1. Introduction
Sexual violence has been perpetrated against villagers, particularly women and girls, in Southeast Burma (Myanmar)[1] in the past, and has remained ongoing. A weak rule of law and multiple barriers to access justice have hindered villagers’ protection and the eradication of such violence. Since the 2021 coup[2], the military conflict in Southeast Burma has exacerbated such challenges, worsening the enactment of the rule of law in many areas and impeding justice. Barriers that villagers face include weakened law enforcement, particularly against armed actors; inaccessible justice systems in areas with active conflict; fears of the perpetrator’s retaliation; no avenues for prosecution of Burma Army[3] soldiers; financial burdens; social stigma; or long and unfamiliar court procedures. These conditions render impunity to most perpetrators, leave villagers unprotected and vulnerable to violence, make justice unattainable, and foster a lack of faith in the justice system, protracting sexual violence in Southeast Burma.
This briefing paper presents evidence of sexual violence perpetrated against villagers in locally-defined Karen State[4] since the February 2021 coup until September 2024, and the barriers to obtaining justice reported by survivors, families and community members. The first section provides a brief overview of the context of sexual violence in Southeast Burma and the situation of such crime since the 2021 coup, as well as an overview of the different justice systems in the region. The second section presents a factual summary of incidents of sexual violence and the difficulties to access justice, as well as a summary of cases that received action, along with the strategies villagers use to protect themselves from this crime. The third section offers a security and legal analysis of the situation, followed by a set of policy recommendations for local and international stakeholders.