ICC Note:

In another step toward religious oppression, and another step away from peace for Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, Myanmar’s lawmakers have voted to brand separatist groups in Shan state as terrorists. Since the ending of the ceasefire in 2011, the Arakan Army, National Democratic Alliance Army, Kachin Independence Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army have noted countless atrocities carried out against them by Myanmar’s military, however, it should be noted that atrocities have reportedly been carried out by both sides. This decision presents a significant danger for civilians and especially Christians. More than 60 civilians have been killed or injured in recent attacks by the government. Religion is a target as well, with more than 60 churches targeted and destroyed since the end of the ceasefire.

12/08/2016 Myanmar (Radio Free Asia) – Myanmar’s Shan State parliament on Wednesday approved a proposal to define a coalition of four ethnic armed groups battling the country’s armed forces as terrorists, sparking opposition from some lawmakers and ethnic civil society organizations who see the move as counterproductive to attempts to bring peace to the country.

The move comes more than two weeks after the Northern Alliance—the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)—attacked military and government targets in several townships in northern Shan State.

More than 10 civilians have been killed and 40 have been injured, as the fighting continues. Talks between government peace negotiators and the ethnic militias broke down last week in Kunming, capital of southwestern China’s Yunnan province.

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