Press release by Shan community groups
Shan community groups launched today a new video, The Four Cuts, documenting atrocities committed by the Burma Army during past “clearance operations” in Shan State.
On December 11, 2019, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi defended Burma’s military against charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice, saying they were just carrying out “clearance operations” targeting insurgents or terrorists.
The video shows the real meaning of “clearance operations” for Shan State inhabitants: brutal scorched earth campaigns – better known as “Four Cuts operations” – which have devastated and depopulated large areas of Shan State.
In new video testimony, witnesses recount Burma Army atrocities committed during operations which forced about 400,000 people out of 1,800 villages in fifteen townships in central and southern Shan State. Between 1996 and 1998, over 1,000 villagers were killed, and at least 625 women and girls suffered rape and other forms of sexual violence.
Refugees displaced over twenty years ago still dare not return, and are struggling to survive as migrant workers in Thailand.
“I want to remind the world of the systematic pattern of atrocities that has taken place in Shan State,” said video producer Sai Khom Khai. “Unless Burma’s military is brought to justice, these crimes will continue.”
The video can be viewed here: