December 27th, 2008 marked the abduction, rape and murder of seven year old Ma Ne Mya of Ma Oo Bin village, Karen State.  FBR reports that the soldier from LIB 350 entered the village at approximately 6pm, abducted the young girl and took her outside of the village and raped her.  When she began to cry loudly, the soldier shot and killed Ma Ne Mya. 

Many international groups have cried out calling for accountability for this atrocious crime.  The Karen Women’s Organization has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the SPDC soldier, as well as punishment for his commanding officer for failing to take action over the crime.

Ma Ne Mya’s body was found near her house with gunshot wounds in her chest and signs of rape.

A police report was filed by her parents and the local village leaders petitioned the Burma Army for justice in this incident.

The result of this is that the Burma Army has threatened the family and is now trying to bribe her parents.   The commander of LIB 350, Capt. Thet Khaing, forced ten local business owners to provide a total of 1,000,000 Kyat ($800) in order to pay off the girl’s parents.  FBR also reports that her parents have been threatened that they must accept the money as sufficient payment for the crime or they will face punishment. 

This is one incident that occurs among many; many that go undocumented, that we are not aware of.  It’s impossible to understand the heart ache and pain that must be filling the days of Ma Ne’s family; a loss such as this is unfathomable.  Yet, we know that even in this deepest pit, even in the blackest hole, that God is with them.  And we know that God’s justice goes further than any carried out on earth.  Please join us in prayer for her family - that they are aware of God’s comfort through this horrendous time.