ICC Note: Although a ceasefire was signed in May, Burmese army operations have continued in the North of Burma (Myanmar). This report details a a recent incident of rape by Burmese soldiers. The incident took place in Kachin State, which is inhabited by the pre-dominantly Christian Kachin ethnic group. Burmese forces are however filled with Buddhist’s, including some radical nationalistic Buddhist officers, and the conflict often takes on religious undertones. During the last major offensive by Burmese troops from the summer of 2011 through January 2013 dozens of churches were burned to the ground by Burmese troops.
9/18/2013 Burma (CIC) – Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in May, tensions remain high in Burma’s Kachin state.
The following was taken verbatim from a report sent to Vision Beyond Borders (VBB) from their contact in the region:
“September 4, 2013: The intruding Burmese Army from the 66th Light Infantry Division arrested and tortured several village headmen, then later transferred them by the riverboat. Their village is under the KIO’s 1st Brigade Administrative area.
The same Burmese troops occupied another village and molested the young girls from the village and took them to the jungle for sexual assault and rape, and later released them without clothes.
We are still investigating the details of this incident, how many girls were the victims of sexual violence in this village. The same time, the Burmese Army accused and arrested entire villagers of being supporters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), then took them by riverboats.”
A September 8 account from Kachinland News, as shared on BurmaLink.org, confirms the abuse. Burma Link.org is committed to helping both local and international actors take effective action to help the people of Burma.
“Local residents fear for an imminent escalation in the fighting as Burmese army has begun transporting more troops, food, guns and ammunition using military transport aircraft to KIA’s 7th Battalion area in Machyang Baw in northern Kachin State,” the report adds.
VBB has been working with CFE Ministries for many years to help Burma’s refugees. They’ve set up orphanages in the Karen and Karenni camps and have worked diligently to share the love of Christ.
They’re now working to get supplies and aid to the Kachin in northern Burma, who are 98% Christian. In a May 2013 report, VBB noted how refugees have to move around constantly to find shelter and security. Medicine remains a top priority.
According to VBB, 364 villages have been fully or partially abandoned, with over 100,000 displaced people. The Kachin National Organization (KNO) has been documenting the Burmese army resupplying front-line posts for what appears to be a major offensive.
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