Australia has strongly condemned the military council’s airstrike on a school in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region, declaring it a violation of the military’s own declared ceasefire. In a statement released today, Australia expressed grave concern over civilian casualties resulting from the attack on the school. The Australian government called on the military regime to engage in inclusive dialogue and adhere to their announced ceasefire. The attack has drawn widespread international criticism for targeting civilians, particularly children and educators.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson also expressed deep regret over the deaths of students and teachers in the airstrike. The spokesperson emphasized that this attack constitutes a violation of the military’s declared ceasefire and urged the military to engage in dialogue with opposition groups to peacefully resolve the ongoing crisis. The incident has highlighted the continuing violence against civilians despite declared cessation of hostilities.
The United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) has called for sharing evidence related to the May 12 attack on the school in Ohtein Kwin village. The attack resulted in at least 20 student fatalities and dozens of injuries. This airstrike was one of several that occurred following an earthquake and during a period when the military and other involved parties had declared a ceasefire. The IIMM has stated that indiscriminate aerial attacks on civilians may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, with attacks on children being particularly egregious. As a result, the mechanism is prioritizing investigations into crimes committed against children.
The IIMM is actively collecting evidence related to this and other airstrikes, including photographs and videos of injuries, damage, and explosions, information about victims, details about aircraft and weapons used, and information about pilots and those in the chain of command. The mechanism has requested that anyone with relevant information share it through secure channels, emphasizing the importance of waiting until it is safe to do so. This comprehensive investigation aims to document potential war crimes and human rights violations, particularly focusing on attacks that target civilian infrastructure and vulnerable populations including children.
