Serious international crimes continue in Burma under 'new' regime

Since Thein Sein took office as Burma’s President on 30 March, the 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.

In the past six months, the following crimes against humanity and war crimes have been documented:

• At least 30 cases of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by military personnel.
• Over 400 complaints of children recruited as child soldiers.
• At least 35 civilians killed.
• Systematic use of forced labor in ethnic areas.
• Forced displacement during military attacks that targeted civilians.
• At least 11 activists and media persons arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
• Over 100 villagers arbitrarily detained in Kachin and Shan State during “counter-insurgency” operations.
• Continued use of torture.
• Systematic persecution of Muslim Rohingya in Northern Arakan State.