UN investigators tell Myanmar junta to halt abuses

GENEVA, May 16 (Reuters) UN human rights today investigators called on Myanmar's junta to stop targeting ethnic Karen civilians, accusing its soldiers of killings, rapes and torture.

The appeal was issued by the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, as well as UN investigators on torture, adequate housing, food, health and minority issues.

They said Myanmar's army has been driving thousands of ethnic Karen out of villages close to the junta's new jungle capital, near the town of Pyinmana, in what appears to be the biggest offensive against the group in 10 years.

''We call on the government of Myanmar to take urgent measures to end the counter-insurgency military operations targeting civilians in Northern Karen and Eastern Pegu areas, which have led to the forcible eviction and displacement of thousands of ethnic minority villagers,'' the investigators said.

Burmese soldiers have acted with ''excessive use of force and firearms,'' according to the joint statement.

''Other reports from various sources corroborate very serious allegations of unlawful killings, torture, rape and forced labour,'' it said, without giving more details.

Yangon's generals admitted this weekend they were targeting the Karen, a mainly Christian ethnic minority of 7 million people, or just over 10 percent of Myanmar's population.

But Information Minister Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan said the offensive was meant to quell anti-government military action by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which has waged a 50-year civil war with Yangon.

The displaced people lack access to food, education, housing and health services, according to the UN investigators who also said that those whose homes have been demolished had not been offered alternative housing or any compensation.

Yangon-based diplomats said earlier today that a top UN official, Ibrahim Gambari, the undersecretary-general for political affairs, was expected in Myanmar on Thursday to press the junta to restore democracy and respect human rights.

Reuters SY GC2218