Mizzima
The shadow National Unity Government’s (NUG) human rights minister Aung Myo Min said that the military junta will be prosecuted in an Australian court for the 24 December 2021 mass murder and burning of civilians in Hpruso Township, in Kayah (Karenni) State.
“We are preparing to put the junta on trial for each case of the mass murders on Christmas eve [24 December]. A group of law experts and people who will represent and sue on behalf of the victims has been organized, data is being collected. We are making preparations for this trial in Australia”, he said.
On 24 December, at least 42 civilians were burned and killed in their cars near Moso Village, in Hpruso Township, Kayah State.
The NUG and local NGOs claim that this was done by the junta soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (108) under division (66).
Among the victims were women, children and two staff members from Save the Children.
Aung Myo Min also said that discussions are also underway to put the military junta on trial in other countries such as Germany and Britain for other cases of human rights abuses. Preparations for these cases are being made with the help of local law experts.
He made the comments at a 16 March press conference publicising a report by the NUG’s Ministry of Human Rights on atrocities committed by the junta that was submitted to the 49th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 16 March.
Data for the report was collected from November 2021 until the start of March 2022. It highlights five infamous cases including the Hpruso incident. The NUG hopes that the UNHCR will use data from the report to prosecute the junta.
Aung Myo Min said: “Rather than just repeatedly saying it is worried about Myanmar, we are hoping that not only will the UN follow its procedures, but that it will also push for the UN Security Council and member countries to put an action plan into place.”
Since the February 2021 coup junta forces have set fire to about 200 villages destroying over 6,000 homes. Chin and Kayah states and Magway and Sagaing regions are the areas where the junta has committed the most human rights abuses and arson attacks, according to NUG data.
