WARNING: This report contains graphic images that may be disturbing to some readers.

Attack on Mai Ja Yang city and IDP site

The Burma Army is currently attacking within six miles of Mai Ja Yang, a city and a refuge for over 1,000 displaced people who fled from other areas since fighting started in June 2011. Everyone in the town has their bags packed and are ready to flee. On 13 January 2012, 60 elderly people who are unable to walk were taken by car to a new Internally Displaced Person (IDP) site. The Burma Army is firing an average of 100 mortar rounds per day and is receiving reinforcements.

Burma Army Division 88 and LIB 321, under the control of the Southern Division, have two camps close to Mai Ja Yang: Yaw Yawng and Kawng Lawt Camps. In Mai Ja Yang there are two IDP camps: Ung Lung and Gat Pa, which have accommodated displaced people since July 2011 and now house over 1,000 IDPs in total.

In the same area, on 12 January 2012, Division 88 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 321 shot a villager named Mi San, age 40 and a father of three, from Kawng Nan Village, Lwe Je Township. He was returning from his farm when he met the Burma Army troops. They arrested him, tied his hands, and made him walk in front of the soldiers to show the way. After one Burma Army soldier stepped on a landmine, the soldiers became angry and shot Mi San. The bullet went through his mouth and out the back. The KIA (Kachin Independence Army; pro-democracy ethnic resistance) found his body and started to burn the body, but Burma Army soldiers began shooting, forcing the KIA to leave the site. The Burma Army is telling local villagers that KIA killed Mi San.

Because of ongoing fighting in the area, 4,000 people from around Lwe Je have fled to Laying IDP Camp on the international border. This camp now contains 8,000 displaced people. Major needs are not enough toilets or plastic sheeting for roofs.

Fighting and IDPs near Mai Ja Yang

Villager Mi San shot by Burma Army

Two women killed and two men injured by Burma Army in KIA 2nd Brigade area

Burma Army Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 389 and 390 shot and killed two women between Nam Ya and Seng Hpra Villages in the KIA's 2nd Brigade area on 11 January 2012. Their names were Lgwi Ying Yawm, 17 years old, and Gawlu Lu Seng, aged 18.

As Burma Army LIB 388 passed Mung Maw Village while traveling from Ba Maw to Seng Lum, a tire exploded nearby. Apparently believing it was an attack, the Burma Army troops fired into the village injuring two ethnic Shan men: Min Min, 26, and Nyi Htwi, age 30.

Attack on Prangatung Village

Burma Army Division 88, with about 300 soldiers, entered Prangatung Village on 7 December 2011 after fighting with KIA Battalion 15. They burned three houses; the owners of the houses were Jang Ma Anaw (the village headman), Jang Ma Sharoi and Maru Dau Lum. This is the second time that Jang Ma Anaw's house was burned by the Burma Army; the first time was in 1993 in Mung Hka Village.

Villagers had originally fled this village in June when fighting first began, then later returned to their homes but fled again on 17 November 2011. There are 67 houses in the village, of which almost all were plundered and household items destroyed. All the farm animals were killed. The village contained approximately 300 villagers who fled to Wa Ra Pa, Je Gau Pa, Seng Mai Pa, Bum Rim Zup, and Mai Ja Yang IDP camps.

After the Burma Army troops left Prangatung Village, they went to reinforce the second group of Division 88 in Maruyinsun Village on 9 December 2011. Burma Army troops withdrew from the village after fighting KIA troops defending the village. Before the Burma Army left they burned one house in Maruyinsun Village. Jang Ma Braung Nan, the house owner, lost 40 sacks of rice he had stored, which were either eaten or burned by the Burma Army.

The Burma Army continued to Den Woi and then on to Lwe Je. Two other groups from Mo Maw reinforced this group at Lwe Je. All these units are now involved in the attack on Mai Ja Yang.

One of three burned homes in Prangatung Village

Home ransacked by Burma Army in Prangatung Village

Jang Ma Braung Nan's burned home in Maruyinsun Village

Attack on Nam Lim Hpa Village

Note: This attack was previously documented by Partners Relief and Development and included in a previous report. The following is independent documentation from a Free Burma Ranger team that visited the village in early January 2012.

Burma Army IB 276 and Battalion 74, with a combined strength between 180 and 200 soldiers, attacked Nam Lim Hpa Village on 8 October 2011 at 11:30 am. First they shot 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds as well as small arms into the village causing the
villagers to flee. Three of the houses were damaged by mortars and four people were killed in the attack:

1. Palai Nan Naw, a 9-year-old boy, was hit in the chest by mortar shrapnel. He was killed on 8 October 2011 at 11:30 am.

2. Pausa Naw Din, age 17, was killed on 8 October 2011 at 11:00 am. He was shot by the Burma Army as they entered the village.

3. Brang Nan, age 34, was killed on 9 October 2011 at 11:00 pm. He was shot by a Burma Army patrol on the road as he was returning to the village.

4. Wa Je Myuli, age 17, was killed on 9 October 2011 at 11:00 pm; shot by a Burma Army patrol on the road as he was returning to the village.

House damaged from mortar

During the attack, the Burma Army locked 33 village women and 6 babies in the pastor's house behind the church, and locked 20 men in the church. The women were forced to cook for the Burma Army. Some of the men were beaten in the church. The hostages were freed after 11 days except for 5 men who were taken to Si U Burma Army camp. They were freed after 2 weeks.

The BA burned a house belonging to Lah Pai Sham Lum, age 61, on 8 October 2011. He began building his house again near Hka Hpraw IDP camp along with one of his daughters and one grandson. During the process of building his new house his grandson died of malaria. He buried his grandson near the new house. However the man was so saddened by his grandson's death that he couldn't stay at the new location and moved 300 meters to another location in the jungle.

Nam Lim Hpa Burned House

The village headman was not well and before the village was attacked he went to Ba Maw Town to get treatment. After the attack on the village the Burma Army knew the headman was in Ba Maw and went to see him. They told the village headman that the village was attacked because there was 50 KIA soldiers in the village. He was told that the villagers that were hurt and killed were not the fault of the Burma Army; they were just caught in the middle of the fight. Even though the attack happened on 8 October they told the headman that the fighting started on the 9th because that was when the KIA arrived in the village. They made a list of what they claimed had happened and had the headman sign it. They told him to go back to the village and collect the headmaster and other village leaders to make a proper report and then give it to the authorities so the blame wouldn't be on the Burma Army. The headman returned to the village but did not make the report after the villagers told him what had actually happened.

Before the attack there were 1,800 villagers in 286 houses in Nam Lim Hpa Village. 1,400 villagers fled to Ba Maw Town, but there are still 400 people in the jungle near the village. These 400 villagers have divided into 3 camps. The major sicknesses in the camps are malaria and diarrhea. Two villagers who are medics are caring for the people but only have a little medicine. Villagers are still able to work their farms but then return to sleep in the jungle because they are afraid the Burma Army may return.

Attack on Nam Hpu Village

Battalion 105/47 containing 220 soldiers attacked Nam Hpu Village on 16 July 2011. The villagers fled to Bhamo and IDP
camps. There are a very few families that are living in the jungle near the village. Some of the villagers returned back to the village to check on their houses and belongings. Two or three of the 20 houses had been ransacked.

Burma Army forces Maji Gung villagers to carry loads

Four men from Maji Gung Village were captured by Division 99, which has 156 soldiers. These men were used as porters to carry weapons and ammunition. Their names are:

1. Hpakawn Yaw Han aged 55. Has a family of 7 children.
2. Maran La Sam aged 21.
3. Hpakawn Tang Gun aged 19.
4. Hpauyam Da Wi aged 37.

Men forced to porter for Burma Army

Current Overall Situation of Displaced People

Since the fighting started on 9 June 2011 some 40,485 Kachin villagers have fled to Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps on the international border due to fighting. There is an unknown number of IDPs who have not made it to camps yet and are still in the jungle or have fled to major cities to live with relatives. The IDP camps along the border are as listed below:

• Laiza area:12,104 displaced people
• Laisen area: 1,642 displaced people
• Sadaung area: 5,803 displaced people
• North Division: 1,662 displaced people
• Eastern Division: 16,635 displaced people
• Western Division: 2,328 displaced people
• Southern Division: 311 displaced people

Most of the aid for these villagers comes from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO -- pro-democracy ethnic resistance), local Chinese and Kachin businessmen, a Kachin church-based humanitarian group called Wunpawng Ninghtoi, and Partners Relief and Development.

A large number of IDPs have fled to the cities as they are not able to get to the border camps. The Burma Army has set up a camp for these IDPs in the Nam Kham area which is in the 4th Brigade area of the KIA (Kachin Independence Army; defense wing of the KIO). It is not known how many IDPs are in this camp. Burmese President Thein Sein gave the order for these people to all return home because there is no longer any fighting. The IDPs do not believe him and are refusing to return to their villages. However, some IDPs have been taken in by church groups which is a much better situation for them.

There are more displaced people hiding in the jungle in KIA 4th Brigade area, however no one is able to reach them due to Burma Army activity.

Overview of Burma Army Activity

According to KIA records there were 161 battles between the KIA and the Burma Army during December. Since the fighting began on 9 June 2011 there have been 910 recorded battles. The Burma Army continues to reinforce their camps. There are currently 105 Burma Army battalions consisting of 12,075 soldiers in Kachin State. In addition to rifles, the Burma Army is using artillery and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The most severe fighting is currently around Ya Krung, Chying Ling, Di Ma Mahkrai, Hu Mung and Sama Lamshe Villages, all in different parts of Kachin State. The Burma Army is building camps at Pakang, Sampai, Wuhtau, Lahpai, Talawgyi, Sinlum (a major artillery position) and Nam Lek.

