FREE BURMA RANGERS
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF MISSION
KARENNI STATE - OCTOBER 2004

Karenni grandmother shot in the leg by the Burma Army in September 2004


Mother and sister of a Karenni villager killed by the Burma Army on September 28, 2004

IDP situation

On October 1, the Burma Army started clearing the area South of Mawchi, Karenni State. On September 15, they had called all the village headmen and pastors for a meeting in Mawchi at Saya Daw temple. In the meeting they told them that from Oct. 16 on, all villagers would have to move to relocation sites. None of the villagers wanted to move, so they are now hiding in the forest. Villagers who remained in their villages are prepared to flee into the jungle rather than go to the relocation sites.

Human Rights Abuses

Forced relocation: The Burma Army commanded that all people must move to the relocation sites.

Stealing: While in the villages giving these orders the Burma Army stole pigs, chickens and ducks without paying for them.

Forced Labor: Villagers were forced to porter for the Burma Army on their way.

Burma Army activities

Four Burma Army battalions are patrolling. On October 1, they started north of Mawchi with two battalions, and south of Mawchi with two battalions. One battalion north of Mawchi (LIB 35) is led by commander Yin Moo Aung and second commander Aung Naing Swe. The second battalion (LIB 428) is led by commander Way Linn Aung.

South of Mawchi, one battalion (LIB 134) is led by commander Myint Swe. The second battalion (LIB 428) is led by an unknown commander. At the time of the mission they remained in the Mawchi area, but were to move on October 16 into the Karen and Karenni areas.

Health

All of the villagers hiding in the jungle are becoming sick. There is no medicine, so it is becoming very difficult to stay. During the coming winter months they will not have enough warm clothing. They need food, clothing, and medicine.

Interview

Name: Naw Paw Paw*
Age: 45
Nationality: Karen
Address: Gaw Kah Doh Koh village, No 1 town
Marital Status: yes, with 4 children

*name changed for security

"28/9/04 at 7:00 am, while my husband and I were on our farm, the Burma Army LIB (428) and KNSO led by commander Yee Aung Oo with about 40 soldiers came to the hut and forced my husband to reveal village hiding places. In the Nu Thu Kee area in Gah Zee Kee village in the morning at 10:55 the Burma Army shot our son Soe Pah, 20 years old, in our hut. They shot him to death. Naw Daw*, over 90 years was also shot, and the bullet is in her thigh. Another daughter of mine and 3 children were in the hut as well. They are all safe and I thank God for that. We are still afraid.

Burma Army soldiers took my son's ring, watch, and money. My husband is still with them. We don't know how he is or where he is. The Burma Army and KNSO gave us a very hard problem. I don't know what to do. If possible, my brother is in a Karenni refugee camp, please take us to my brother."