Resilience and Resistance : Challenges and threats faced by Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Southeast Burma since the 2021 coup

1. Introduction

The current human rights and security situation in Southeast Burma (Myanmar)[1] has been in crisis since the 2021 military coup[2] due to an escalation of armed conflict and increasing human rights violations committed by the State Administration Council (SAC)[3]. The SAC has targeted and attacked anyone who opposes the regime, including peaceful protestors, pro-democracy activists, members of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)[4], local rights organisations, and civil society. Since the 2021 coup, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs)[5] and their family members have been arbitrarily arrested and detained, tortured, forcibly disappeared, and killed, with total impunity. Whilst the gravity of threats and lack of protection has forced HRDs in Southeast Burma to adapt their activism and protection strategies, their work remains active and essential, and in increased need of protection and recognition.

This briefing paper analyses the threats and challenges that HRDs have faced in locally-defined Karen State[6] since the 2021 coup (until June 2024). The first section gives an overview of the history of violence and oppression against HRDs. The second section provides evidence of attacks and violence faced by HRDs and their families, including anyone perceived to be defending human rights: namely torture and killings; arbitrary arrest and detention; restrictions on freedom of movement; surveillance and digital threats; risks related to the armed conflict; and threats faced by women human rights defenders. It also shows how those threats have changed since the 2021 coup; the impacts of such threats; and how HRDs have adapted. The third section presents a security and legal analysis of the situation. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations provided for regional and international stakeholders.

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