Oppression – A Brutal Reign of Terror

Burma Army column with forced laborers

Over 60 years of civil war have left Burma one of the poorest countries in the world. During this time, successive military dictatorships killed thousands of their own people and displaced millions in resistance areas, while effectively strangling the political process in areas under their complete control.

Recent developments in the government have included allowing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) to run and win in by-elections. There is more openness and less censorship in Burma, ongoing ceasefire talks with many ethnic groups, as well as our own unplanned but positive meeting with the Burma Army ceasefire delegation.

At the same time, attacks and military buildup continue in most ethnic areas, while in Kachin State the Burma Army continues an all-out assault on the people. In other areas there is ongoing laying of landmines, attacks on civilians, forced labor, destruction of civilian property and troop resupply.

 

Burma Army moving personnel and supplies in Karen State
Villagers from Karen State hiding in the jungle after their village was overrun by the Burma Army
A village burning after being sacked by the Burma Army
Burma Army Gas munitions canisiter used against the Kachin on 28 May 2012
Cooking pot destroyed by the Burma Army. After burning a village and killing or dispersing the villagers, the Burma Army will take steps to make sure the villagers cannot return to their normal lives.
Burma Army soldier keeps watch over a forced laborer