IDP Case Study: Mon State

There are approximately 100,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) living in Mon State hiding from the Burmese Army, who are actively looking for them. These people have been forced to flee their farms and villages, and precariously live in the jungle. They cannot establish crops as they fear they will attract the attention of the army, nor can they build structures, visit doctors is they are ill - malaria is an issue, and there are very limited opportunities for people to receive education.

Despite the hard conditions of the jungle, IDPs continue to live there rather than return to their villages. After 1998 the Burmese Army began forcibly confiscating large areas of land for military purposes, development projects and farming. The people whose land was taken were not compensated for their loss. Additionally the number of military personnel increases in the area and as a result human rights violations rose. People were killed, raped, tortured, used as forced labour, and forced to supply food and money to the army, among other things. Landmines are also an issue for people hiding. Also the forests are being cleared, which is destroying villages and the hiding places of the IDPs.

For those who are discovered by the SPDC army scavenging for food or possessions from villagers and the jungle, they are killed or used as forced labour under extremely hard conditions. Some people as made to work on development projects and others for the military. Villagers are regularly required to provide workers to the army.

But the Mon people cannot flee Burma and become refugees because of the 1995 verbal ceasefire agreement between the SPDC and the New Mon State Party. Thailand will only accept refugees as long as there is fighting occurring, thus as there is a ceasefire agreement Thailand does not recognise Mon people as fleeing from conflict.

Despite making the ceasefire agreement, the SPDC is not keeping it. There is no one in a watch dog role that has the influence and the power to ensure that the junta keeps it promise. As a result the villagers' lives are exactly the same as those before the ceasefire was reached.

Additionally for the Mon who continue to live in the SPDC controlled areas they are forced to speak Burmese and children must be taught in Burmese. They are not able to celebrate Mon festivals or to partake in their culture and traditions. While being part of the Mon ethnic group, they are being forced to live as Burmese.

There are non-government organisations (NGOs) in Mon State however they too are fearful of the SPDC and consequently their effectiveness is limited. The Mon people want to present their problems to the international community through the media, advocacy groups and NGOs. They also want safety, security, food, land and happiness for their families. They do not want war in Mon State, or in the rest of Burma.