The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) reported that over 90 Christian churches and religious structures were demolished as a result of attacks and destruction by the Military Council troops in Chin State.
The CHRO revealed on September 11 that, in the period spanning over two years since the 2021 military coup, 95 churches and religious buildings in Chin State had suffered damage caused by artillery shells and airstrikes carried out by the Military Council troops.
Salai Mang Hre Lian, the program manager for CHRO, emphasized, "As Chin people and internally displaced persons, we frequently seek shelter in churches. Therefore, when a church is targeted in this manner, it constitutes a deliberate attack on our community."
After the military coup in Myanmar, the military regime carried out assaults resulting in the destruction of nearly 200 religious buildings across the country, with Chin State bearing the brunt of these attacks. The Military Council's airstrikes also targeted five hospitals and clinics, along with four schools in Chin State
The CHRO official also drew attention to the gross violations of International humanitarian law being systematically committed by the Junta’s aerial bombings. Salai Mang Hre Lian
stated,” The Military Council’s intentional targeting of religious buildings, schools, hospitals, and civilian-populated villages, constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and a clear commission of war crimes.”
He added. "Churches, religious buildings, hospitals, and schools are hubs for community gatherings. Under the requirements The Geneva Convention , it is imperative for armed
forces to entirely refrain from targeting these places. They are not to be subjected to any form of attack. According to international law, targeting religious buildings, schools, and hospitals is strictly prohibited. Thus, these acts constitute clear war crimes."
While the ICC( International Criminal Court) based in The Hague, has deployed huge resources in an attempt to hold Russia responsible for war crimes committed in the Ukraine since 2022, the ICC has all but ignored the well-documented war crimes since 2021 coup in Myanmar.
