Mon State: Rebel demands end to human rights violations
(Kaowao: February 20, 2007)

Long time guerrilla fighter, Nai Hloin vows to continue fighting against the Burman government forces that commit human rights violation in Mon State.

In spite of his group facing a large and ruthless army, 57-year-old Nai Hloin said, “though I have left the armed group in Mon State, human rights violations continue in southern Ye, my compatriots are occasionally carrying out guerrilla attacks against the Burma Army.”

In an interview with a Kaowao reporter, Nai Hloin says he wants to reach out to the public to support him in his campaign and while talking to a group of supporters recently he urged the public to join him.  “We must enlarge our hit and run attack force,” he said as he walked toward the crowd with a small limp.

“The BA has expanded its troops into our area.  We cannot wage a position war, our tactic is to disturb the Burma Army with mobile attacks, hit and run.  I want to retire and live a peaceful life but I can’t stop the movement since I see many of my people including my relatives being tortured by them (BA),” said the long time fighter.

After he was wounded in 2005 he left his group to seek asylum and medical attention in Thailand with the help of UNHCR office.

About 50 guerrillas are operating sparsely throughout the area and are well supported by Mon community.  The Burma Army regularly tortures villagers from Southern Ye after accusing them of supporting the Mon armed groups.  Local farmers are restricted to work on their farms and have to obtain the authority's permission to go to their plantation and return home early in the evening.

In December last year, several women were rounded up and tortured by Infantry Battalion No. 31 of the Burmese Army in retaliation for an ambush attack by a Mon guerrilla group during a military operation in southern Ye, Mon State.

After the New Mon State Party reached a cease-fire agreement with the military junta in 1995, Nai Hloin split from the party to take up arms against the Burma Army.  The two brothers, Nai Hloin and Nai Bin were active until early 2005 before they sought a safe haven in Thailand due to the Burma Army’s brutal offensive in the area.

In 60th Year, Mon National Day attracts thousands
Kaowao: February 8, 2007

Bangkok – The 60th anniversary of the Mon National Day was celebrated around the world, which drew many thousands of participants.

Wat Siri Molkorn, a Mon temple in Maharchai, Thailand, hosted about 6000 Mons with senior abbots, Thai local authorities, and representatives from the Mon Unity League, New Mon State Party and Harn Yawnghwe, the son of Sao Shwe Thaike, the last hereditary ruler of the Shan principality of Yawnghwe and the first president of the Republic of the Union of Burma.

"It is our greatest day where Thai Mons, migrant Mons and overseas Mon meet together and donate food, money and services.  Even though, we cannot freely celebrate our national day back home, this event grows stronger each year here and in other parts of the world,” said Nai Nerada, a Buddhist monk from Siri Molkorn Temple who organized the event.

During the nights of February 1st and 2nd the biggest Mon music stars led by Hongsar Marn, Ramarn and Joey Marn entertained the crowd.

Other Similar events and activities were held at Wat Klong Jet, Wat Jedi Thong with Mon culture troupes, sport’s competition, improvised music, and public assembly.

Organized by Mon National Democratic Front (liberated area), the MND was held at the China Community Hall in Kulua Lumpur, Malaysia with about 1500 people attending.  Mon MP, Nai Thaung Shein was among the activists and refugees present.

Inside Burma, the MND was largely celebrated at Paneng Pein near the headquarters of the NMSP with over two thousand attendants and NMSP leaders.  Other celebrations took place at districts and townships of NMSP administration offices with local talent entertaining the guests.  In Rangoon and Pegu, the celebration was a modest affair held inside the monasteries.

The Mon National Day is largely celebrated in Burma in the areas dominated by Mon inhabitants in Mon State, Karen State, Rangoon, and Pegu.  The celebration has now expanded across Asia, Europe, Australia and North America where Mon communities live and enjoy some freedom in third countries.
 

Reflection On A Glorious Past and Aspiration for A Prosperous Future
(By Siri Mon Chan)

As the curtain comes down on another Mon National Day, I sit here in Canada where the rivers freeze over in the middle of the winter. The temperature outside has plummeted and the bitterly cold arctic air is bearing down on the western prairies once again. I have participated in Mon National Day at different stages in my life: as young boy in my home village; as a lover while a student in university; as a soldier in a military uniform; as a revolutionist in the deep jungle; and now as a Mon activist in exile in a western country. Each stage provides a vastly different perspective of a place in time and space.