God bless you,

Kachin Free Burma Ranger team

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

The sun is coming up after a night movement from the mountains down to the plains of Burma. It is here that the Burma Army has feudal rule with tight control over people's lives and camps surrounding the forced relocation sites. Up in the mountains the Burma army shoots to kill, but there is room to get away and the resistance is strong enough to slow and sometimes stop Burma Army attacks. Two days ago in the mountains, we could hear the Burma Army shelling towards Karen villages as they advanced to supply their camps. In Kachin state our team is helping over 40,000 IDPs displaced in ongoing attacks.

Down in the plains the Burma Army has almost complete control. But, it is impossible to fully control people who have the conviction that all people are equal in the sight of God and that this is their home. . Here in Burma we still face giants, but we do not face them alone.

We moved like mice in between the Burma Army camps and patrols to meet the people in the relocation sites. We met them in the bushes and trees that separated the miles and miles of rice fields. "The church is the greatest source of unity here", the local underground resistance leader told us. "Oppression, imprisonment and death has caused fear to grow in us and between us, breaking down our trust and unity." As we prayed about our meetings with the people here, our medic, Eliya, shared these words from Psalm 100: "Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands, serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing, know that the Lord, He is God, it is He who has made us and not we ourselves, we are His people and the sheep of His pasture, enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name, for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations."

We did not make ourselves, God made us and we are His and we also belong to each other. We can live with joy and boldly, knowing we are God's children. From this relationship with God and each other, come the convictions that we live and act on.

We met Karen Christians, Burmese Buddhists and Karen Buddhists and felt close to all. Into our little hide site came a man we met on the last mission to the plains, the father of one of our team members and the leader of the underground here. He was beaming and under his thin windbreaker showed us the FBR t-shirt he dared to wear. He smiled proudly and then grabbed my arms and we began to wrestle like we did when we met last year. He was testing my strength, courage and sense of humor, and to see if we were still brothers. I call him "Big bear" as he is a very stout and strong man, built like a Mongolian warrior, with a bull neck, broad chest, powerful arms, and tree stump like legs. His smile is clear and the love of life shines through him.

Later that night we met other church leaders and for the next four days and nights moved and met many leaders from different relocation sites. We prayed together and shared experiences and listened to their thoughts, needs and convictions. An elder told us, "I had to watch every step to come here. No matter what is said about changes, the Burma Army can still kill you anytime. We are glad you came and we pray for the end of restrictions we live under." Another man from this village told us of two farmers who were shot by Burma troops two months ago, one a father of four, killed, and another one wounded.

One pastor told us, "We have been praying for the leaders to change and thank God we do see some changes. But still there is oppression, so it seems the change is only of the mind. We need a change of heart too. We pray now that God will grab Senior General Than Shwey's heart! Last week the Burma army told us, 'Now there is change in Burma, if you contact the Karen National Union (Karen pro-democracy resistance), you will be severely punished'." Another church leader said, "We have been forced to move three times. The Burma army just told some of us that we could go back home, but when we asked about proof in writing, there was none. Is it a trap? Going back to our original homes can be true vision if we pray. I know God's plans are above ours, and dreams like this can come true."

A woman's group leader told us, "We need to be free. We want unity and we also need help with our schools, churches and Early Child Care Development programs."

One man had just been released from prison after serving 5 years after being accused of helping the KNU. "I was beaten badly when I was arrested and then taken to Toungoo prison. There I was fed rice and salt water. I was watched all the time and only allowed to pray in Burmese and not in my Karen language. I spent much time in solitary. I knew the Karen lady medic who was captured and saw her in prison too."

Another man in his 60's told us, "Last year, I was captured by the Burma army on the trail and had four of my teeth knocked out by the soldiers. I was beaten with sticks and clubbed with a rifle to my entire body. After six days of torture my friends were able to pay 300,000 kyats to the army and I was released."

A pastor told us, "Things have gotten a little better and we are stopped at check points less than before. After 60 years of war, hearts need to change. My message to Aug San Suu Kyi is, 'Please remember the ethnic people of Burma.' All of us should be united, and for me the church is the central pillar of unity. We want all churches to be free. We do not want to have to apply for permission as we do now. Now we have to apply for permission to hold special church events, for building projects, and for any traveling we want to do. I do want to thank you all for the gifts you gave us last time and for the bibles and hymnals. We used the gift to make a wooden library to safely store all of our bibles, hymnals and books. Now we need more bibles and hymnals. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you."

We committed to helping each community and church as much as we could and are grateful for the help of Partners and others. As we talked, I told them about the German theologian Dietrich Bonheoffer stood for the Jews and other oppressed people in WWII. Bonheoffer gave up his life to stand against Hitler's Nazi oppression. Bonheoffer died in a concentration camp just before the war ended and freedom came. Even the end of WWII did not mean freedom for all. For many in Eastern Europe, China and other places, oppression under another name continued.

Last year the former Czech President Vaclav Havel died. He was one of many who stood for freedom until Eastern Europe too was free. He was a friend of FBR and here in Burma we paid tribute to him with a memorial service, prayer and song. Here in Burma, like Havel and Bonheoffer, we are directed by the conviction that God wants us to stand with and help His people be free.

God's power of love brings change in each of us and helps us to move forward together to be part of His freedom, mercy and grace everywhere.

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family and FBR teams.

Karen State, Burma.

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Map showing area of report

Burma Army patrols kill man and demand forced labor in Toungoo District

On 24 December 2011, at 4:30pm, troops from Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 380, based at Naw Soe Camp, shot and wounded and then beat to death Saw Koh Mya, age 31, from Ku Ler Der Village, while on patrol. They then looted his body and left him half buried by the side of the trail.

On 29 December 2011, a column from LIB 375, patrolling in the Play Hsa Loh area, forced villagers to transport their food to Htee Mu Hta Camp. They used 60 oxcarts owned by villagers from Ye Shan, Sha Zee Bo, See Phyu Kone, Taw Kone and Pyin Kan villages.

On 30 December 2011, at 12pm, a Burma Army bulldozer travelling with a security column left Kler La heading toward Ler Hsa Day, which is between Klay Soh Hkee and Kler La. They forced one villager to use his truck to carry food to Naw Soe Camp.

On 7 December, LIB 378 fired 10 mortar rounds at Ko Way Village. Five of the 10 landed in the village and destroyed some houses. This was a response to a Karen pro-democracy resistance, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), attack on the battalion earlier that day. There were no KNLA troops in the village when the mortar fire occurred.

Burma Army soldiers in Kler La Camp, Toungoo District

Father of FBR team member loses leg to landmine

Overview of Burma Army Troops in Toungoo District

Military Operations Command (MOC) 9 and Southern Command are operating in the area. There are 20 battalions between them. LIBs 380 and 374 have both sustained losses due to attacks from the KNLA and have combined to make the size of one full battalion. LIB 378, commanded by Lin Htaing Oo, is in the Thandaung area. LIB 375 is above Pa Lay Wa. LIB 379 is responsible for road and bulldozer security. The primary activity of the Burma Army here is road construction and moving supplies. There is one Burma Army bulldozer at Naw Soe Camp and one at Busakee Camp. These are hidden under camouflage to protect them from resistance attacks. Because of the effectiveness of these attacks, different Burma Army battalions are not sharing their bulldozers with each other out of fear they will be destroyed.

Multi-ethnic Team Conducts Relief Mission in Mutraw and Toungoo Districts

OVERVIEW: During the month of December, ten Free Burma Ranger teams, including team members from Arakan, Karen, Karenni, Lahu, Mon, Naga, and Pa-Oh areas of Burma, conducted a relief mission in Luthaw Township of Mutraw District, and Daw Pa Ko Township in Toungoo District. The teams visited eight villages and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) sites. They conducted Good Life Club (GLC) programs for children in each site, interviewed teachers and local village leaders, gathered information on Burma Army activity in these areas, and put on clinics for all villages in the area of each site. Altogether, the teams helped over 1,600 children, from 32 different schools, by providing clothing and school supplies; they also treated over 1,350 patients.

Arakan and Mon rangers sing for a program in northern Karen State

Children laugh with GLC team leader at program

EDUCATION: While every village has some form of school, in Toungoo District there are no high schools outside of Burma Army-controlled villages. Approximately 20% of school-aged children from villages represented at the programs cannot go to school either because their families are too poor and they must stay home to help, or because of the lack of opportunity in their village, and an inability to travel to a boarding school or refugee camp for further education. Many teachers say their greatest needs are basic supplies like text books and sports equipment. Many of these schools must go to nearby Burma Army-controlled villages to buy their own supplies.

FBR medic doing dental work at a GLC program

HEALTH: In Toungoo District, there is one clinic that serves IDPs and villages outside of Burma Army-controlled areas. This clinic is run by the Karen National Union (KNU -- pro-democracy resistance). Most villagers interviewed are at least a full day's walk from this clinic, which has no electricity. FBR teams traveling between the villages of Thay Mu Der and See Plaw were stopped by villagers and asked to come see a pregnant woman in her third trimester who had been unconscious for five hours. FBR medics worked with her for the rest of the day and through the night, and were able to stabilize her but could not provide all the help she needed (she was later diagnosed with eclampsia). The medics decided the best option was to carry her by hammock stretcher to the nearest clinic in a Burma Army-controlled village. While villagers do visit these brown-zone villages, it is dangerous and they are frequently arrested, interrogated, fined and otherwise harassed by Burma Army soldiers with impunity. The KNU worked with the underground resistance to find a way and the FBR medics carried her part of the distance, where they were met by other villagers who took her the rest of the way.

Another case FBR teams met on the mission is that of Saw See Blu Ywa. See Blu Ywa ("Thank God" in Karen language) was badly burned when he was two days old and rolled into the fire. His mother says he can still see out of both eyes but one is damaged. He has no use of his right hand but can use his arm with limited range of motion, as well as some limitations on the range of motion in his neck. FBR has committed to helping him with reconstructive surgery with the help of many others this year.

