Farmers’ publish story of struggle to hold land

Thursday, 19 January 2012 14:52 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A 38-page booklet on “Forced expropriations of farmlands and partial victories” by the Farmers' Rights Defenders Network has been published, documenting the story of villagers of Sissayan, in Magway, who have opposed attempts of army-backed companies to take over their land.

Wong Kai Shing, director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, said the publication showed the strength of spirit and sense of natural justice among people in Burma.

“It is a very promising sign for Burma that such a strong spirit exists among the people around the country to stand up for their rights and resist attacks on their livelihoods and even their very lives,” Wong said.

“That people in Burma are themselves now documenting and publicizing their energetic struggle, with few resources and still relatively limited contact with human rights defenders from around the region also shows that they are maturing as human rights defenders and learning very fast,” he said.


The booklet is available here: http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/BurmeseSysayamFarmerBook.pdf