By Kantarawaddy Times
During the five years following Myanmar’s military coup, Karenni State recorded 365 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, according to data presented in a report by the Women’s League of Burma (WLB).
The report was introduced by Naw Se Se, a representative of the WLB’s Political Initiative, during a public discussion held on June 18 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
According to Naw Se Se, the breakdown in rule of law across the country has enabled perpetrators to enjoy impunity, thereby encouraging repeated offenses. “Perpetrators not only commit the crimes, but also work to silence the victims by threatening their safety and limiting their freedom,” she said.
The report documents a total of 963 conflict-related sexual violence cases across Myanmar, with Karenni State having the highest number of reported incidents among all the states.
The WLB’s findings highlight that vulnerable groups—including women, girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and the elderly—are most frequently targeted. The report also notes that such crimes are committed not only by the Myanmar military but also by members of ethnic armed organizations.
While there are ongoing efforts to establish rule of law in Karenni State, the Interim Executive Council’s (IEC) Department of Justice acknowledges that the ongoing conflict continues to pose serious challenges to legal enforcement and prosecution.
Khun Jetstin, the State Legal Officer, told Kantarawaddy Times that despite resource constraints, the justice department is committed to handling all reported cases according to the law
Khun Jetstin explained, “Some cases—such as domestic violence, gender-based violence, and sexual assault—fall under police jurisdiction and cannot be resolved solely through mutual agreement between the victim and the perpetrator. These cases must go through the proper legal procedures. Even if both parties agree to settle, the police are still obligated to make arrests and file charges once an arrest warrant has been issued. However, under the current circumstances, there is often reluctance to intervene in cases perceived as already settled. In some instances, parties involved may oppose police intervention, creating additional challenges for law enforcement to carry out their legal duties effectively.”
He further noted a growing trend of systematic and strategic sexual violence from 2015 to 2025, indicating an escalation in both the frequency and intentionality of these crimes during the conflict.
According to the WLB report, the breakdown of conflict-related sexual violence cases during the coup period includes: Karenni State recorded the highest number of conflict-related sexual violence cases with 365 incidents, followed by Sagaing Region with 349 cases. Shan State reported 102 cases, while Kachin State, Tanintharyi Region and Chin reported 40, 27 and 19 cases, respectively. Other regions and states each reported fewer than 10 cases.
