KAOWAO NEWS NO Newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma. October 31- December 5, Readers' Front

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1 KAOWAO NEWS NO. 156 Newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma October 31- December 5, 2009 Readers' Front Cash Flow Slows Despite Strong Burmese Currency Ninety Sex Workers Rescued Rescued Sex Workers Found HIV-positive HRP Families Deported To NMSP Area Mon Schools Endure Funding Crisis Mon State USDA Launch Election Campaign Economic Recession Affects Mon Music Industry Burmese Army Closes Three Pagodas Pass Border Crossing Southern Ye: Human Rights Abuses Continue *************************************** Readers' Front Dear readers, We invite comments and suggestions on improvements to the Kaowao newsletter. With your help, we hope that Kaowao News will continue to grow to better serve the needs of those seeking social justice in Burma. And we hope that it will become an important forum for discussion and debate and help readers to keep abreast of issues and news. We reserve the right to edit and reject articles without prior notification. You can use a pseudonym but we encourage you to include your full name and address. As Kaowao has shifted our focus to reach out to grass root populations who can read only Mon and Burmese, we are producing more Mon and Burmese versions than English. Please also listen to our Rehmonya Radio program at Regards,

2 Editor Kaowao Newsgroup ********************************************** Cash Flow Slows Despite Strong Burmese Currency Kaowao: December 5, 2009 Even though the Burmese Kyat is strong against both the US Dollar and Thai Baht, families of migrant workers are reluctant to support their home currency. The soaring Burmese currency, at its strongest in years, affects the Mon community globally. As of December 4, it was valued at 29 kyat to one Thai Baht and 980 Kyat to one US dollar, according to Banya Sorn in Bangkok. Banya Sorn exchanges money between Baht and Kyat most of his clients are migrant workers in central Thailand but business has been lagging. "Our business is not booming like in the past. Our work is very slow and I still cannot pay rent and interest for this (money exchange) business, remarked Nai Shwe, another businessman based in Maharchai. Ms. Mi Wei, from Ye Township, works in Bangkok as a housemaid. We cannot send money home, she reports. Our parents have tried to sell their land (to get money), but nobody is able to buy it, even if we lower the price about 20%. Meanwhile, in Burma, family members of migrant workers are in dire need of remittances due to the low selling price of betel nut and rubber in Mon State. Nai Soe, a small business owner from Ye, said, I have a plot of land valued at 14 million kyat that I bought two years ago. I lowered the price down to 12 million and it is still on sale. With the low price of garden products and a longer dry season, it is difficult to survive. Even while we earn less from rubber and betel nut, the wage for labour is not cheap." ******************************************* World AIDS Day Ninety Sex Workers Rescued Kaowao: December 1, 2009 Four of the ninety sex workers who were rescued recently from human traffickers on Thailand s border have reportedly died from complications associated with the AIDS virus. Eight others are known to be suffering from the disease, but this has not been verified, according to social workers based in southern Thailand who work closely with the Mon Buddhist monks. They are distraught after learning about their real situation and are very depressed, said Ko Minn Paing, a social worker from social foundation. Uncle, I want to call my parents in Burma and hear their voices, one ethnic Mon said after learning she was going to die from the disease. According to her statement, she blames the Thai human trafficker gangs who had sold her to a motel owner for contracting the disease. She spent most of the last year sleeping with motel customers where she contracted the disease. Later she returned home where she began to fell unwell after five months. She did not know until last week when she was rescued that she had contracted the HIV virus. Upon

