KWAT statement on offensive situation in Kachin Area

[Marip Moon]

17 June 2011
Kachin women denouncing offensive by the Burmese Army and atrocities
against Kachin people

We, the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT), strongly denounce
the Burmese military’s offensives against the Kachin Independence Army
(KIA), and atrocities against civilians including rape, murder and
abduction of young men. The Burmese military attack to a KIA post in
Eastern Kachin State on the 9th June 2011 and subsequent fighting has
driven thousands of civilians out of their homes into the Kachin-
China border areas. KWAT is outraged about the implication of the
offensive to the Kachin people, in particular, for the impact on women
and children in the areas. KWAT demands the immediate stop of the
offensive by the Burmese military against Kachin and other ethnic
groups.

The offensive has increased displacement and human rights violations
in the conflict areas. Young men have been abducted by the Burmese
army, local people are being used as porters to carry the Burmese
military supplies. And at least 6 women and girls have been raped by
Burmese soldiers, and 3 were killed after rape. Kachin refugees and
internally displaced people are struggling to find shelter, food and
medical supplies. Local communities on Kachin- China border have been
trying to give assistance to them with their very limited capacity.
A Relief Committee has been set up to provide emergency assistance to
the refugees and displaced people. Due to lack of resources and
supplies, the Committee has been facing extreme challenges to provide
assistance to the overwhelming number of refugees.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have restricted the movement of people
and supplies along the Kachin – China border. This has increased
difficulties for the relief workers to distribute food and supplies to
refugees and internally displaced people.

Therefore, Kachin Women’s Association Thailand would like to:

• Urge the Burmese military to immediately stop offensive against
Kachin and other ethnic groups and to withdraw from the ethnic areas.
• Urge the Burmese military to stop atrocities including rape of
Kachin women.
• Call on the Chinese Government to accept refugees and provide the
humanitarian assistance and support to civilians
• Call the ASEAN countries and neighborhood countries, in particular,
China to mediate the conflict.
• Urge the international community to condemn the Burma’s army
offensive and to provide emergency support and humanitarian assistance
to the affected civilians.


Media contacts: Shirley Seng + 66 86- 9238- 854
Moon Nay Li + 66 85- 6251- 912

Email: kwat.coo...@gmail.com/ kw...@loxinfo.co.th


Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) is a non profit-making
organisation working on behalf of Kachin women. We have a vision of a
Kachin State where all forms of discrimination are eliminated; where
all women are empowered to participate in decision making at a local,
national and international level; and where all Kachin children have
the opportunity to fulfill their potential.