Saw Blu Ywa, burned as an infant, with GLC bracelet

POST-ELECTION: Villagers and local leaders, when asked about any changes since Burma's elections one year ago, almost uniformly responded that there have been no significant changes. However, as detailed above, there has been some decrease in Burma Army activity, partly due to fighting in other areas of Burma and partly due to KNLA activity.

Children from 11 schools came to this GLC program, northern Karen State

Burma Army and BGF shoot villagers and demand forced labor in Butho Township, Mutraw District

Burma Army and Border Guard Force (The BGF are ethnic proxy forces that work with the Burma Army) troops have been shooting villagers, demanding forced labor, and taking money and supplies from people in Butho Township, Mutraw District, Karen State.

On 27 December 2011, villagers from Pra Day Mu Village fled to hiding places because Burma Army and BGF troops demanded forced labor. There are more than 50 houses in this village. On 28 December, Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 218, commanded by Htun Htun Naing, captured 14 people -- seven from Htee Gay Lo Village and seven from Mae Nyaw Village -- and forced them to serve as guides and carry wounded troops. At 5pm, also on 28 December, Burma Army troops shot and wounded one villager.

As of 3 January 2012, the Burma Army and BGF activity in Mae Nyaw and Pra Day Mu is ongoing and villagers have not been able to return to their villages. The BGF told the villagers not to go back to Pra Day Mu Village yet because of landmines they had laid in the village.

BGF Battalion 1014, led by Bo Maw Htin, have been active in Lay Wah and Saw Hpa village tracts. They have now combined with the Burma Army to form a joint camp in K'Ter Hti. As they returned with wounded troops, they burned down the villagers' rubber plantation, saying it was because the village supported the KNLA.

In Ta Ku Der Village Tract the Burma Army is trying to build up its camp. As part of this, LIB 345 has been monitoring villager activity more carefully. In the villages of Ta Ku Der, Plaw Day, Lay Pu Kha, To Kee Lo and Ler Bo they have been forcing villagers to check in with them twice a week. On 5 January 2012, at midnight, LIB 341 also forced villagers to clean their village because they said their leaders were coming.

Burma Army troops called the Mae Moi Hta Village headman to a meeting at Hpa Loe Village. They gave him a digital camera and told him to take photos of people coming and going in the village.

Troops from BGF Battalion 2013 commanded by Saw Kyaw Than forced villagers from Nya Gay Lo to cut 500 bamboo poles and send them to K'Ter Hti BGF Camp. In Mae Lah Village, people have not been able to harvest their rice because BGF and Burma Army troops are in the village. Five people from the village went to buy food but BGF troops confiscated it as they returned to the village.

On 11 November 2011, BGF troops commanded by Saw Maw Wee demanded 150,000 kyat from each of four villages: Htee Taw Kee, Mae Bree Kee, Mae Bree Pa Doh and Htee Baw Kho.

Burma Army and BGF troops continue to demand supplies, money and forced labor from villagers. LIB 434 has replaced IB 19 in the Dah Point area. They are using six trucks to resupply their camp at Papun.

Free Burma Ranger relief teams are providing relief supplies and medical treatment for people in the area.

Nyaunglebin District teams complete relief mission

Nyaunglebin District teams completed a relief mission in the areas of Mae Ka Tee, Htee Wa Bway Kee, Kauka, Blaw Ko and other places in Hsaw Hti Township, Nyaunglebin District, northwestern Karen State. The teams did Good Life Club programs, medical treatment, interviews, prayed and encouraged the people. Children from 11 schools attended the programs and over 580 patients were treated.

Health education during Good Life Club program

In this area, LIB 598 is based at Taung Chi Yein Camp (N 17 40 50.9 E 96 59 25.0), LIB 589 is based at Ler Tau Tho Camp. They are not currently patrolling. IB 2, IB 10, IB 96, LIB 207 and artillery battalions are also in the area. Most of these are under Division 44 based at Kyet Ton. There is also a Burma Army camp at the Kyeit Htee Yo Pagoda area. There have been no offensives in the area since 2010, but troops have been searching for KNLA soldiers and sending food and resupplies to their camps. This area is a mix of brown zones where there is mixed Burma Army and KNU control, and black zones controlled by the KNU where the Burma Army has a free-fire policy including civilians.

LIB 207 security tower, Nyaunglebin District

One village in the area, near the junction of Nyaunglebin, Mutraw and Thaton districts has been forced to porter by the Burma Army monthly over the past year. However, forced labor has decreased in the past year because Division 44 demands forced labor less often than Division 101, which was previously in the area. Overall, people in this area have been in a better situation than in the previous year and there have been no new displaced people.

The teams treated 581 people with health problems including common cold, anemia, worms, malaria, ARI, UTI and other problems. They also did dental treatment and gave out eye glasses. In parts of this area there are no clinics.

Most of the villages in the area have primary schools, while a few villages have middle schools. About 10 to 20% of school-age children do not attend school, often because they need to look after their younger siblings or their parents cannot afford to continue their education.

Most of the people in the area earned a living with mountain rice farming, while a few have small shops and some are day laborers.

Teams complete relief mission in Luthaw Township, Mutraw District

FBR teams have completed a mission in Luthaw Township, Mutraw District, Karen State. The teams conducted Good Life Club programs for over 500 children from six schools in eight villages. Burma Army Division 101 is in the area, patrolling along the car road and resupplying their camps with food. Wa Klai Tu, Kaw Thway Kyo and Paw Kay Ko Burma Army camps are in the area.

Wa Klai Tu Burma Army Camp, Luthaw Township

Thanks to all of you who help us do these missions.
May God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Please find attached the January 2012 issue of ALTSEAN Burma Bulletin.

The Burma Bulletin is a short month in review of events in Burma,
particularly those of interest to the democracy movement and human
rights activists.

In the January 2012 issue you will find:

* Over 300 political prisoners released
* 'Peace agreements' with ethnic groups
* Conflict, attacks against civilians continue
* NLD prepares for by-elections
* High-level foreign officials visit Burma
* Uncertainty surrounds foreign investments
* Other Burma news
* List of Reports
* Much more...

The January 2012 Burma Bulletin is also available online at:
http://bit.ly/wg2qaF

You can also receive daily Burma updates by following us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/altsean

Yours, in solidarity,

ALTSEAN-Burma

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

16-23 January, Burma Army soldier shoots villager, Burma army force villagers support their resupply activates. From 16/1/2012 to 23/1/2012 SPDC IB 61, IB 62, LIB591 and LIB343 advanced and secured the road in the Anankwin and Thaphuzaya areas. They resupplied food and supplies. When they arrived at Anankwin village, they told villagers to make baskets for their loads. Four baskets from Htee Kler Ni, 10 from Htee LerHsaw, tenfrom Lu Shah and ten from Mae Klu villages, Win Ye Township, Dooplaya District, South- central Karen State.

Burma Army supply convoy at Muthey advancing into Karen State 22 January 2012

Burma Army troop communicates as resupply advances to Play Hsa Lo camp 22 Januray 2012

18 January, a soldier from SPDC LIB562 (battalion commander Kyaw Soe Naing) under control of MOC 5, shot a villager, Saw Pa Dah, 35 years old from Ta Pho Poh Hta village, Noh Ta Kaw township, Dooplaya District. Saw Pa Dah was wounded in the leg.

22 January. Burma Army and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)- forces fight between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo camp at 1200 hrs. Burma Army had one killed and one wounded, the KNLA no casualties. Burma army troops and KNLA troops fought on the mule trail between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo (They Pu), Burma Army camp as the Burma Army was sending supplies to Play Hsa Lo camp. Play Hsa Lo, Tantabin Township, Toungoo District, Northern Karen State.

Burma Army troops and convoy in Muthey in advance into Karen State 22 January 2012

Burma Army troops enter Play Hsa Lo village 22 January 2012

24 January, Burma Army mortars and shoots machine guns into IDP and village areas. Ler Doh (KyaukKyi township) Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State. At 17:20 hrs on 24 January, Burma Army troops of the Southern Command, (Battalion 351 and Battalion 60 identified. One commander identified from Battalion 351- one Company Commander named They Ko) advanced on the KyaukKyi-Muthey- Hsaw Hta road, shooting mortars and machineguns into the surrounding area. Some of the mortar rounds were directed at the villagers of Khe Der village tract and in Khe der village itself the people are on alert. As the Burma Army moved they fired mortars, machineguns and small arms. Over 150 horses and mules are being used for their resupply operation now and we have a report of 60 trucks of ammunition, food and supplies but can confirm the 41 trucks we saw and videoed. We have not yet heard of any casualties however. The shelling was from Wa Me Kwee and Kler Soe camps.

24 January, Burma Army troops shoot at villagers in Kay Pu area, Luthaw Township, Muthraw (Papun) district, Northern Karen State. At 0845 hrs on 24 January, Burma army troops from MOC 9 shot at villagers near the old Kay Pu village site. The Burma Army has a camp above the old village that was abandoned when the Burma army attacked here in major offensive in 2006. The villagers were animists on the way to religious ceremony. The Burma army was patrolling down into the IDP areas near the Plo lo Klo river ( south of the junction with the Yunzalin river). When the Burma Army saw the villagers, they opened fire. The villagers ran and no one was hurt.

Burma Army troops on road before handshake with Karen soldiers 28 January 2012

28 January, Burma Army troops and KNLA troops shake hands at a road crossing. Ler Mu Plaw, Luthaw, Muthraw district, Northern Karen State. At 1145 hrs on 28 January, Burma Army troops on the Saw Mu Plaw-Baw Ga li Gyi road between Saw Mu Plaw and Ler Mu Plaw, met Karen KNLA troops on the road. The Burma Army called out, "Don't shoot, we will not shoot you". The Karen soldiers responded, "We will not shoot you". The Karen troops moved out onto the road and talked briefly with the Burma Army troops. The Burma army troops said, "You can go back to your farms and villages now." The Karen troops responded, " We cannot go back to our homes until you leave your camps and this area." The troops smiled and laughed together, shook hands and the Burma army troops continued down the road.

