Clarification from the Karen National Union (KNU) Mutraw district

Regarding Media reports on Forced Recruitment and Other Issues in Mutraw

District
October 14, 2015
1. On October 1, 2015, 7 Day Daily News reported that Commander Pa Mee
from the Karen National Liberation Army arrested 3 villagers and
tortured them severely. Among the 3 villagers, it was reported that one
man, Uncle Bi Kah, age 44, died upon arrival at Myaing Gyi NguHospital.
The report said that Commander Pa Mee belongs to Brigade 5 which is
under the control ofLt. General Baw Kyaw Heh.
In the past, Comander Pah Mee was under the command of the Brigade 5
leader. He was in-charge around the Taung Ja, Meh Pri, and Htee Th daw
Hta areas. However, in 2015, he started to distance himself from Brigade
5 command and acted against the KNU and civilians in that area. He
committed different types of human rights violations.The Brigade 5
leadership ordered him to report back to headquarters, but he refused
and continued to act inhis own way and caused more problems. Brigade 5
then dismissed him from his position for violating the KNLA rules and
discharged him from Brigade 5 KNLA.
Themedia incorrectly reported that Brigade 5 is under the control of
Brigadier Baw Kyaw Heh.We hope that the media verify their
information and check their facts before publishing. Lt. General Baw
Kyaw Heh is no longer a brigadier with Brigade 5 but the Vice Chief of
Staff of the whole KNLA.
According to the KNLAs structure, Brigade 5 is not the only brigade that
is overseen by VCS and controlled by him. In fact, all the 7 brigades are
under his command since he is in charge of the military.
2. Compulsory recruitment
Since 2012, after the signing of the bilateral agreement between the KNU
and Burmese government, Brigade 5 has not had a policy to recruit more
soldiers nor to promote compulsory recruitment. After the recent media
reports, all battalioncommanders and village track leaders were ordered
to headquarters for question regarding the reports of forced
recruitment.After these investigations it became clear that the reported
information was incorrect and it likely that the misinformation stems
from the propaganda of the Burmese government.

There are cases where some soldiers were on leave and did not return
and some who are old but do not want to retire or give up their position.
Every military has their own rules, and the KNLA therefore acts according
to our military rules and procedures.
3. Villagers in those areas are fleeing not because of forced recruitment but
because of intimidation by the BGF. Villagers have been told by BGF that
they are going to launch an offensive against Pa Mee to wipe him out from
that area. Villagers were told by BGF that they would get into trouble if
they supported the KNU or accepted the KNU in their village.Therefore
villagers are in a difficult situation.In fear for their safety and security,
villagers are moving to safer places before the fighting takes place.
4. The areas covered by the media reports are not only under the control of
Brigade 5. They are in mixed administration zones, with different armed
groups operating and patrolling including the KNLA, DKBA, BGF and
Burma army. It continues to be an area of conflict. It is also the area where
the Hatgyi dam is going to be built and the development in that area is the
main cause of the conflict.
5. There are a number of different armed groups in the area and conflict
could happen anytime even whenpeaceful solutions are sought. It is
difficult because the BGF is directly controlled by Nay Pyi Taw and takes
orders from Burma Army. The Brigade 5 brigadier has reported the
problems to the KNUs headquarters. The Karen UnityCommittee that is
responsible for reuniting Karen Armed Groups had planned to hold a
meeting in these areas on 8/6/2015, however the meeting was canceled
by the interruption and disapproval of the Burma Armys LIB battalion 22.
This is a clear indication of who is really behind the conflict.

For Contact - Saw Degayjunior,Saw Klerdoh

Phone - 201079054,024026142