Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 22
Published by MoeMaKa on September 23, 2023
Everyday Struggles: Civilians Amidst Ongoing Conflict and Violence
In the wake of the military coup, Myanmar has regrettably witnessed a relentless surge in civilian casualties. For many people, it has become a grim daily ritual to scour the news, seeking information on these incidents, and frantically verifying if they occurred in their own neighborhoods, cities, or involved people they know. Once they confirm that their immediate community and loved ones are not affected, they draw a sigh of relief and proceed to the next harrowing news piece.
Organizations tasked with tracking armed conflicts, battles, and politically motivated killings keenly monitor news reports and, based on this information, compile statistics categorized by gender, age, and other relevant factors.
Following such incidents, news agencies actively engage local organizations through phone calls or online communication tools, seeking answers to common questions. Once enough data is gathered, it is presented to the public as news articles. Sadly, there are numerous instances where the exact cause of death and the identity of the perpetrators remain undisclosed. Many cases involve killings where the culprits refuse to admit their involvement.
This context is provided to underscore the alarming fact that civilian deaths, due to various reasons, have tragically become a daily occurrence in Myanmar.
For family members, friends, communities, organizations, and businesses linked to these victims, the loss is acutely felt, leaving them in mourning for their loved ones, friends, and colleagues. In some instances, they must even contemplate fleeing for their safety when threats loom, and, due to fear, are compelled to withhold critical information regarding these incidents.
When examining civilian deaths, we can broadly categorize them into two groups: politically motivated killings, which are rooted in an individual’s political affiliations and beliefs, and homicides committed to gain material wealth or property, which we may refer to as non-political crimes. It’s important to acknowledge that certain organizations with political ties may also be involved in non-political crimes to some extent.
Generally, political-related killings are predominantly carried out by the military council’s armed forces, with a smaller fraction attributed to other armed groups. Non-political crimes such as robbery and murder may involve criminals, as well as members of armed groups who resort to such acts to acquire financial gain.
An essential question arises: Are there any measures in place to mitigate these civilian killings? Given the ongoing political crisis and armed conflicts, it is indeed challenging to eliminate these occurrences completely. Preventing non-political criminal homicides hinges on the rule of law, which in turn links back to the underlying political crisis and problem.
It can be posited that civilian deaths will only cease when the military dictatorship is eradicated and the military council defeated. However, in the lead-up to this scenario, these tragic incidents continue to unfold almost daily. Therefore, it becomes crucial for armed organizations to actively work towards reducing such incidents to the best of their ability.
On the ground, there is evidence of the military council neglecting non-political criminal homicides due to the absence of rule of law and an assumption that it falls outside their jurisdiction. From the perspective of revolutionary forces, it may be challenging to prevent such incidents as they still lack territorial control. The presence of military forces within villages could contribute to the alleged civilian killings by the military council. To mitigate such incidents, revolutionary armed forces may need to strategize on relocating their troops away from the local populace.
It’s plausible that an increase in civilian deaths may be cynically exploited for political gain to sow resentment against the military council. However, it is imperative to stress that instead of nurturing grudges, the primary focus should be on every possible effort to prevent further loss of civilian lives.