Key developments since May 2005: Both the military junta and
non-state armed groups have continued to use antipersonnel mines extensively.
The Myanmar Army has obtained, and is using an increasing number of
antipersonnel mines of the United States M-14 design; manufacture and source of
these non-detectable mines—whether foreign or domestic—is unknown.
In November 2005, Military Heavy Industries reportedly began recruiting
technicians for the production of the next generation of mines and other
munitions. The non-state armed group, United Wa State Army, is allegedly
producing PMN-type antipersonnel mines at an arms factory formerly belonging to
the Burma Communist Party. In October 2005, the military junta made its first
public statement on a landmine ban since 1999. There were at least 231 new mine
casualties in 2005. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-France closed
its medical assistance program and withdrew from Burma, due to restrictions
imposed by the authorities.
Mine Ban Policy
The Union of Myanmar’s ruling military State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Myanmar was one of 17
countries that abstained from voting on UN General Assembly Resolution (UNGA)
60/80 on 8 December 2005, which called for universalization and full
implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. Myanmar offered an explanation for its
abstention in its first public statement on a landmine ban since 1999:
“Myanmar is, in principle, in favor of banning the export, transfer and
indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines.... [M]y delegation respects the
position of the States parties to the Convention [Mine Ban Treaty]. At the same
time, Myanmar believes that all states have the right to self-defence...as no
State would compromise its national security and sovereign interests under any
circumstances. But at the same time, we oppose the indiscriminate use of
anti-personnel mines which causes death and injury to the innocent people all
over the world. These tragedies occur due to the easy availability of
landmines. Based on the reality, a total ban would not lead to a practical or
effective solution. Given these circumstances, we reiterate our belief that the
Conference on Disarmament is the most appropriate forum to deal with the problem
of illicit trafficking and indiscriminate use of anti-personnel
mines.”[2 ]
Myanmar is a member of the Conference on Disarmament, but has never raised
the landmine issue in that forum. It is not a party to the Convention on
Conventional Weapons or its Amended Protocol II on landmines. Myanmar has only
attended one meeting related to the Mine Ban Treaty, the Fifth Meeting of States
Parties in Bangkok in September 2003.
In August 2005, the UN’s Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human
Rights offered this critique of the SPDC’s approach to landmines:
“The Special Rapporteur...is disturbed by reports of the ongoing practice
of ‘atrocity demining’ whereby civilians are forced to act as human
mine-sweepers by the military, resulting in severe mutilation and sometimes
death. It is believed Myanmar continues to produce landmines, with devastating
effects. The lack of provision of adequate care and assistance for victims
affected by landmines is to be very much regretted. The continued practice of
laying landmines in fields and forests, and the lack of mine clearance, has had
a negative impact upon the freedom of movement of civilians and their economic
right to earn a living.”[3]
Requests for information pertaining to various sections of this report,
delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon and Myanmar’s
missions abroad, have gone unanswered.[4 ]
The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which in February 2006
proposed new steps toward a negotiated settlement on the governance of the
country, reaffirmed that it would seek the country’s accession to the Mine
Ban Treaty as a matter of national urgency when it can assemble a
parliament.[5]
The Democratic Voice of Burma, an external news organization providing
television news into the country by satellite, broadcast a program devoted
solely to the issue of landmines, including interviews with ICBL Ambassador Jody
Williams and the country’s Landmine Monitor researcher, on 31 December
2005 and 1 January 2006.[6 ]This was
the first widely disseminated public information on the mine crisis within the
country.
The Halt Mine Use in Burma campaign distributed 2,000 copies of the
Burmese-language translation of the country report in Landmine Monitor Report
2005.[7 ]Copies of the Landmine
Monitor sent to the National League for Democracy were seized by customs in
Myanmar.[8 ]In November 2005, Images
Asia Productions released the video, Burma’s Hidden Killers: The
Casualties of Landmine
Warfare.[9]
Production, Transfer and Stockpiling
Myanmar Defense Products Industries, a state enterprise, produces
antipersonnel landmines.[10 ]In
November 2005, Military Heavy Industries reportedly began recruiting technicians
for the production of the next generation of mines and other
munitions.[11 ]
Authorities in Myanmar have not offered any information about the types and
quantities of antipersonnel mines stockpiled. Landmine Monitor has reported
that, in addition to domestic production, Myanmar has obtained and used
antipersonnel mines of Chinese, Indian, Italian, Soviet, US and unidentified
manufacture.[12 ]
As noted in Landmine Monitor Report 2005, in the past few years, the
Myanmar Army has obtained, and is using, an increasing number of mines of the
United States’ M-14 design.[13 ]Manufacture and source of these non-detectable mines—whether foreign
or domestic—is unknown. Myanmar is not known to have exported
antipersonnel mines, but has no formal moratorium or ban in place.
Use
Myanmar’s military forces and non-state armed groups have used
landmines consistently throughout the long-running civil war. Mine use
continued in 2005 and 2006 in Karen (Kayin), Karenni (Kayah) and Shan states.
In January 2006, the following SPDC forces laid antipersonnel mines in Karen
State: Light Infantry Brigade 48 in the Htee Lo area, Light Infantry Brigade 20
in Day Lo Mu Taw village, and Division 66 in Tha
Tor.[14 ]On 28 November 2005, SPDC
units reportedly raided Hee Daw Kaw village in Toungoo district of Karen state,
leaving antipersonnel mines in the area on their
departure.[15 ]According to the UN,
on 26 November 2005, 900 people fled Thandaung Township, Karen state, following
a Myanmar Army attack that included burning civilian dwellings and laying
landmines.[16 ]On 3 November 2005,
upon leaving a village in Nyaunglebin district they had occupied since late
September, SPDC units reportedly left behind at least 15 antipersonnel
mines.[17 ]
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), an evangelical organization offering medical
and other assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs) in some conflict
areas, have reported numerous mine-laying operations by the Myanmar Army.
