Burma: Burma Campaign UK- 15 year-old schoolgirl gang-raped and mutilated by Burmese Soldiers

August 15, 2008 – (BurmaNet) Burma Campaign UK sources have confirmed that Burmese Army soldiers have gang-raped and mutilated a 15 year old schoolgirl in Kachin State Burma. No action has been taken by the Burmese authorities to investigate and arrest those involved.

The incident took place on 27th July 2008 near Nam Sai Village, Bamaw District, Kachin State, northern Burma. The schoolgirl, Nhkum Hkawn Din, was attacked and killed on her way to bring rice to her brother, who was working on a paddy field on the family farm. Her family only realised that Hkaw Din was missing after her brother came back from the farm and asked his parents where she was. They searched for her all evening and reported her missing at 9pm.

After a three-day search her naked and mutilated body was found 200 meters from an army checkpoint. They first found her clothes, and then her slippers together with the basket that she carried on that day. A local witness testified that they had seen Burmese Army soldiers follow Hkaw Din on her way to the paddy field. After her body was found other witnesses testified that they had seen soldiers leave that area after the time she had disappeared.

According to the family members, she had been raped, and brutally tortured and mutilated. Injuries included:

1) Her skull was crushed beyond recognition.
2) Her eyes were gouged out.
3) Her throat was cut.
4) She had a stab wound on her right rib cage.
5) All her facial features were obliterated.
6) She has been stabbed in the stomach
7) After the rape, she was further violated with knives

Locals and family members believe they know which soldiers were involved in the attack, but local authorities have refused to take action.

Rape is systematically used as a weapon of war again ethnic minorities in Burma, more than a thousand cases have been documented. There is also a culture of impunity, where no action is taken against soldiers who rape. In early 2007 four schoolgirls in Kachin state were arrested, charged with prostitution and imprisoned after being gang-raped by Burmese Army soldiers. After the case received international attention the regime said it would take action against the soldiers involved, but at least one of the rapists remains in the army and at liberty.

On June 19th The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1820 noting that rape and sexual violence can be described as a crime against humanity. The Women’s League of Burma has called for Burma’s generals to be taken to the International Criminal Court over the systematic use of rape by the Burmese Army.

"This is a horrific attack and should remind governments and the United Nations of the true nature of this regime,” said Nang Seng, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Local people are very angry that these rapes happen again and again and no action is taken. There is no justice or rule of law in Burma. People are hoping that the United Nations will take up this case and demand action is taken.”

Last week the UN Human Rights Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana gave an upbeat report following his first trip to Burma, following in the footsteps of previous envoys who also fell for regime propaganda about their commitment to human rights.

For more information, or pictures relating to the attack, contact Nang Seng on 44(0)7889832485, or Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK, on 44(0)7941239640.

From:http://www.burmanet.org/news/2008/08/15/burma-campaign-uk-15-year-old-schoolgirl-gang-raped-and-mutilated-by-burmese-soldiers/