Karen and Burma Army troops shake hands on a road in Northern Karen State. 28 Jan 2012

Good Life Club Program with IDPs

Karen FBR medics treat a burn victim

Relief supplies and FBR on the move to help IDPS

Shan FBR medics treat Karen pateint

Karen mother using early warning radio network before movement

Included here is a report we sent out during this time.

Standing for Freedom in the Midst of Change - a Report from the Field.

(For the security of the people we met in the forced relocation sites, we have not included pictures from the plains) Here in Burma there are some good changes, yet oppression continues and in some areas such as Karen and Kachin States, shooting by the Burma Army continues.

The sun is coming up after a night movement from the mountains down to the plains of Burma. It is here that the Burma Army has feudal rule with tight control over people's lives and camps surrounding the forced relocation sites. Up in the mountains the Burma army shoots to kill, but there is room to get away and the resistance is strong enough to slow and sometimes stop Burma Army attacks. Two days ago in the mountains, we could hear the Burma Army shelling towards Karen villages as they advanced to supply their camps. In Kachin state our team is helping over 40,000 IDPs displaced in ongoing attacks.

Down in the plains the Burma Army has almost complete control. But, it is impossible to fully control people who have the conviction that all people are equal in the sight of God and that this is their home. . Here in Burma we still face giants, but we do not face them alone. We moved like mice in between the Burma Army camps and patrols to meet the people in the relocation sites. We met them in the bushes and trees that separated the miles and miles of rice fields. "The church is the greatest source of unity here", the local underground resistance leader told us. "Oppression, imprisonment and death has caused fear to grow in us and between us, breaking down our trust and unity." As we prayed about our meetings with the people here, our medic, Eliya, shared these words from Psalm 100: "Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands, serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing, know that the Lord, He is God, it is He who has made us and not we ourselves, we are His people and the sheep of His pasture, enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name, for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations." We did not make ourselves, God made us and we are His and we also belong to each other. We can live with joy and boldly, knowing we are God's children. From this relationship with God and each other, come the convictions that we live and act on.

We met Karen Christians, Burmese Buddhists and Karen Buddhists and felt close to all. Into our little hide site came a man we met on the last mission to the plains, the father of one of our team members and the leader of the underground here. He was beaming and under his thin windbreaker showed us the FBR t-shirt he dared to wear. He smiled proudly and then grabbed my arms and we began to wrestle like we did when we met last year. He was testing my strength, courage and sense of humor, and to see if we were still brothers. I call him "Big bear" as he is a very stout and strong man, built like a Mongolian warrior, with a bull neck, broad chest, powerful arms, and tree stump like legs. His smile is clear and the love of life shines through him.

Later that night we met other church leaders and for the next four days and nights moved and met many leaders from different relocation sites. We prayed together and shared experiences and listened to their thoughts, needs and convictions. An elder told us, "I had to watch every step to come here. No matter what is said about changes, the Burma Army can still kill you anytime. We are glad you came and we pray for the end of restrictions we live under." Another man from this village told us of two farmers who were shot by Burma troops two months ago, one a father of four, killed, and another one wounded.

One pastor told us, "We have been praying for the leaders to change and thank God we do see some changes. But still there is oppression, so it seems the change is only of the mind. We need a change of heart too. We pray now that God will grab Senior General Than Shwey's heart! Last week the Burma army told us, 'Now there is change in Burma, if you contact the Karen National Union (Karen pro-democracy resistance), you will be severely punished'." Another church leader said, "We have been forced to move three times. The Burma army just told some of us that we could go back home, but when we asked about proof in writing, there was none. Is it a trap? Going back to our original homes can be true vision if we pray. I know God's plans are above ours, and dreams like this can come true." A woman's group leader told us, "We need to be free. We want unity and we also need help with our schools, churches and Early Child Care Development programs."

One man had just been released from prison after serving 5 years after being accused of helping the KNU. "I was beaten badly when I was arrested and then taken to Toungoo prison. There I was fed rice and salt water. I was watched all the time and only allowed to pray in Burmese and not in my Karen language. I spent much time in solitary. I knew the Karen lady medic who was captured and saw her in prison too."

Another man in his 60's told us, "Last year, I was captured by the Burma army on the trail and had four of my teeth knocked out by the soldiers. I was beaten with sticks and clubbed with a rifle to my entire body. After six days of torture my friends were able to pay 300,000 kyats to the army and I was released."

A pastor told us, "Things have gotten a little better and we are stopped at check points less than before. After 60 years of war, hearts need to change. My message to Aug San Suu Kyi is, 'Please remember the ethnic people of Burma.' All of us should be united, and for me the church is the central pillar of unity. We want all churches to be free. We do not want to have to apply for permission as we do now. Now we have to apply for permission to hold special church events, for building projects, and for any traveling we want to do. I do want to thank you all for the gifts you gave us last time and for the bibles and hymnals. We used the gift to make a wooden library to safely store all of our bibles, hymnals and books. Now we need more bibles and hymnals. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you. " We committed to helping each community and church as much as we could and are grateful for the help of Partners and others. As we talked, I told them about the German theologian Dietrich Bonheoffer stood for the Jews and other oppressed people in WWII. Bonheoffer gave up his life to stand against Hitler's Nazi oppression. Bonheoffer died in a concentration camp just before the war ended and freedom came. Even the end of WWII did not mean freedom for all. For many in Eastern Europe, China and other places, oppression under another name continued.

Last year the former Czech President Vaclav Havel died. He was one of many who stood for freedom until Eastern Europe too was free. He was a friend of FBR and here in Burma we paid tribute to him with a memorial service, prayer and song. Here in Burma, like Havel and Bonheoffer, we are directed by the conviction that God wants us to stand with and help His people be free. God's power of love brings change in each of us and helps us to move forward together to be part of His freedom, mercy and grace everywhere.

Thank you and God bless you,
Dave, family and FBR teams.
Karen State, Burma.

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

The first class of the Free Burma Ranger medical school- Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei- graduated 20 new medics on 8 February 2012 in Karen State, Burma. We are grateful to Earth Mission, Partners, Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) and others who help make the school possible. We are also thankful for the outstanding team of doctors, nurses and medics who operate the school and clinic. They are running an outstanding program of instruction that includes class room, interactive lectures and practical experience in the care of patients in the clinic the school supports here. The students also conduct medical missions to the surrounding villages under supervision of the instructors. Most of the students are FBR team medics but the school also helps to train medics from the KDHW.

First graduating class, Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei

Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei

After 10 months of training the medics joined the rest of the FBR relief teams who had just graduated from relief team training for a month long mission. While on this mission, with the help of senior medics, the new medics helped care for over 1,350 patients. Their compassion, hard work and skill in medicine brought comfort and healing to people in need. Upon completion of the mission the medics returned to the school to finish training and take their exams.

Lab work at the clinic, Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei

When some of us returned to Tha U Wa camp this week after the final mission, we arrived as the school's doctors and medics were operating on a little girl with a severe infection. The prayer, love, team work and excellence in surgery resulted in a little girl who was healed and a family relieved. This operation is only one of many ways the clinic and school changes life for the better for the villagers in the surrounding area. The school and clinic is a place of learning, growing and healing, and most of all it is a place of love.

Medical Students singing at graduation

Graduation was held on 8 February and now the newly trained medics are on their way back to their FBR teams and duties in the KDHW. The new students have arrived and the Jungle School of Medicine is now starting its second year of producing medics who give help, hope and love. Thank you to all of you who support the medical school, clinic and all of us here.

May God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers

Karen State, Burma

Medical students treat patinest at clinic

Medics caring for young girl after surgery

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

In This Report   The following information was collected from the five FBR teams in eight townships of Karenni State. Map showing area of report

On 15 January 2012 in Hpruso Township, after a battle between the Burma Army and the Karenni Army, Burma Army IB 54 killed a 35-year-old villager named Lu Reh in Htay Byar Nyae. In December 2011, a Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 57 soldier raped Buu Leh (name changed to protect victim), a villager from Dah Weh Village in Sha Daw Township. On 25 November 2011, six soldiers from IB 428 and IB 531 who were stationed at a training base in Hpruso Township raped three women from Law Jar Village. On 14 January 2012, Infantry Battalion (IB) 295, commanded by Aung Zey Ya, killed a village man in Karenni State.

There are currently 23 Burma Army battalions operating in Karenni State with two to three battalions located within each township. Last month, seven battalions rotated in and out of the area. From 1 January 2012 to 28 January 2012, nine battles took place between the Burma Army and the Karenni Army (KA). Three of the battles took place in Sha Daw Township, two in Maw Chi Township with one battle each occurring in Loi Kaw Township, Baw La Ke Township, Hpruso Township and Demawso Township. The KA did not suffer any casualties in these battles, but the BA suffered a total of ten casualties and ten wounded. The Burma Army units involved were IB 250, IB 135, IB 248, IB 54, LIB 72 and Military Operations Command (MOC) 55. Burma Army soldiers are also stopping civilian vehicles on Shadaw Road, Bawlake Road, and a main hwy running into Thailand and forcing them to transport food, weapons and supplies.

Development Projects in Karenni State:

1) Mining taking place in Maw Chi Township and Ho Yar Village.

2) Three dams are projected with surveys presently being conducted. A 600 Megawatt (MW) dam will be built on the Salween River with smaller dams of 110 MW on the Thabet River and a 130MW on the Pawn River. The construction of the dams has been awarded to the Datang Corporation of China. The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the villages to be affected wrote letters to both the government of Burma and China protesting the construction of the dams. Over 200 people have already been forced to leave, with another 800-1000 people projected to be displaced by the end of construction.

3) There are two hydropower plants in Karenni State with one more projected to be built. One is located in Law Pi Ta Village.

4) A cement plant is under construction in Pa Kyaeh Village in Loi Kaw Township. Numerous villagers have already been relocated due to the construction.

