Foreign Desk Report
Geneva: A high-ranking United Nation’s official says he is “horrified” by reports that at least 35 civilians have been killed and their bodies burned in eastern Myanmar, demanding the government launch a “thorough and transparent investigation”.
Two workers for non-profit group Save the Children remained missing after their vehicle was among several that were attacked and burned in the incident in Kaya state.
“I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths said in a statement.
“I call upon the authorities to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice,” said Griffiths.
“Moreover, I call upon the Myanmar Armed Forces and all armed groups in Myanmar to take all measures to protect civilians from harm,” he added. The United States embassy in Myanmar on Sunday said it was appalled by the “barbaric attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and children”.
“We will continue to press for accountability for the perpetrators of the ongoing campaign of violence against the people of Burma,” it said in a statement posted on social media.
Myanmar has been in political chaos since the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February, alleging fraud in an election her party had won. More than 1,300 people have been killed in a crackdown by security forces, according to a local monitoring group.
Groups called “People’s Defence Forces” have sprung up across the country to fight the military government, and have drawn the troops into a bloody stalemate of clashes and reprisals.
A photos appeared on social media purporting to show two burned-out trucks and a car on a highway in Hpruso township in Kayah state, with the charred remains of bodies inside.
