Mizzima
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights released a statement accusing the Myanmar junta of committing warcrimes when it massacred civilians in Lethoketaw Village on 9 May.
Below is the statement that was issued by the NUG Ministry of Human Rights on 12 May:
On May 9th, 2024, at about 5 a.m., terrorist military junta forces attacked Lethoketaw Village in Myinmu Township of Sagaing Region, bombarding it with heavy and light weaponry. Six male villagers were killed in this attack. Junta forces also massacred 24 males and one woman by shooting them in the head after seizing a monastery where the villagers were taking refuge. The age of the deceased ranged from 15 to 88 years. Another 17 injured people were taken to hospital, one of whom died en route, bringing the total number of fatalities to 32.
The military junta’s forces also set fire to public homes in the village, which were all burned to ashes. Furthermore, over 20 civilians including women and children were used as human shields by the junta’s forces and taken to the monastery in Gwaybintaw Village, more than two miles away from Lethoketaw village.
The above crimes were committed by an estimated joint force of 70 troops drawn from No. 13 Infantry Battalion of No. 33 Light Infantry Division, No. 909 Battlefield Engineering Battalion, No. 929 Support and Communications Battalion, and Pyu Saw Htee Militia formed with veterans.
The Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government strongly condemns the terrorist military junta’s ongoing deliberate, widespread and systematic attacks on civilians, many of which clearly comprise war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Ministry of Human Rights has collected and documented comprehensive data regarding the aforementioned violations and will continue to explore all available justice mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable. The Ministry calls for more effective action from the international community given the prevailing culture of impunity that the military junta continues to enjoy despite its repeated crimes
