A gang-rape case in Putao

On February 2nd, 2007, shocking news broke out from the highland plains of Duk Dang Village, Putao. This day of infamy will go down in history as evidence of the State Peace and Development Council’s savagery, brutality, and oppression.

On February 2nd 2007, four Rawang school girls aged 14 to 16 were lured to a local Karaoke bar. Then, the minors were brutally raped at the military base by three officers and four soldiers. Initially, the victims were frightened to report their case to the police for fear of reprisal. The families later approached Lt. Col Soe Win to find resolution to the issue but it yielded no progress. In accordance with Kachin law, the local elders requested the offenders to pay damage in a feasible amount but only hush money was offered merely to silence the story. When the news reached the media, the four high school girls were arrested and taken to an undisclosed location.

More than 10 years ago our Kachin people decided to try and resolve over 30 years of war with the central government by peaceful means. With solicitation from our Burmese counterparts we thought we could bury our differences and begin the mission of rebuilding our homeland. We have now reached 13 years since the ceasefire agreement and the results are extremely discouraging. Kachinland has been reduced to an international hotspot for the raging HIV epidemic, illicit drug production and deforestation is rampant, malnutrition among children is on the rise, and human rights violations continue unabated as the structures of civil society are weakened and torn down. While the repressive SPDC is lavishing itself with new found wealth and bribery money, the people of Kachinland and the rest of Burma are living hand to mouth simply to survive from day to day. Many more states and ethnic homelands in the Union are facing the same issues today. Thousands of girls and women fall victim to systematic rape by the SPDC servicemen each year. The public has been kept from learning such information because of the State controlled media and propaganda machine.

Over a month has passed but we, the Kachin people around the world, have not forgotten the despicable act committed by Maj. Zaw Min Thet, Capt. Win Myint Oo, Capt. Kyaw Ze Ya, and four other service members of Infantry Battalion 138.

Nearly two months have passed and no one knows the condition of our Rawang sisters.

• We condemn the SPDC’s continued acts of terror on its people;
• We demand the immediate release of the four girls;
• We call for justice, and the arrest and discharge of the offending officers and soldiers;
• We call upon all the Kachin people and sympathizers in BURMA to remain at home on April 2nd, 2007.

We call on everyone in Burma who shares sympathy for these girls to stay home on April 2nd, 2007, to show your support and solidarity. We request those of you who are able to voice your opinion publicly to join us in demonstrations at Burmese consulates and embassies in Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and in the United States on April 2nd, 2007, at 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Even more atrocities will find their way into our homes if we cannot stop the maniac on our doorstep. It is time for all people of conscience to take a stand!

The Central Committee
Kachin National Council
Kachin National Organization

Media contact:

Japan : Mrs. Seng Bu, Tel: 0081+ 3560 63963
India : Mr. Di Lar, Mobile: 00 91+ 989 131 9268
USA : Mr. Gum San, Mobile:001+812 2197 392
Thailand : Mr. Hkun Sa, Mobile: 0066+ 843 664 238
Denmark : Mr. Lahpai Ong, Mobile: 0045+ 414 565 99, Landline:0045+754 372 27
Malaysia : Mr. Mung Hkawng Brang, Mobile: 00601+690 729 76
United Kingdom: Mr. Uma Tu, Mobile: 0044+ 798 562 1298