Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 13 Scene
(MoeMaKa) November 14, 2024
Increasing War Crimes Committed Frequently
The war crimes, as known in English, are crimes against humanity committed during armed operations and clashes in Myanmar’s internal conflict, ongoing for over three years.
When exploring the definition of war crimes, it involves acts where armed forces violate international war laws and regulations, including killing civilians, torturing them, burning down civilian homes, destroying property, committing sexual assaults, and killing or torturing prisoners of war. Such acts are classified as war crimes, and individuals, not just the state or armed groups, can be held accountable.
War crimes have persisted in Myanmar for generations, with accountability and punishment for perpetrators remaining scarce. Since independence, the internal conflict periods under successive regimes—from the early domestic conflicts to the Ne Win government after the 1962 coup, to the National Unity Government (NUG) after the 1988 coup, and into the governance following the 2011 and 2021 elections—have been marked by accusations of war crimes and even genocide.
Although there is a history of war crimes committed by armed groups in Myanmar, punishment has been minimal. For example, during military operations in northern Rakhine in August and September 2017, aimed at clearing out ARSA militants, crimes amounting to genocide were committed. However, these incidents have yet to result in punishment for the perpetrators, despite being addressed in international courts.
Following the February 1, 2021 coup, the number and severity of such incidents have escalated. After the armed resistance began in April and May of 2021, the military targeted not only the armed groups but also civilians, including children, elderly individuals, and disabled persons, accused of aiding or supporting the resistance.
Notable incidents include the killing of over 40 displaced civilians near the village of Mosu in Phru So Township, where they were shot, burned, and their remains hidden. Another airstrike on a school in Letyetkon Village in Depayin Township caused numerous child casualties, and about 30 civilians in Mundaypin Village were killed, accused of supporting the PDFs. Additionally, the 1027 military operations saw an increase in airstrikes, which led to significant civilian deaths and the destruction of homes, schools, and religious structures.
Most of these war crimes were committed by military forces, but resistance groups have also committed crimes. For example, the YDF armed group killed a family of six, including guests, in Saw Township, Magway Region. In Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, minors were sexually assaulted and killed. In mid-2021, 25 bridge construction workers were allegedly executed by the KNDO armed group under the KNU in Karen State, accused of espionage.
Those responsible for these war crimes, as well as those who ordered them, have not yet faced specific accountability or punishment. Some incidents have led to calls for justice post-revolution, with the promise of accountability. However, due to the military council’s continued power, direct punishment remains challenging, with the hope that international human rights groups and courts might one day bring justice to the perpetrators.
In the meantime, it is essential for ethnic armed groups and People’s Defense Forces to remain vigilant to avoid becoming involved in further war crimes, as lack of accountability can lead to repeated violations.