• Burmese
Saturday, July 12, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
25 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Group Alleges Burma Army Rights Abuses in Kokang

Nang Seng Nom by Nang Seng Nom
March 10, 2015
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Group Alleges Burma Army Rights Abuses in Kokang

A wounded Laukkai war refugee is transported to Lashio following fighting in the Kokang Special Region. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

2.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RANGOON — An ethnic organization has accused the Burma Army of perpetrating human rights abuses in northern Shan State, where fighting over the last several weeks has flared between the government and ethnic Kokang rebels.

Testimony alleging human rights violations at the hands of the Burma Army was collected by Shan State’s Kachin National Network, from local residents in Hsenwi, Kut Khaing, Namtu, and Pansai townships, and was shared at a press conference in Rangoon over the weekend.

The press conference covered alleged human rights violations during fighting between government troops and armed ethnic groups from Jan. 19 to March 5.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

July 7, 2025
999
Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

May 30, 2025
3.2k
Scamming China; Aid for Vote-Rigging; and More

Scamming China; Aid for Vote-Rigging; and More

January 25, 2025
1.6k

Ai Z Aung from the Kachin National Network said the group had documented more than 10 cases of human rights violations during the fighting.

“We have reported the cases to concerned authorities. According to our survey, it was the government army that violated human rights,” said Ai Z Aung, alleging that government troops seized household articles from locals, tortured them, raped women and forcibly conscripted men to serve as porters, while innocent civilians were killed in indiscriminate firing by the Burma Army.

Division Nos. 88, 33, 11, troops under the Northeast Command and Light Infantry Battalion No. 58 were stationed in the area, according to the network.

Information Minister Ye Htut told The Irrawaddy that any accusations of Burma Army malfeasance could be addressed through established complaint mechanisms.

“If there were such acts by the army, you can complain to the National Human Rights Commission and concerned military heads. We do not accept at all the army violating human rights in conflict regions. You can file a complaint if you have strong evidence,” said Ye Htut, who also serves as presidential spokesman.

Ye Htut said rather than pointing the finger of blame at the army alone, the conduct of ethnic rebel groups in the area—including the Kokang group known as Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA)—should also be scrutinized.

The government has alleged that a Red Cross aid convoy that was attacked by unknown assailants on Feb. 17 was carried out by the MNDAA and its allies, a charge that the rebels deny.

Kutkhaing local Dwe Li said he was detained and interrogated by government troops after he took a photo of shrapnel from two bombs dropped near a Catholic church in the town.

“They covered my head with a shirt and asked me why I took the photo. They threatened to kill me if I didn’t answer,” he told The Irrawaddy.

Buak Nam from Nam Phet Ka village in Kutkhaing said: “Shells were dropped in our village on Feb. 16 and houses were damaged and four villagers were injured. They are still receiving medical treatment at Muse Hospital. We want a safe place. Soldiers went door-to-door grabbing things from villagers.”

The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission said it had not received any complaints about human rights violations in northern Shan State.

“I found some news reports [about human rights violations during the fighting]. But the complaint must state clearly which side is responsible for those [violations],” Sitt Myaing, vice chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, told The Irrawaddy.

The Kachin National Network said it sent a letter on March 3 to the president and the commander-in-chief of the army, urging them to de-escalate fighting in residential areas, prioritize protection of civilians and refrain from human rights abuses. The letter also called for punitive action to be taken in accordance with the law in cases of human rights violations.

Hostilities between the Burma Army and MNDAA began on Feb. 9 in Laukkai and the surrounding Kokang Special Region. Dozens of soldiers on both sides have been killed, and a civilian casualty toll is unknown.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: BorderConflictMore
Nang Seng Nom

Nang Seng Nom

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Karen Ethnic Army Launches Final Push to Capture Myawaddy on Thai Border
Burma

Karen Ethnic Army Launches Final Push to Capture Myawaddy on Thai Border

by The Irrawaddy
April 9, 2024
10.3k

The KNLA and PDF groups launched an attack on the last junta battalion defending Myawaddy on Tuesday afternoon and were...

Read moreDetails
Beijing Condemns Myanmar Border Clashes That Caused Chinese Casualties
Myanmar-China Watch

Beijing Condemns Myanmar Border Clashes That Caused Chinese Casualties

by AFP
January 4, 2024
4.4k

China said it will ‘take all necessary measures’ to protect its citizens after an artillery shell from Myanmar reportedly struck...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Dictator Extends Emergency Rule Again, Citing Election Preparations
Politics

Myanmar’s Dictator Extends Emergency Rule Again, Citing Election Preparations

by The Irrawaddy
July 31, 2024
3.2k

Coup-maker Min Aung Hlaing says he needs another six months to impose stability and security, and compile accurate voter lists,...

Read moreDetails
Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border
Burma

Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

by The Irrawaddy
May 30, 2025
3.2k

The powerful KNU and allies are advancing with coordinated attacks aimed at clearing regime troops from three states and one...

Read moreDetails
Four Reasons Why Junta Will Be Sole Beneficiary of Thai-Myanmar Taskforce
Guest Column

Four Reasons Why Junta Will Be Sole Beneficiary of Thai-Myanmar Taskforce

by Surachanee Sriyai
December 29, 2023
3k

Thailand is stepping into a minefield with moves for joint humanitarian assistance in case of a refugee crisis on its...

Read moreDetails
KNU ‘Ready to Work With China, Bangkok’ to Rid Thai Border of Crime
Burma

KNU ‘Ready to Work With China, Bangkok’ to Rid Thai Border of Crime

by The Irrawaddy
January 2, 2024
2.6k

The ethnic armed group’s New Year’s vow comes amid concerns that Chinese crime syndicates being pushed out of Shan State...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Govt Gives Green Light for Wine Imports

Wine Imports to Flow Freely Under New Policy

Public for Heritage Festival

Rangoon Homes Open Doors to Art, Public for Heritage Festival

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
1k
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

3 days ago
1k

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.