Shan, Karenni, Mon: Amnesty International report 2004
Extract of the Amnesty International report, concerning the Shan, Karenni and Mon Human Rights situation
As in previous years, the army was involved in skirmishes with the Karen National
Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Shan State
Army-South (SSA-South), and small armed opposition groups in the Mon State. In
December the SPDC held cease-fire discussions with the KNU and the KNPP. The SPDC
also agreed a truce with the KNU in December, but low-level fighting was still
reported.
Ethnic and religious minorities
The army reportedly continued to confiscate, without adequate compensation,
large tracts of land owned by civilians and to take civilians for forced labour.
The use of forced labour was reported in Ye Township, Mon State; Yebyu township,
Tanintharyi Division; parts of the Rakhine, Kayin, Kachin and Shan States; and
cease-fire zones or locations where there was no armed conflict.