Uncertain Ground: Landmine Use in Eastern Burma

By Karen Human Rights Group • May 22, 2012

This report focuses on field information received between January and December 2011. Key updates relating to the use of landmines in 2012 were also included, however due to the sheer volume of information that KHRG regularly receives, all field information received since the beginning of 2012 has not yet been closely analysed. For example, during 2011 alone, community members working with KHRG collected a total of 1,270 oral testimonies, sets of images and documentation written by villagers, including: 523 audio-recorded interviews, 220 incident reports, 84 situation updates, 125 other documents written by villagers, 111 sets of photos and video amounting to a total of 12,517 images, and 207 written orders issued by civilian and military officials. Interviewees included both village leaders and persons not in positions of leadership, as well as men, women and youths. KHRG is committed to interviewing villagers from all ethnic groups within its research areas. The majority of villagers interviewed belong to different sub-ethnicities of Karen, however interviews were also conducted with other ethnic groups, including Burman, Pa’O, Mon, Chin, Karenni, Arakan and Shan villagers.

In order to systematically analyse data and draw conclusions regarding the use of landmines in eastern Burma, seven KHRG staff analysed English translations of a total of 603 oral testimonies and pieces of written human rights documentation received between January 2011 and May 2012, as well as 141 sets of images.12 Of these, 119 described events, raised concerns or dealt with issues related to the use of landmines in eastern Burma.

Download the full report here.