ARMED CONFLICT, INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND PROTECTION IN KACHIN STATE, MYANMAR

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the root causes of the armed conflict, migration patterns, protection and human security of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) along the Myanmar-China border in Kachin state, Myanmar. The study was conducted at four IDPs camps in Laiza area, Myanmar-China border in Kachin state from June to July 2013. The study found the root causes of armed conflict is the political economic incentives of Myanmar government and Chinese investors, and political discord between Kachin independent Organization/Army (KIO/A) and Myanmar government based on the Myanmar government’s border guard force proposal. Therefore, the armed conflict between Myanmar government military and Kachin Independent Army flared up on June 2011 and it’s over two years now. Due to the armed conflict, human rights violation, over 100,000 thousands of civilians are in displacement of which majority of the displaced persons are taking refuge in the Kachin Independent Organization controlled area. Secondly, there is limited protection though IDPs are facing some human rights violation and Myanmar government still does not recognize IDPs officially yet. During the December 2012, five of IDPs were killed within one day in Ja Pu village due to the suspicion of KIA and hundreds of IDPs’ homes were burnt down in Nam San Yang village by the government military. UNHCR, ICRC, government judicial institutions, KIO/A, civilian groups are voiceless over the issues furthermore, delivery of humanitarians assistance to the IDPs camps in KIO controlled area are prohibited by the government who has the most responsibility to protect the civilians. Therefore, IDPs’ human security condition is in question. Thirdly, among seven dimensions of human security, political and community security are not included in the research due to the fact that IDPs situation is not normal situation. Food assistance is available but it does not match with the international standard. There is no regular income for the IDPs. Health care service and camp environmental security are good but the camp hygiene is poor due to the overcrowded population and insufficiency of water supplies and toilets. IDPs are safe in the camps but outside of the camps they are not because of landmines. There is no domestic, sexual, communal violence, child labor or soldiers in the camps except adultery issue. Counselling for the victims and judicial solution is not seen. Furthermore, the researcher found that education for the IDPs and vocational trainings and job opportunities are the most important issues and available. The UN agencies and non-UN agencies are focusing mainly on delivering food and non-food items. Returning back to the original places entirely depends on ceasefire agreement and clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnances in the IDPs’ village area. As the displacement is taken place due to the armed conflict, the government and KIO should sign ceasefire agreement and start to talk on political dialogue in order to have safe return. Moreover, the government should recognize IDPs officially and encourage the humanitarian assistant agencies to put more effort on education and livelihood trainings.