With only our voices (English)

Karen Human Rights Group
to include two acres of Saw C---’s field, a villager from K--- village. Once again, they tried to
re-lease the land to those who had had it confiscated, only to find that villagers were unable
to pay the large leasing costs:
“Villagers must pay 100 baskets (2,090 kg. or 4,608 lb.) of paddy or 50 baskets (1,045 kg. or
1,843.20 lb.) of paddy [per year, depending on the size of the farm]. The villagers did not
work on it [the confiscated land], because they [Tatmadaw] leased it at a very high leasing
rate.”
Situation Update written by a KHRG researcher, Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District/
Northeastern Kayin State (Received in July 2014) 402
3. Consequences
Out of the reports KHRG analysed, villagers and KHRG researchers identified livelihood
issues as the primary negative consequence caused by land confiscation for military
purposes. Of the ten cases assessed, seven cited livelihood issues 403 as a major
consequence while one involved an incidence of displacement. 404
a. Livelihood issues
Villagers from Thaton, 405 Toungoo, 406 Dooplaya, 407 Hpapun, 408 and Hpa-an districts 409 reported
that their livelihoods were negatively impacted due to the confiscation of their land. They
were left without their farms and plantations and therefore without their main means of
subsistence and/or income, forcing them to work as day labourers in order to support
themselves and their families. In one instance, villagers took up an alternative craft due to
the military barring them from accessing their land and crops:
“According to the villagers, if they [the land owners] collect the crops from their plantations
without getting permission from the superior officer [and if the soldiers catch them], they [the
soldiers] ask them to leave the crops with them. They also say that the land no longer
belongs to you [the villagers] anymore. [Now], the villagers weave mats and sell them for
their livelihoods. They [the villagers] said to help them [resolve this problem] if there are
people who are willing to help them.”
Situation Update written by a KHRG researcher, Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo
District/Northern Kayin State (Received in July 2014) 410
This report goes on to say that some villagers have remained unemployed since having their
land seized:
“After the confiscation [of their land], the local people are now unemployed. Because of these
issues, the land owners whose lands have been confiscated face problems with their
economic and social situations, as well as their livelihoods.”
Situation Update written by a KHRG researcher, Thandaunggyi Township, Toungoo
District/Northern Kayin State (Received in July 2014) 411
402 Ibid.
403 For example see source #100.
404 For example see source #15.
405 For example see source #3.
406 For example see source #88.
407 For example see source #100.
408 For example see source #102.
409 For example see source #15.
410 See source #88.
411 Ibid.
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