Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) said in a statement that more than 72 civilians in Southeastern Myanmar, including areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), have been subjected to “enforced disappearances” by the Myanmar army troops or other armed groups.
Enforced disappearance refers to the act of extrajudicial and deliberate disappearance of an individual by a group or person, the human rights group said in a 30 August statement marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.
KHRG said that most of the victims of enforced disappearance were men and that more than 72 civilians had been reported.
KHRG spokesman Saw Nanda Hsue said, “Regardless of which group commits it, this is a heinous crime. If members of armed groups understood and complied with international humanitarian law, also known as the law of war, such incidents could be reduced and people’s dignity enhanced.”
Cases of enforced disappearance include arbitrary detention of civilians by the military council without notification to their families, use as human shields or navigators, minesweepers, and accusations of being spies (or da-lan) by armed groups operating in locally-defined Karen State. This constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, the statement said.
KHRG also said civil society organizations (CSOs) must raise awareness of enforced disappearances and make the voices of victims and families heard to demand justice and accountability.
In order to eradicate the crime of enforced disappearance and bring justice to victims and their families, KHRG calls on the international community and relevant actors to take concrete measures to stop the crime of enforced disappearance, advocate for the accountability of perpetrators and the establishment of mechanisms to investigate cases of enforced disappearance, and prevent such crimes from occurring in the first place.
“The authorities must establish the rule of law in their territories. In this way, there would be no disappearances. The government in the region, the KNU and the National Unity Government (NUG) in Southeastern Myanmar, as well as the armed groups under their control, must establish investigative mechanisms. We also need impartial international experts,” Saw Nanda Hsue said.
The KHRG also urged investigating the circumstances of violations in ethnic areas and providing necessary assistance throughout Myanmar, especially in the southern regions. She said it is crucial to provide justice, livelihood and psychosocial support to the victims and their families.
Reports from locals indicate that the military council is still using villagers as human shields for its security and indiscriminate killings as it pushes ahead with operations.
Sent by KIC.