3 returning to Thailand the second time, she said the human smugglers didn t care about her feeling unwell, but only separated her from the other young girls who were later sold to the motel owner at a high price to work as sex slaves. We negotiated with some people from the gang involved in the sex industry in Ranong and was able to free twenty-eight girls secretly, said a Mon Buddhist to a Kaowao reporter. Most of young Mon girls working in the sex industry are from Mudon, Thanbyuzayat (Zobbu in Mon) and Ye township, Mon state. The girls say that their parents and the human traffickers who brought them over from the border into Thailand did not know that they had previously been in Thailand working in the sex industry. Two of the HIV victims are Mon girls from Karopi (Kroak Poay) and Taungpalu (Tongphalut) villages, Thanbyuzayt (Zopbyu) township, another is from Ye township who died while talking with the monk in the hospital. The organization arranged for the girls to be brought back to their area. However, they are too afraid to return home: We feel very sick and know that we will not live long. We cannot eat and drink because there is too much pain. We feel bad uncle, said a girl from Ye township to the Kaowao reporter. Some girls want to go home to their native villages, but would rather die in Thailand than go back to their family. They hope to receive medical treatment in Thailand. A Thai community organization in cooperation with members from the Mon community including Mon Buddhist monks saved the girls. They also arranged better jobs for the girls who decided not to go back to their village. ********************************************* Rescued Sex Workers Found HIV-positive By Taing Taw, Kaowao: November 28, 2009 Twelve of fifty-eight migrant sex workers rescued from a boat landing along the Burma coast in southern Thailand were found to be HIV-positive. Most are ethnic women from Mon State, Burma, said a social worker Ko Winn Paing based in Ranong, Thailand. They were sold for prostitution from the hands of human traffickers and were left behind after showing HIV symptoms. We later rescued them on November 24 from a boat landing and took them to the hospital. According to the social worker, eight are Lao Shan, an ethnic people from Mon state, and the other four are Mon and Burman. The migrants do not want to go back to their home village and instead want to live on the border where they can receive medical treatment. The community isolates those who have HIV and traditionally look down on sex workers. Burmese Women are vulnerable to HIV infection Thousands of Burmese women and children are lured and forced into Thailand every year by human traffickers to work in the sex industry. These numbers are expected to increase due to continued political repression in the coming months and the downtown in the world economy. Burmese women, in particular ethnic women who face language barriers back home and in Thailand, make up the bulk of the domestic workers and are targets for sexual exploitation and violence. Depending on their age, beauty and virginity they are bartered or kidnapped to work in the sex brothels.

4 These women contribute significantly back home, but poverty, human rights violations, and political repression committed by the Burmese government forces women to leave their villages to find work abroad in order to support themselves and their family said a Mon community worker. Not only are they exploited and denied their rights as workers, but they face an onslaught in contracting the AIDS virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. A recent report by the UN Development Fund on Asian women, HIV vulnerability of Migrant Women: From Asia to the Arab States, says a combination of excessive recruitment fees, poor wages, and poverty push migrants into a desperate situation. The report highlighted the fact that reintegration programmes form the best defense for those suffering from AIDS and in helping the victims. Migrants with HIV who are deported back to Burma "can be devastating for [their] health, well-being and livelihoods of migrants and their families," the report said. The idea of not being able to work abroad forces them into a vicious cycle "puts them at substantial risk of being trafficked" and over and over again. Ajjay Chibber, the UNDP regional director for Asia, said the migrants, who suffer discrimination from the time they arrive, would become more marginalized once they contracted HIV. "If they are found to be HIV positive, they risk deportation. Once returned to their home countries, they are unable to find work and face discrimination and social isolation," he said. According to the report, these countries should work to integrate their laws covering recruitment agencies, while putting in place "urgent reforms" in their labour laws to recognize domestic help as a formal profession. Simultaneously, Asian countries should step up HIV awareness and prevention programmes during predeparture orientation programmes for prospective migrants. Initiatives should also be undertaken to also promote "safe and informed migration", while embassy staff and those responsible for labour relations should be taught to be more sensitive to the plight of women, especially those who test positive for HIV. **************************************************** HRP Families Deported To NMSP Area Kaowao: December 1, 2009 Families of Honsawatoi Restoration Party (HRP) members were recently deported to Burma border opposite of Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi Province. According to local source from Halockhanee Mon refugee camp, about 19 members of HRP families were arrested by the Thai authorities at Bow Som Tun village of Thongpapom District and handed to the New Mon State Party office located near the Mon refugee camp inside Burma.

