Statement on targeted attacks of military SAC against civilians
Statement No. (1/2024)
5 February 2024
Statement on targeted attacks of military SAC against civilians
On 5th February 2024, around 10:15 am and 11:20 am, the military junta launched airstrikes and bombed the school in Daw See Ei village and around the school in Loi Nan Hpa village of Demoso township for a total of ten times. At the same time, the SAC military based in Loikaw and Demoso also shelled six times with artillery.
As a result of these attacks, four secondary school students aged around 13 who were peacefully studying in the school of Daw See Ei village were killed on the spot and more than 14 children, including one preschool-aged child, were injured.
Likewise, two of the teachers at the school in Loi Nan Hpa village were injured along with five villagers while an elderly man was killed. Six school buildings, a Christian Church, 5 houses and a car were damaged.
We are deeply saddened and convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families for the children and civilians who were killed or injured in the attack.
We strongly condemn the unacceptable deliberate targeting of civilians and innocent children by the SAC.
Such a terrorist attack is a serious violation of international humanitarian laws and customary laws, and constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute.
Furthermore, the military junta has shown total disregard by blatantly violating the provision that “every child has the inherent right to life” according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Geneva Conventions.
Therefore, we strongly urge the National Unity Government and the international community, including the United Nations, to take comprehensive action as soon as possible, without standing idly by, either to prosecute and punish the officials of the military junta for genocides against minorities, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law or to end their impunity.
Interim Executive Counci l Karenni State
