Myanmar Children Beaten, Stabbed And Their Teeth Or Fingernails Removed During Interrogation By The Military Regime, UN: Crimes Against Humanity And War

An illustration of Myanmar's military anti-coup demonstration. (Wikimedia Commons/Maung Sun)

JAKARTA - Dozens of children have died in Myanmar since last year's coup, not only in the crossfire of the conflict, but as deliberate targets by a military willing to inflict great suffering, a United Nations expert says.

Minors were beaten and stabbed and had fingernails or teeth removed during interrogation, while some were forced to undergo execution, according to a report by the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews.

Myanmar's military regime has repeatedly rebuked the United Nations and Western countries for interfering and rejecting their accusations of atrocities.

Based on contributions from UN agencies, humanitarian and human rights groups, and civil society organizations, the report said 250.000 children were displaced by fighting, and at least 382 were killed or maimed, including by air strikes or heavy artillery.

"The junta's relentless attacks on children underscore the generals' depravity and willingness to inflict great suffering on innocent victims in its quest to subjugate the people," Andrews said in a statement.

"The junta's attacks on children constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes," he stressed.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power early last year and launched a crackdown on its opponents, prompting a backlash by newly formed resistance groups.

The United Nations has received information about 142 children being abused by the army, police, and pro-army militia, Andrews reports, while there are anecdotal reports of increased recruitment of child labourers, including by anti-junta fighters.

Andrews added that the world must take coordinated action to isolate the junta financially and commit to a "dramatic increase" in humanitarian aid.

He said UN members "should respond to the crisis in Myanmar with the same urgency as they responded to the crisis in Ukraine."

Regarding the Myanmar Coup, VOI editors continue to unify the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continued to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.