Kayah farmers unite to fight convictions, land confiscations
Kayah farmers unite to fight convictions, land confiscations
Myanmar Times, 07 May 2015
URL: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/14324-kayah-farmers-unite-to-fight-convictions-land-confiscations.html
The farmers gathered outside the courthouse around noon on May 4. After the six were found guilty of trespassing and each sentenced to 25 days in jail or a K500 fine, the marchers demonstrated through the streets of the capital.
Led by activists from the Union of Karenni State Youth and the newly formed Kayah State Farmers Union, the marchers shouted “our cause” and wore straw hats with the words “save our land”. The farmers came from all eight districts of Kayah State and were watched closely by police.
While the protest, which ended peacefully in the afternoon, was held following the sentencing, it also sought to draw attention to other land confiscations in Kayah State. Protesters said land had been confiscated from farmers for at least two cement factories, two hydropower dams and several mines.
“We are here today because we want the rights of the farmers to be respected. And still now, people are afraid of soldiers,” one demonstrator said.
The protest received formal permission from the government, which UKSY central committee member U Kyaw Htin Aung said was a first in Loikaw.
“It took a lot of negotiation with the authorities to make this happen,” Ko Dee Dee, a local activist said of the allowed May 4 march.
The formation of the farmers’ union in January has brought more coordination and planning to the anti-land confiscation movement in Kayah State.
About 100 farmers who took part in the May 4 protest signed up for the union, which elected its central committee on February 15.
“Many farmers lost their land because they felt threatened and thought they didn’t have any other choice,” said union member U Than Tun.
Together, however, backed by local activists, they plan to hold the authorities accountable for confiscations – including some that date back as far as 25 years.
Led by activists from the Union of Karenni State Youth and the newly formed Kayah State Farmers Union, the marchers shouted “our cause” and wore straw hats with the words “save our land”. The farmers came from all eight districts of Kayah State and were watched closely by police.
While the protest, which ended peacefully in the afternoon, was held following the sentencing, it also sought to draw attention to other land confiscations in Kayah State. Protesters said land had been confiscated from farmers for at least two cement factories, two hydropower dams and several mines.
“We are here today because we want the rights of the farmers to be respected. And still now, people are afraid of soldiers,” one demonstrator said.
The protest received formal permission from the government, which UKSY central committee member U Kyaw Htin Aung said was a first in Loikaw.
“It took a lot of negotiation with the authorities to make this happen,” Ko Dee Dee, a local activist said of the allowed May 4 march.
The formation of the farmers’ union in January has brought more coordination and planning to the anti-land confiscation movement in Kayah State.
About 100 farmers who took part in the May 4 protest signed up for the union, which elected its central committee on February 15.
“Many farmers lost their land because they felt threatened and thought they didn’t have any other choice,” said union member U Than Tun.
Together, however, backed by local activists, they plan to hold the authorities accountable for confiscations – including some that date back as far as 25 years.