“Petition to claim rights violated over Salween dams”, 22 November 2014

Concerned Thai and Myanmar people will officially petition Thailand's National Human Rights Commission…over alleged human-rights violations related to two proposed dam projects in the Salween River basin….According to a statement released by the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network and the Karen Rivers Watch, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) promised to buy 90 per cent of electricity generated by a 1,360-megawatt hydropower plant at the Hatgyi Dam and a 7,100MW hydro plant at the Tha Sang Dam. Both dams would be located in Myanmar…Locals are starting to feel as though their lives are in danger, deputy commander-in-chief General Baw Kyaw Hei of the Karen National Union said…Non-profit organisations based in Myanmar suspect that the army has carried out some military operations in a bid facilitate the dams' construction…Fighting between Myanmar soldiers and rebel groups has reportedly forced more than 60,000 people to flee the Tha Sang Dam area, while more than 50,000 people have left the Hatgyi Dam area. There have been reported violations of human rights such as forced labour, physical abuse and extra-judicial killings…