5) In 2011, the Burma Army built more than 10 new Army bases in Karenni State, including a training camp in Hpruso Township.

Thank you and God Bless,

FBR Karenni Teams

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Please find attached the February 2012 issue of ALTSEAN Burma Bulletin.

The Burma Bulletin is a short month in review of events in Burma,
particularly those of interest to the democracy movement and human
rights activists.

In the February 2012 issue you will find:

* NLD by-election campaign obstructed
* 'Peace agreements' in jeopardy
* KIA-Tatmadaw conflict rages on
* Activists and monks still harassed
* Regime HRC says 'no' to human rights probe
* Uncertainty surrounds foreign investments
* Number of IDPs grows
* List of Reports
* Much more...

The February 2012 Burma Bulletin is also available online at:
http://bit.ly/AvAByq

You can also receive daily Burma updates by following us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/altsean

Yours, in solidarity,

ALTSEAN-Burma

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Doo Pla Ya District -- South Eastern Karen State

On 29 January 2012, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 346 asked villagers from Par Klaw Kee Village, Mae Ka Ti Village, Htee Yo Kee Village, Htee Mae Baw Village and Kyaw Kee Village to send 12 trailers of food to Mae Ka Ti Burma Army Camp. Each village was forced to carry 30 bags of rice. On 27 January 2012, the Burma Army increased troops in Seitkyi, Kaw T'ree Township with the addition of Military Operations Command (MOC) 19, which numbers approximately 240 soldiers. Two days later, an additional 170 soldiers arrived under MOC 19. Under Commander Myo Thant Zin, they replaced LIB 563 in the Ka Li Kee area.

On 12 December 2011, in response to clashes with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA -- prodemocracy ethnic resistance) in the days prior, Infantry Battalion (IB) 283 (led by Myo Myint Kyaw) ordered the arrest of the Ta Ku Kee Village headman, pastor and multiple other villagers. In total, 60 villagers were taken to Ko Kgaw Klow Village. All but five villagers were released shortly afterwards. The five individuals were detained because they were falsely accused of being KNLA soldiers. In pursuit of confessions, Burma Army soldiers tied up and blindfolded the villagers and proceeded to torture them. The villagers were held for almost two months, being released on 6 February 2012. The five are listed below:

Saw Wah Nu, 30 years old, was beaten with bricks and hit in the head with a pistol.

Saw Hsaw Bush, 27 years old, was hit in the face while detained.

Saw Kyaw Pleh, 24 years old, was beaten with bricks, which broke his leg.

Saw Toh Kee Baw, 30 years old, was hit with bricks to his legs and face.

Saw Thay Chit, 18 years old, was hit in the head while detained.

On 14 December 2011 in Waw Ray Township, IB 62 (led by Ko Ko Oo) captured Noh Sho Ner villagers near Noh Sho Ner Village. The villagers captured were Saw Htin Myint, 28 years old, and Pa Do Hsaw, 45 years old. The following day, Burma Army soldiers captured 29-year-old Saw Than Htin and 45-year-old Saw Min Than. Both men were forced to carry supplies as well as serve as guides. On 16 December 2011, Saw Pa Do Hsaw and Saw Thi Myint escaped because they were no longer able to carry their loads. On 17 December 2011, Saw Min Than and Saw Than Htin were then released.

In Kaw T'ree Township on 18 December 2011, LIB 357, Column #1 and Column #2, combined to make 100 soldiers in total. On 20 December 2011, the combined LIB 357 took villagers from Kya Ka Wa Village to serve as human shields from Kya Ka Wa Village to Daw Plaw Village. The villagers that were taken are listed below.

1. Naw Plet -- 52 years old.
2. Ye Tu Htee -- 52 years old.
3. Eh Naw Gay -- 30 years old.
4. Naw Ree -- 34 years old.
5. Kay Mu Dah -- 29 years old.
6. Sa Daw Na Maw Dah -- 43 years old.
7. Day Naw -- 47 years old.
8. Naw Kho Mi -- 40 years old.
9. Ma Nay Tha -- 40 years old.
10. Na Ma Htin -- 38 years old.
11. Ta Poe Tu -- 29 years old.
12. Naw Hsaw Paw 53 old
13. Naw Lay Ku -- 54years old.
14. Naw Ker Ler -- 49 years old.
15. Naw Moh Loh -- 40 years old.
16. Naw Htoo -- 53 years old.
17. Naw Mu Thaw -- 50 years old.
18. Naw Lee Pra -- 29 years old.
19. Naw Lu -- 52 years old
20. Naw Aye Nay -- 50 years old.
21. Mu Tu -- 34 years old.
22. Naw Paw Nyee -- 36 years old.
23. Na Mu Naw -- 54 years old.
24. Naw Mu Kler -- 48 years old.
25. Pee Klay Nay -- 46 years old.
26. Mu Kya Paw -- 60 years old.
27. 27. Naw Pet Bu -- 67 years old.
28. 28. Naw Dah Heh -- 48 years old.

14 October 2011, Burma Army soldiers captured the Kwee Ler Shu Village headman and live stock. The same day, they also went to Taw Oo Hta Village, where they took the headman and the villagers' live stock. On 12 October 2011, three battalions under Light Infantry Division 22 (LIB 201, 203, 315) entered Ta Oo Hta Village, forcing the villagers to flee. The soldiers occupied the village for days, confiscating the villagers' rice.

On 4 September 2012, fighting broke out between KNLA Battalion 16 and LIB 543, in the area between Jauke Ku Village and Myin Tha Ya Village in Waw Ray Township. During the fighting, the Burma Army sent 13 mortars into Jauke Ku Village. After fighting, they entered Jauke Ku Village and shot at villagers' houses, damaging their homes and killing their animals. The following are people who lost property:

1. Saw Kyaw Hlaing - 63 years old. His house was damaged by Burma Army soldiers' gunfire.

2. Saw Par Nga Pan -- 32 years old. Burma Army soldiers took 1000 Bhat from his bag.

3. Father of Naing Dee - age unknown. Burma Army soldiers took his Casio watch.

4. Saw U Sein Myint - 43 years old. His house was damaged by Burma Army soldiers gunfire

5. Saw Hta Paung - 40 years old. Burma Army shot and killed his male ox and wounded two cows.

6. Naw Pa Doh - 45 years old. Her male ox was shot and killed by the Burma Army.

Two days later, LIB 566, led by Commander Tin Za Lin, arrived in A'plon Village. There they stole 3000 Baht, 300 Kyat two ducks, one mobile phone, one MP4 player, eight boxes of cigarettes, three gallons of fuel, and various medications. On 19 August 2011, LIB 346, led by Commander Zaw Min Hteh, captured and killed Par Klaw Poh, a villager from Ler Kgaw Village, Kaw T'ree Township. On 20 August 2011, LIB 549, led by Commander Kyaw Zay Ya, stole 850,000 Kyats and gold in Ka Meh Koh Village, Kaw T'ree Township. The following day, when the owner asked for his money and gold back, the soldiers only returned 350,000 kyat. On 5 June 2011, both columns of LIB 373 combined, under Commander Aye Min Soe, and forced villagers from Myine Tha Ya Village and A'plon Village, Waw Ray, to porter and serve as human shields while soldiers patrol.

Taw Oo (Toungoo) District- Northern Karen State

On 27 August 2011, LIB 540 (based in Ta Aye Hta Camp) shot and killed two villagers from Hsaw Wah Der Village in a betelnut grove while patrolling. The two villagers were Saw Ka Theh (32 years old) and Saw B Eh (23 years old). On 1 September 2011, soldiers forced 41 men and 64 women to clean the Play Hsa Lo Army Camp. The same day, soldiers shot Saw Hsar Bu, a 54-year-old civilian, because he was in the betelnut grove against instruction from the Burma Army.

In recent weeks, the Burma Army has continued to resupply camps with food and troops. On 5 February 2012, Division 66 used vehicles and forced labor in the Kler Lah Area (Klay Soe Kee Village, Kaw Soe Koh Village, Gah Mu Der Village, and Der Doh Village) to carry food supplies from Ta Aye Hta Camp to Bu Has Kee Camp. On 3 February, Division 66, commanded by Win Bo Shew, arrived in Kler Lah Camp to take the place of MOC 9. On 1 February 2012, LIB 377 (stationed at Kler Lah Camp) forced one villager from Klay Soe Kee Village and two villagers from Der Doh Village to carry food from Klay Soe Kee Camp to Koe Day Camp. On 21 January 2012, the Burma Army sent food supplies from Moe Pya to Play Hsa Lo Camp. Food supplies have also been carried from Zaya Gyi to Tha Byae Nyunt and from Tha Bya Nyunt to Moe Pya. MOC 9 also forced villagers from Play Hsa Lo Village, Yer Lo Village, Plow Baw Der Village, Hsu Lo Village, and Lay Gaw Lo Village to send 120 bamboo poles to build a new fence for Play Hsa Lo Army Camp.

Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) and Mu Traw District- Northern Karen State

On 16 February 2012 in Kler Lwee Htoo District, 15 Burma Army trucks carrying both food and army supplies arrived at Muthe Camp, afterwards going onto Paw Kay Ko Camp. The trucks carried 88 soldiers and one commander. Soldiers from Way Me Kwee Camp, Ee Tha Plaw Camp, and Thwein Boe Plaw Camp have recently cleared the brush near the car road. On 28 December 2011 in Moo Township, the Burma Army sent 36 supply trucks to Thay Pyi Nyut Camp, along with 80 soldiers and 50 mules. The following day, soldiers forced villagers from Lei Lan Ku Village, Kyauk Kyu Pauk Village, and That Pyt Nyut Village to take food to Moe Pya Camp. On 1 January 2012, LIB 599 forced villagers from Yulo and Kamulo to send food to Moe Pya and Lay Day Burma Army Camps. On 30 December 2011, LIB 590 demanded 5000 kyat from each villager using a bull lock cart to work their fields in Kyaun Pya Village, Kyun Bin Seik Village and Ng Lauk Tek Village. On 5 December 2011, 500 soldiers arrived in Kyauk Kyi and Than Bo (Infantry Battalion 60 Headquarters). On 24 September 2011, LIB 599, Commanded by Soe Tin Lin, forced 30 men from Tat Kon Village to perform sentry work in the area. On 27 October 2011, the same battalion forced villagers to clean the ground to prepare for the building of a small airport at Tay Pyu Nyunt Burma Army Camp.

