A report compiled by the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School has accused Burma's military of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity as they fought against ethnic Karen fighters from 2005 until 2008.

The Harvard report based on a study conducted of Karen villages near the Thai border, accuses Burma's army of “firing mortars at villages; opening fire on fleeing villagers; destroying homes, crops, and food stores; laying land mines in civilian locations; forcing civilians to work and porter; and capturing and executing civilians”. 1,000 pages of affidavits by witnesses and victims who suffered torture at the hands of the military were also compiled by the report's authors.

The military offensive saw Burma's military battle against the Karen National Liberation Army, which has been fighting for independence since 1949.

Though the report acknowledges both sides committed abuses, it said the Burmese military committed “widespread and systematic” attacks directed against civilians.

The report identified three military officials, all of whom continue to hold positions in the government or military, as having prominent roles in the offensive. “We believe we have satisfied the standard of proof for the issuance of an arrest warrant,” added Matthew Bugher, one of the report's authors.

"We believe the transition and many of the reforms are remarkable, but there’s an elephant in the room, which is the military and especially military conduct," continued Bugher.

The report went on to add that “such issues cannot be swept aside during conversations about the country’s future.”

Burma's government though brushed off the report. U Zaw Htay, a director in the office of President Thein Sein, said, “we must not play the blame game.”

“In civil war, both the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) and ethnic armed groups might have violated human rights... Even America violates human rights in war.”