Myanmar junta soldiers beheaded and mutilated civilians in apparent war crime in Sagaing Region

In a statement released by Fortify Rights on 4 February, the human rights group claims “Myanmar military junta soldiers attacked a village in the Sagaing Region and killed six civilians, including three who were decapitated and had their heads displayed on a fence in an apparent attempt to spread terror.” Local residents discovered the bodies when they returned to the village after the October 2024 attack.

The group calls on members states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently refer Myanmar to the court’s Chief Prosecutor for investigation and prosecution. The group notes that killing civilians as well as deliberately terrorising them are war crimes under international law.

The text of the press statement continues below.