A License to Torture ? Executive Summary Myanmar military has a long history of using torture to stop and break down the peaceful protests and target the innocent civilians in the areas where armed clashes broke out. Torture in Myanmar can be divided into two types – torture by security forces especially in interrogation and prisons and torture of innocent civilians in areas of clashes by regime forces. Torture victims can also be divided into two main groups. The two are political society and innocent civilians in the areas where the armed resistance broke out. The Myanmar military’s torture has increased since the 1988 uprising. During the socalled democratization process under quasi-civilian governments which began in 2011, the Myanmar military’s atrocities including torture and ill-treatment of innocent civilians continued in ethnic minority areas. Yet, most of the documented evidence of the Myanmar military’s atrocities did not garner adequate attention from the public and support from the international community to hold those responsible for the atrocities accountable. However, the Myanmar military proved its brutality and evilness by its blatant violence against people peacefully resisting the coup attempted on February 1, 2021. Since the coup attempt, the military junta has used torture as a means not only to extract information from the accused but also punish and retaliate them for their prodemocracy activities and to instill fear among the people. The act of torture by the Myanmar military’s security forces is based on arbitrary grounds while the patterns of torture are proven systematic and widespread. The junta has increasingly arrested civilian protesters, activists, members of CDM, politicians, members of NLD party, people with ties with NLD party and people supporting the National Unity Government (NUG), Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and ethnic revolutionary organization (EROs). Women and LGBTQI individuals face disproportionate rates of torture and violence compared to men. This systemic targeting not only violates their human rights but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and oppression. In various forms, such as sexual violence, women and LGBTQI individuals are particularly vulnerable to torture. In conflict situations, women and LGBTQI individuals including transwomen are also at heightened risk of torture. Perpetrators exploit their vulnerability, using sexual violence as a weapon of war. Rape, forced prostitution, and sexual slavery are common tactics employed to instill fear, control populations, and destroy social bonds. These acts of torture not only cause immediate physical harm but also inflict long-lasting trauma on the survivors. Furthermore, women and LGBTQI individuals in detention centers, including prisons and interrogation centers, are often subjected to sexual violence and other forms of torture. These abuses can range from invasive searches to the denial of essential healthcare, isolation, and verbal abuse. Such mistreatment perpetuates a culture of fear and silencing, making it difficult for survivors to seek justice or support. Equality Myanmar 9