Today, the Kachin National Organisation urgently calls for the UN to investigate the Crimes Against Humanity and intervene military offensive against Kachin people of Northern Burma. We ask them to protect innocent civilians and prevent further destruction.

The Burma Army troops have been indiscriminate shelling and attacking Kachin positions since before the so-called 21st Century Panglong Conference was held in Nay Pyi Taw. Contrary to that International community including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Burmese government for the peace process. Such unprovoked attacks could have jeopardised the peace process and have been terrorising innocent civilians in IDP camps and villages surrounding areas. Several shells have exploded near IDP camps and villages, causing injury among civilians, including children.

We demand  Burma Army  to withdraw completely from our Kachinland before any political negotiations take place to achieve lasting peace.

We strongly condemn the brutal killing of Mangshang Zung Myaw (2 years old), and the serious injuries caused to Lagwi Bawm Lang (6 years old) and Lagwi Ting Kyang (5 years old) from Puwang village, Hpawng Seng village tract in Muse Township. They were victims of the Burmese Army troops under 99th Light Infantry Division, which fired six artillery rounds between 6:00- 6:30am on 1st October 2016, deliberately targeting Puwang village. This constitutes a war crime and crime against humanity.

We have also learnt that vital humanitarian aid being delivered to Man Win Gyi IDP Camp, including food and medicines, was confiscated by troops of the Burmese Army under 33rd Light Infantry Division on 9th September 2016. The aid was supplied by the World Food Program and UN (UNOCHA). The restriction of humanitarian aid is a violation of international humanitarian law.

Therefore, Head of State President U Htin Kyaw, Commander in Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be held accountable for such crimes and must refer to the International Criminal Court in the Hague to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity under international criminal law.

Central Committee

KACHIN NATIONAL ORGANISATION

Contacts:

Duwa Bawmwang Laraw, President, Kachin National Council, Kachin National Organisation (+44 1234 360 725)

Hkanhpa Sadan, General Secretary, Kachin National Council, Kachin National Organisation (+44 7944 2407 74)

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