The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) said the Tatmadaw has been violating human rights in ethnic areas while the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference was held to show the world that the peace process is being implemented.
In an update released by the SHRF on July 19, the organization claimed that the Tatmadaw and the people’s militia beat up a village headman and a local resident in Mu Ser Village in Loilen District, southern Shan State and searched the homes of the local residents.
The SHRF stated that the 430th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-430), based in Kaung Hsai in the Kayah (Karenni) State under the Eastern Command, and the people’s militia set up camp in Mu Ser Village of Nawng Leng Village Group under Loilen District and accused the local residents of having ties with the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) on June 26 and 27 and beat up a village headman and a local man. They also searched the homes of other local residents.
“[Armed] groups that have already signed [the nationwide ceasefire agreement] shouldn’t be regarded as enemies and trouble shouldn't be given to the public by accusing them of assisting these armed groups while peace is being built,” Sai Hor Hseng, spokesperson of the SHRF, told the Shan Herald.
He said torturing the village headman and local resident and accusing the local residents of having ties with the RCSS/SSA harm trust-building between ethnic armed groups and the Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw should not target the public and try to find fault.
“Human rights violations were severe in the build-up to this third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference. On the one hand, they showed the world that they are implementing peace, but on the other hand, the public is still being tortured. The Tatmadaw and the government must take responsibility for the losses and tortures received by the public,” Sai Hor Hseng continued.
The SHRF stated that the health condition of the village headman is worrisome as he was hit on his left temple, left eye, mouth, head, and chest with rifle butts by the Tatmadaw and the people’s militia.
The soldiers also slapped a local resident of Mu Ser Village three times on his left temple and kicked all over his body.
Heavy fighting broke out between the RCSS/SSA and the Tatmadaw in Ho Hkai Village Group of Mong Kung Township on July 9, two weeks before the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference was held. Around 1,000 local residents have been displaced by the fighting.
The RCSS/SSA signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement in October 2015.
