Amnesty International on Wednesday released a report claiming the Myanmar military has committed violations of war crimes and other human rights violations against the ethnic armed group the Arakan Army (AA) since January 4.
The report finds that the military has fired indiscriminately in civilian areas, killing and injuring civilians and damaging homes and other property. What’s more, soldiers have at times obstructed access to medical treatment for civilians, including children, injured by such attacks.
As the report shows, the Myanmar military has shown no sign of reform. On the contrary, it appears intent on repeating a pattern of discrimination and violence. “Less than two years since the world outrage over the mass atrocities committed against the Rohingya population, the Myanmar military is again committing horrific abuses against ethnic groups in Rakhine State,” said Nicholas Bequelin of Amnesty International.
The report calls for response from the international community–specifically the UN Security Council–to send a clear and unequivocal message that the violations by the military must stop and those responsible for atrocity crimes will be brought to justice.