Myanmar Junta Accused of Jailing Toddlers as Hostage Tactic

[geovalin]

© UNICEF/Minzayar Oo

 

Children as young as two are being detained by Myanmar’s military as stand-ins for their parents, according to a damning new UN report that details escalating atrocities and systematic torture under the junta’s rule.

 

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), tasked with collecting evidence for future prosecutions, revealed that minors aged two to seventeen have been imprisoned—often when their parents, suspected of opposing the regime, cannot be located. Some children have reportedly suffered torture, sexual violence, and other forms of abuse while in custody.

 

The findings, covering July 2024 to June 2025, paint a grim picture of life under military rule more than four years after the coup. Nearly 30,000 people have been arrested since February 2021, including journalists, activists, and political opponents. The IIMM says it has documented widespread torture in detention centres, including beatings, electric shocks, and rape. In some cases, torture led to death.

 

UN investigators have identified specific military units and commanders allegedly responsible for these crimes, including those involved in summary executions and sexual violence. Nicholas Koumjian, head of the IIMM, stressed the importance of accountability: “Perpetrators must know someone is watching, someone is collecting evidence.”

 

Yet the mechanism’s work is under threat. A severe funding crisis—exacerbated by UN-wide budget cuts and the withdrawal of key US grants—is forcing a 20% reduction in staff and limiting the team’s ability to travel, train, and analyse evidence. Koumjian warned that these constraints jeopardise justice efforts not only for Myanmar, but globally.

 

Despite repeated requests, the Myanmar military has refused to cooperate with investigators. It continues to deny allegations of abuse, claiming its operations target “terrorists” responsible for unrest.

 

As international pressure mounts, the IIMM’s report serves as a stark reminder of the junta’s brutality—and the urgent need for sustained global support to hold it to account.

-2025-08-13

[Burma Bill]

With all the drones being made available for the border issues between Cambodia and Siam, please could some be directed to take out the Tatmadaw's HQ and other military bases in Burma along with their evil and despicable Generals!

[connda]

Of course, and they rip with wings off of butterflies too.

[emptypockets]

Nothing surprises me from this murderous scum.