𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐰𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭y

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

20 August 2025: The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) strongly condemns the latest airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar military junta on 17 and 19 August 2025 in Mawchi, Hpasawng Township, Karenni State. At least 26 civilians were killed, with more injured and unaccounted for, after the junta deliberately targeted a hospital, homes, and a kindergarten. These attacks constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The timing of these atrocities—occurring alongside the junta’s announcement of sham elections—underscores the regime’s calculated strategy of inflicting mass violence on civilians while seeking to legitimize its illegitimate rule. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his clique continue to display a boundless disregard for human life, emboldened by a misguided sense of impunity.

“These attacks are part of a nationwide pattern of aerial terror. From Karenni to Chin State and across Myanmar, the junta’s warplanes have destroyed homes, schools, churches, and entire communities. Innocent people are being slaughtered while the international community fails to act decisively,” said Salai Za Uk Ling, CHRO’s Executive Director.

CHRO expresses deep solidarity with the Karenni people and all communities enduring the junta’s atrocities. The suffering of Karenni families burying their loved ones mirrors the grief of Chin civilians who have lost children and entire families to similar airstrikes.

The international community must take urgent action to end the junta’s impunity. CHRO reiterates calls for:

• Referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court;

• A global arms embargo, including an immediate ban on aviation fuel;

• Stronger, coordinated sanctions targeting the military’s sources of power.

ASEAN, in particular, must not remain silent. ASEAN member states must unequivocally condemn these heinous crimes and demonstrate that impunity for atrocities will not be tolerated in the region.

The people of Myanmar cannot wait. Justice must be delivered, and accountability must be enforced.

For more information please contact:

Salai Za Uk Ling, Executive Director, CHRO (English) at (Signal) +91 87988 37474

Salai Mang Hre Lian, Human Rights Program Manager, CHRO (Burmese) + 919612854821