UN High Commissioner accuses Myanmar’s army of war crimes, including burning alive

In a new report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accused Myanmar’s army of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including burning women and children alive in Kayah State. Kayah State is home to mainly people of the Kareni, or ‘Red Karen’ ethnic group, one of the many ethnic groups fighting for autonomy in Myanmar. The report claimed the women and children burned were found in positions hinting they were trying to escape, when they were burned alive.

The report claimed Myanmar’s forces tortured detainees during interrogation. Forms of torture allegedly included suspending people from ceilings, electrocuting them, and injecting them with drugs. Forces also allegedly raped some detainees. The report claims that security forces and their affiliates have killed at least 1,600 people, and detained more than 12,500 people.

Another claim in the report is that Myanmar’s army used victims as human shields. This news comes just weeks after a newspaper in the country accused the army of holding teachers and schoolchildren hostage. The armed wing of Myanmar’s opposition government said it was unable to fight the army because of this.

The report claims to be based on interviews with victims themselves, and witnesses.

Last month, one UN human rights expert accused China, Russia, and Serbia of supplying Myanmar’s military with weapons, including fighter jets. Earlier this month, Myanmar’s junta government also revoked citizenship for several members of its opposition.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera