Military Attacks in Shan State

On 13th March 2011 the Burmese regime launched a military offensive in central Shan State, breaking its 22-year long ceasefire agreement with the Shan State Army - North (SSA-N). Over 3,500 Burmese Army soldiers were mobilized and fighting has since spread across northern Shan State, with 65 clashes reported in the first three weeks of the conflict. Burmese troops have committed widespread atrocities against civilians in this area, including arbitrary execution, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labour, rape, forced relocation and looting.

Over 100,000 people live in this conflict zone. The Burmese Army has targeted mortar bombs at populated villages. In one of the first attacks on Wan Nam Lao village, troops used 120 mm mortars to hit a Buddhist temple, killing four novice monks and injuring two other villagers.

Villagers are being forced to act as guides and porters for the Burmese Army, carrying military equipment and food supplies. In some cases, these people are also being used as human shields, being forced to walk in front and behind Burmese Army soldiers, to deter the SSA-N from attacking them.

Civilians are being tortured and killed on suspicion of assisting the Shan resistance. In Wan Mak Kor township on 19th March, Burmese troops accused 28-year old Sai Ar, who was mute, of assisting Shan troops, and shot him dead. In Wan Gyong village, soldiers arrested and tortured 16-year old Sai P.J. He was accused of sending news to the Shan resistance.

Women are being targeted for sexual violence. Three women were gang-raped in separate incidents in Nam Lao village, including a 30-year old woman who had given birth a month earlier. She died immediately after being gang-raped by a large group of soldiers. On 26th March in Wan Bang Hom, three soldiers raped a 25-year old mute woman, who had been left alone when other villagers fled the Burma Army.

The Shan Human Rights Foundation has documented the details of these and other abuses committed by the Burmese Army.

Shan community-based organisations are calling on:

•  The international community to condemn these attacks, and increase pressure on the Burmese military regime to implement an immediate nationwide ceasefire;

•  European countries and the European Union to increase aid to civilians affected by the conflict, including increasing cross-border aid, which is the only way aid can be delivered in some areas;

•  The European Commission to stop cutting aid to refugees from Burma who are in camps in Thailand.