The military is sending food to Burma Army Camps throughout Mu Traw District, including Muthe Camp and Paw Kay Ko Camp. On 12 February 2012, the Burma Army sent Division 7 to Ler Mu Plaw Army Camp, Lu Thaw Township. Burma Army troops have been guarding the route from Mae Pray Hkee Camp to Meh Way Camp in Dwe Lo Township (Division 44 Headquarters) in efforts to protect roads used to transport food and supplies. While patrolling in November 2011, they captured two medics and used them as guides around the Township Headquarters. They later sent both medics back to be detained at a Burma Army Camp. Burma Army soldiers also killed one civilian from Ta Hu Law Village, Dwe Lo Township, who was forced to be a guide, but was later was accused of supporting the KNLA.

Flooding in the plains during the last wet season caused multiple difficulties for villagers. The flood water caused multiple deaths, including that of Pah Dah Pow from Kwee Lay Village, who drowned in his field and is survived by a wife and four children. In Lu Thaw Township, Naw Mu Si, 6 years old, and Saw Na Maw Htoo, 68 years old, both drowned. In Kaw Lu Der Village Tract, Lu Thaw Township, Saw Maw Eh, 70 years old, and his wife Naw Pwen, 60 years old, were also swept away by the water. The excess water will also create problems for farmers in the coming harvest. In Moo and Ler Doh Township, thousands of acres were flooded and a majority of the crops were destroyed. This may cause food shortages in the coming year.

Saw Na Mai Htoo drowned in a flooded field.

Mergui/Tavoy District (Tenasserim Region) -- Eastern Karen State

On 3 December 2011, Burma Army IB 560 demanded six porters each from Ta Ket and Nyaung Pin Village, which are both located in Tenassarim Division. If the villagers were unable to work, they had to pay 40,000 Kyat each.

Hpa-an District - Eastern Karen State

In Hpa-an District, the Border Guard Force (BGF) forcibly confiscated weapons from three Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Camps, including Yin Pine Camp, T'kot Poe Camp and Wa Kleh Mu Camp. On 19 February 2012, fighting between the DKBA and the BGF resulted in two DKBA soldiers dead, five BGF soldiers dead, one villager dead and one villager wounded in the Myai Gyi Ngu area.

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

On March 6, 2012, eight months into a long range relief mission, Hsaw Reh drowned while crossing the Pon River in central Karenni State. He was going to get a restock of medicine so his team could continue their mission. Hsaw Reh was 23 and single. We are saddened by his death and extend our love and sorrow to his family, his team and the KNPP (Karenni National Progressive Party). His loss will be greatly felt not just by all of us but also by those people he served so faithfully.

Karenni FBR team member Hsaw Reh

Karenni FBR team member Hsaw Reh first attended FBR training in 2009. He was 20 years old and decided he wanted to help his people by helping them tell their story, by documenting the abuses of the Burma Army - he decided to become a digital cameraman. After his first year of missions to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Karenni State, he decided to become a medic and attended medic training in 2010. Afterward he returned to the IDP areas to bring medical aid to the people there.

Hsaw Rey and Karenni FBR team in action

We will miss him. At the same time we are inspired by his life and his example of perseverance and sacrifice. He spent much of his time on relief missions. To Hsaw Reh we want to say, "Thank you and we thank God for you. You were a good teammate and you served your people well - you are an honor to your family, your team and your people and we are blessed to have known you. We look forward to meeting you in what the Karen call 'the undiscovered land.' "

To his family we want to say, "We are so sorry for the loss of your son - we know that no words can replace him. We love him and love you and are honored to have known and worked with him." Hsaw Reh died for freedom and for love and we are reminded of Jesus' words, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

May God bless you,
The Free Burma Rangers

Hsaw Rey (left) and team carry patient in relay.

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Burma Army Military Operation Command (MOC) 9 has stationed troops to secure the road between Bu Hsa Kee and Kay Pu in southern Taw Oo (Toungoo) and northern Mutraw Districts, Karen State. On 9 March 2012 at 9:50am, a group of villagers tried to cross the road at Ka Thay Hta in the Si Day area. Before the villagers arrived at the road, local village defense volunteers went up to the road to check for security, and were fired on by Burma Army troops. One of the defense volunteers, Saw Lay La Thaw, age 23, died and one other was wounded.

Map showing area of report

Burma Army Division 66 is also securing the length of road from Kler La (Bawgali Gyi) to Bu Hsa Kee.

God bless you,

Taw Oo District Free Burma Rangers

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Karen State

On 12 January 2012, a preliminary agreement toward a ceasefire was reached between the KNU and the government and both groups ordered their troops not to shoot at each other.

Taw Oo (Toungoo) District -- Northern Karen State

22 January. Burma Army and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) forces fight between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo camp at 12pm. Burma Army had one killed and one wounded, the KNLA no casualties. Burma army troops and KNLA troops fought on the mule trail between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo (They Pu) Burma Army Camp as the Burma Army was sending supplies to Play Hsa Lo camp. Play Hsa Lo, Htaw Ta Htoo Township, Taw Oo District, Northern Karen State.

The Burma Army has continued to resupply camps with food and troops. On 5 February 2012, Division 66 used vehicles and forced labor in the Kler Lah Area (Klay Soe Kee Village, Kaw Soe Koh Village, Gah Mu Der Village, and Der Doh Village) to carry food supplies from Ta Aye Hta Camp to Bu Hsa Kee Camp. On 3 February, Division 66, commanded by Win Bo Shew, arrived in Kler Lah Camp to take the place of MOC 9. On 1 February 2012, Light Infantry Battallion (LIB) 377 (stationed at Kler Lah Camp) forced one villager from Klay Soe Kee Village and two villagers from Der Doh Village to carry food from Klay Soe Kee Camp to Koe Day Camp. On 21 January 2012, the Burma Army sent food supplies from Moe Pya to Play Hsa Lo Camp. Food supplies have also been carried from Zaya Gyi to Tha Byae Nyunt and from Tha Bya Nyunt to Moe Pya. Military Operation Command (MOC) 9 also forced villagers from Play Hsa Lo Village, Yer Lo Village, Plow Baw Der Village, Hsu Lo Village, and Lay Gaw Lo Village to send 120 bamboo poles to build a new fence for Play Hsa Lo Army Camp.

Burma Army MOC 9 has stationed troops to secure the road between Bu Hsa Kee and Kay Pu in southern Taw Oo (Toungoo) and northern Mu Traw Districts, Karen State. On 9 March 2012 at 9:50am, a group of villagers tried to cross the road at Ka Thay Hta in the Si Day area. Before the villagers arrived to the road, local village defense volunteers went up to the road to check for security, and were fired on by Burma Army troops. One of the defense volunteers, Saw Lay La Thaw, age 23, died and one other was wounded.

Burma Army Division 66 is also securing the length of road from Kler La (Bawgali Gyi) to Bu Hsa Kee.

Mu Traw District -- Northern Karen State

New Information: In early March, the Burma Army sent two more units, Light Infantry Division (LID) 11 and LID 77, to the Pa Pun area including mortars, ammunition and other supplies. LID 44 is in the Thoo Mwe Hta area. On 9 March 2012, LID 44 left Ka Ma Maung Camp with eight six-wheel trucks and also forced villagers to use their trucks to help with transportation. They arrived to Ka Ter Hti Village and divided into two groups there.

New Information: On 5 March 2012, shooting occurred between the Burma Army and Karen local village defense volunteers in the Plow Ta area of Lu Thaw Township. More fighting occurred on 8 March 2012 between the Burma Army and village defense, leaving one of the Karen men dead and another wounded.

The military is sending food to Burma Army Camps throughout Mu Traw District, including Muthey Camp and Paw Kay Ko Camp. On 12 February 2012, the Burma Army sent Division 7 to Ler Mu Plaw Army Camp, Lu Thaw Township. Burma Army troops have been guarding the route from Mae Pray Hkee Camp to Meh Way Camp in Dwe Lo Township (Division 44 Headquarters) in efforts to protect roads used to transport food and supplies.

24 January, Burma Army troops shot at villagers in Kay Pu area, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District, Northern Karen State. At 0845 hrs on 24 January, Burma Army troops from MOC 9 shot at villagers near the old Kay Pu village site. The Burma Army has a camp above the old village that was abandoned when the Burma Army attacked here in major offensive in 2006. The villagers were animists on the way to religious ceremony. The Burma Army was patrolling down into the IDP areas near the Plo Lo Klo river (south of the junction with the Yunzalin river). When the Burma Army saw the villagers, they opened fire. The villagers ran and no one was hurt.

Kler Lwee Htoo (Nyaunglebin) District -- Northwestern Karen State

On 16 February 2012 in Kler Lwee Htoo District, 15 Burma Army trucks carrying both food and army supplies arrived at Muthey Camp, afterwards going onto Paw Kay Ko Camp. The trucks carried 88 soldiers and one commander. Soldiers from Way Me Kwee Camp, Ee Tha Plaw Camp, and Thwein Boe Plaw Camp have recently cleared the brush near the car road.

24 January, Burma Army mortars and shoots machine guns into IDP and village areas in Ler Doh (Kyauk Kyi) Township. At 17:20 hrs on 24 January, Burma Army troops of the Southern Command, (Battalion 351 and Battalion 60 identified. One commander identified from Battalion 351- one Company Commander named They Ko) advanced on the Kyauk Kyi-Muthey-Hsaw Hta road, shooting mortars and machine guns into the surrounding area. Some of the mortar rounds were directed at the villagers of Khe Der village tract and in Khe der village itself the people are on alert. As the Burma Army moved they fired mortars, machine guns and small arms. Over 150 horses and mules are being used for their resupply operation now and we have a report of 60 trucks of ammunition, food and supplies but can confirm the 41 trucks we saw and videoed. We have not yet heard of any casualties however. The shelling was from Wa Me Kwee and Kler Soe camps.

Hpa-an District -- Central Karen State

In Hpa-an District, the Border Guard Force (BGF) forcibly confiscated weapons from three Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Camps, including Yin Pine Camp, T'kot Poe Camp and Wa Kleh Mu Camp. On 19 February 2012, fighting between the DKBA and the BGF resulted in two DKBA soldiers dead, five BGF soldiers dead, one villager dead and one villager wounded in the Myai Gyi Ngu area.

Doo Pla Ya District -- South Central Karen State

New Information: On 4 March 2012 at 3:30pm, a 22-year-old woman was raped by a Burma Army soldier outside Thay Baw Boh Village, Kaw T'ree Township, Doo Pla Ya District, according to KNU officials present in the village at the time of the crime. The victim, Naw La Lay Poh (name changed to protect the victim), had gone to buy fish in another village and was on her way back to her village when she was assaulted. She was beaten, including being hit with a rifle butt. As the perpetrator ran from the scene, he dropped his identification card, which identifies him as Maung Tin Tway from Bago Region. He is part of Infantry Battalion (IB) 299, commanded by Zau Zau U (second-in-command is Aung Thoo Win) which is under MOC 19, commanded by Than Win. His battalion was patrolling in the area at the time.

16-23 January, Burma Army soldier shoots villager, Burma army force villagers support their resupply activates. From 16/1/2012 to 23/1/2012 SPDC IB 61, IB 62, LIB591 and LIB343 advanced and secured the road in the Anankwin and Thaphuzaya areas. They resupplied food and supplies. When they arrived at Anankwin village, they told villagers to make baskets for their loads. Four baskets from Htee Kler Ni, 10 from Htee Ler Hsaw, 10 from Lu Shah and 10 from Mae Klu villages, Waw Ray Township, Doo Pla Ya District, South Central Karen State.

18 January, a soldier from SPDC LIB 562 (battalion commander Kyaw Soe Naing) under control of MOC 5, shot a villager, Saw Pa Dah, 35 years old from Ta Pho Poh Hta village, Noh T'kaw township, Doo Pla Ya District. Saw Pa Dah was wounded in the leg.

On 29 January 2012, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 346 asked villagers from Par Klaw Kee Village, Mae Ka Ti Village, Htee Yo Kee Village, Htee Mae Baw Village and Kyaw Kee Village to send 12 trailers of food to Mae Ka Ti Burma Army Camp. Each village was forced to carry 30 bags of rice. On 27 January 2012, the Burma Army increased troops in Seitkyi, Kaw T'ree Township with the addition of Military Operations Command (MOC) 19, which numbers approximately 240 soldiers. Two days later, an additional 170 soldiers arrived under MOC 19. Under Commander Myo Thant Zin, they replaced LIB 563 in the Ka Li Kee area.

Positive Encounters

28 January, Burma Army troops and KNLA troops shake hands at a road crossing. Ler Mu Plaw, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District, Northern Karen State. At 1145 hrs on 28 January, Burma Army troops on the Saw Mu Plaw-Baw Ga li Gyi road between Saw Mu Plaw and Ler Mu Plaw, met Karen KNLA troops on the road. The Burma Army called out, "Don't shoot, we will not shoot you". The Karen soldiers responded, "We will not shoot you". The Karen troops moved out onto the road and talked briefly with the Burma Army troops. The Burma army troops said, "You can go back to your farms and villages now." The Karen troops responded, " We cannot go back to our homes until you leave your camps and this area." The troops smiled and laughed together, shook hands and the Burma army troops continued down the road.

New Information: On 13 March 2012, KNLA troops crossing the car road near Tha Dah Der Village, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District, met Burma Army soldiers on the road and shook hands.

Kachin State

The Burma Army continues attacks in Kachin State and has not agreed to a ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). Over 40,000 people have been displaced since the fighting began 9 June 2011. The Burma Army continues to reinforce troops. Fighting has reduced in some areas in recent months but is still frequent in the KIA's 4th Brigade area in Northern Shan State.

New Information: Fifty armed men from Burma Army Division 99, Battalion 69, fired mortars into a KIA Camp near Ban Htang Village at 2pm on 15 March 2012. Fighting continued until 4pm.

From mid-January, the Burma Army was attacking within six miles of Mai Ja Yang, a city and a refuge for over 1,000 displaced people who fled from other areas since fighting started in June 2011. On 13 January 2012, 60 elderly people who are unable to walk were taken by car to a new Internally Displaced Person (IDP) site.

On 12 January 2012, Division 88 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 321 shot a villager named Mi San, age 40 and a father of three, from Kawng Nan Village, Lwe Je Township. He was returning from his farm when he met the Burma Army troops. They arrested him, tied his hands, and made him walk in front of the soldiers to show the way. After one Burma Army soldier stepped on a landmine, the soldiers became angry and shot Mi San. The bullet went through his mouth and out the back. The KIA found his body and started to burn the body, but Burma Army soldiers began shooting, forcing the KIA to leave the site. The Burma Army is telling local villagers that KIA killed Mi San.

Karenni State

The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Government of Burma signed a ceasefire on 8 March 2012. The ceasefire did not include any restrictions on Burma Army movements in Karenni State. Twenty-three Burma Army battalions are operating in Karenni State.

Prior to this agreement the following incidents occurred since 12 January:

On 14 January 2012, IB 295, commanded by Aung Zey Ya, killed a village man in Karenni State.

On 15 January 2012 in Hpruso Township, after a battle between the Burma Army and the Karenni Army, Burma Army IB 54 killed a 35-year-old villager named Lu Reh in Htay Byar Nyae.

Arakan State

In Arakan State, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) has agreed to ceasefire talks with the government, but the talks have not occurred yet.

New Information: At 12:30pm on 14 March 2012, as an Arakan FBR team was providing medical treatment at a village in Paletwa Township, security personnel posted outside the village were fired on by soldiers from Burma Army Battalion 232. No FBR members were hurt.

God bless you,

Free Burma Rangers

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Multi-ethnic Relief Teams Complete Mission in Moo Township, Kler Lwee Htoo District:

Mission Overview: Ethnic relief teams recently completed missions in the Moo Township of Kler Lwee Htoo District, in northwestern Karen State. Karen, Karenni, Lahu, Mon and Shan teams did Good Life Club programs and medical treatments at 6 IDP sites for people from 29 villages. All together, the teams helped over 1200 children through the programs and treated 922 patients. Additionally, representatives from each team visited the plains area of Moo Township and met with leaders from 24 relocation sites there.

Good Life Club program, northern Karen State

Education:

The teams interviewed teachers from 29 different schools in southwestern Moo Township. Of those schools only one was a high school. About 20% of children in the villages represented by these interviews cannot go to school either because they are needed to help their family or because they cannot afford to go to boarding school or refugee camp after they�ve finished the highest level of school offered in their village. The schools themselves rarely have enough school supplies and often must mix curriculum from the Karen Education Department with supplies bought in Burma Army-controlled villages. Besides basic school supplies, many teachers also request solar light kits and sports equipment.

In the plains area, west of the mountains, most of the villagers are living in relocation sites under control of the Burma Army. Education is controlled by the central government. Most schools in the relocation sites are grammar schools while high schools are in the cities and most students cannot afford to board in the city and attend school.

Health:

None of these villages have clinics. In the plains area there are Burma Army-controlled clinics but few villagers can afford to go to them. Common illnesses are dysentery and malaria and severity depends often on the time of year.

Medics caring for young girl after surgery

Giving out glasses while on a mission in northern Karen State

Plains Visit:

FBR teams also visited brown zone areas in the plains. Because of Burma Army control throughout the area, they were only able to meet with a few village and church leaders from each village in the area. These churches and villages are in brown zone areas of Karen State; they have all been forcibly relocated and live side-by-side with the Burma Army. They are regularly subjected to forced labor and arbitrary taxation and frequently imprisoned, tortured and killed by Burma Army soldiers. They can be imprisoned on any pretext and jailed without trial. They are forbidden contact with their organization, the Karen National Union (KNU), and so receive none of the services offered by the KNU, such as education and health assistance. Despite this, the underground resistance is strong.

Looking back at the mountains from the plains.in Karen State

(The following report and information was sent out on 3 February 2012, and can also be found at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2012/20120203.html)

Standing for Freedom in the Midst of Change - a Report from the Field.

(For the security of the people we met in the relocation sites, we have not included pictures from the plains)

Here in Burma there are some good changes, yet oppression continues and in some areas such as Karen and Kachin States, shooting by the Burma Army continues.

The sun is coming up after a night movement from the mountains down to the plains of Burma. It is here that the Burma Army has feudal rule with tight control over people's lives and camps surrounding the forced relocation sites. Up in the mountains the Burma army shoots to kill, but there is room to get away and the resistance is strong enough to slow and sometimes stop Burma Army attacks. Two days ago in the mountains, we could hear the Burma Army shelling towards Karen villages as they advanced to supply their camps. In Kachin State our team is helping over 40,000 IDPs displaced in ongoing attacks.

Down in the plains the Burma Army has almost complete control. But it is impossible to fully control people who have the conviction that all people are equal in the sight of God and that this is their home. Here in Burma we still face giants, but we do not face them alone.

We moved like mice in between the Burma Army camps and patrols to meet the people in the relocation sites. We met them in the bushes and trees that separated the miles and miles of rice fields. "The church is the greatest source of unity here," the local underground resistance leader told us. "Oppression, imprisonment and death has caused fear to grow in us and between us, breaking down our trust and unity."