According to the FBR, in early 2006, the Myanmar Army planted about 2,000 mines
in the area east of Baw Ga Le Gyi (Kler Lah), Toungoo district, Karen state.
Villagers had been told the Army would be conducting a sweep and placing
landmines throughout the area, and were given a deadline of 16 January 2006 to
vacate some cultivated areas.[18 ]As of mid-2006, the operation was ongoing.
In May 2006, Human Rights Watch reported that civilians seeking refuge in
Thailand have been placed at grave risk by landmines planted by the Myanmar Army
along the border in Karen state. It called the offensive, which started there
in November 2005, the biggest operation since 1997, and said troops have looted,
burned homes and planted antipersonnel mines in civilian areas to terrorize the
local population. Human Rights Watch also cited the figure of 2,000 mines laid,
saying it was allegedly done to block escape routes and deny the civilian
population access to food supplies, commodities and other humanitarian
assistance.[19]
The FBR and three other credible sources have reported that since January
2006, there has been an increase in the use of M-14 mines as the Myanmar Army
has been systematically placing these mines on the main trails in the mountains
in southern Karenni state and northern Karen state.
SPDC forces have reportedly laid mines to prevent access to the site where a
small hydro-electric power dam is being or already has been built about 12 miles
northeast of Toungoo district at the Sittang river. Farmers have been displaced
by the construction and the danger of mines in the area; some mines were alleged
to have been laid in populated areas close to Mandalay division near
Pyinmana.[20]
Non-State Armed Groups
Many different ethnic and rebel political organizations exist within the
country,[21 ]including an estimated
45,000 armed non-state combatants.[22 ]Landmine Monitor has identified at least 17 non-state armed groups (NSAGs)
that have used antipersonnel mines in Burma since 1999; some of these have
ceased to exist or no longer use mines.
In a 2005 survey on humanitarian protection, members of NSAGs acknowledged
that their use of landmines threatened the safety and livelihood of civilians,
but maintained that landmines were necessary as a means of self-defense against
the military might of the national
authorities.[23 ]The
Irrawaddy magazine, in September 2005, quoted a Karenni ethnic militia
commander as saying, “We know how landmines affect our communities, but
what should we do? This is war. We have to fight with the same weapons as the
enemy.”[24 ]In November 2005,
The Irrawaddy noted, “Lacking vital military resources, Karen
rebels have resorted to using landmines to protect what little territory they
still control.”[25]
Geneva Call organized a mission in March 2006 on the Thai-Burmese border and
met several armed groups to discuss the mine ban; some of them expressed
interest.[26]
NSAG Use
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the Karenni Army, the Shan State
Army (South) (SSA-S), the Chin National Army (CNA), the United Wa State Army
(UWSA), the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and several other non-state armed
groups continued to use antipersonnel mines in 2005 and 2006. Given the
conflict situation, it is likely that the KNLA was the NSAG using mines most
extensively in this reporting period.
In early 2005, the SSA-S moved into areas of eastern Shan state in which they
had not previously operated. According to a reliable local source, the SSA-S
laid mines in at least two locations that resulted in civilian casualties. Five
people were killed in Jakooni village in February 2005; one Akha woman was
killed and one injured in March 2005. In December 2005, a SPDC-affiliated
militia fought with the SSA-S over transit through their territory, and the
SSA-S laid mines on a road, leading to the loss of two four-wheel drive vehicles
belonging to the militia.[27]
A CNA battalion commander told Landmine Monitor that CNA forces use landmines
when they go on patrol in the tri-border between India, Bangladesh and Burma.
However, he claimed they remove their mines when they leave an area. In cases
where they do not have mines, they rig a grenade with a tripwire. He said they
spread rumors that they have planted landmines in order to make SPDC soldiers
afraid.[28 ]
The UWSA reportedly told villagers in December 2005 and January 2006 that,
due to the danger of newly laid mines, they could no longer cross the border
from Thailand; the villagers were instructed to go to the Tha Thang Check Point
to be escorted on a safe
path.[29 ]
On 1 September 2005, a unit of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army reportedly
laid landmines around three villages in Belin township, Karen
state.[30]
There are unconfirmed reports of mine use by other
NSAGs.[31 ]Some NSAGs that
previously used mines appear to be spent as a military force, and some have
turned to banditry.[32 ]One armed
group that formerly used antipersonnel mines, and had signed the Geneva Call
Deed of Commitment to renounce mine use or possession in December 2003, ceased
military activity in 2004.[33 ]No
armed activities by political organizations formerly based along the
Bangladesh-Burma border took place in 2005, and it is reported that these
entities, as an armed threat, are now
defunct.[34]
During talks between the SPDC and the KNU and its armed wing the KNLA in
early 2005, the KNU said that SPDC troops could patrol roads without fear of
mines.[35 ]However, the talks have
not continued and in March 2006, a KNU leader told Landmine Monitor, “The
SPDC and the KNU will continue to lay mines, for different reasons. The SPDC
will lay mines to contain the KNU while the KNU will do it for the protection
against the SPDC. Large areas will become ‘no man’s land.’
Those who can live with SPDC will move to these areas, those who cannot will
move to the Thai
border.”[36]
In November 2005, Indian rebels based in camps in Myothit, Saya San, Mintha
and Minthamee Taung areas of Sagaing division in northwest Burma reportedly laid
landmines along the border to prevent attacks by Indian soldiers. The mines
have caused casualties among Kuki villagers and their
cattle.[37]
NSAG Production, Transfer and Stockpiling
According to a reliable local source, the United Wa State Army is producing
mines at an arms factory formerly belonging to the Burma Communist Party, which
was set up with assistance from China. The factory reportedly produces a PMN
type mine, ammunition, and possibly other items. It is located west of Pahsang
at the top of the Kham river.[38 ]
Landmine Monitor has previously reported that the KNLA, the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army, the Chin National Army and the Karenni Army have built blast and
fragmentation mines. Some have also made directional, Claymore-type mines,
mines with antihandling fuzes, and
booby-traps.[39 ]
Armed groups in Burma have also acquired mines by lifting SPDC-laid mines
from the ground, seizing SPDC stocks during attacks, and from the clandestine
arms market.[40 ]Some of the
opposition organizations that have non-hostility pacts with the SPDC still
possess antipersonnel
landmines.[41]
Landmine and ERW Problem
Landmines in Burma are concentrated mainly on its borders with Thailand,
Bangladesh and India, and in eastern parts of the country marked by decades-old
struggles by ethnic minorities for
autonomy.[42 ]At least nine out of
14 states and divisions in Burma suffer from some mine contamination, primarily
antipersonnel mines.[43 ]Burma is
also affected by explosive remnants of war (ERW), and some casualties have
resulted.[44]
The borders with Thailand and Bangladesh are extensively mined; the border
with India has some mined locations adjacent to Mizoram and Manipur
states.[45 ]In Chin state on the
border between India and Burma, parts of Thangzang township are reported to be
extensively affected, particularly near Dawn village, and in Than Tlang
township, mines laid along the Tio river have led local inhabitants to abandon
farmland.[46 ]
The tri-border area between India, Burma and Bangladesh is reported to be
extensively mined. The former Chin National Front/Army headquarters, Camp
Victoria, was based in the tri-border area, and both Indian forces and the CNF
say that the area surrounding the camp remains heavily mined. The adjacent area
of Palehwa, in Chin state is mined, and mine casualties have occurred in both
military and insurgent
forces.[47]
UN assistance programs started encountering mine-affected communities during
2004 and early 2005 as the scope and reach of their assistance increased. In
February 2005, UN field staff reported the presence of mines in eastern Shan
state around Kalaw, the area from Mong Pan to Mongton, and east of
Lashio.[48 ]In areas which the SPDC
does not control, mine contamination may be found near gem mining sites or on
land earmarked for infrastructure projects such as the Baluchaung (Lawpita)
hydroelectric power station in central Karenni state. In some border areas
proposed development has been impossible due to mine
contamination.[49 ]In May 2006, a
mine explosion near the border with Thailand injured an Electricity Generating
Authority of Thailand geologist working on a feasibility study for the proposed
Hutgyi dam on the Salween
River.[50 ]
Over the past five years in northern and central Karen (Kayin) state, more
roads have been built into areas of previous insurgent activity involving ethnic
minorities. These roads are heavily garrisoned and patrolled by the SPDC and
frequently mined along the berm (roadside) to prevent unauthorized movement by
the population.[51 ]The Sor Hta
road from Kyaut Kyi to Sor Hta on the Salween river bank, and the Papun-Kor
Pu-Kyaut Nyat road in particular are reportedly mined on the berm, causing
civilian casualties.[52]
In 2005-2006, renewed mine-laying by the Myanmar Army in Karen state, in
village-areas, but also along the Thai border and approach-routes, added to the
existing mine-threat. Reportedly, the purpose was to deter movement of local
people. Here and in other parts of Burma, people can only move at great
risk.[53 ]In May 2006, the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that in the previous three months
some 2,000 refugees have fled “renewed conflict and human rights abuses in
Kayin state...to find refuge in” northern Thailand. UNHCR added:
“Many are very weak and suffering from illnesses such as malaria after a
long, dangerous journey to the camps through heavily land-mined
areas.”[54 ]
In a 2005 survey of IDPs, which included some people hiding from the Army,
nine percent of respondents listed proximity to landmines as a prevalent threat
(compared to 16 percent fearing armed
conflict).[55 ]More than six
percent of all respondents (and 23 percent of those in hiding) indicated that
they had laid landmines to protect
themselves.[56]
Mine Clearance
No humanitarian mine clearance programs exist in Burma. Some sporadic
military clearance and village demining has been reported in previous years, but
not in the current reporting period.[57 ]
Atrocity Demining
Ethnic minorities have frequently reported being forced by the Myanmar Army
to clear mines. The International Labor Organization (ILO) in a mid-2005 report
noted with concern the number of people taken into forced labor, particularly by
the military, who have suffered “mutilations and violent deaths occurring
during mine-clearing
operations.”[58 ]On 5
February 2005, Light Infantry Brigade 439 is alleged to have conscripted two
villagers to walk ahead to clear any mines with their bodies on the
Toungoo-Mawchi road. Another brigade operating further south on the same road
allegedly conscripted villagers to carry loads ahead of them to clear mines on
the road between Kaw Thay Der and Busakee, resulting in one 15-year-old
casualty.[59 ]
In mid-November 2005 military authorities ordered labor from 20 villages on
the Sittaung River plains to clear forest growth from both sides of a road
between Shwegyin and Kyauk Kyi in Karen state. This 50 kilometer section of
road was known to have mines placed along its berms by both the SPDC and KNLA in
the past. To avoid the landmine hazard associated with clearing the brush, many
of the villagers fled their
homes.[60 ]
In three films released in 2005, former porters described how they were
forced to clear mines for the army.[61 ]A report by the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) in March 2005 alleged that
SPDC patrols required members of the People’s Militia (Pyitthu Sit) to
“guide” them in areas suspected of being mined by the KNLA. It also
reported that the army asked villagers along the Kler Lah-Bu Sah road to clear
the edges of the road and to harvest vegetables and wood from surrounding
shrubbery, despite the presence of landmines in the
area.[62 ]
Risk Reduction
Marking and/or fencing of mined areas is rare. In southern Karenni (Kayah)
state, near Mawchi, villagers reported that mined areas are not normally marked
or fenced but local inhabitants occasionally place traditional warning signs to
indicate danger areas. These may include a cross cut into a tree or parts of a
