Myanmar: Leaving Home

Amnesty International is concerned about a variety of human rights which are systematically denied to civilians by the Myanmar government, particularly those belonging to ethnic minorities. The routine military interference with the exercise of human rights includes forced labor; forcible relocation; extortion of food, money, and other personal possessions; house destruction; and the denial of freedom of movement.

During May and June 2004, Amnesty International interviewed 115 migrant workers in seven locations in Thailand who were either working or searching for work. They were members of the Mon, Kayin, Kayah, Shan, Rawang, Tavoyan, and Bama ethnic groups, and followed the Buddhist, Muslim, or Christian faiths. They were employed mostly in the fishing, manufacturing, agricultural, construction, and domestic service industries.

"Every time the army comes they say Myanmar is on the road to democracy and we will have democracy soon—but they continue to order people to work for them and don’t mention the fact that forced labour is now against the law," states one 25-year-old Mon rice paddy farmer from southern Ye township, Mon State.

For the full report, see www.web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa160232005.