A/HRC/56/CRP.8 individuals rather than reflecting the policies or culture of resistance groups, but nevertheless represent a significant and growing threat to women and girls. 72. Members of opposition armed groups have allegedly committed gang rape, rape followed by execution, and the rape of children. On 30 August 2022, four resistance soldiers under the command of a National Unity Government-linked local defense team in ChaungU Township, Sagaing Region allegedly carried out an extrajudicial execution of seven civilians accused of being junta informants. The victims included five minors under the age of 18. Three of the four female victims were raped by the armed actors before being killed. Two of the victims were 15 years old. In a 4 May 2023 statement, the National Unity Government acknowledged that the seven victims were “unlawfully killed” and said that its ministries would take legal action but did not mention the alleged sexual violence.56 In April and May 2023, eight members of a local Peoples’ Security Force in Saw Township, Magway Region reportedly raped a woman who had been detained for theft in a National Unity Government-affiliated jail multiple times. Sources indicate that the local administrative head provided the woman with US$200 as “compensation” for her experience. The National Unity Government confirmed both cases and stated that they would be handled by a local civil court. 73. In April 2024, media outlets reported about allegations of three instances of sexual abuse and misconduct perpetrated by local authorities against female prisoners being held at a local prison under National Unity Government control in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region. Media reports indicate that two judges at the local township court filed a complaint with the National Unity Government’s Correctional Department in July 2023, requesting that it investigate the allegations of sexual violence. The National Unity Government told the Special Rapporteur that an investigation conducted in October 2023 found that the alleged violations had not occurred, but other violations had taken place. 74. The Special Rapporteur has received other credible reports of sexual violence perpetrated by members of opposition groups, including ethnic resistance organizations. Reports include allegations of gang rape, rape followed by murder, the rape of women accused of being military informants, the rape of a disabled woman, and the demand for sexual favors in exchange for the release of male relatives. 75. Women and LGBT people in armed resistance forces are at heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly sexual harassment. Women who have received military training with people’s defense forces have told the Special Rapporteur of a pervasive culture of sexual harassment, including by commanding officers. One woman remarked that limited education and training on human rights obligations has contributed to sexual and gender-based violence within opposition armed groups. She said, “The NUG policy and Code of Conduct is not a reality on the ground. … We have so many young people from different backgrounds. Sometimes there are violations because they don’t have awareness and sometimes don’t know the norms and standards.” 76. Incidents of sexual violence by resistance groups are severely underreported. Survivors who report cases have been criticized for undermining the revolution. Human rights defenders and local organizations conducting documentation and advocacy about sexual violence by the armed resistance have been accused of diverting attention away from the SAC’s abuses. Several women activists emphasized to the Special Rapporteur their concern that historic cycles of chauvinistic, patriarchal violence were being recreated and 56 20 National Unity Government , “Joint Statement on action taken against illegal acts of some members of the Village People’s Defence Force Chuang Oo Township, Sagaing Division,” 4 May 2023, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0KnxmCbekev69zQq95i4kVfiGZJ5HyBkAjoWA UzxMBSNXmBEX9CcHwWyPXNLCXAjUl&id=100069164732959&mibextid=Nif5oz.