[Feature photo: IDPs in Karenni state, Credit: BNI]
When illustrating the voices of Burma, it is important to amplify those of IDPs and refugees. IDPs and refugees in Burma, typically made up of ethnic minorities, often lack economic and political representation while suffering from brutal human rights abuses committed by the military. This installment will highlight IDP and refugee voices from Karenni State, the coup’s impact on the Karenni, and necessary action items. Also read UCSB’s prior installments amplifying refugee and IDP voices in Chin and Kachin states.
Karenni State remains one of the least developed states within Burma as apparent through malnutrition, poor education and infrastructure systems, and environmental issues. Beginning in the early 2000s, land confiscations became a significant issue throughout Karenni state. Through contracts with countries such as China and Thailand, the military confiscated land from locals, ignoring ethnic customary laws, hurting their livelihoods, and stealing their homes and generational land. With the assistance of the Burmese military, these state-owned corporations were able to set up mines and dams, while the Karenni people suffered from the impacts of these structures. The Karenni also lost their right to safety as the military planted thousands of landmines near the dams and established military bases to combat local ethnic armed organizations.
Alongside this, the Burma military has reacted to opposing forces with violence towards civilians as evident through accounts of torture, sexual violence, arbitrary executions, and other forms of brutality. In 1996, 98 villages were forcefully relocated, with locals threatened as “enemies” if they did not obey. To ensure villagers did not return, the military burned down their homes afterwards. This atrocity resulted in 4,000 moving to Shadaw relocation centre, thousands more in other centers, around 4,500 fleeing to the Thai border, and others seeking the forests for refuge.Within the next two years, 1,200 more refugees migrated into the center and forests. These factors, including the egregious human rights violations, armed conflicts, and mass displacement forced many Karenni to become IDPs, suffering from poor conditions such as food shortages and a lack of medical supplies. 15,000 Karenni ultimately became refugees in camps near Mae Hong Son province of Thailand by mid 1999.
The neglect of the Karenni people has led to much conflict between the Burma Army and Karenni forces such as local EAOs throughout the years, with the coup further destabilizing the situation. In mid March, parents and teachers alike displayed opposition to the SAC’s interference in educational affairs, advocating for education free of the military’s agenda. By then, 116 out of 131 schools in Demawso Township had joined the CDM movement. However, the military continued its brutal crackdowns on peaceful protestors and bystanders alike, leading to the formation of the Karenni People’s Defense Force (KPDF) on May 7 and ensuing clashes by May 21. Since then, conflicts have intensified in Karenni state, with attacks and retaliation occurring almost everyday, resulting in the formation of another resistance group, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, which is composed of local EAOs and scattered Civil Defense Forces. The military’s increased presence has been a threatening force within Karenni state. On May 31, the Burma military launched airstrikes against Karenni state, particularly areas patrolled by the KPDF. Both the airstrikes and armed conflict in late May led to the deaths of 100+ KPDF soldiers and civilians. By June 18, the military forces had killed over 64 people, detained at least 130, and injured 100 more in just Karenni state.
The coup also caused increased brutality, persecution, and displacement within Karenni State. On May 24, Sacred Heart Church, near Karenni’s capital of Loikaw, was shelled by the military, injuring eight and killing four. Conflict between the KPDF and the Burmese military contributed to this church shelling and prevented the individuals hurt and killed from obtaining protection. A similar occurrence took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Demoso on May 24. By early June, at least eight churches were reported to have been attacked by the military forces. Even more, buddhist monasteries were not spared from the junta’s brutality. Soon enough, religious institutions within Burma, including white flag institutions designated as shelters, became unsafe for civilians. This relentless brutality of the junta has resulted in a significant increase of IDPs in a short period of time.
IDPs face dire conditions: they lack clean water, food, and medical supplies as junta forces cut off aid routes into the region. The most vulnerable groups are the elderly, children, and women. According to Maw Theh Mar from Karenni National Women’s Organizations, there are over 300 pregnant women who are currently IDPs, with some having already given birth in the jungle. As the rainy season approaches, IDPs are at high risk of contracting waterborne diseases, especially those hiding in the deep forests. By mid-June, there were an estimated 100,000 IDPs in the ethnic state, causing the Karenni resistance fighters to agree to a ceasefire on June 16th. However, it was short lived when the military launched artillery shells later that same day and continued its clearance operations to retake strategic areas, thus re-igniting the fighting with the KNDF. Many IDPs remain in the jungle and are still fearful of going back to their villages as their safety is not ensured in their homes. Further, those who returned are finding unidentified bodies thought to be of those who could not escape in time.
In order to amplify the voices of refugees and IDPs, tangible action must be taken. The US and the international community must recognize the urgent need to provide immediate cross border aid, enforce a global arms embargo, impose no fly zones, and recognize and engage with the National Unity Government. In addition to these recommended actions, there needs to be an end to political and financial support for the Burma military, as well as targeted sanctions to dismantle the Burmese junta in order to achieve a genuine inclusive democracy for the people of Burma. There has been a long history of excluding the Karenni people from Burma’s political and legislative decisions and the Burmese military inflicting systematic violence upon the Karenni people. It is imperative that the fight for democracy does not exclude the Karenni. A true democracy will not be achieved unless there is inclusivity.
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