[RE: UA-31-2005: BURMA: Local officials set up on forced labour charges to cover for senior military officers; UP-69-2005: BURMA: Villagers lodge second complaint for detention of wrong persons in forced labour case]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received a reply from the International Labour Office (ILO) clarifying the complaints lodged by villagers in Taunggut Township, Arakan state, Burma over forced labour there.
The AHRC reported earlier (UA-31-2005) that three local government officials in Taunggut were arrested for ordering forced labour after villagers complained to the ILO, and that on March 12 villagers of Lamu village circle sent another written complaint that the real perpetrators, army officers, had not been punished (UP-69-2005).
According to the ILO liaison officer in Rangoon, Mr Richard Horsey, the punishment of the local government officials was justified, while the concern remains that the military officers also involved have escaped punishment. He wrote to the AHRC on July 1 that,
“Like your organization, the ILO is very concerned that there appears to have been no investigation of the army unit implicated in the allegation for ordering that forced labour be imposed. However, at the same time it seems clear that the local government officials involved were guilty of extortion and abuse of power in the context of implementing the instructions from the army. So while we continue to push for those ultimately responsible to be investigated and for the appropriate action to be taken, this is in addition to the steps already taken against the government officials. We do not believe that the government officials were wrongfully punished, nor have the villagers in question claimed that this is the case–rather, they have rightly pointed out that the army personnel who are most responsible have not been held accountable.” (Underline added)
As noted in the previous update sent by the AHRC (UP-69-2005), those army personnel are allegedly troops of Strategic Command No. 5, among them:
I. Infantry Battalion 544:
1. Saw Kyi Khin, Battalion Commander
2. Captain Thaw Lin
3. Captain Win Thein Oo
4. Captain Ne Hein
II. Light Infantry Battalion 346:
1. Major Chit Htun Naing
2. Sergeant Htun Shwe
3. Sergeant Kyaw Htay
4. Sergeant Nga Mei Khaung
According to additional documentation by the ILO, its office in Rangoon has not obtained cooperation from the authorities in investigating the allegations in Taunggut Township. Meanwhile, the ILO has expressed concerns over the prospects of it being able to continue with its mandate in tackling forced labour in Burma due to a lack of overall progress. A powerful army veterans group in the country has this week called on the government to withdraw from the ILO altogether.
Please continue to raise concerns over this case with the authorities in Burma in order that action is taken against the military officers implicated in this case. Please refer to the previous update (UP-69-2005) and modify the suggested letter to concentrate on the role of the army. It should be noted that whereas a number of local government officials have now been found guilty of ordering forced labour, no military officers have ever faced punitive action in Burma.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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