5 A Three Pagodas Pass Township Officer of the NMSP confirmed that three people had fled when they got off from the truck on their arrival and the remaining group is under investigation by the NMSP. He said the NMSP will arrange for the safety of HRP members and settlement. Colonel Nai Pan Nyunt broke away from the New Mon State Party with 153 troops and formed the HRP in November 2001 claiming the cease-fire agreement between the military junta and New Mon State Party was fruitless and resumed fighting against the junta. We respect him ((Colonel Pan Nyunt) because he is still fighting for the Mons despite facing hardship and his own children members were killed. Some Mon senior soldiers such as General Aung Naing and Nai Shaung have surrendered and negotiated with the enemy (Burmese Army). His weakness is lack of organizing and political skills but we will support what we can, commented a Mon monk who lives in Bangkok. The source close to HRP said Nai Pan Nyunt is living at the opposite of Prachup Kirikhan Province with a few fighters. ****************************************** Mon Schools Endure Funding Crisis By Lawi Weng, The Irrawaddy: December 1, 2009 Many schoolteachers in Mon State in southeastern Burma are currently working without salaries after international donors were unable to provide funds to Mon education authorities for the second half of this year. School administrators from Mon State who recently arrived at the Thai-Burmese border told The Irrawaddy that some teachers have not received salaries since June. The international donor agencies involved include the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the National Health and Education Committee (NHEC), which are based in Thailand. An OSI representative told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the funds have been approved, but were delayed and will be transferred to the Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) within the next two weeks. The NHEC does not provide salaries for Mon teachers, but funds educational materials. The NHEC is currently unable to provide materials to several ethnic education departments in Burma, including that of the Mon. An official from the NHEC told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the NHEC had not received the allocated funds from its respective donors. He said that the relevant funding has been delayed since June. In the meantime, he said, the NHEC is only able to cover funding for essential materials in Mon schools. In Mudon Township in southern Mon State, several village headmen have reportedly refused to allow schoolteachers to request money from local villagers to support the schools, because the headmen fear retribution from the the Burmese authorities. The MNEC operates under the guidance of the Mon cease-fire group, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), and oversees nearly 1,000 teachers at 271 schools in Mon State. According to recent data from the MNEC, there are 157 schools in Mon State which offer children tuition in Mon language, and

6 114 schools which offer a mixed curriculum of Burmese and Mon-language education. In 2007, according to the MNEC, Mon State had about 50,000 students studying in 375 schools. Some schools were forced to shut down by the Burmese authorities starting in A schoolteacher at a MNEC-affiliated school in Mon State generally receives a salary of 20,000 kyat (US $20) a month, whereas teachers at government schools earn twice that. When the NMSP signed a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese junta in 1995, an informal understanding arose between all parties allowing for Mon language to be taught in state-run schools in Mon State. By 2002, Mon classes had become an integral part of the school curricula in Mon State, a move seen by many local people as a benefit of the cease-fire agreement. However, relations soured in 2003 when the NMSP attended a national constitutional convention held by the regime, but left after a proposal to federalize Burma was rejected. Later, the party simply sent observers to the convention. The NMSP officially rejected the military government's constitution in 2008, and has indicated it will boycott the general election next year. Tensions are currently simmering as Naypyidaw has given the NMSP leaders until the end of December to accept its proposal to transform the Mon cease-fire group's armed faction into junta-controlled border guard units. ********************************************* Mon State USDA Launch Election Campaign Kaowao: November 26, 2009 An election campaign has been launched by Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) throughout parts of Mon state, a source from the Mon community told Kaowao. General Aung San fought for Burma s independence with 30 comrades. We have over a million members and we can do more for our nation if you vote for us, said one participant quoting one of the campaigners. We will focus on local development, health care, and education if you vote for us (USDA). The USDA campaign group is led by Minn Lun Aung, USDA Secretary of Kyaikmaraw (Kyaikmayaw) Township, followed by U Aung Myo, the former township educational department in charge and U Sein Hlaing. On November 20, the USDA s election campaign kicked off with a tour through Kaw Palaing, Kaw Soi, Kaw Sak, Tarana and Dhamasa Mon villages in Kyaikmaraw, Mon state and Kawkareik township in Karen State. These areas were first priority for the USDA because the Burmese candidates from the NLD and other parties were defeated by the Mon political party (MNDF) in the last 1990 election. The Mon political party won the most seats without much campaigning, said a political observer in Moulmein. A New Mon State Party officer of Thaton District based in this area told Kaowao that the local civilians are disappointed because the Burmese government has yet to announce its election rules. The USDA

