Serious International Crimes Continue in Burma Under ‘New’ Regime

By Altsean-Burma • October 13, 2011

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. In the past six months, Tatmadaw soldiers raped and killed women during their offensive in Kachin and Shan States. At least 30 cases of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by military personnel have been documented. The regime also continued to recruit children into the military in order to offset the steady increase in desertions.

Those governments that hoped for a new “civilian” regime to deliver some form of progress must recognize that an impartial and independent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is a necessary measure to address the root causes of political crisis in Burma and empower all stakeholders to push forward the agenda for reform.

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