Burmese Women's Group Reports Continuing Sexual Violence By Army

An umbrella group of Burmese women's organizations has alleged that despite the South East Asian country's transition to a civilian government more than three years ago, the military has continued to use rape as a weapon of war.

The Women's League of Burma (WLB) on Tuesday launched an important new report documenting ongoing crimes of sexual violence -- over 100 cases documented since 2010, including 47 gang rapes -- perpetrated by the Burmese military in ethnic regions of the country.

WLB is consisting of thirteen women's organizations representing different ethnic areas in Burma. In the report, "Same Impunity, Same Pattern: Sexual abuses by the Burma army will not stop until there is a genuine civilian government, the women's group is urging an immediate end to these atrocities, and to the prevailing system of impunity that not only enables military perpetrators to evade prosecution, but also fosters a culture of continued and escalating violence.

Events to promote the report are taking place in Melbourne, New York, Washington, D.C., Rangoon and Chiang-Mai.

Tin Tin Nyo, General-Secretary of WLB, says "There can be no real reform without stopping all forms of violence, correcting the judicial system, amending the Constitution and enforcing the law to protect women's lives."

This report documents multiple instances of post-transition sexual violence involving over 100 women, including 47 gang rapes with victims as young as 8 years old. WLB alleges that these crimes are not random events but part of a widespread and systematic pattern of sexual violence. Since 2010, the Burmese government has undertaken limited democratic reforms and conducted peace talks with ethnic groups yet has failed to address these crimes or hold perpetrators accountable.

Both the government and the international community have turned a blind eye to these pervasive human rights abuses. The report outlines a series of actions that are necessary to stop sexual violence crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, respect international law and live up to the recent promise of democratic reform.

WLB recalled recent demand by Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for changing the Constitution, which provides amnesty for and prevents civilian judicial review of all military action.

After decades of military rule, a military-backed civilian government headed by President Thein Sein came to power in the November 2010 elections. The Government introduced major reforms, including release of political prisoners and easing media restrictions, but the army is still continuing the policies of the junta-era.

by RTT Staff Writer

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/burmese-womens-group-reports-continuing-sexual-violence-by-army/