mine and wires placed in the vicinity of suspect areas. A specific style of
woven bamboo fencing painted white and surrounding an area of land may mark a
minefield, particularly near military installations and such locations as
bridges.[63 ]
In some instances, army units have issued verbal and written warnings to
villagers living near areas where they have laid mines. Most armed groups claim
to issue verbal warnings of the areas they mine. A Chin National Front member
claims they mark their mines carefully, but did not state how and said that he
does not worry since their mines are battery operated and last only for three
months.[64]
The 2005 survey of IDPs revealed that six out of every seven households in
eastern Burma had never seen warning signs for minefields. Half the respondents
stated they had received verbal but unspecific warnings from combatants about
the general location of mined areas: “Whoever plants the landmines, nobody
tells us where or marks the
area.”[65]
Few mine risk education (MRE) activities are known to have taken place in
Burma during 2005. MRE trainings of trainers were conducted by the Shanti Sena
NGO during the reporting period in KNU-accessed areas of Karen
state.[66 ]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) report for 2005 states,
“cooperation on MRE begun with the National Society... [which] agreed to
integrate MRE briefings into community-based first-aid training sessions; and
first-aid courses held for National Society trainers in Kayin and Kayah states,
two areas with high prevalence of mine incidents.” Educational materials
conveying safety messages were
prepared.[67 ]However, in November
2005, an ICRC official informed Landmine Monitor that ICRC had decided not to
continue with a dedicated MRE staff in Burma after mid-2005, since conditions
were not suitable for launching an MRE
program.[68 ]Handicap International
(HI), Mines Advisory Group, DanChurchAid and Norwegian People’s Aid have
previously undertaken informal exploratory activities to assess the needs and
possibilities for MRE in Burma.[69 ]
In this reporting period, MRE programs continued for Burmese refugees in
internationally supported camps in Thailand.
Landmine Casualties
In 2005, Landmine Monitor analysis of media reports, information from
hospitals, and confidential sources identified at least 231 new landmine
casualties, including at least five killed (including two women) and 225
injured, with one unknown. Landmine Monitor received information on 112
casualties from hospitals and NGOs, 70 from anonymous sources, and recorded 49
casualties through media analysis. Military personnel reportedly accounted for
up to 70 casualties;[70 ]at least
one child was reportedly involved in atrocity demining (whether he was injured
or killed is unknown).[71 ]This
represents a significant increase from the 132 casualties reported in
2004,[72 ]but due to the lack of any
systematic data collection system and reluctance by operators to share this kind
of information for security reasons the scope of the problem is likely not to be
represented accurately.
The ICRC War Wounded program, which assists people injured by conflict,
received 64 new mine casualties in
2005.[73 ]Twenty-three mine victims
were treated at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. The Mae Tao Clinic, in
Mae Sot, sent 14 mine casualties for
treatment.[74 ]Srisangwal Hospital
in Mae Hong Son division assisted eight people from Burma who were injured by
landmines.[75 ]
According to one doctor in Mone, Bago division, 14 people suffered landmine
injuries and sought treatment at the hospital in 2005, and 18 by May
2006.[76 ]HI’s Burmese Border
Program reported 46 new mine casualties had crossed the border and sought
medical care in 2005.[77]
In other reports, one person was injured in January 2005, while fleeing from
a military offensive with other members of his village in Dooplaya district of
Karen state. He survived and was transported to Mae Sot hospital in Thailand
for treatment.[78 ]In March, one
person was injured in Toungoo district while crossing a
road.[79 ]Also in March, one person
was killed and one injured when their vehicle hit a mine near Loikaw, the
capital of Karenni state.[80 ]In
April, an assault on the SSA-S base at Doi Tailuang led to 70 or more combatant
casualties by landmines.[81 ]In
August, two people were killed by landmines in different areas of Nyaunglebin
district following an operation by SPDC units; one died instantly, the other
died five days later.[82 ]In
November 2005, a 75-year-old man was injured when he returned to his village
after a SPDC raid there.[83 ]On 9
November a woman died after stepping on a landmine between Myo Thit and Tamu in
Chin state. Also in November, another woman lost a leg and later died.
Villagers have lost domestic animals to mines laid in the
area.[84]
In 2005, no mine casualties were reported in media controlled by the military
junta, and few reports of landmine victims appeared in the news in Thailand
despite the fact that many mine victims still seek medical care in the country.
A reporter for a Thai national newspaper explained, “When a person
crossing the border into Thailand steps on a mine, it is not news―it is
normal.”[85 ]
Casualties continued to be reported in 2006, with at least 51 mine casualties
as of 15 May (two killed and at least 48 injured), including three SPDC soldiers
injured on 14 February.[86 ]Mae Tao
Clinic received five new landmine casualties from January to April 2006; four
were referred to Mae Sot hospital.[87 ]On 29 January, a villager from Hta Yeh Plo was injured by a
landmine.[88 ]A pastor visiting the
border area reported 17 new mine casualties in Toungoo
hospital.[89 ]A Karen relief
worker/cameraman for the Free Burma Rangers was killed by a landmine in Muthraw
district, Karen state, on 4 May.[90 ]Other examples of recent casualties near Mone, Bago division, include a
45-year-old father of six who was injured on 9 May by a landmine in an area he
had been to many times previously. On 13 May, a 24-year-old man was injured
while crossing the road one kilometer from his village. A doctor at the
hospital where the man received treatment stated that from January to mid-May
2006, the hospital had treated 18 mine
casualties.[91 ]Also on 13 May, a
man carrying what was believed to be an antivehicle mine in a backpack was
killed when the device exploded, in what officials have said was a failed
attempt to attack an approaching military convoy about 160 kilometers north of
Yangon.[92 ]In 2006, two incidents
of mine casualties were reported in the junta-controlled press: the incidents
occurred on 25 and 26 April, northeast of Yangon, with three people
injured.[93 ]
On 3 May at the Salween dam construction site, a Thai national was injured
when he stepped on a landmine at a campsite for workers while conducting a
feasibility study.[94]
There is no official data in Myanmar on the total number of mine incidents
and casualties in recent years, although reports from NGOs indicate that
casualties have been increasing. Approximately 70 percenty of the amputees
receiving prosthetics through internationally assisted programs are mine
survivors.[95 ]The Ministry of
Health does not separate mine injuries from other trauma injuries, describing
only “injuries, specified and unspecified and multiple body regions”
as the fifth leading cause of mortality and third most common cause of injuries.
