1.The Ministry of Human Rights, National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar expresses its outrage and condemnation at the illegal military junta’s latest act of terror in Sagaing Region 

2.At approximately 08:00 HRS on 11 April 2023, junta jets and helicopters began bombing and strafing machine gun fire at a large civilian gathering in Pazigyi village of Kanbalu Township.

3.At least 53 civilians including women and children were killed, while the appalling number of persons wounded is still being determined. Early casualty counts are expected to rise. The bodies of some victims were so badly destroyed that visual identification has not been possible. 

4.The Ministry of Human Rights extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Kanbalu Township and to the families and friends of victims and survivors.

5.This Sagaing attack comes just a day after junta air strikes in Va and Waibula villages of Palan Township in Chin State that killed nine civilians and destroyed homes and school buildings. These combined aerial attacks showcase the junta’s escalating terror campaign against the Myanmar people, despite the repeated condemnation of ASEAN Leaders and the UN Security Council. Only last week, on 4 April, the UN’s Human Rights Council passed a consensus resolution that condemned the junta’s deliberate, widespread, indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians and called on the junta to immediately cease all air strikes. The junta has answered in the only way it know how – through intensified atrocities and bloodshed.

6.ASEAN and the UN Security Council must take urgent coordinated action against the junta as a threat to regional and international peace and security. This must see the Security Council enact measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and ASEAN Leaders use their upcoming Summit in May 2023 to confirm complementary punitive actions against the criminal junta.