No.03 - 01/2006
5 January 2006

War

Shan leaders concerned for safety of commander

The exiled Shan political group, Shan Democratic Union, has expressed deep concern over the safety of a Shan State Army 'South' commander and his 30 plus colleagues who surrendered on 1-2 January.

In a short statement issued today, the SDU demanded that the troops led by Lt-Col Khun Kyaw "should be treated as Prisoners of War (POWs), according to the Geneva Convention."

"Reports reaching international media indicate that the SSA-S's POWs might not be properly treated as prescribed by the Geneva Convention."

Khun Kyaw surrendered after a 4-month long hot pursuit in northern Shan State by the Lashio-based Burma Army's Northeastern Region Command.

According to the Geneva Convention, adopted on 12 August 1949, "Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely," and "Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture" "are and shall remain prohibited at any time."

The SDU is led by Sao Sengsuk, a former SSA leader who is based in Thailand.

The SDU's statement