Systematic collection of data remains difficult, especially in relation to those
killed rather than injured in an incident. Areas where landmines have been laid
extensively often continue to experience armed conflict. Some areas formerly
affected by conflict are more accessible, leading to some attempts at
agriculture which has resulted in an increase in
injuries.[96 ]
Survivor Assistance
Survivor assistance within Burma continues to be marginal due to many years
of neglect of the civilian medical
system.[97 ]According to limited
interviews with landmine survivors within Burma, military survivors receive
better treatment than civilians, and are more likely to have post-injury
employment opportunities.
Availability of medical care depends on where the mine incident occurs.
Survivor assistance for mine casualties comes from several sources, including
the public health system, sources within zones of conflict, and neighboring
states.
Physical rehabilitation and prosthetics are available to mine survivors
through the national rehabilitation centers. ICRC supports seven centers: three
under the Ministry of Health―National Rehabilitation Hospital (Yangon),
General Hospital (Mandalay) and Leprosy Hospital (Yenanthar); three under the
Ministry of Defense―in Yangon, the Defense Services Rehabilitation
Hospital, Pyin Oo Lwin No (1) Military Hospital and, since 2005, Aungban No (2)
Military Hospital; and, the Hpa-an Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, which is a
joint ICRC/Myanmar Red Cross program. In 2005, these centers provided physical
rehabilitation for more than 3,612 people, produced 2,181 prostheses (1,527 for
mine survivors) and 193 orthoses (eight for mine survivors), and distributed
1,272 crutches. The Myanmar Red Cross Outreach Prosthetic Program assisted 800
persons with disabilities in remote areas. ICRC continued sponsorship of three
technicians to the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics for Category II
certification; the technicians were scheduled to graduate in
2006.[98 ]
The ICRC continued to support the hospitals it had previously rehabilitated,
and rehabilitated five more health facilities with inpatient services in Kayin
and Shan states and covered the surgery costs for 12 war wounded patients.
During two visits, the ICRC’s chief surgeon organized war-surgery seminars
for 90 military and civilian surgeons, with emphasis on amputation techniques,
and gave presentations on war surgery at an annual military medical conference.
He also operated on injured patients alongside Myanmarese surgeons and gave
lectures to medical staff. After his visits, the ICRC donated surgical and
amputation instruments to two of the hospitals in which he had
worked.[99]
In December 2005, MSF-France announced its withdrawal from Burma, ceasing its
assistance to conflict-affected communities, due to restrictions imposed by the
authorities.[100 ]It used mobile
healthcare teams and clinic upgrades to provide assistance in the previously
restricted areas of Mon and Karen
states.[101]
The KNU hospital at Gho Kay provided 21 prostheses through the Committee for
Internally Displaced Karen People’s prosthetics program. The oldest
person fitted was 63 and the youngest 16; one was female and the rest male;
three-quarters of patients were from Mu Traw district of Karen state.
Technicians traveled to villages to measure amputees, returned to the hospital
to make the limb, and then delivered the prostheses to the amputee for fitting
and adjustment.[102]
There are no known psychosocial support programs in Myanmar.
Vocational training for people with disabilities is provided by the Ministry
for Social Welfare, international and local NGOs. In Yangon, the Association
for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR-J) provides vocational training in tailoring and
hairstyling. In 2005, 86 people with a disability graduated from its vocational
training center; 19 were mine survivors. From January to March 2006, 28 new
candidates were enrolled; four were landmine survivors. In the past five years,
disabled people from all 14 states and divisions have attended, the majority
discovering the program through newspaper
ads.[103 ]
The Ministry for Social Welfare runs the Adult Disabled School in Yangon,
which offers vocational training, including TV repair, tailoring, barbering and
computer skills. Most of the disabled attending are former soldiers, the
majority believed to be landmine survivors. The school takes about 100 students
per year, though generally the authorities have provided inadequate funds for
schools and programs for the
disabled.[104]
The Myanmar Council of Churches conducts between four and six vocational
training programs per year for disabled people. These workshops are mobile, and
are held in different states and divisions to increase their reach. Some of the
disabled who have attended their workshops are landmine
survivors.[105]
The World Health Organization Disability and Rehabilitation Program Team is
also active in Burma, and works to enhance the quality of living and equal
opportunities for people with
disabilities.[106]
Backpack Health Worker teams run an independent
medical service from Thailand into rebel-controlled areas of Burma―Mon,
Karen, Karenni and Shan states―to provide public health education and
emergency care, including amputation for mine
casualties.[107 ]Some receive
medical training from the International Rescue
Comittee.[108 ]As of April 2006,
six of the 120 health workers active with the Backpack Health Worker teams had
died on mission.[109]
Landmine survivors from Burma seeking assistance in Thailand receive medical
care at hospitals in refugee camps and public district hospitals in the
Thai-Burma border provinces, including Tak, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Mae
Sariang, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. The Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, MSF,
International Rescue Committee, American Refugee Committee, Aide Médicale
International and Malteser International-Germany, have all provided emergency
medical referral in Thailand to war injury survivors who arrive across the
border. Prosthetics and rehabilitation are also available at the Mae Tao Clinic
prosthetic department, and within refugee camps at prosthetics workshops run by
Handicap International.[110]
[1 ] The military junta ruling the
country changed the name from Burma to Myanmar. Many ethnic groups within the
country still prefer to use the name Burma. In this report, Myanmar is used
when referring to the policies and practices of the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC), and Burma is used otherwise. State and division names are given
in their common form, or with the SPDC designation in parentheses, for example,
Karenni (Kayah) state. [2 ] Explanation of Vote by the
Myanmar delegation on the draft resolution on “Implementation of the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling. Production and Transfer
of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction” (A.C.1/60/L.56),
undated, but 28 October 2005. The remarks were made after the vote on the
resolution in the UNGA First Committee. The remarks were very similar to
comments made in 1999 and before. [3] UN Commission on Human Rights,
“Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar,” interim report of the
Special Rapporteur, A/60/221, 12 August 2005, Paragraph 77, p. 17. [4 ] Over the years, the military
junta has rarely responded to Landmine Monitor requests, but ongoing internal
confusion, especially with the sudden movement of most of the civil service to
an off-limits and unfinished administrative center, has complicated matters.
