By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
Naypyidaw, Myanmar – Yesterday, a parliamentary report ordered by President Thein Sein revealed that the Myanmar Police Force (MPF) used smoke bombs containing phosphorous against protestors on November 29th of last year.
According to the Huffington Post, the November incident was the biggest use of force against protesters in Myanmar since President Thein Sein’s reformist government took office in March 2011.
Protestors have been opposing the $1 billion copper mine in Monywa, a city in the northwest of Myanmar. The mine is owned by a Chinese company and Myanmar Economic Holdings, the latter owned by the Myanmar military.
These protestors, including local villagers, activists, and Buddhist monks, claim that they have been unfairly forced to give up their land and subjected to environmental, social, and health problems.
A panel, led by opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, stated that the protestors suffered “unnecessary burns.”
“We have found that unexpected and unnecessary burns were caused to some monks and civilians because the police used smoke bombs without knowing what their effect would be,” stated the report.
Although the report did not specifically mention white phosphorus, it stated that devices used on the protesters contained phosphorus.
According to BBC News, the Myanmar government subsequently apologized to the injured protestors and created an investigation commission led by Ms. Suu Kyi. She is also expected to travel to the mine on Wednesday and speak with local villagers.
In response, the MPF stated that they only used water cannons, tear gas, and smoke grenades against the protestors.
Despite the opposition, the parliamentary report suggested that the mine operations continue. “This massive project is beneficial to the country even though the benefit is slight,” read the report. The report also stated that eliminating the mine would create tension with China and may discourage or deter future foreign investments.
“Some people are afraid of China, but the people in general are not, and they don’t feel any obligation toward China,” said Aung Thein.
Others are equally outraged. “I am very dissatisfied and it is unacceptable,” said Thwe Thwe Win, a protest leader. “There is no clause that will punish anyone who had ordered the violent crackdown. Action should be taken against the person who gave the order,” continued Thwe Thwe Win.
A separate report last month by Burmese lawyers and the US-based Justice Trust accused the MPF of using military-issue white phosphorus grenades to diffuse protesters.
For further information, please see:
BBC News – Burma Confirms phosphorus used at mine protest – 12 March 2013
Washington Post – Myanmar protestors hit by police crackdown outraged over report that supports mine operations – 12 March 2013
Huffington Post – Myanmar police used phosphorus at mine – 11 March 2013
