Atrocities on both sides in Myanmar's war with Kachins, report claims

As Myanmar prepares for a number of by-elections on 1 April, US-based international human rights monitor Human Rights Watch has issued a report on war abuses in the country's Kachin state. RFI speaks to one of the organisation's top Asia specialists.

Supporters hold up signs and wave the National League for Democracy party's flag during pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's speech at Kachin National Manu park Reuters/Soe Zeya

Civil war has been a feature of Myanmar , prreviously Burma, since 1948 when it gained independence from Britain.

Some ethnic groups have signed peace deals with the government since they announced reforms.

But in June last year, after a 17-year-old ceasefire collapsed, fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and the military resumed.

Human Rights Watch says abuses are being committed on both sides.