Human rights violations in Mon State have significantly increased in 2024, with 272 civilians arrested by the military junta between January and November, according to a report released on December 12 by the Lagon Eain Bulletin.
Compared to the early period following the military coup, 2024 has seen a sharp rise in mass arrests and severe injuries, highlighting the worsening human rights situation in Mon State.
Over the past 11 months, 272 individuals—including 208 men and 64 women—were detained. Many of those arrested were young people forcibly conscripted into military service or accused of supporting the People’s Defense Forces. The detainees were apprehended by military intelligence and remain in custody under these charges.
“This year, the arrest rate has surged by 50 to 60 percent. Beginning in March and April, arrests linked to revolutionary activities, particularly the Dhammatha clashes, began to rise. The situation further escalated in July, August, and September. For instance, in Thaton and Bilin, our data for September shows that approximately 30 individuals were arrested and conscripted into military service, coinciding with the introduction of the conscription law in February,” a source said.
The source also warned that in 2025, as the military junta faces mounting defeats and a dwindling number of troops, forced recruitment and arbitrary detentions of civilians are likely to increase.
In addition to arrests, 127 people were reported killed across Mon State within 11 months. Most fatalities resulted from landmine explosions, torture, or gunfire from mortar shelling.
Data from the Lagon Eain Bulletin further reveals that since the military coup three years ago, 27,736 civilians have been arrested, and over 5,991 have been killed by the military junta and its affiliates.
The enactment of the conscription law has intensified the targeting of young people, many of whom have been arrested or used as human shields, raising grave concerns. On Human Rights Day, December 10, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland called on the international community to take immediate action to address these escalating abuses.
