54th HRC-UN Human Rights Chief- People of Myanmar endure horrifying attacks 26 September 2023

The report before the Council today, which covers the period from 1 April 2022 and 31 July 2023, unveils how the military has further expanded its assault against the civilian population.

“We are faced here with a system of ruthless repression designed to coerce and subjugate its people and to erode a society so that the narrow interests of a kleptocratic elite are preserved. Senseless military attacks are exacerbating the human rights crisis with interconnected humanitarian, political, and economic impacts, imposing an unbearable toll on the people in Myanmar,” Türk said.

“Credible sources have verified as of yesterday a minimum of 1,108 deaths at the hands of the military and its affiliates. Three specific military tactics have been systematically directed against the civilian population: airstrikes, mass killings, and burning of villages. During the reporting period, the military undertook 687 airstrikes, more than double the number carried out in the 14 months following the coup,” said the High Commissioner.

“Ground operations have resulted in 22 documented incidents of mass killings of 10 or more individuals. Testimonies indicate that in many of these operations, soldiers entered villages, rounded up those who had not fled, and executed them. They used appalling methods to inflict unimaginable pain on their victims, including burning them alive, dismembering, raping, beheading, bludgeoning, and using abducted villagers to shield themselves against attacks and landmines. This is inhumanity in its vilest form,” he said.

The High Commissioner described the burning of entire villages and civilian infrastructure continues to terrorize the population, especially - but not only - in the central region of Sagaing. Over 75,000 structures, including homes, food storage facilities, seed banks and livestock have been destroyed, driving the ongoing displacement crisis, and dramatically increasing humanitarian and protection needs, including for those particularly at risk such as women, children, older people, and people with disabilities.

The restriction on humanitarian access following the destruction caused by Cyclone Mocha in May this year is a clear example of how the military is prioritizing its own political interests over the wellbeing of a population in dire need of life-saving assistance.

“Denial of humanitarian access throughout the whole country is having dramatic consequences on the right to food. Rice especially -- a staple for Myanmar people -- is becoming extremely limited in many regions. This denial of access has been acutely felt in Rakhine State where the human rights situation of the Rohingya community continues to be of the utmost concern, particularly for women, children and young people. Since Cyclone Mocha made landfall in May, the military has systematically prevented the provision of life-saving medical care, shelter materials, food and clean water. Rohingya families and members of other displaced communities have reported not being able to provide food to their children,” Türk said.

Despite this, since March, “the military has been proposing to carry out the return of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Rakhine State by the end of the year, despite the clear absence of conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable returns. Notably, no action has been taken to address the root causes of discrimination and other violations, to address the issue of citizenship, to ensure provision of services, or to guarantee free movement or other critical factors,” he said.

The High Commissioner called on all States and other actors with influence to support efforts to de-escalate this crisis and ensure that all vulnerable people in Myanmar can exercise their fundamental rights and receive all necessary assistance.

“Its clear that new thinking on Myanmar is needed - urgently - for this unspeakable tragedy to end,” Türk said.

“Given the continuing gravity of the situation and impunity on the ground, I reiterate my call for the UN Security Council to refer this situation to the International Criminal Court.

People in Myanmar have long suffered with insufficient attention being paid by the international community to their plight. That must change,” he said.

ENDS

The High Commissioner’s report, which covers the period between 1 April 2022 and 31 July 2023, is now online.

For more information and media requests, please contact:

In Geneva

Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or

Jeremy Laurence + +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org or

Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

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