The deteriorating situation of people's rights and safety in Karen territory continues with the Burma Army's (Tatmadaw) continuing shelling, looting and vandalizing of villagers' property, cases of arbitrary arrest, torture, use of human shields, and the growing forced displacement.

Under the military coup regime, massive displacement in Mutraw district has resulted to a total of 82,220 internally displaced person (IDPs) affecting almost an entire district. The Burma Army continue to attack indigenous Karen communities through land and air. On the other hand, the Karen National Union guerilla has expressed to step up its defense of Karen territory and support to the pro-democracy movement against the military coup government and Tatmadaw.

The ILPS Commission 10 through its International Coordinating Group, with KPSN's Naw Wahkushee, continues to monitor and advocate for the genuine exercise of freedom, peace and self-determination for the Karen people and all ethnic nationalities in Burma.

Summary of November 2021 report from KPSN: Since June 2021, Burma Army troops have intensified shelling and persecution of civilians in Mutraw (Hpapun) District of northern Karen State, in retaliation for increased KNU guerrilla attacks, which are blocking the regime's supply routes and eroding their pockets of control in this mountainous border area.

Most of the shelling has taken place in southern Mutraw, along the main access road from Kamamaung on the Salween River to Hpapun town, where the regime's bases are centred. Shelling was heaviest in September, with dozens of shells fired nearly every day. Shells were fired indiscriminately into villages and fields, causing civilian injuries and damage to property, but failing to hit any military targets.

Unable to retaliate directly against their guerrilla assailants, regime troops have increasingly targeted villagers for collective punishment: looting and destroying property, arbitrarily arresting men and women, and using them as porters and human shields.

The regime's shelling and terror tactics have caused new displacement in southern Mutraw, bringing IDP totals to over 82,000 in the district – almost the entire rural population. Most of the IDPs remain sheltering in the jungle, not daring return home in case of renewed airstrikes after the rains. Unable to plant their rice-fields this year, they are in urgent need of food aid.

The full report in Burmese and English can be accessed here.

Some images of the displaced communities, the effect of Tatmadaw attacks, and the humanitarian aid to IDPs by KPSN. Photos from KPSN.

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