Joint Statement: 67 Karenni Community Organizations from Around
the World Demand the Burmese Military Junta to be Held Accountable for the
Massacre of the 40 Unarmed Civilians and other crimes
We,
Karenni people around the world, are shocked and horrified at the news of 40
villagers being burned alive by the Burmese military on December 24, 2021.
Karenni state has witnessed atrocities and human rights violations for far too
long, making this attack only the most recent in a decades-long campaign of
increasingly brutal violence by the Burmese military.
Even before the February 1st coup, the Burmese military had a
well-documented history of committing human rights abuses in Karenni state. The
Karenni National Women’s Organization has reported on the systematic rape,
torture, and forced labor imposed on Karenni women and girls, causing many to
seek refuge along the Thai-Burma border. In 2019, Burmese military forces used
excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters in Loikaw—14 protesters were
arrested and an additional 15 were injured.
Since the February 1st coup, the Karenni people have experienced
mass persecution due to participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Those
who present opposition to the illegal military coup have been arrested,
detained, and tortured in an increasingly brutal campaign in Karenni state. The
military has conducted several violent crackdowns in the region targeting
members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) – people have been arbitrarily
arrested, clashes between the military and PDF have increased, and thousands of
civilians have been forcibly displaced.
In April, several peaceful anti-coup protests were violently
attacked by the Burmese military – multiple protesters were injured and
arrested while two were killed. In May, the Burmese military launched mortars
and artillery shells at Demoso township and Loikaw, killing 26, injuring
dozens, and forcing tens of thousands to flee to surrounding areas. To combat
the anti- coup movement, the Burmese military has arrested and forced
approximately 100 civilians to be hostages, porters, and human shields. In October,
the Burmese military arrested 200 people, 30 of whom were detained for helping
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Burmese military is steadily attacking
its own people with airstrikes, bombing, burning down buildings, and raiding
homes. In addition to arresting and detaining anti-coup protesters, the Burmese
military is also arresting humanitarian aid workers.
While the real number is likely larger, reports estimate that
roughly one-quarter of the Karenni population has fled their homes in Karenni
state since the start of the coup. Many of those displaced are forced to live
on limited resources in remote areas of the
jungle or attempt to find refuge across the Thai-Burma border. Most recently,
on December 20, it was reported that 150 IDPs were forced to
relocate from the forest to Demoso Township due to a severe lack of water in
the forests. This move is particularly dangerous given the ongoing clashes and
heightened military presence in Karenni state.
Even against this backdrop of systematic and widespread human
rights abuses, the attack on December 24 is stunning in its barbarity.
According to the Karenni Human Rights Group, Light Infantry Battalion 108
entered Moso village and captured about 40 villagers, including women,
children, and the elderly, as well as two staff members from Save the Children, on December 24th.
After forcefully arresting the villagers, the Burmese military handcuffed and
burned them alive within vehicles. Once finished with the clearance operation,
the Burmese soldiers then retreated from the area leaving the bodies to be
discovered by others. This unprovoked and heinous attack on civilians
demonstrates that an unchecked Burmese military will only increase its
targeting of civilians and escalate violence with no regard for human rights in
Karenni state.
We are deeply saddened and upset by the senseless killing in
Karenni state and would like to emphasize the need to hold the Burmese military
accountable for its crimes against humanity and illegal seizure of power. The
situation in Karenni state, as well as Burma as a whole, demands the attention
of the international community, including the UNSC and ASEAN. Awareness and
recognition of civilian suffering is necessary to foster the tangible change
needed in Burma.
Therefore, we urge the United Nations Security Council and
Secretary-General, and international community, to take immediately the
following actions to end the heinous human rights abuses of the terrorist
regime led by General Min Aung Hlaing and to support the people of Burma:
1.
Impose a coordinated
global arms embargo and sanctions on the supply of aviation fuel
2.
Hold the Burmese junta
to account for their crimes by referring the situation to International
Criminal Court
3.
Impose targeted
sanctions on the military junta including its gas revenue, its family- owned
businesses as well as its cronies
4.
Deny legitimacy to the
Burmese military and do not sign MOU with them for humanitarian and development
aid
5.
Provide cross-border
aid and other life-saving assistance to IDPs
Signed by Karenni Community around the world:
1.
DEEKU, the Karenni
Community of TX
2.
Kansas Karenni
community, KS
3.
Karenni Baptist
Association in Finland
4.
Karenni Baptist
Convention of America
5.
Karenni Community of
Amarillo, TX
6.
Karenni Community of
Arizona
7.
Karenni Community of
Arkansas
8.
Karenni Community of
Austin, TX
9.
Karenni Community of
Bowling Green, KY
10.
Karenni Community of
Buffalo, NY
11.
Karenni Community of
Chicago, IL
12.
Karenni Community of
Colorado
13.
Karenni Community of
Connecticut
14.
Karenni Community of
Dallas, TX
15.
Karenni community of
Des Moines, IA
16.
Karenni Community of
Florida
17.
Karenni Community of
Fort Wayne, IN
18.
Karenni Community of
Fort Worth, TX
19.
Karenni Community of
Georgia
20.
Karenni Community of
Grand Rapid, MI
21.
Karenni Community of
Houston, TX
22.
Karenni Community of
Idaho
23.
Karenni Community of
Indianapolis, IN
24.
Karenni Community of
Lansing, MI
25.
Karenni Community of
Louisville, KY
26.
Karenni Community of
Massachusetts
27.
Karenni community of
Minnesota
28.
Karenni Community of
Missouri
29.
Karenni Community of
New Jersey
30.
Karenni Community of
North Carolina
31.
Karenni Community of
Portland, OR
32.
Karenni Community of
Rockford, IL
33.
Karenni Community of
San Antonio, TX
34.
Karenni Community of
Sioux Falls, SD
35.
Karenni Community of
Utah
36.
Karenni Community of
Utica, NY
37.
Karenni Community of
Washington
38.
Karenni Community of
Wisconsin
39.
Karenni Education
Department (KnED)
40.
Karenni Evergreen
(KEG)
41.
Karenni Federation of
Australia
42.
Karenni Health
Department (KnHD)
43.
Karenni Human Rights
Group (KnHRG)
44.
Karenni Legal and Human
Rights Center (KnLHRC)
45.
Karenni Literacy and
Culture Development Committee (KLCDC)
46.
Karenni National
Society (KNS-Japan)
47.
Karenni National Women
Organization (KNWO)
48.
Karenni National Youth
Organization (KNYO)
49.
Karenni Refugee
Committee (KnRC)
50.
Karenni Social Welfare
and Development Centre (KSWDC)
51.
Karenni Society
Finland RY
52.
Karenni Society New
Zealand
53.
Karenni Society of
Canada
54.
Karenni Society of
Omaha, NE
55.
Karenni Student Union
(KSU)
56.
Karenni Talkshow-KTS,
USA
57.
Karenni Youth of
Minnesota, MN
58.
Karenni-American
Association
59.
Karenni-American
Catholic Association
60.
Kayah State Student
Union (KSSU)
61.
Kayahlilaykloe,
Austin, MN
62.
Kayahliphu Youth – KLY
63.
Kayan New Generation
Youth (KNGY)
64.
Kayan Women
Organization (KyWO)
65.
Organization Of
Karenni Development Malaysia,
66.
Rochester Karenni
Community, NY
67.
Women for Women
Foundation (Karenni State)
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