As we prayed about our meetings with the people here, our medic, Eliya, shared these words from Psalm 100: "Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands, serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing, know that the Lord, He is God, it is He who has made us and not we ourselves, we are His people and the sheep of His pasture, enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name, for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations."

We did not make ourselves, God made us and we are His and we also belong to each other. We can live with joy and boldly, knowing we are God's children. From this relationship with God and each other, come the convictions that we live and act on. We met Karen Christians, Burmese Buddhists and Karen Buddhists and felt close to all. Into our little hide site came a man we had met on the last mission to the plains, the father of one of our team members and the leader of the underground here. He was beaming and under his thin windbreaker showed us the FBR t-shirt he dared to wear. He smiled proudly and then grabbed my arms and we began to wrestle like we did when we met last year. He was testing my strength, courage and sense of humor, and to see if we were still brothers. I call him "Big bear" as he is a very stout and strong man, built like a Mongolian warrior, with a bull neck, broad chest, powerful arms, and tree-stump like legs. His smile is clear and the love of life shines through him.

Later that night we met other church leaders and for the next four days and nights moved and met many leaders from different relocation sites. We prayed together and shared experiences and listened to their thoughts, needs and convictions. An elder told us, "I had to watch every step to come here. No matter what is said about changes, the Burma Army can still kill you anytime. We are glad you came and we pray for the end of restrictions we live under." Another man from this village told us of two farmers who were shot by Burma Army troops two months ago, one a father of four, killed, and another one wounded.

One pastor told us, "We have been praying for the leaders to change and thank God we do see some changes. But still there is oppression, so it seems the change is only of the mind. We need a change of heart too. We pray now that God will grab Senior General Than Shwe's heart! Last week the Burma Army told us, 'Now there is change in Burma, if you contact the Karen National Union (Karen pro-democracy resistance), you will be severely punished.'"

Another church leader said, "We have been forced to move three times. The Burma Army just told some of us that we could go back home, but when we asked about proof in writing, there was none. Is it a trap? Going back to our original homes can be true vision if we pray. I know God's plans are above ours, and dreams like this can come true."

A woman's group leader told us, "We need to be free. We want unity and we also need help with our schools, churches and Early Child Care Development programs."

One man had just been released from prison after serving five years after being accused of helping the KNU. "I was beaten badly when I was arrested and then taken to Toungoo prison. There I was fed rice and salt water. I was watched all the time and only allowed to pray in Burmese and not in my Karen language. I spent much time in solitary. I knew the Karen lady medic who was captured and saw her in prison too."

Another man in his 60s told us, "Last year, I was captured by the Burma Army on the trail and had four of my teeth knocked out by the soldiers. I was beaten with sticks and clubbed with a rifle to my entire body. After six days of torture my friends were able to pay 300,000 kyats to the army and I was released."

A pastor told us, "Things have gotten a little better and we are stopped at checkpoints less than before. After 60 years of war, hearts need to change. My message to Aung San Suu Kyi is, 'Please remember the ethnic people of Burma.' All of us should be united, and for me the church is the central pillar of unity. We want all churches to be free. We do not want to have to apply for permission as we do now. Now we have to apply for permission to hold special church events, for building projects, and for any traveling we want to do. I do want to thank you all for the gifts you gave us last time and for the bibles and hymnals. We used the gift to make a wooden library to safely store all of our bibles, hymnals and books. Now we need more Bibles and hymnals. Thank you so much and may God bless all of you."

We committed to helping each community and church as much as we could and are grateful for the help of Partners and others. As we talked, I told them about how the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood for the Jews and other oppressed people in WWII. Bonhoeffer gave up his life to stand against Hitler's Nazi oppression. Bonhoeffer died in a concentration camp just before the war ended and freedom came. Even the end of World War II did not mean freedom for all. For many in Eastern Europe, China and other places, oppression under another name continued. Last year the former Czech President, Vaclav Havel, died. He was one of many who stood for freedom until Eastern Europe too was free. He was a friend of FBR and here in Burma we paid tribute to him with a memorial service, prayer and song. Here in Burma, like Havel and Bonhoeffer, we are directed by the conviction that God wants us to stand with and help His people be free. God's power of love brings change in each of us and helps us to move forward together to be part of His freedom, mercy and grace everywhere.

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family and FBR teams.

Karen State, Burma.

Updates from Around Karen State

Doo Pla Ya District From 16-23 January 2012, Burma Army soldiers shot at villagers, and forced villagers to support their resupply activities. Burma Army Infantry Battalions (IBs) 61 and 62, and Light Infantry Battalions (LIBs) 591 and 343 advanced and secured the road in the Anankwin and Thaphuzaya areas. They resupplied food and supplies. When they arrived at Anankwin Village, they told villagers to make baskets for their loads. They demanded four baskets from Htee Kler Ni, Ten from Htee Ler Hsaw, ten from Lu Shah and ten from Mae Klu villages, Win Ye Township, Dooplaya District, south- central Karen State.

On 18 January, a soldier from Burma Army LIB 562 (battalion commander Kyaw Soe Naing) under control of Military Operation Command (MOC) 5, shot a villager, Saw Pa Dah, 35 years old from Ta Pho Poh Hta Village, Noh Ta Kaw Township, Doo Pla Ya District. Saw Pa Dah was wounded in the leg.

Taw Oo District On 22 January, Burma Army and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) forces fought between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo camp at 1200 hrs. Burma Army had one killed and one wounded, the KNLA had no casualties. The clash occurred on the mule trail between Lay Day Burma Army camp and Play Hsa Lo (They Pu) Burma Army camp as the Burma Army was sending supplies to Play Hsa Lo camp. Play Hsa Lo, Htantabin Township, Taw Oo District, Northern Karen State.

Kler Lwee Htoo District

On 24 January, Burma Army troops mortared and shot machine guns into IDP and village areas in Kyaukkyi Township, Kler Lwee Htoo District, western Karen State. At 17:20 hrs on 24 January, Burma Army troops of the Southern Command, (Battalion 351 and Battalion 60 identified. One commander identified from Battalion 351- one Company Commander named They Ko) advanced on the Kyauk Kyi-Muthey- Hsaw Hta road, shooting mortars and machine guns into the surrounding area. Some of the mortar rounds were directed at the villagers of Khe Der Village Tract and in Khe Der Village itself the people are on alert. As the Burma Army moved they fired mortars, machine guns and small arms. Over 150 horses and mules are being used for their resupply operation now and we have a report of 60 trucks of ammunition, food and supplies but can confirm the 41 trucks we saw and videoed. We have not yet heard of any casualties however. The shelling was from Wa Me Kwee and Kler Soe camps.

Mu Traw District

On 24 January, Burma Army troops shot at villagers in Kay Pu area, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw (Papun) District, northern Karen State. At 0845 hrs on 24 January, Burma Army troops from MOC 9 shot at villagers near the old Kay Pu Village site. The Burma Army has a camp above the old village that was abandoned when the Burma Army attacked here in a major offensive in 2006. The villagers were animists on the way to a religious ceremony. The Burma Army was patrolling down into the IDP areas near the Plo Lo Klo River (south of the junction with the Yunzalin River). When the Burma Army saw the villagers, they opened fire. The villagers ran and no one was hurt.

On 28 January, Burma Army troops and KNLA troops shook hands at a road crossing near Ler Mu Plaw, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District, northern Karen State. At 1145 hrs on 28 January, Burma Army troops on the Saw Mu Plaw-Baw Ga Li Gyi road between Saw Mu Plaw and Ler Mu Plaw, met KNLA troops on the road. The Burma Army called out, "Don't shoot, we will not shoot you."

The Karen soldiers responded, "We will not shoot you." The Karen troops moved out onto the road and talked briefly with the Burma Army troops.

The Burma Army troops said, "You can go back to your farms and villages now."

The Karen troops responded, "We cannot go back to our homes until you leave your camps and this area." The troops smiled and laughed together, shook hands and the Burma Army troops continued down the road.

Bu Tho Mission:

Starting 15 December 2011, the K5 Bu Tho FBR team began a mission to the Day Wah and Kyaw Pa village tracts in Bu Tho Township. They met students from 12 schools in this area, did medical treatment and observed and recorded Burma Army and Border Guard Force (BGF) activity. This was the first time these villages had received help from FBR.

In this area, Burma Army Division 11, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 218 and BGF unit 1014 are active. They have been patrolling in the areas of Meh Nyaw Village, Na Kyaw Village and Pwa Day Mu village, and also in the Kyoe Lo, Thoo Mweh Hta and Meh Pa areas. LIB 218 is controlled by Tun Tun Nai. He has ordered the his troops to patrol in this area in groups of 20-30 soldiers. Division 11 has 80 troops all together. Also active in this area is the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, unit 3/3.

Enemy activity here has forced over 100 villagers into hiding, and several schools are shut down while the activity continues. In the Meh Lah area, school was shut down because of Burma Army and BGF activity, while the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA- a proxy force of the Burma Army) plans to build a dam there.

FBR mule team carries supplies into a village.

Team member practicing at mule training

Shan team leader prays before a program, northern Karen State

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/

Please find attached the March 2012 issue of ALTSEAN Burma Bulletin.

The Burma Bulletin is a short month in review of events in Burma,
particularly those of interest to the democracy movement and human
rights activists.

In the March 2012 issue you will find:

* By-elections: threats, harassment, vote-buying, irregularities,
and censorship
* Tatmadaw violates peace agreements
* Media censored and intimidated
* Ojea Quintana's report
* UNHRC resolution
* Myitsone dam project still active
* List of Reports
* Much more...

The March 2012 Burma Bulletin is also available online at: http://bit.ly/H9zzdY

You can also receive daily Burma updates by following us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/altsean

Yours, in solidarity,

ALTSEAN-Burma

http://www.internationalcampaignforfreedom.blogspot.com/