Caught in the crossfire: Chin civilians bear brunt of conflict in Paletwa, Chin State
A report by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) finds both the Arakan Army (AA) and the Burma Army have committed human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, in the context of recent outbreaks of conflict between the two sides in Paletwa, southern Chin State.
The briefing describes how the community of Khumi Chin indigenous people were forced to flee when their village of Pyin So – where there is a Burma Army military outpost – came under direct attack by the Arakan Army at the end of March.
Alleged abduction
On the evening of 28 March, Ling Min (aka Leing Mang in the Khumi Chin language), a 30 year-old father of two from Pyin So village, left home at around 5pm to go out hunting. His usual hunting spot was near a fruit-bearing tree which attracted animals, in the same area where the other Pyin So men were detained by the Arakan Army later that evening. Ling Min did not return home that night and has not been seen since. Based on the fact that Ling Min was hunting in the area close to where the other men were detained by the AA, CHRO believes that he has either been abducted by the Arakan Army to serve as a guide or porter, or may have been killed by the AA.
All armed forces involved in an armed conflict, including non-state armed groups such as the Arakan Army, must abide by the rules of international humanitarian law. Arbitrary detention, abusive forced labour, and enforced disappearance are expressly prohibited under international humanitarian law. If the Arakan Army are holding Ling Min, they must release him immediately.
The 350 IDPs – of whom 141 are children – urgently need food, medical care and medicine, additional latrines, and construction materials.