Rights groups urges Myanmar to make amends for seized land

An international human rights group is calling on Myanmar's government to expedite restitution for past illegal confiscations of land, detailing how land seizures are still hurting farmers in Myanmar even under the civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

A 33-page report released today by New York-based Human Rights Watch says the negative impact on farmers includes the loss of income, which makes it a struggle to pay for basic needs, such as food, health care and education for children.

Land confiscation in Myanmar became a major issue under the previous military government, with estimates of millions of acres (hectares) of land seized from farmers and other civilians without compensation. Farmers who protested or refused to leave confiscated land often faced criminal prosecution.