"Despite the fact that no exceptional circumstances whatsoever can be invoked to justify torture under international law, Myanmar’s military and security forces continue to torture and commit degrading and inhuman treatment against its people every day. Since its coup in February, the military regime has increasingly tortured anti-regime protesters and those opposing th e ju n ta However, it is not a new crime; torture is one o f its cruel tactics Myanmar’s military has carried out against ethnic people in armed conflicts over the past five decades. Ethnic people were subject to detention on suspicion o f having ties to ethnic armed organizations, torture during interrogation, forced confession and wrongful imprisonment. Evidence showed that the junta unnecessarily displayed force and beat the people including youths and women in their arrests and tortured them during interrogation. At least 22 civilians were tortured to death during military custody since February coup. On this International Day in Support o f Victims o f Torture, the Ministry o f Human Rights strongly condemns the State Administrative Council, which is how the junta describes itself, and its security forces for their acts. The ministry here reiterates that it is trying to hold those responsible for torture accountable both under national and international laws. According to international conventions, not only those who carry out but also those who authorize torture are responsible for torture. The ministry will ensure those who authorized torture also receive fitting punishments. The ministry will ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Convention Against Torture as soon as possible to prevent torture against innocent civilians in the future. It will continue its efforts to prevent Myanmar civilians from torture and to bring those responsible for torture to justice..."