Civil society organizations in Shan State released a statement on Monday demanding justice from the new Burmese government for seven victims who were killed by government soldiers in Lashio Township last week.
Nang Hseng Lao, a representative from the Tai Youth Network (TYN), said the new ruling government, headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, must take responsibility in investigating the incidents, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We are urging the government to find out the truth and bring the matter to justice,” said Nang Hseng Lao. “We, the people of the region, do not want any more fighting.
“If the military continues to commit crimes against civilians, the people’s trust in them will be erased,” she added.
The joint report, which includes representatives from the (TYN), the Tai Youth Organization, Kachin Youth Organization, Ta’ang Women’s Organization and Ta’ang Students and Youth Union (TSYU), stated that this kind of act affects the trust between the Tatmadaw [government forces] and ethnic people, and could have a negative effect on upcoming peace talks, known as the “21st Century Panglong Conference,” which are to be led by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.
“Right now, the military is saying that they are working on the peace process, but on the other hand they are continuing to oppress civilians, said Mai Myo Aung, secretary No 2 of the TSYU. “If this type of thing continues to happen, how can we achieve peace?”
The statement concluded: “The killing of civilians must stop immediately.”
On Sunday, Maj-Gen Kyaw Kyaw Soe, the vice-commander of Northeast Command based in Lashio Township, visited the victims’ families and pledged that this type of brutal incident would not happen again.
At the time of reporting, no legal action has yet been taken on the matter.
