The National Unity Government (NUG) has stated that the Myanmar military junta’s use of chemical weapons in the conflict in Karenni State and along the Shan-Karenni border constitutes a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and is a crime against humanity. This statement was made by U Aung Myo Min, Union Minister of Human Rights for the NUG, during a press conference on December 20.
This statement was made during a press conference held today, December 20, jointly organized by the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State, addressing the military junta’s use of chemical weapons in Karenni State.
“This is a double-layered violation of human rights and a war crime. The use of chemical weapons is a blatant war crime. Moreover, the oppressive military is systematically and strategically committing war crimes across the nation against civilians,” said U Aung Myo Min.
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a treaty that prohibits the production, storage, and use of chemical weapons and aims to prevent the consequences of chemical weapon deployment. Myanmar became a signatory to the CWC in 2015.
Since the coup in 2021, the NUG has accused the military junta of using chemical weapons in various regions across Myanmar, including northern Shan, Chin, Karen, southern Shan (Shan-Karenni border), Kachin, and Rakhine states. The NUG also reported the death of a child due to chemical weapons used by the military in areas controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State.
During battles in Moe Bye, located along the Shan-Karenni border, on December 7 and 8, the junta allegedly deployed S-PHOS 560 chemical gas grenades via drones and bombings. A resistance fighter who inhaled the gas reported severe effects within minutes.
“When the gas first spread, we thought it was just ordinary smoke or tear gas. However, prolonged exposure made us extremely fatigued, nauseous, and caused body aches. The exhaustion was so overwhelming that we just wanted to sleep,” said a soldier from Battalion 3 of the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) at the press conference.
The S-PHOS 560 chemical gas used in the Moe Bye conflict is reportedly produced in Singapore. Each large container holds 320 tablets, and smaller ones hold 20 tablets. The junta is said to have utilized the smaller containers, according to officials at the press conference.
The junta has been employing heavy artillery, drones, aircraft, and Y-12 training aircraft in its attacks, which include the use of chemical weapons, according to the KNDF.
On October 24, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, U Kyaw Moe Tun, called on the UN General Assembly to investigate the military’s use of chemical weapons. However, as of now, there has been no significant international response, according to the NUG’s response to a query from Kantarawaddy Times.
The KNDF stated that the military junta continues to use chemical weapons in battles within Karenni State. The IEC and NUG also announced plans to submit evidence of the junta’s use of chemical weapons to the international community and work towards ensuring accountability and actions.
