Honesty a bad policy

Honesty a bad policy, say commanders

Human Rights

Ever since 28 January, when the ICRC took its second investigative trip to Shan State, the local populace have been warned again against "giving away the Army", said recent refugee arrivals from southern Shan State. 

"If anybody is found revealing particulars about rapes, free labor, relocations or anything, not only will he suffer but also his family will," Col Hsan Htoon, area commander of Kunhing, 79 miles east of Taunggyi, reportedly said to the village headmen and elders at the town hall on 29 January. "Moreover, village headmen will face a 500,000 kyat fine plus 3 year prison term for carelessness in discharge of their duties. For tract headmen, it'll be a 800,000 kyat fine together with a 5 year prison term." 

Another meeting in Laikha, 130 miles northeast of Taunggyi, on 4 February, was presided over by Lt-Col Myint Zaw of Light Infantry Battalion 515, who said he was disturbed by the disclosures of the villagers in Wan Hti and Tartmawk tracts to the ICRC during its 29-31 January visit. "From now on, you are to say nothing. If found out, not only will we seize your property, both yourselves and your families shall be put to death, with your tongues severed and your throats cut," he was quoted as saying, by Sai Hla, 27, from Wan Hsarng, one of Laikha's village tracts. 

Laikha and Kunhing are two of the Shan townships that have been reported by rights groups as areas that have been undergoing the worst human rights abuses committed by the army, such as rapes, forced rice purchase, forced portering and extra-judicial killings, among others.