Title: Armed conflict, internally displaced persons and protection in Kachin state, Myanmar
Author: Zaw Lut
Year: 2013
Keywords: MYANMAR ARMED CONFLICT / INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS / MIGRATION, PATTERNS / PROTECTION AND HUMAN SECURITY IN KACHIN STATE
Theme: Migration
Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich
The full thesis available here.
Abstract: Internally displacement issues which phenomenon is quite similar with refugee gets mor attention from the world. According to the Internally Displacement Monitoring Center eport, 2011 described there were approximately 26.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) around the world. As Myanmar has been known for the home of the world longest civil war running country, the internally displacement phenomenon is gaining more attention and displacement numbers is growing year. Armed conflict between ethnic armed groups and Myanmar government military is going on since before Myanmar independence 1947 up to now in eastern, southern and northern parts the country where majority of the ethnic people are living. According to the Thai Border Consortium 2012, the estimation IDPs in the Eastern and Southern part of Myanmar is 4000,000. Since 2011, armed conflict between Kachin independent Army and Myanmar government military is carrying on, over 100,000 internally displaced persons, which is the greatest displacement ever in Kachin state, majority of IDPs are taking refuge along the Myanmar China border. Yet, Myanmar government have not recognized the IDPs officially therefore, IDPs are unprotected from being human right violations and humanitarian aids situation is worse. Therefore, this thesis focuses on armed conflict, migration pattern of IDPs, protction and human security of IDPs. How armed conflict affected to the IDPs, human security condition and function of protection mechanism for IDPs during the displacement. The key findings in this research indicate that 2011 Kachin armed conflict is rooted on political economic incentives of the Myanmar government and China. IDPs who moved into Laiz area are socially, geographically, and politically connected with KIO. All seven dimensions of Human security is not secure especially economic security and education is great challeges for the IDPs for their futurel. Eventually, IDPs have not legal-bonded protection though they are suffering from the human right violation and political rights are absent voting for 2015 is still a dream for IDPs.