Myanmar military must face trial over rape claims, say rights groups

Rights advocates have urged the United Nations to start war crimes trial proceedings against the Myanmar military for the systematic rape of Shan women and girls.

They hope the confirmation from the US State Department that rape reports from Shan women's groups are credible will provide the basis for a UN trial.

'I think the UN should set up a team to investigate the events in order to bring the perpetrators to justice,' said Somchai Hamlaor, the secretary-general of the Asian Forum on Human Rights and Development. 'I think the US State Department decision will help. The US has a very powerful voice if it chooses to pursue the matter through the UN process.'

The US confirmation of a report called 'Licence to Rape', issued in June by the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women's Action Network, might also force the Thai government to offer sanctuary and support to the rape victims, he said.

'If the UN and the US and others in the international community will put more pressure on the Thai government, it could take measures to protect the victims.' Mr Somchai added that Thailand did not recognise people fleeing Shan state as refugees.

The report confirmed that hundreds of women, and girls as young as five had been raped by the Myanmar military, which is fighting a Shan rebellion.