By MPA
More than 140 civil society organisations and revolutionary groups have called for the immediate prosecution of a resistance battalion commander in Sagaing Region following harrowing allegations of sexual violence, torture, and religious persecution.
A joint statement released on March 9 by 148 organisations—including the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU)—details a series of atrocities allegedly committed by Yan Shin Aung, the commander of Yinmabin District Battalion 20, also known as the Yoma Yarzar force.
The victim, a female comrade within the same battalion, was reportedly detained in late December 2025.
According to the statement, she was subjected to public beatings, tied with ropes, and repeatedly raped at knifepoint. The allegations include disturbing details of “inhumane acts,” such as the commander and his associates using a knife to carve the battalion’s number and the commander’s name onto the victim’s body.
The groups also highlighted a layer of religious hate crime, stating that the victim was targeted with ethnic and religious slurs due to her Islamic faith. Her husband and young daughter are also reportedly facing pressure and threats from the battalion.
“This is a blatant abuse of power within the revolutionary ranks,” the joint statement read. “It is a direct challenge to the rule of law and an affront to human dignity.”
The coalition is urging the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) leadership to launch an immediate, transparent investigation and to ensure that Yan Shin Aung and all involved face legal consequences.
They have also called for the urgent relocation of the victim and her family to a safe environment away from the battalion’s influence.
The NUG has previously pledged to uphold human rights and gender equality within its ranks. However, this incident has sparked renewed calls for the shadow government to implement practical policies to prevent discrimination and violence against women and minorities.
“Addressing this injustice effectively is the only way to maintain public trust in the revolution,” the organisations warned.
The signatories, which also include the European Rohingya Council (ERC) and Progressive Voice, emphasized that silence or inaction regarding such internal crimes would undermine the moral foundation of the struggle against the military junta.
