 115 forced a 39-year-old Chin man and ten other villagers to carry rice from Bual Te to Tibual Burma Army Camp.
2. On 17 June 2012 at 4 pm, seven villagers from Tio Village were forced to carry rice from Tio to Tibual Camp.
3. On 23 August 2012, Burma Army soldiers from LIB 115 forced a 38-year-old Chin man and other villagers to work at Tibual Burma Army Camp.
4. On 23 August 2012 at 10 am, ten men from Bual Te Village and Lotharawn Village were forced to build a Burma Army camp by order of Commander Ku Luan.
5. On 25 June 2012 at 12 am, Burma Army soldiers forcibly used the vehicle of Thawng Cung, a car driver from Phun Te Village.
Free Burma Ranger teams went on several missions from September to December, visiting  villages in Falam and Hakha Townships. In addition to documenting human rights abuses, the teams were able to treat 325 patients, many of which suffered from fever, malaria, dysentray, gastritis and anemia. FBR teams were also able to conduct ten Good Life Programs in ten different villages, giving encouragement, school supplies, and hygiene and health lessons to 270 children in total.
Good Life Program in in Tlang Zawl Village
Children in Bual Hrei Village with the books they recieved from Free Burma Ranger Teams
Thank you and God Bless,
Free Burma Rangers