NHRC looks into cross-border rights violations
NHRC looks into cross-border rights violations
Myanmar Times, 06 Mar 2017
URL: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/25200-nhrc-looks-into-cross-border-rights-violations.html
The delegation led by Tuenjai Deetes the National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand – along with journalists, researchers and civil society representatives – visited Dawei in late February to exchange views in a public forum and push forward the investigation of two Thailand cross-border investment firms: Myanmar Pongpipat company and Italian-Thai Development company. After the visit, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC of Thailand) will submit a report to the Thai and Myanmar governments.
During the visit, the commissioner met with the local community in Dawei and listened to the grievances of people affected by the two firms.
“One of the biggest issues is [that] … sedimentation from the mine … affects the environment. There’s a huge change in this area. Whether or not the demarcation area or mining area is not clear is not the issue.
“But the issue is that this mine has no right to change the environment and the landscape, which causes an impact on the livelihood of the people living in this area,” she said, relating to the Heinda mine operated by Myanmar Pongpipat company since 1999 on more than 2000 acres of land in Myitta township, Dawei District in Tanintharyi Region.
The commissioner supported and advocated the community’s recommendations, and now she demands to restore the river.
“We can’t believe that there has been a river before, as we don’t really see the river. Restoring the area and then rehabilitating the river should be the main priority. In the past, the community and villagers can use the river and then catch some fish to eat. But at the moment, their livelihood has disappeared…”, she said.
As for the Heinda case, the commissioner said she would be in charge of the subcommittee. The team will supervise and follow up the implementation of cabinet resolutions regarding Thai firms investing cross-border.
“As the Thai Human Rights Commission, we are going to seek cooperation with the Myanmar Human Rights Commission [MHRC] in terms of what they can do for the Heinda case,” the commissioner explained.
The Heinda and Bawapin mines have long been opposed by local communities, who have accused the companies of polluting water supplies and ruining f
armland.
“For me, this is a great honour for the NHRC of Thailand to have the trust of the people here who sent us the letter about the human rights violations of Thai companies. I would encourage them also to trust the MHRC,” she said.
During the visit, the commissioner met with the local community in Dawei and listened to the grievances of people affected by the two firms.
“One of the biggest issues is [that] … sedimentation from the mine … affects the environment. There’s a huge change in this area. Whether or not the demarcation area or mining area is not clear is not the issue.
“But the issue is that this mine has no right to change the environment and the landscape, which causes an impact on the livelihood of the people living in this area,” she said, relating to the Heinda mine operated by Myanmar Pongpipat company since 1999 on more than 2000 acres of land in Myitta township, Dawei District in Tanintharyi Region.
The commissioner supported and advocated the community’s recommendations, and now she demands to restore the river.
“We can’t believe that there has been a river before, as we don’t really see the river. Restoring the area and then rehabilitating the river should be the main priority. In the past, the community and villagers can use the river and then catch some fish to eat. But at the moment, their livelihood has disappeared…”, she said.
As for the Heinda case, the commissioner said she would be in charge of the subcommittee. The team will supervise and follow up the implementation of cabinet resolutions regarding Thai firms investing cross-border.
“As the Thai Human Rights Commission, we are going to seek cooperation with the Myanmar Human Rights Commission [MHRC] in terms of what they can do for the Heinda case,” the commissioner explained.
The Heinda and Bawapin mines have long been opposed by local communities, who have accused the companies of polluting water supplies and ruining f
armland.
“For me, this is a great honour for the NHRC of Thailand to have the trust of the people here who sent us the letter about the human rights violations of Thai companies. I would encourage them also to trust the MHRC,” she said.