7 said they can do more than other political organization and asked the voters to vote for them. We also want to hear from other parties too, he added. The USDA, founded by the SPDC as a GONGO (government organized non-governmental organization) in 1993, is notorious for its brutal crackdown on opposition forces along with security forces. It claims they have 22 million members as of In June, a Mon working committee, comprised of NMSP veterans, Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) members and retired civil servants, was formed to prepare for the upcoming 2010 election in Moulmein, capital city of Mon State. We are waiting for the SPDC s regulation and rules so we can prepare for the upcoming election; we can do nothing until then, said a spoke person from the Mon working committee. However, the main political parties, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) oppose the upcoming general election and Burma s 2008 constitution. ********************************************* Economic Recession Affects Mon Music Industry Kaowao: November 8, 2009 Sangkhlaburi -- During the current dry season in Burma, Mon music fans are enjoying fewer on-stage shows than last year, according to sources from a Mon entertainment group. Last year at this time, five Mon music bands Geeta Mon, Geeta Anarghot, Power Music, the Crocodile and Geeta Alinka kicked off their dry season concert schedules. This year, only Geeta Mon, Geeta Anarghot and Power Music remain. The others will not be performing. Our band was booked for 30 to 40 shows last year, but we have only 15 shows this year. It is very difficult to survive with a small profit while the cost for renting musical instruments and machines is more expensive, Jeltoi Nai of Geeta Mon said to Kaowao reporter. Compared to last year, the production of Mon music albums and karaoke CDs had dropped. We never make a profit releasing Mon albums but we are committed to doing it to maintain our culture, said Banya Ong, a well-known composer. Among the Mon bands, Geeta Mon has attracted the most attention and often performs at popular gatherings. Geeta Mon, a rock band, is based in Zobbu or Thanbyu Zayat town. It charges 3.5 million Kyat for one show (two nights). Depending on the distance from its home, travelling costs are added and people of Ye township pay about 3.7 million Kyat for the same show. Geeta Mon entertained at this year's Kyaik Maengweh Beach Festival while celebrities Lawee and Hong Chan performed at Thaung Pyin during Kyaik Maengweh in Ye Township, southern Mon State.

