The general secretary of the American Baptist Churches Reverend Roy Medley has called for a proper investigation into the murders of two Kachin teachers in Shan State, while on a recent visit to Kachin State, according to the Kachin News Group on February 16.
Reverend Medley spent several days in Myanmar, flying in to Myitkyina on February 6 to meet with members of the Kachin Baptist Convention and other local officials.
Reverend Medley is the latest voice to be added to the call for an independent investigation of the January 19 rape and murder of Ma Tangbau Hkawn Nan Zing and Ma Maran Lu Ra, two female teachers working on behalf of the Kachin Baptist Convention in Kawng Hka Village in northern Shan State.
Ma Seng Zing, an official with the Chiang Mai-based Kachin Women's Association Thailand, told Mizzima earlier that an international tribunal and an investigation committee comprised of women should be formed in order to probe into the case.
Several local and foreign NGOs have alleged Myanmar government soldiers carried out the crimes, based on limited circumstantial evidence, but the Myanmar government has threatened to sue anybody who makes false claims without evidence, noting that the authorities are investigating the case.