Eastern Burma

Boy crying as he flees the Burmese army - Free Burma Rangers

One of many landmine victims affected by the Burmese government's military operations - Free Burma Rangers

Family hiding in the rain from the Burma Army - Free Burma Rangers

Young girl waiting in the rain - Free Burma Rangers

Burmese people fleeing from the Burma Army in Toungoo - Free Burma Rangers

Last Update: Jun. 9, 2009

Civilians remain at risk of violence in Burma's eastern Karen, Karenni, Shan and Mon states and Tenasserim division. Residents of these states, as well as ethnic minority areas in the western states of Chin and Arakan are victims of summary execution, severe torture and rape as well as forced labor, extortion and displacement due to the ongoing Burmese military offensive.

GI-NET added eastern Burma to its Areas of Concern in 2008 due to the systematic nature of the violence. We estimate that nearly 99% of all civilian casualties in eastern Burma are caused by either the government or affiliated militia groups.

We know the situation is unlikely to change if nothing is done and are taking steps to help. In June of 2008, we developed a project that will help to protect civilians against attacks by the Burmese Army.

The primary driver of violence is the government, due to its continued counter-insurgency campaign against ethnic minority rebels, particularly its 'four-cuts strategy,' an attempt to cut off food, funds, intelligence and recruits from the rebels.

Once it gains control of an area, the military uses forced labor to build bases from which they attack and burn surrounding villages as well as mining the razed areas to discourage returns. Areas outside of government control are designated as 'black zones,' where soldiers are able to shoot any person on sight. Government troops are also known to use rape against ethnic minority women as part of a campaign of "Burmanization" through forced pregnancy.

This violent campaign to suppress ethnic rebel groups has left more than 530,000 people internally displaced and forced more than 700,000 Burmese to seek refuge abroad. There are reported to be millions more undocumented refugees, particularly in Thailand. Between 1996 and 2007, more than 3,200 villages were destroyed or abandoned because of government operations.

Take Action: If you would like to help us protect ethnic minoritiy civilians in eastern Burma, click here to make a gift in support of GI-NET's Burma Early Warning Program. Remember to write Burma Challenge in the "In Honor Of" line. Thanks for your support!

Background on Eastern Burma

Abridged History and Background

Since Burma's independence from Great Britain in 1948, ethnic minorities along Burma's borders have agitated for governmental autonomy. The Burmese military overthrew the democratic government in 1962. Since then, it has been engaged in a brutal counterinsurgency campaign aimed at denying rebels food, funding, information and recruits.

Since the 1970's, the government has increasingly attacked civilians in ethnic minority areas, resettling residents in relocation sites, guarded by the Tatmadaw. Beginning in late 2005, the military stepped up its offensive in Karen state and Pegu division in an attempt to militarily defeat the Karen National Liberation Army. During this time, it has also extensively mined areas of eastern Burma, increasing the risk of death to civilians.

The Burmese government does not direct its violence solely against ethnic minorities in the east. It has also targeted other minority groups in the western Arakan and Chin states as well as taking a hard line against pro-democracy protestors in 1988 and 2007. In the aftermaths of these protests, the government has routinely arrested demonstrators, tortured detainees and further reduced political space. The government reinforced its disregard for its citizenry during the response to Cyclone Nargis, which was hampered by bureaucratic delays as well as restrictions on non-governmental aid delivery.

For more information about Burma, please visit the resources section of our website, Background On Burma by the Karen Human Rights Group or the Burma Overview by the Free Burma Rangers.

Who are the parties to the conflict?

The Burmese government and its proxies

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the Burmese Government changed its name to the SPDC in 1997. The SPDC is run by the military junta that has controlled the regime since 1962.

The Tatmadaw. The Burmese army is composed of more than 400,000 soldiers funded with over 50% of the national budget.

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DBKA): A faction of the Karen National Union's Karen National Liberation Army who are now aligned with the Tatmadaw. While it professes to fight for Buddhist rights, in practice, the DBKA operates as the private army of a warlord affiliated with the government.

Resistance

The National League for Democracy (NLD). This group, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, is the main political opposition group to the SPDC. When multiparty elections were held in 1990, the NLD won 392 out of 485 parliamentary seats. Regrettably, the results of this election have not been recognized by the ruling junta. Ms. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recently had her house arrest extended once more, in violation of the government's own detention policy.

Armed resistance groups. These groups come from the ethnic states that have not signed a ceasefire agreement with the government. They work with key humanitarians in the region to get information and work the underground networks for internally displaced persons and play a significant role in facilitating the escape of villagers during and before attacks. Some of the significant groups include the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Shan State Army-South (Shan State Army-North has signed a ceasefire agreement with the government).

Stories from the conflict

"They came and attacked the village, arrested villagers and killed the villagers and burnt down the village. They shelled Hta La Koh with six mortars and five of the mortars exploded. Villagers and animals were injured and killed. Six villagers were injured, including two students and myself [also a student]."

- Naw S, survivor of a May 2008 Tatmadaw attack on a village in Lu Thaw District

Mortar attacks, landmines and the destruction of schools in Papun District,"

Karen Human Rights Group, August 2008.

Reports on Eastern Burma

Additional links about Eastern Burma

For More Information on Burma, Click Here

Videos about Eastern Burma

Featured Video: Burma's Secret War

Go into the jungles of Burma to learn about the government's secret war against ethnic minorities

Menu

User login