Mortar Shelling by the Myanmar Army that Exploded very Close to Alen Bum IDPs Boarding School, Laiza, Kachin State

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    The Joint Strategy Team (JST) is raising our concern over the recent mortar shelling by the Myanmar Army that exploded very close to Alen Bum IDPs Boarding School, Laiza, Kachin State. On 25 June 2015, at approximately 5:30 pm, a mortar shell exploded about 200 meters from the dormitory and the headmaster’s house. Alen Bum Boarding School is a residence of 986 students and 95 teachers.

    By Joint Strategy Team | June 26, 2015

    The Joint Strategy Team (JST) is raising our concern over the recent mortar shelling by the Myanmar Army that exploded very close to Alen Bum IDPs Boarding School, Laiza, Kachin State. On 25 June 2015, at approximately 5:30 pm, a mortar shell exploded about 200 meters from the dormitory and the headmaster’s house. Alen Bum Boarding School is a residence of 986 students and 95 teachers.

    1.We firmly demand that all the warring parties to fully respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which provides specific measures to protect civilians in armed conflicts. The incident is a violation of the Geneva Conventions and posed a serious threat to civilians and civilian installations.

    All kind of attacks against civilian targets should be stopped immediately.

    2. We strongly urge the United Nations Agencies, specially UNHCR and UNOCHA, to take all measures to ensure that civilians are protected and IHL is respected. We extend our request to ICRC as a key agency in ensuring the implementation of IHL.

    3. We request that the international community represented through their Diplomatic Corps in Myanmar to exercise their influence on the Myanmar Government to avoid any further violation of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, and to support all efforts for a peaceful and fair resolution of the armed conflict.

    4. We request that the INGOs support the Local Humanitarian Organisations to increase their capacity to provide humanitarian assistance of those affected by the ongoing four year armed conflict. We further request them to advocate to their respective governments to take necessary action to the Myanmar Government to stop any indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets as was the case in Alen Bum Boarding School.

    5. Finally, we call on all local humanitarian actors, NGOs, religious groups–‐churches and monasteries, CBOs, and all of Myanmar society to condemn all kind of violations of Human Rights. We ask them to continue assisting those affected by the war and to support all constructive and fair process to build a sustainable peace among Myanmar communities. JST is committed to continue providing assistance and protection to those affected by the consequences of the war and are requesting urgent action and support for the safety and protection of the IDPs children, as well as ensuring continuing humanitarian assistance for the IDPs.

    Source : www.burmapartnership.com

    Image: kachinlandnews.com

    Organisation/s Involved

    Joint Strategy Team (JST):

    It is a collaborative effort by 9 local humanitarian agencies involved in the humanitarian response in Kachin and Northern Shan states. – Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroot Empowerment (BRIDGE), Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Kachin Relief and Development Committee

    (KRDC), Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), Metta Development Foundation (Metta), Nyein Foundation (Shalom), Kachin Development Group (KDG), Kachin Women Association (KWA), and Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN).

    Contacts:

    Gum Sha Awng, <gum.sha.awng@metta–‐myanmar.org> (+95 95192913),

    Francis Lynnpard <[email protected]> (+95 95085634)