Following a period of calm after recent conflicts, local women returning to the Mon-Karen border areas along the Gyaing River are facing sexual harassment from military junta troops.
Junta troops are stationed in villages such as Dhammasa, Kyun Kone, and Tarana. Soldiers are verbally harassing young women they encounter, forcing middle-aged women to cook meals for them, and knocking on doors at inappropriate hours, causing insecurity amongst the women.
“Around 3 AM, when they’re drunk, young girls who are out are often harassed. Soldiers from the checkpoints in Dhammasara send them to buy groceries and cook meals. It’s not safe at all for a woman to go anywhere alone. In Kyun Kone, young women can’t even sleep at home because soldiers knock on their doors at night,” said one local woman.
Additionally, some women in these areas have been sexually assaulted by junta soldiers but are too afraid to speak out due to threats, sources say.
Due to the lack of security, many local women who have returned are now fleeing to neighboring Thailand, a local man from the Gyaing River region reported.
“If they’re stopped by military junta in deserted areas, they get interrogated and sometimes asked for money. They don’t usually do this in the villages, but many university and high school students have left for Thailand. Only the older residents remain in the villages,” he added.
Many women in these areas are experiencing verbal sexual harassment, which violates human rights, said Nai Ae Mon, Director of the Mon Human Rights Foundation.
“Sexual harassment, especially verbal, is widespread. In terms of human rights, when soldiers search girls’ bags and phones, it’s already a violation. Such incidents often occur during evening checks,” he said.
In late April, military junta troops entering the Mon-Karen border region around the Gyaing River were also reported to have committed sexual violence, according to women’s rights activists and the Mon Human Rights Organization.
Despite promises from military junta troops stationed in villages along the Gyaing River to withdraw when local refugees return, they continue to occupy homes and monasteries in the area.
