Ongoing Abuses in Burma's Kachin State

Although the new government in Burma has promised to change the country into a democractic country, its army continues to conduct human rights abuses in ethnic areas such as Kachin and Shan states.

Human Rights Watch(HRW), a New York based organization, issued a press release on October 18,2011 to highlight the ongoing abuses conducted by the Burma's armed forces against ethnic Kachin civilians.

The press release was issued after the HRW has conducted a fact-finding mission to the conflict areas in Kachin State (by visiting abandoned villages and eight remote camps of internally displaced persons) and documented the witnesses's reports. The serious abuses committed by Burmese soldiers included but not limited to killings,attacks on civilians, pillaging of villages and the unlawful use of forced labor.

"Since hostilities began over five months ago against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Burmese armed forces have been responsible for killings and attacks on civilians, using forced labor, and pillaging villages, which has resulted in the displacement of an estimated 30,000 Kachin civilians" the press release said.

The press release also pointed out the September 2011 report to the United Nations General Assembly by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Thomas Ojea Quintana, “Allegations of abuses against civilian populations throughout Kachin State include reports of 18 women and girls having been gang-raped by army soldiers, and of four of those victims being subsequently killed.” 

Although the government is showing some good deeds in its cities, people from remote areas are still being victims of human rights violations. There is still no significant change in Burma.  

Photo from Human Rights Watch: Villagers from Sang Gang, in Kachin State, site of recent fighting, at a newly established internally displaced persons camp in southeastern Kachin State.

Photo reference: Human Rights Watch; Sang Gang internally displaced persons camp, Kachin State.