“Myanmar Spring Chronicle – April 29 Overview”,
published by MoeMaKa on April 30, 2025:
The Grim Cycle of Human Rights Violations
In Myanmar, civilians continue to be killed under accusations such as being terrorist supporters, informants, traitors, or simply having alleged ties to the “enemy” side. These deaths often occur without any affiliation to armed groups, and in some cases, even family members and children are executed indiscriminately. Such killings have become disturbingly frequent in recent years.
Prior to the 2021 coup, similar incidents were already reported in ethnic conflict areas, and most notoriously in 2017, when tens of thousands of Rohingya civilians in northern Rakhine State were massacred. That massacre drew international attention and led to The Gambia filing a genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—a case that is still under review.
While documented war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by the military have been recorded for decades, no meaningful justice or accountability has yet been achieved.
A Worsening Pattern Since the Coup
The military coup of 2021 has only accelerated the scale and frequency of atrocities, with the junta committing widespread abuses and some resistance forces now also facing allegations of serious crimes.
Among the military’s many atrocities, the Mo So massacre in Kayah State, the mass killings in Mon Taing Pin and Pazi Gyi villages, and airstrikes on Let Yet Kone and other Sagaing villages have resulted in dozens or hundreds of civilian deaths at a time.
Violations by Resistance Forces Also Rising
At the same time, armed resistance groups have also been accused of war crimes. In 2021, KNDO was implicated in the killing of 25 road construction workers (including women). In Chaung-U, Sagaing, several teenagers (including girls) were reportedly sexually assaulted and murdered by fighters, and their bodies were hidden.
In the Yaw region, one PDF group allegedly killed seven civilians—including guests and family members—during a robbery involving cash, a car, and valuables. There have also been dozens of extrajudicial killings under accusations of being informants or collaborators.
A Recent Incident in Wuntho Township
In the village of Aam Khan, seven civilians—including children and a family of street vendors—were recently executed. They were reportedly interrogated and tortured before being killed.
Initial reports alleged they were killed by PDF fighters for suspected contact with the military. However, two days later, Wuntho PDF issued a statement claiming junta forces may have been responsible. The victims—husband, wife, child, and four others—were known to travel to town to buy goods and sell them back in the village.
Such contradictory reports create a deeply murky information environment, making it hard to trust any single account.
The Challenge of Verifying Atrocities
In conflict zones, journalists are unable to independently verify incidents on the ground. News outlets often rely on sources close to either the perpetrators or victims, making true accountability elusive.
Even local witnesses are afraid to speak, and may only post anonymous comments under news stories. These limitations make it extremely difficult to know what really happened, even in cases involving mass civilian deaths.
No Justice, No Deterrence
The lack of justice in past cases makes it more likely that new atrocities will continue. When earlier events go unpunished, it normalizes future violations.
If Myanmar continues to fail in establishing accountability—whether for junta crimes or those by resistance forces—the country remains fertile ground for repeated war crimes and human rights abuses.
Ultimately, justice must be pursued on both sides. Only by acknowledging and addressing violations committed by all parties can Myanmar begin to escape this vicious cycle.