National Unity Government (NUG) strongly condemned that the military council’s massacre of 26 civilians in Moebye on the Shan-Kayah (Karenni) border amounts to committing a genocide, according to statement by Dr. Sasa, International Cooperation Minister of the NUG on 14 June.
In the statement, we called upon the international community and organizations, particularly Myanmar’s neighbouring countries, to use all available means to put an end to these acts of crimes against humanity and ensure that the perpetrators face justice.
Between 6 and 8 June 2023, 14 villagers were mercilessly shot and killed by the military regime near a pagoda in Moebye. Additionally, 12 more innocent lives were killed by the military junta’s heavy shelling, the statement said.
The military junta must be held accountable for their atrocious crimes against humanity.
The bodies of civilians were discovered. Disturbing drone footage reveals one of the victims, shot in the head, lying in the pagoda ground. Additionally, three more bodies were found, indicating that they were forced to kneel and executed point-blank, the statement said.
“The victims were shot dead on the way to flee to safer places. The military council also arrested and shot the people stranded in their houses, dead. Some others were killed by shelling. The action of the military council is condemned as it is a war crime,” said U Banya, the founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group.
“This is not a case that can be easily forgiven. It is required to make a thorough investigation into the case. At some point, we can prevent such violations in the future only by punishing and restoring justice, legally during the transition period. I strongly condemn again as the military council’s torture and rape is the worst violation of human rights,” U Banya added.
According to the list of the Karenni Human Rights Group and the organizations that help Moebye refugees, there have been 35 civilian deaths and missing people since May 27 until now.
More than three military columns are active in wards of Moebye. A military column has at least 80 members, the Moebye People’s Defense Force (PDF) said.
The defense forces have informed residents to take special care of security as tension continues to mount and fighting is fierce Moebye every day.
Moebye has 14 wards, where around 30,000 people live. Fighting has been taking place in wards such as Seekar, Nyaungwaing and Pwekone in the upper part of Union Road, according to locals.
According to the ISP Myanmar’s statement released on 14 June, there were 748 civilian deaths during five months of 2023.
Karenni State had the third highest civilian deaths while Sagaing Region topped the list of civilian deaths.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times