Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling on the international community to take urgent action after reports that at least 35 civilians were burnt alive in Myanmar on Christmas Eve.

Bodies of the victims, including elderly people and children, were discovered by the Karenni Human Rights Group (KHRG) on 25th December.

The killings took place in Kayah State and were carried out by the Myanmar army, according to the charity.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the National Unity Government of Myanmar condemned the recent killings in the “strongest possible terms”.

He wrote: “These acts clearly constitute the worst crimes against humanity, and we expect that all peoples and governments the world over should condemn these acts. With the condemnation, however, should come a commitment that these criminals be brought to justice and held fully accountable for their actions.”

Aid group Save the Children said it was suspending operations in Kayah state after two staff members went missing in the attack.

The two staff were travelling to their home villages for the year-end holidays when they were caught up in the violence in the eastern state, Save the Children said in a statement.

"We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out," the statement said.

Senior analyst for East Asia and author of three books on Myanmar, Benedict Rogers said: “As many of us celebrate Christmas, the Tatmadaw has continued to perpetrate egregious violations against the people of Myanmar, burning innocent civilians alive and killing and displacing hundreds more in targeted attacks on the country’s ethnic and religious nationalities.

“We call once again for urgent international action, and specifically for the swift and comprehensive imposition of a global arms embargo on the country as a means of pressuring the military regime to bring an end to these horrific atrocities.”