The past 10 years has been an amazing journey for me and I am able to reflect on my good fortune living in a free country. At this time of the year, I enjoy rediscovering the long ancient history of the Mon and their contributions to humanity and learn of a people who had once been at the forefront of technology and civilization in Southeast Asia. Our people in the past and present have been regarded as a ‘people of high culture and peace’, who formed strong communities that ‘fostered social order and prosperity’ as acknowledged in The Mons: A Civilization of Southeast Asia, a book by Mon scholar, Dr. Emmanuel Guillon.

Hongsawatoi was one such kingdom founded in 573 A.D. It was a prosperous, independent city, famous throughout its history in lower Burma and was once known as Pegu. It was for many centuries a regional hub of cultural and religious activity and was a major trading port for princes and merchants alike. The Mon invested a lot of energy and time learning the ancient Pali and Sanskrit text of Buddhism and it is in this famous city that skilled scribes developed our writing system within the monastic community. Mon farmers developed irrigation in the Salween delta, tradespeople refined metallurgy and other groups in the region eagerly sought after these skills. Through the centuries this city was transformed over time and established diplomatic relations with all nations near and far, conducted free and fair world trade with Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, China, France, England, Portugal, Spain and the Middle East. We had long enjoyed a peaceful and cordial relationship in trade and foreign affairs with other countries in the world.

In school in Mon State we are taught of the great deeds of kings and queens that ruled over lower Burma and how they promoted such Buddhist concepts of anatta, the non-Ego, the absence of self, or anicca, impermanence. One can glimpse this way of thinking in the building of stupas, monasteries and temples that attest to peaceful coexistence of our relations with other peoples.

I close my eyes and imagine what life must have been like for our people who lived with peace, dignity and prosperity, a stark contrast to our way of life now living under the repressive Burmese regime. Hongsawatoi was brutally attacked and occupied by the Burmans in 1757 AD. Thousands were driven away to escape certain death, while others constrained by poverty or other obstacles endured the persecution.

We have enjoyed freedom at most points in our history and we will again. I am sure of it.  While our far-sighted Mon rulers were determined to develop our Mon kingdom in terms of economic, social and political conditions, we did not fail to pay attention to mutual and peaceful co-existence with other nations and countries in the world.

Unity is the most important precondition for us to regain our dignity and sovereignty. We have a well-established historical background, a well-developed civilization, our resources both in terms of human and natural resources and our state’s infrastructures will support a strong civil society, local governance and an administrative system. We urgently and desperately have to unite to reach our ultimate goal of national liberation.

Violence used to disrupt Mon national day at Three Pagodas Pass
(Kaowao: February 3, 2007)

Mon National Day celebration at the Three Pagodas Pass border was cancelled after a grenade was thrown into the celebration ground yesterday.

Nai Sark, an organizer of the MND said the grenade attack by unknown men injured two persons in the compound area of Taing Tayar or Dayaing Klom Mon Monastery where the celebration was held on the Thai-Burma border town.

“No group claimed responsibility of the attack but it was planned to dampen our celebration.  The MND celebration has gained wider public support and the event that night drew thousands of people to the area.  We are well organized and this may have riled up other rival groups to disrupt the event,” said the organizer of the MND.

Mon National Day’s assembly successful took place in the morning and about three thousand Mon and other ethnic civilians joined in the celebration.  The entertainment had planned to host a beauty contest and a cultural performance during evening, but was cancelled due to the bomb attack.

The attackers believed to be members of an armed group, shot back at the New Mon State Party’s security unit.  Following the attack, the security unit followed the men who fled away on motorcycles and fired shots at the NMSP security officer.

Nai Tun Lwin, an officer of the NMSP said the attack occurred during the exchange of the NMSP troops about 7:30 pm before the start of events; otherwise there were more serious casualties.  Two men were detained for further investigation.

Candlelight a factor behind school fire
(Kaowao: February 2, 2007)

A fire that destroyed a Mon community girls’ school on February 2nd could have been caused by a burning candle during the Mon National Day celebration at Nyisar Panang Pein village.

