Myanmar: Asian Highway project undermines peace in Karen State - statement by local NGOs
"Asian Highway project undermines peace in Karen State", 10 July 2015
Outbreak of heavy fighting along the newly completed highway from Myawaddy to Kawkareik demonstrates how large-scale development, when implemented before a permanent ceasefire and political agreement, exacerbates conflict, undermines the peace process, and jeopardizes the safety of civilians. All parties must immediately halt hostilities, and resolve issues related to the highway through dialogue in the peace process.
The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) is alarmed by recent fighting between the Burma Army and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) along the recently completed section of the Asian Highway between Myawaddy and Kawkareik. The Burma Army began heavy fire on DKBA positions along the road...
The road project...has long been mired in controversy. Promoted as a crucial link in the Asian Highway 1 (AH1), which would span more than 20,000 km from Tokyo to Istanbul, highway construction in Karen State has been accompanied by land confiscation, forced labor, and militarization. Delayed because of conflict, the project was revived in 2012 after ceasefire agreements between Karen armed groups and the Burma Army, and completed quickly with $38 million in funding from the Thai government...The ADB is currently preparing to loan $100 million to the Burma government to upgrade an adjoining section of the highway, from Kawkareik to Eindu, where villagers also fear land confiscation...