Statement No. (1/2024)

5 February 2024

Statement on targeted attacks of the military SAC against civilians

On 5th February 2024, around 10:15 am and 11:20 am, the military junta launched airstrikes and bombed the school in Daw See Ei village and around the school in Loi Nan Hpa village of Demoso township for a total of ten times. At the same time, the SAC military based in Loikaw and Demoso also shelled six times with artillery.

As a result of these attacks, four secondary school students aged around 13 who were peacefully studying in the school of Daw See Ei village were killed on the spot and more than 14 children, including one preschool-aged child, were injured.

At the same time, two of the teachers at the school in Loi Nan Hpa village were injured along with five villagers, while an elderly man was killed. Six school buildings, a Christian Church, 5 houses, and a car were damaged.

We deeply share the sorrow and grief of the families of the schoolchildren and civilians who were killed or injured in the attack.

We strongly condemn the unacceptable deliberate targeting of civilians and innocent children by the SAC.

Such a terrorist attack is a serious violation of international humanitarian laws and customary laws and constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute.

Moreover, the terrorist military junta has openly ignored and clearly violated the right, under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which affirms that “every child has the inherent right to life,” as well as the Geneva Conventions.

Therefore, we strongly urge the National Unity Government and the international community, including the United Nations, to take comprehensive action as soon as possible, without standing idly by, either to prosecute and punish the officials of the military junta for genocides against minorities, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law or to end their impunity.

Interim Executive Council
Karenni State