“Nobody got hurt because all the girls were attending the Mon National Day parade organized by the New Mon State Party, but all school supplies and personal belongings (books and clothes) were destroyed,” said Nai Aikom, officer of MNEC.

The school and most of the buildings are made of bamboo and thatch and quickly caught fire burning down the surrounding buildings including a kitchen and a warehouse.

The girls’ school hosted about 70 girls and 4 female teachers, the damage from the fire is estimated to be about 10 million Kyats.

The Nyisar Mon National High School under the supervision of MNEC was built with the help of NMSP and the local community.  Many students from the surrounding area of Mon State lived there and attended the boarding school.

"All my books and clothes are gone, the only thing I have left is my costume for the MND, the others are in the same boat," said Ms. Nyan Mon, a Nyisar student.

In Mon State, southern Burma, most rural homes and buildings are roofed with palm leaf and are built of woven bamboo and bamboo poles, with many buildings in close proximity making it a risk of a fire hazard. The community has no modern emergency fire equipment on hand in case of a fire.

Mon National Education Committee is seeking help to rebuild the school and will need new school supplies for the girls, including desks, blackboards, books, food, blankets and clothes.

Donors can contact the MNEC at 034 595 336 or Mon Refugee Committee at 034 595 080.

Worldwide, Mon prepare for Mon National Day
Kaowao: January 27, 2007

Bangkok – Organizers of Mon National Day committees in their hometown locations are preparing to mark the 60th anniversary of Mon National Day which will fall on February 2nd, 2007.

As the auspicious annual celebration draws near, the Mon National Day Committees have been working hard for the event that will draw in thousands from cities to villages.

According to Mon Unity League based in Bangkok, the Mon migrant communities are preparing to celebrate in several locations in Samutsarkhorn, Pathomthani and Lopburi of central Thailand.

The Thai-Mon community will host a modest festivity at Ban Kan Mak Village in Muang District of Lopburi while the majority of migrant workers will gather at Sirimonkun Temple with calm water canal access for participants on the Thachin River near Mahachai. The celebrations will allow speakers to express themselves in the morning and entertainment will take place in the evening at Maharchai and Klong Jet, near Bangkok.

Jointly hosted by Mon Canadian Society, Mon Women Organization and Mon Buddhist Temple (Canada) the Mon National Day in Calgary took place today from 6:00 p.m to midnight at Penbrooke Community Hall. Placing a high value on family, these events featured cultural performances by family members, Mon cuisine and speeches from community leaders.

“It is a great opportunity for us, to welcome Canadians and friends in honoring our heritage”, said Ms. Anjalii Mon, Chairperson of the event.

The Mon National Day is largely celebrated back home in Burma in the areas dominated by Mon inhabitants in Mon State , Karen State , Rangoon and Pegu.  This year’s celebration has grown in Mon immigrant communities across Asia, Europe, Australia and North America where Mon live and enjoy some freedom.

Overseas Mon communities are preparing for a joint statement in four languages (Mon, English, Thai and Burmese).  At this time 13 Mon organizations from North America, Europe and Asia Pacific signed to join in.

Opinion
What lies ahead for Burma 's cease-fires
Ashley South

Between 1989 and 1995, 20-plus armed ethnic groups agreed cease-fires with the Burmese military government. This year, these agreements are likely to come under renewed pressure.

Since the fall of ex-prime minister Khin Nyunt in October 2004, the situation for most cease-fire groups has deteriorated, as they no longer have access to the centre of power in Burma .  The situation is particularly difficult for groups such as the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), which have publicly challenged the government - including by endorsing Burma 's inclusion on the UN Security Council agenda.

Since it reconvened in 2004, 28 cease-fire groups have sent over one hundred delegates to the National Convention - although most realise that this process is designed to perpetuate and institutionalise military rule. The NMSP, KIO and several other cease-fire groups have issued demands regarding the type of (broadly federal) constitution they would like to see emerging from the convention.  In doing so they have sketched the outlines of what a future political settlement to "the ethnic question" in Burma might look like. Although most of their demands have been rejected by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), in expressing their aspirations the cease-fire groups have raised the political profile of Burma 's ethnic nationalities.

With the National Convention drawing to a close, it seems likely that the military government will turn its attention to the cease-fire groups. With arrangements for a new constitution in place, the government will likely seek to "regularise" their situation, either by incorporating the cease-fire groups into state command-and-control structures, as local militias, or by forcing them to disarm - as occurred with two groups in Shan State in 2004.

Some organisations may be willing to settle for a degree of autonomy and restricted political participation under the new constitution, which designates six sub-provincial administrations. According to this view, any constitution is better than continued direct rule by the military: although the space available to ethnic nationality and other parties under the new constitution will be very limited, it will at least allow them to participate in above-ground politics, from "within the legal fold". However, other cease-fire groups (including the NMSP) have indicated that they will refuse to hand over their weapons until a comprehensive political settlement is reached.

Probably, Tatmadaw Regional Commanders will be given scope to pick-off non-compliant cease-fire groups, as the opportunity arises. Although the regime may hope to gain some international credit by taking on organisations associated with the drugs trade, the most powerful ethnic armies, such as the 20,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA), will probably be left until last. Such considerations leave militarily weaker cease-fire groups, such as the NMSP, looking vulnerable.

The cease-fires have resulted in a mixed picture of positive and negative developments. Problems associated with the cease-fires are well documented, and include the Tatmadaw expansion into previously contested zones, accompanied by widespread land confiscation to build new army bases. Also, land has been confiscated in the context of "development projects", and under the Tatmadaw's self-support policy. Another problem associated with the cease-fires is the continuing incidence of forced labour and other rights abuses in areas adjacent to cease-fire zones. Most assessments of the cease-fires are produced by opposition groups and supporters. These generally underestimate positive developments, focusing instead on the many ongoing problems in these troubled regions. The positive aspects of the cease-fire are less widely discussed, and tend to focus as much on process, as on the substance of short-middle term results. Positive developments include a relative decrease in the most serious forms of human rights abuse, in those areas where cease-fires have held.

Efforts to rehabilitate and resettle displaced populations and reconstruct communities have also been a result of the cease-fires. The post-cease-fire re-emergence of civil society networks is among the most significant, but underappreciated, aspects of the social and political situation in Burma over the past decade. For example, local communities have supported programmes such as the Mon language and culture courses, conducted over the school summer holidays in over one hundred monasteries across lower Burma.

In response to criticism from the ethnic communities they seek to represent, a few cease-fire groups have grappled with internal reform. The NMSP and KIO in particular have demonstrated a degree of democratic political culture, reflecting their 20 years of participation in pro-democracy alliances, such as the National Democratic Front and Democratic Alliance of Burma.

Policy-making within NMSP and KIO leadership circles usually involves a fair degree of debate and disagreement - which has sometimes resulted in damaging schisms and splits. Both the NMSP and KIO deserve credit for eliciting public participation in decision-making, by consulting with villagers, religious and civil society leaders from their communities, regarding whether and how to engage with the military government.

The NMSP is in a particularly difficult position. The three small blocks of territory granted to the party under the June 1995 cease-fire agreement are vulnerable to Tatmadaw incursion.  Neighbouring Thailand , whose security establishment helped to push the NMSP into the cease-fire, is unlikely to be sympathetic to any resumption of armed conflict in Mon areas. The NMSP has been the most outspoken of the cease-fire groups. Indeed, since December 2005, the party has refused to endorse the National Convention, sending only a small team of "observers" to the forum. Although some activists might like the party to go further in its defiance of the government, the NMSP probably can do little more without definitively breaking the cease-fire - and bringing humanitarian disaster to Mon State.

The cease-fire groups will soon have to decide whether or not to participate in the restricted political space outlined in SPDC's new constitution. In part, such decisions will depend on the position of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. The NMSP's attempt to "sit on the fence" will not be tenable for much longer. The party has been dealt a weak hand of cards - but has so far played them pretty well (sometimes as much by luck as judgement). While retaining relations with the government, the NMSP is the only cease-fire group that still enjoys credibility within opposition circles (including most exile groups), and remains in contact with its old insurgent allies.

In 2007 the cease-fire groups are likely to come under renewed pressure from the SPDC.  However it responds, the NMSP deserves credit for having got this far, while still preserving its basic integrity.

Ashley South
Bangkok
(The Nation:  08-01-07)

Ashley South is an independent writer and consultant, working on humanitarian issues and ethnic politics in Burma . He is the author of, "Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma : The Golden Sheldrake" (RoutledgeCurzon 2005).