"...Severe restrictions on access to parts of the country, and severe restrictions on freedom of information, expression and association, make it very difficult to obtain accurate statistics and information. Nevertheless, first-hand testimonies obtained by CSW through interviews with refugees, internally displaced peoples, former political prisoners and Myanmar army defectors; conducted on the Thailand-Myanmar border, inside the conflict zones of eastern Myanmar, inside Kachin State in northern Myanmar close to the border with China, on the India-Myanmar border and the Bangladesh-Myanmar border; conducted inside Myanmar?s cities, particularly Yangon, and with Burmese and ethnic civil society groups inside the country and along its borders; and in consultation with many other international NGOs, have led CSW to the conclusion that these violations, which are widespread and systematic, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. ...In light of Myanmar?s obligations under international law to observe, respect and protect human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, this submission focuses on the grave violations perpetrated by the ruling military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and the military, known as the Tatmadaw. CSW notes that the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar recently concluded that the violations occurring in Myanmar may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes, and has recommended that the UN should consider establishing a Commission of Inquiry to conduct an investigation..."