Mon: Human Rights Abuse Continues
Troops of the Burmese Army based in Ye township in Kaw Zar town have been forcing residents and villagers to carry rocks from a stream to build army barracks.
“We have to collect the rocks and carry it to the road. We cannot object,” said a villager who has been working as a forced labour. At least 50 people have to work once every four days.
They have requisitioned all the cars to carry rocks from the stream to the barrack site as of 15 February.
“Almost all the cars in Kaw Zar Township are being forced to make the trips from the stream to the barrack. They are allowing only two cars in Kaw Zar town and a car from each village to transport passengers to other towns” said a Kaw Zar villager. The car owners have to work without wages and petrol. They get nothing.
Kaw Zar villagers also had to collect wood for the barrack on February 15 and February 22 The commander, Major Ye Win has ordered 17 villagers to build the barrack.
When the military operation management commander launched a military offensive against a rebel group, Major Ye Win used three villagers as porters to carry military supplies in the beginning of last month.
Recently about 10 vehicles from Three Pagoda Pass were forced to carry military government troops to Nan Kwin villages about 30 miles east of Three Pagoda Pass, where the Tactical Commander is based.
According to car owners they were forced to make both trips for Col. Thit Swe for his meeting Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.
