"The Karen Women's Organization [KWO] strongly condemns the attacks by the Burma Army in Hrpuso township, Karenni State in which at least 30 refugees, including women and children, were burned alive. Deeply disturbing images of scorched bodies and charred remains on trucks that were set ablaze on Christmas Eve. Even during this holiday time of Christmas and New Year's, the people of Burma are being denied peace and safety in their homelands. In the regime's attempts to squander People's Defense Forces, innocent civilians are routinely and unjustly being taken as hostages and killed. KWO has witnessed similar assaults in Karen State including ongoing ground and air strikes. KWO extends our solidarity and support to the victims and their families in Karenni State. Our ethnic brothers and sisters are all too familiar with the brutality that the Burma Army is capable of. The people of Karen State continue to be forced to endure the oppression of the junta. Thousands of our people are stranded, and in urgent need of humanitarian aid. We have seen similar attacks being launched across the country which are routinely taking place with deeply ingrained impunity. Accountability for the atrocities being committed by the Burma Army are long overdue. The violence they are perpetuating is in violation of international law and constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Therefore, it is with utmost urgency that KWO calls for a global arms embargo and diplomatic pressure to ensure a referral of the junta to the International Criminal Court. International condemnation for the human rights violations is not enough. There must be concrete action to protect the lives of thousands who still remain in danger in Burma..."