Update by Shan Human Rights Foundation
November 3, 2015
Naypyidaw’s escalated offensive in central Shan State displaces over 6,000; four civilians injured by indiscriminate shelling and shooting
At midnight on October 28, the Burma Army began firing 120 mm shells at Wan Hai, precisely as hundreds of villagers were gathering at a temple to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent. Eight shells landed in and around the village, damaging two houses and injuring two villagers, a 40-year-old woman and her 5-year-old daughter, who were sleeping at home.
This attack has caused the entire civilian population of Wan Hai, about 2,000 people, to flee from their homes and seek refuge in nearby villages and towns. Together with ongoing displacement from other areas,this brings the total number displaced by the current offensive to over 6,000. These displaced have had to abandon their homes and farms, and are in dire humanitarian need. 14 schools have been forced to close, with over 1,250 children unable to attend classes. Since November 1, 2015, the Burma Army has blocked all vehicles and people from accessing Hai Pa IDP camp.
SHRF deplores this relentless military invasion of Shan administered territories, and the scale of human suffering being inflicted on local civilians. Naypyidaw is entirely responsible for these attacks, displacement and abuses. The attacks rip the mask off the so-called peace process, making it clear that Napyidawhas no interest in a negotiated settlement to the conflict, but only in military subjugation of the ethnic peoples.
SHRF strongly urges the international community to publicly denounce Napyidaw’s military aggression and to withhold further support for the “peace process” until Napyidaw ends these systematic offensives against the ethnic peoples.
Details of civilian injury during recent Burma Army attacks
Current numbers and locations of displaced villagers due to Burma Army offensive in central Shan State since October 6, 2015
For further information, please contact:
Sai Hor Hseng +66 (0) 62- 941-9600 (English, Shan)
Sai Kheun Mai +66 (0) 94-638-6759 (English, Burmese)
DOWNLOAD PDF: