A U.S. Congressman has condemned Burma's military government, saying a recent report provides evidence soldiers and officers in Burma use rape as a weapon.
U.S. Congressman Elton Gallegly said this week that he was "horrified" by the report documenting rapes of ethnic women by Burmese soldiers. Mr. Gallegly was citing a report by the Karen Women's Organization, a Burmese women's rights organization based along the Thai border.
Mr. Gallegly, chairman of a subcommittee on human rights, said he was appalled with the organization's report that over half the rapes were committed by military officers, and that 40% were gang rapes.
The U.S. Congressman said "the use of rape as a weapon of war was wrong in Bosnia, and it is wrong in Burma." He said Burma's military government must be held accountable for the allegations.