8 Mon celebrities are also gaining popularity in Thailand and other countries. Since many Mon people have moved to other countries as migrant laborers and refugees, Mon singers are popular among young migrant workers and teenagers overseas. According to Lawee, a young Mon musician, a Mon music band is booked to entertain in central Thailand. He hopes to take their music on a wider tour in order to reach out to the overseas Mon community. Some Mon bands have travelled to Thailand and Singapore to perform at outdoor concerts. Chan Ong, a Mon youth leader, said, It is bad that we cannot afford to watch the show because of economic hardship. Our Mon music is well liked by most teens and many Mons have no interest in singing Burmese songs. With the aim to promote Mon music and reach out to the general public effectively, the All Mon Music Association (AMMA) was formed six years ago. The AMMA is led by popular singers Hong Chan and Zehan Mon and coordinates with traditional Mon musicians and dancing groups in various venues to build cooperation and partnership for the shows. ******************************************************************* Burmese Army Closes Three Pagodas Pass Border Crossing Kaowao: October 31, 2009 Sangkhlaburi The Burmese Army has closed Three Pagodas Pass border and barred local people from walking across the border to work on Thai soil. "The closure of the border started this morning. The commander of the Burmese Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 283 ordered the closure. This will definitely cost both sides several million baht in revenue," said Nai Soe Mon, a businessman from the border town. About three thousand people from Three Pagodas Pass town inside Burma cross the border every day to work in the shoe and sewing industries in Thailand. Business at the border is booming due to cheap labor; workers earn about 70 to 200 Baht per day. Seventy-five percent of these day workers are women. The local community complained that the shoe, sewing and furniture industries on both sides would suffer from the border closure. The closure affects the many people working in the industries located around Three Pagodas Pass who rely on this main source of income in the border town. Restrictions on trade and frequent border closures limit border trade on the Three Pagodas Pass border. When the Thai government banned furniture from Burma in 2005, the Burmese Army prevented all Thai goods from being exported across the border. The main check point gate has closed since then but local authorities allow people to walk from other exits unofficially. ********************************************************

9 Southern Ye: Human Rights Abuses Continue Kaowao: October 31, 2009 About forty villagers from southern Ye Township, Mon State were recently taken hostage and released after paying a ransom, Kaowao has learned. According to one villager, an armed Mon group raided villagers on the evening of October 25th as they made their way home from work on garden farms, asking them for ransom. The villagers were ordered to pay twenty thousand Kyat each. Another villager told Kaowao that the armed group was from the Mon splinter group led by Nai Bin that operates in southern Ye and Yebyu townships. Human right abuses have continued in southern Ye since the 1995 cease-fire agreement. The NMSP has retreated from the area while the Burmese Army has taken up positions. Khawzar village is now a subtownship and an SPDC-administered area with a police station and No. 31 Infantry Battalion. It is very sad to see these villages that were once well looked after by the NMSP. Innocent Mon villagers are sandwiched between the Burmese Army and the Mon splinter groups. Some are being accused of being rebel-supporters by the Burmese army, and many have been torture and killed. The Mon armed groups, on the other hand, have forced them into taxation and even killed them when they haven t obeyed their commands, said Nai Ong, from Wae Kwao village. After the New Mon State Party reached a cease-fire agreement with the military junta in 1995, Nai Hloin split from the party to resume fighting against the Burmese Army. He and his brother Nai Bin led the Mon National Warrior Army (MNWA) and operated in southern Mon State and the northern part of Tenasserim Division. The two brothers were active until 2005 when Nai Hloin was injured and sought a safe haven in Thailand, away from the Burmese Army. Nai Sook Gloin (long hair) and Chan Dein succeeded their positions with remaining Mon guerrillas. Nai Bin came back and led the Mon armed group by using ambush tactics and guerrilla warfare. "Many villagers from southern Ye fled to Thailand and Malaysia because they were accused of being rebel supporters. They were tortured and their belongings, including houses, were confiscated and burnt down," said Ong, who lives in Malaysia now. Southern Ye is listed by the Burmese Army as a 'black zone.' Civilians face oppression under the name of military offensives to annihilate the Mon armed groups. By nature, this area is known for its coastal beauty and rich resources. Fishing and garden farms are the main income for local communities. ********************************************

10 KAOWAO NEWS GROUP Phone: , (Thailand) Mailing address P.O. Box 2, Sangkhlaburi Kanchanaburi, 71240, Thailand Kao Wao website: Kao Wao archive: Online Burma Library: ABOUT US Kaowao Newsgroup is committed to social justice, peace, and democracy in Burma. We hope to be able to provide an in-depth analysis that will help to promote lasting change and peace within Burma. Editors, reporters, writers, and overseas volunteers are dedicated members of the Mon activist community based in Thailand. Our motto is working together for change and lasting peace.