An interview with Salai Mang Hre Lian from CHRO about the military council’s violations of human rights and the human rights situation in Myanmar nearly four years of the coup.
In a few days, the year 2024 will come to an end, marking the upcoming 4th anniversary of Myanmar’s Spring Revolution, which began in response to the military coup.
In the current military situation, the military council has lost significant territories and camps, including the Northeast Command and the Western Command. In response, the military council is primarily relying on airstrikes.
Despite the ongoing military setbacks, the military council has not stopped the human rights violations it has consistently committed. According to Salai Mang Hre Lian from the CHRO, the military council continues to carry out civilian killings, as well as the burning of homes and religious buildings.
Salai Mang Hre Lian from the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) was awarded the 2024 Human Rights Defender Award by the US State Department. The CHRO has been instrumental in identifying and documenting the serious human rights violations committed by the junta forces since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.
Khonumthung Media Group (KMG) interviewed Salai Mang Hre Lian from CRHO about the military council’s human rights violations and the human rights situation in the almost 4 years of military coup in Myanmar, including the recent recognition of Salai Mang Hre Lian with the Human Rights Defender Award.
Q: How have human rights violations by the military council intensified nearly four years into military rule?
A: It has now been four years since the military coup. Since then, the military council has been blatantly violating human rights, becoming more brutal with each passing year. In the third year, the military council was no longer able to conduct effective ground operations and began facing significant losses. Despite these setbacks in the war, the junta’s human rights violations have not ceased. They continue to commit these violations with relentless force.
The number of civilian deaths has increased year by year due to the junta’s airstrikes on civilian targets, such as hospitals, schools, and religious buildings. These attacks are prohibited under international law, which forbids targeting such sites during conflict. The military council has deliberately targeted these protected areas. As the military council continues its violations, the number of war crimes is rising, and it can be said that crimes against humanity are also increasing.
Q: What have been the conditions of the military council’s human rights violations in Chin State from the coup until today?
A: In the Spring Revolution, Chin State is considered the first state in Myanmar to take up arms against the military council. As a result, Chin State became the first to experience brutal attacks by the military council, particularly in terms of human rights violations. These violations have taken various forms, including targeted arrests, interrogations, and torture of civilians. Additionally, there have been numerous arrests and killings of civilians, including pastors.
Many churches and religious buildings that are deeply cherished in Chin State have been destroyed. To date, over 130 religious buildings in the state have been demolished, marking an unprecedented level of violations in history. The military council is committing various forms of human rights violations in Chin State, and the situation there is worse than in other regions and states.
Q: We have heard that you were awarded the 2024 Human Rights Defender Award. Could you tell us how you, along with others from eight different countries, received this recognition from CHRO?
A: The US government has embassies in nearly 200 countries worldwide, and these embassies submitted a list of human rights activists, selecting nearly 200 individuals. From that pool, 8 people were chosen. My name was nominated by the US Embassy in Myanmar and forwarded to the regional level, then to the Asian level, before eventually reaching the US State Department. After going through these stages, CHRO and I were awarded, alongside seven other individuals from different countries, because the US State Department officials deemed my work worthy of this recognition.
Q: What does this award mean for the people of Myanmar, including Chin rights activists and ethnic minorities?
A: I believe this award recognizes the human rights work carried out by CHRO since the coup. For example, through CHRO’s efforts, we were able to urge the British government to address the incident in Thantlang, Myanmar, leading to a closed-door discussion on Myanmar at the United Nations Security Council in 2021. Additionally, in the Philippines, we successfully took legal action against officials, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for their human rights violations in Chin State.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, also mentioned that the reason for awarding this honor was CHRO’s ability to raise international awareness about the human rights situation in Myanmar. I view this award as recognition of CHRO’s efforts, and I believe it is a testament to my role as a leader within the organization.
Q: What are the biggest difficulties and challenges faced in the human rights movement?
A: There are many challenges. The primary one is the constant threat to our security and position. However, we believe that remaining silent in the face of human rights violations is not an option. We have a responsibility to speak up for those whose rights have been violated. It is my belief that we must work tirelessly to pursue justice, and this is the mindset that drives my work.
Documenting human rights violations often has psychological impacts on us as well. We are constantly reaching out to those affected, viewing photos and videos of victims, and speaking with them, which can be emotionally taxing. Despite these challenges, this is a responsibility we cannot abandon. We have a duty to speak up and serve on behalf of those who have suffered. With this understanding, we continue to carry out human rights work.
Q: We understand that you participate in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Can you tell us more about your involvement and how it helps you achieve international success?
A: CHRO has been recognized as a consultative organization by the United Nations since 2018, which has granted us greater rights. For example, during United Nations Human Rights Council meetings, we are able to attend regularly without the need for an invitation. This status has amplified our voice within international human rights groups. Our credibility is well-established, and both international governments and organizations, including the UN, value the information and perspectives we provide. Winning this award has further strengthened our work and our ability to advocate for human rights.
Q: What are the next steps for CHRO? What areas are you planning to expand or focus on moving forward?
A: The CHRO has systematically documented the military council’s human rights violations in Chin State. Moving forward, we are committed to continuing our efforts in various ways to seek justice for the victims. Since there is no way to hold perpetrators accountable within Myanmar, we plan to pursue justice through international courts and under international law. Following the example of our work in the Philippines, we will explore all available avenues to ensure that the military council is held accountable for its human rights violations.
In collaboration with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), we are committed to revisiting discussions to ensure that the evidence of human rights violations in Chin State is presented and proven in the relevant courts. As the revolution progresses towards success, we remain determined to continue working towards achieving justice for the victims of human rights violations during Myanmar’s transition.