Many of the non-state armed groups also use landmines and improvised explosive devices widely.
Burma has the largest number of child soldiers in the world. Here, a 16-year-old former child soldier from Mandalay hides his face to protect his identity. He fled after he was sent to the front line in Kachin state. The overwhelming majority of Burma’s child soldiers are found in the national army, which forcibly recruits children as young as 11, although armed ethnic opposition groups use child soldiers as well. As many as 20 percent of Burma’s active duty soldiers may be children under the age of 18.
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These migrant laborers work in the fields near Mae Sot, Thailand. There are currently an estimated two million migrant workers from Burma living in Thailand. Many Burmese migrants previously suffered as forced laborers in Burma. The Burmese army has used forced labor to build roads, act as “porters” for the military, build infrastructure, maintain bases and serve troops and patrols. Women are routinely subjected to sexual violence. Villagers receive no pay, must supply their own food and are threatened with imprisonment should they refuse to cooperate. Porters have been beaten and killed when they tire under their heavy burdens.
Harn Lay, 44, is Burma’s best-known cartoonist. His work is published in The Irrawaddy. A graduate of the Rangoon School of Fine Arts Academy and former rebel soldier, Harn Lay fled to Thailand following the 1988 protests and ensuing crackdown in Burma. In April 2010, he was awarded a Hellman/Hammett grant, administered by Human Rights Watch.
Abu Mayoe and Linda Desube are sex workers from Burma and members of Empower, a Thai organization of sex workers promoting rights, education and opportunities. Most sex workers from Burma provide the main source of income for their families, often supporting five to eight other adults. At Empower in Chiang Mai, migrant Burmese sex workers strive to improve working conditions and promote the dignity of migrants, women and sex workers.
The comedic troupe Thee Lay Thee: Mya Sabal Ngone, “Godzilla,” and his wife, Chaw Su Myo. The creative community in Burma has been among the leading voices challenging military rule with art and humor and they are therefore frequently targeted for arrest and detention. The Thee Lay Thee trio fled Burma after their colleague Zaraganar was arrested and sentenced to 59 years in prison in 2008.
Kyaw Htet, 22, is a former motorcycle mechanic from Prome. Like many young people in Burma, his opportunities and education are limited, especially if the family has any association with the political opposition. Kyaw Htet left Burma to pursue his dream of being a musician and helping his community.
Three exile Buddhist monks (left to right): Ashin Sopaka, Ashin Issariya, known as “King Zero,” and U Teza.
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