However, the military junta has felt a need to respond to increasing concern
over mine warfare within the country. In May 2006, a delegation of diplomats
and journalists was taken to see mine survivors in a hospital in Bago division
by the Minister for Information, General Kyaw Hsan, who stated that,
“Because of mines laid by the Karen National Union (KNU), a large number
of people have lost lives and limbs...the government does not favor war. That is
why it is taking security measures.” “Landmines claim more victims
as Myanmar fighting rages,” Agence France-Presse (Mone, Burma), 14
May 2006. [5] Meeting of ICBL campaigners and
National League for Democracy Chairperson U. Aung Shwe and Secretary U. Lwin,
Yangon, 23 March 2006. [6 ]Democratic Voice of
Burma, 31 December 2005 (20:00-21:00 Burmese time), and 1 January 2006
(12:00-13:00 Burmese time). [7 ] Halt Mine Use in Burma is an
ICBL campaign launched in mid-2003 to encourage all combatants in Burma to agree
to stop using antipersonnel mines for humanitarian reasons and as a
confidence-building measure toward a nationwide cease-fire and a total landmine
ban. New ministers, all 13 members of the ruling military junta, the political
opposition, UN agencies, and international and national NGOs within the country
received copies of the report. Many individuals and organizations helped with
the distribution. [8 ] In February 2006, copies of the
Landmine Monitor report in Burmese and English languages were shipped to the
National League for Democracy office in Yangon, but were seized during Customs
inspection from carrier DHL. Requests to the carrier to identify the fate of
the reports, the name of the Myanmar official who had seized the material, and
the relevant law or regulation, went unanswered. [9] This 2005 DVD documentary has
footage from the Burma-Thai and Burma-China borders, including footage of
non-state armed groups identifying mine types to a Landmine Monitor
researcher. [10 ] Myanmar produces the MM1,
which is modeled on the Chinese Type 59 stake-mounted fragmentation mine, the
MM2, which is similar to the Chinese Type 58 blast mine, and a Claymore-type
directional fragmentation mine. [11 ] Information obtained from a
confidential source. It is the first reference Landmine Monitor has seen to
Military Heavy Industries, and its relationship to Myanmar Defense Products
Industries is not known. [12 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 938. The mines include: Chinese Types 58, 59, 69, 72A;
Soviet POMZ-2, POMZ-2M, PMN, PMD-6; US M-14, M-16A1, M-18; and Indian/British
LTM-73, LTM-76. [13 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 679. See also photographic evidence circulated by
electronic mail list of the Free Burma Rangers, 5 February 2006. [14 ] Email from NGO working in
the Thai-Burma border area, 20 March 2006. [15 ] Free Burma Rangers,
“Update: 300 villagers still in hiding,” 6 December 2005. [16 ] UN Commission on Human
Rights, “Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar,” Report of the
Special Rapporteur, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, E/CN.4/2006/34, 7 February 2006,
paragraph 104, p. 23. [17 ] Free Burma Rangers,
“Update on IDP Situation – Nyaunglebin District,” 23 November
2005. [18 ] Email from FBR, 9 March
2006. [19] Human Rights Watch, Press
Release, “Burma: U.N. Must Act to End Attacks on Karen, Army Uses
Landmines to Prevent Civilians from Fleeing Conflict,” New York, 3 May
2006. [20] “KNU claims mines
planted in division close to Pyinmana,” Irrawaddy Online Edition, 2
February 2006, www.irrawaddy.org. [21 ] The SPDC previously listed
the status of its peace efforts with various non-state armed groups within the
country on the national website, but discontinued this practice in 2005. The
last listing was in 2004: www.myanmar.com/peace/other4.html.
