Myanmar troops 'torturing women'

[Savonarola]

Myanmar troops 'torturing women' 



Myanmar's military government says its soldiers are engaged in anti-terrorist operations [EPA] 

Female members of Myanmar's minority Karen ethnic group are being gang-raped, tortured and murdered by government troops, a report by a local rights has said.

The Karen Women Organisation says women who assume the role of village chief in the hope they are less likely to be abused than their male counterparts are now themselves being targeted.

There has been no independent verification of their claims.

In its report the group claims the atrocities are being committed as part of the military's effort to end the Karen's 60-year guerrilla war.

In some incidents it said women had been crucified and then had their throats slit.

The report quoted one female village chief, 51 year old Daw Way Way, who said taking on the role had been "similar to digging my own grave".

Like a third of the 95 women interviewed for the report, Daw Way Way said she was tortured by Myanmar government soldiers during her tenure.

According to the report the abuse often occurred as soldiers questioned villagers about their suspected ties to insurgents of the Karen National Union.

"Some of the villagers were arrested whilst working on their farms, they were tied up, crucified and finally had their throats cut," said Naw Pee Sit, another village chief who was beaten after being accused of such connections.

Although the UN and other organisations have documented similar atrocities against Myanmar's ethnic minorities, the country's military government has repeatedly denied allegations of abuses, saying its soldiers are only engaged in anti-terrorist operations.

Apparently Dick Cheney now writes speeches for the Myanmar Government.  I'm glad he's found work.   

[DGuller]

It's amazing how Myanmar's government has been flying under the radar for so many years, at least relatively speaking.  I guess their genius lies in not having a single face to associate with the atrocities they regularly commit.

[HisMajestyBOB]

It's amazing how Myanmar's government has been flying under the radar for so many years, at least relatively speaking.  I guess their genius lies in not having a single face to associate with the atrocities they regularly commit.

The Burmese people need better PR teams.
Hell, look at the Jews: 60 years after the holocaust, and they're still reminding everyone. That's the kind of proactive attitude that gets international sympathy.

[Malthus]

It's amazing how Myanmar's government has been flying under the radar for so many years, at least relatively speaking.  I guess their genius lies in not having a single face to associate with the atrocities they regularly commit.

The Burmese people need better PR teams.
Hell, look at the Jews: 60 years after the holocaust, and they're still reminding everyone. That's the kind of proactive attitude that gets international sympathy.

Yeah, now everyone *loves* Jews. 

[HVC]

It's amazing how Myanmar's government has been flying under the radar for so many years, at least relatively speaking.  I guess their genius lies in not having a single face to associate with the atrocities they regularly commit.

The Burmese people need better PR teams.
Hell, look at the Jews: 60 years after the holocaust, and they're still reminding everyone. That's the kind of proactive attitude that gets international sympathy.

Yeah, now everyone *loves* Jews. 

But the attrocities agains them has gone way down. I'm sure those getting persecuted by the burmese would like that trade off

[grumbler]

The Burmese people need better PR teams.
Hell, look at the Jews: 60 years after the holocaust, and they're still reminding everyone. That's the kind of proactive attitude that gets international sympathy.

The dictatorship has trained even some foreigners to call the country "Myanmar." 

[grumbler]

The Burmese people need better PR teams.
Hell, look at the Jews: 60 years after the holocaust, and they're still reminding everyone. That's the kind of proactive attitude that gets international sympathy.

Yeah, now everyone *loves* Jews. 

Well, it would take more than good PR to get people to actually like Jews.  Not even Jews  actually like Jews. 

[Josquius]

Ah Mynamar.
Too nice to be N.Korea, too nasty to be Iran.

It's amazing how Myanmar's government has been flying under the radar for so many years, at least relatively speaking.  I guess their genius lies in not having a single face to associate with the atrocities they regularly commit.

True.
I really have to investigate how their government even works.

[Grey Fox]

Burma, it's call Burma.

[Razgovory]

Sounds like the kind of place Pat would like.

[grumbler]

Burma, it's call Burma.

Not to those who support the government.

It's one of the ways to tell the sides apart.

[Malthus]

Well, it would take more than good PR to get people to actually like Jews.  Not even Jews  actually like Jews. 

Ah, so you've met some of my mother's relations? 

[The Brain]

I hate Jews. My grandfather went out of business when the Jews flooded the market with pre-owned dentalwear.

[DGuller]

Burma, it's call Burma.

Not to those who support the government.

It's one of the ways to tell the sides apart.

Yes, a very stupid way, but way nonetheless.

[grumbler]

Yes, a very stupid way, but way nonetheless.

I dare say that if it works for the Burmese they can probably live with the idea that you think their method is very stupid.