Post-election Burma: Impunity still reigns, women and children more vulnerable to crimes

Since the 7 November elections, Burma’s regime has continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity. Reports of serious international crimes have increased significantly in line with the escalation of the ongoing Tatmadaw offensives in Kachin, Shan, and Karen States.

Women and children have been particularly vulnerable. Tatmadaw soldiers raped and killed women during their offensive in Kachin and Shan States. The regime also continued to recruit children into the military in order to offset the steady increase in desertions.

Between November 2010 and June 2011, the following crimes against humanity and war crimes were documented:

• At least 34 cases of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by military personnel.
• Over 400 complaints of children recruited as child soldiers.
• At least 26 civilians killed.
• Systematic use of forced labor in ethnic areas.
• At least 600 people forcibly displaced in military attacks that targeted civilians.
• At least 14 people subjected to arbitrary imprisonment.
• The continued use of torture.
• Systematic persecution of Rohingya in Northern Arakan State.