[22 ] The International Institute
for Strategic Studies (IISS) has estimated the number of armed non-state
combatants at 45,000. IISS, The Military Balance 2005-2006, (London:
Routledge, October 2005), pp. 430-431. [23 ] Thailand Burma Border
Consortium, “Internal Displacement and Protection in Eastern Burma,”
October 2005, p. 60. [24 ] “Burma’s Killing
Fields,” The Irrawaddy, September 2005, pp. 10-11. [25] “The Politics of
Peace,” The Irrawaddy, November 2005, pp. 8-10. [26] Email from Anki
Sjöberg, Geneva Call, 27 June 2006. [27] Interview with development
organization working in Shan state, 11 January 2006. [28 ] Interview with CNA battalion
commander and other insurgents, Delhi, 27 October 2005. [29 ] Interview with development
organization working in Shan state, 11 January 2006. Prior to this, if
villagers wished to hunt in the mountains or visit relatives in villages on the
other side of the border, they did so freely. [30] Free Burma Rangers,
“SPDC and DKBA Guilty of Abuses,” by email, 4 November 2005, www.freeburmarangers.org, accessed
July 13 2006. [31 ] Landmine Monitor has
previously noted allegations of use by the Karenni State Nationalities
People’s Liberation Front, Karenni National Solidarity Front, Kayin New
Land Party and All Burma Students Democratic Front. None of these groups have
renounced mine use, but it is not certain if they used mines in this reporting
period. [32 ] The Hongsawatoi Restoration
Party, People’s Defense Forces and a cluster of smaller organizations have
essentially ceased to exist. The New Mon State Party, also previously
identified as a mine user, has denied recent use, but has not renounced use and
earlier admitted to having a stockpile of mines. [33 ] Landmine Monitor
communications with former members of the Arakan Rohingya National Organization
(ARNO), various locations, 2004. [34] Interview with members of
former rebel groups National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) and the Arakan
Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) in Bangkok, November 2005. [35 ] Karen Human Rights Group
(KHRG), “Report from the Field,” KHRG #2005-F3, 22 March 2005,
www.khrg.org/khrg2005/khrg05f3.html. [36] Interview with a KNU leader,
10 March 2006. [37] “Manipuri rebels
landmines kill Kuki tribesmen in NW Burma,” Democratic Voice of
Burma, 23 November 2005. [38 ] Interview with a development
organization working in Shan state, 11 January 2006. [39 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 939. [40 ] Ibid, pp. 939-940. [41] About a dozen armed
organizations have agreed verbally to cease hostilities with the SPDC. Although
frequently referred to as “cease-fire groups,” none have signed a
formal cease-fire protocol leading to a negotiated settlement. All maintain
their arms, including any stockpile of antipersonnel landmines. [42 ] Karen (Kayin) state, Karenni
(Kayah) state, southern Shan state and Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) division contain
the most heavily mine-affected areas. A large minefield is in Rakine state,
running the length of the land border with Bangladesh. Some known mined areas
exist in Pegu (Bago) division, and Mon, Chin and Kachin states. [43 ] Chin, Kachin, Karen (Kayin),
Karenni (Kayah), Mon, Shan and Rakine states and the Pegu (Bago) and Tenasserium
(Tanintharyi) divisions. See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 565. [44] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 944. [45 ] The areas reported to be
contaminated in past Landmine Monitor reports remain so. See Landmine
Monitor Report 2004, pp. 940-941; Landmine Monitor Report 2003, pp.
565-566. [46 ] Interview with insurgents,
Delhi, India, 27 October 2005. [47] Ibid. [48 ] Interviews with UN field
staff, Yangon, February 2005. [49 ] Interview with
Thailand-based journalist, January 2006. [50 ] Kultidda Samabuddhi,
“New calls to scrap dam after geologist loses leg,” Bangkok
Post, 5 May 2006. [51 ] The information comes from
numerous reports published on the civil war and reports on the situation of
IDPs, most recently in ‘Daming [sic] at Gunpoint’, Karen Rivers
Watch, pp. 2, 32, 53-4; FBR, “An appreciation of the IDP situation
from the relief team leader in the field,” 27 January 2006; email from an
NGO working on Thailand-Burma border, 20 March 2006. [52] ‘Daming [sic] at
Gunpoint’, Karen Rivers Watch, pp. 32, 53-54. [53 ] Human Rights Watch Asia,
“Burma: UN must act to end attacks on Karen – army uses landmines to
prevent civilians from fleeing conflict,” www.hrw.org, accessed 3 May 2006. [54 ] “2,000 refugees from
Myanmar flee to Thailand after renewed conflict,” UNHCR, Bangkok, 24 May
2006. [55 ] Thailand Burma Border
Consortium, “Internal Displacement and Protection in Eastern Burma,”
Bangkok, October 2005. Landmine Monitor contributed some questions to the
survey. The report assessed patterns of insecurity through cluster sampling of
1,044 households from 60 clusters spread across six states and divisions of
Burma, with a relatively even distribution between households in hiding sites,
cease-fire areas, relocation areas designated by the SPDC and mixed
administration areas. [56] “Landmines also help
protect us against the SPDC soldiers destroying our paddy barns and crops and
stealing things. If a landmine explodes when they are on their way, it disrupts
them because they have to carry the injured person back to town for medical
treatment.” Comment made during a focus group discussion in a mixed
administration area, Papun district, Karen state, May 2005; Thailand Burma
Border Consortium, “Internal Displacement and Protection in Eastern
Burma,” Bangkok, October 2005, p. 56. [57 ] Some NSAGs and the Tatmadaw
(regular Myanmar Army forces) have previously reported conducting military
demining. In some cases, NSAGs remove SPDC mines and re-use them. [58 ] International Labor
Conference 93rd Session 2005, “Report of the Committee of Experts on the
Application of Conventions and Recommendations, Report III (Part 1A),” 31
May-16 June 2005, International Labor Organization (ILO), Geneva, pp. 175-176;
“ILO criticizes Myanmar for failing to tackle forced labour,”
Agence France-Presse (Geneva), 25 May 2005. [59 ] FBR, “Pictures from
Karen State, Burma,” February 2005, by email, 9 March 2005. [60 ] KHRG, “Report from the
field,” 9 December 2005, p. 5. [61 ] Images Asia Production,
“Burma’s Hidden Killers,” Thailand, 2005; Burma Issues/FTUB,
“Prison to Frontline: Portering for the SPDC’s Troops,”
Thailand, 2004; Burma Issues/Witness Production, “Entrenched Abuse: Forced
Labor in Burma,” Thailand, 2004. Interviews for the latter two films were
conducted in late 2003 in Karen and Karenni states, and in border areas of
Thailand. [62 ] KHRG, “Report from the
field,” 22 March 2005. Pyitthu Sit or “People’s
Militia” are recruited from villages and given training and weapons by the
military. Each village is required to make monthly payments to their Pyitthu
Sit, who are expected to guard against insurgent entry to their villages. [63 ] See also Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 941. [64] Interview with insurgents,
New Delhi, India, 27 October 2005. [65] Thailand Burma Border
Consortium, “Internal Displacement and Protection in Eastern Burma,”
October 2005, p. 57; comment made during a focus group discussion with IDPs in
hiding from the Army, Pasaung township, Karenni state, May 2005. [66 ] Shanti Sena was founded in
February 2005 with support from private individuals in Japan to undertake
humanitarian activities within Karen state; it has conducted MRE in villages
near the Thailand-Burma border. [67 ] ICRC, “Special Report
Mine Action 2005,” Geneva, May 2006, p. 14. [68 ] Interview with ICRC
official, Yangon, November 2005. [69 ] For examples of previous MRE
efforts, see Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 684-685. [70 ] Confidential interview by
Landmine Monitor, 12 January 2006. [71 ] FBR, “Pictures from
Karen State, Burma,” February 2005, by email, 9 March 2005. [72 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 685. [73 ] Letter in response to a
request for information from Landmine Monitor, ICRC Bangkok Regional Delegation,
27 March 2006. [74 ] Interview with Dr. Cynthia
Maung, Director, and with Manager for Prosthetic and Orthotic Department, Mae
Tao Clinic, Tak, 8 March 2006; email to Landmine Monitor from Somsak
Thanaborikon, Field Coordinator, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mae Sot,
10 March 2006. [75 ] Response to Landmine Monitor
VA Questionnaire from Sumeth Napawetchakol, Prosthetic Technician, Srisangwal
Hospital, Mae Hong Son, 14 March 2006. [76 ] “Landmines claim more
victims as Myanmar fighting rages,” Agence France-Presse (Mone,
Burma), 14 May 2006. [77] Email from Paul Yon,
Manager, HI-Thailand, 24 May 2006. [78 ] Interview with Committee for
Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), Mae Sot, 9 May 2005. [79 ] FBR, “Burma Army
Landmines and Forced Labor in Toungoo District,” by email, 16 May
2005. [80 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 685. [81 ] Confidential interview by
Landmine Monitor, 12 January 2006. [82 ] “Two Karen men killed
by Burma Army landmines,” FBR Update, by email, 25 November
2005. [83 ] FBR, “Message from a
relief team at the burned village of Hee Daw Kaw,” by email, 11 January
2006. [84] “Manipuri rebels
landmines kill Kuki tribesmen in NW Burma,” Democratic Voice of
Burma, 23 November 2005. [85 ] Interview with Subin
Kuenkaew, Journalist, Bangkok Post, Chiang Mai, 10 January 2006. [86 ] Email from NGO working on
Thailand-Burma border, 20 March 2006. [87 ] Interview with Dr. Cynthia
Maung and with Manager for Prosthetic and Orthotic Department, Mae Tao Clinic,
Tak, 8 March 2006; email from Somsak Thanaborikon, IRC, 10 March 2006; email
from Imbert Matthee, Clear Path International, 1 May 2006. [88 ] Email from NGO working on
Thailand-Burma border, 20 March 2006. [89 ] Confidential interview by
Landmine Monitor, 7 March 2006. [90 ] “Karen relief worker
killed by landmine,” Mizzima News, 8 May 2006. [91 ] “Landmines claim more
victims as Myanmar fighting rages,” Agence France-Presse (Mone,
Burma), 14 May 2006. [92 ] “Myanmar man killed in
landmine blast near convoy,” Agence France-Presse (Penewegon,
Burma), 13 May 2006. [93 ] Dennis D. Gray, “More
Karen refugees poised to enter Thailand in wake of Myanmar offensive,”
Associated Press (Bangkok), 2 May 2006. [94] Kultidda Samabuddhi,
“New call to scrap dams after geologist loses leg,” Bangkok
Post, 5 May 2006. [95 ] ICRC data for prosthetics
through its joint programs with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defense.
Combined data in ICRC annual reports: 2002 (70 percent), 2003 (70 percent), 2004
(73 percent) and 2005 (70 percent). [96 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 685. [97 ] After being rated 190 out of
191 countries by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000, the ruling
authorities reportedly increased expenditure on public health from 1.8 percent
to 2.8 percent of GDP by 2003. The average per capita expenditure on healthcare
was $US94 ($134 in 1999). WHO, “Core Health Indicators, Myanmar,”
www.who.int, accessed 22 May 2006. [98 ] ICRC Physical Rehabilitation
Program, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, draft received 19 May 2006,
p. 23. [99] ICRC, “Annual Report
2005,” 1 June 2006, pp. 170-171. [100 ] “Aid Agency To
Withdraw from Burma,” The Irrawaddy,
January 2006, p. 6. [101] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 686. [102] Interview with Saw Hla
Henry, Secretary-General, CIDKP, Mae Sot, 7 March 2006. [103 ] Interview with Yuko
Yokotobi, Country Representative, AAR-J, Yangon, 20 March 2006. [104] Information provided by
confidential source; US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices-2005: Burma,” Washington DC, 8 March 2006. [105] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 687. [106] Mobility International
USA, “WHO Disability and Rehabilitation Progamme,” www.miusa.org,
accessed 29 April 2006. [107 ] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2005, p. 686. [108 ] Interview with Dr.
Cynthia Maung and with Manager for Prosthetic and Orthotic Department, Mae Tao
Clinic, Tak, 8 March 2006; email from Somsak Thanaborikon, IRC, 10 March
2006. [109] “Hopkins intercedes
in Burmese fight for health,” The Johns Hop
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