UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday said it was imperative for the military in Myanmar to end the violence, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and release all those arbitrarily detained.

He told the UN Human Rights Council that despite several ceasefire announcements following the March earthquake, the military had escalated its attacks, killing more than 500 civilians and injuring more than 1000.

“Instead of increasing access to lifesaving aid, the military doubled down on violence and restricted access even further,” Türk said at the 59^th session of the UN Human Rights Council. “In many cases, airstrikes or artillery hit schools, religious sites and other protected locations.”

Since the beginning of the coup in 2021, Myanmar’s military has killed some 6,800 civilians. More than 22,000 people are still detained, and 172 were sentenced to death by military-controlled courts that do not ensure respect for judicial guarantees and fair trial rights.

“In Rakhine State, the situation remains dire, with Rohingya in situations of extreme vulnerability,” the High Commissioner said. “Civilians are caught between the Arakan Army and the military, who act with complete impunity. I am deeply concerned that civilians face a dire humanitarian crisis due to the military’s blocking of widescale humanitarian support across the state.”

Across the country, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating. More than 3.5 million people have been displaced by conflict and nearly 22 million need assistance, while over 45 million people in Myanmar – four out of five – live below or just above the poverty line, according to the UN Human Rights Chief.

“Pursuing accountability and justice will be crucial to a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Myanmar. The conflict is rooted in grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law - killings, abductions, torture, arbitrary detention - that have largely gone unpunished,” Türk said, adding: “Freeing all political prisoners and bringing all perpetrators of human rights violations to justice are key to reconciliation and the way forward.”

“I again urge the Security Council to refer the situation of Myanmar to the International Criminal Court,” he said.

“It is also crucial to repeal laws that have long discriminated based on race, religion and sex. This would be an important step to ensure the rights of many minorities, including the Rohingya,” stressed the High Commissioner.

“Corruption and cronyism are entrenched; ordinary people are impoverished. People displaced across borders told my Office that they wanted to return to economic opportunities at home,” Türk said. “The way forward will require a radical shift towards an economy that can ensure people’s rights are fulfilled - with investments in education, health, social protection, and inclusive policies on land and administering natural resources.”

The UN Human Rights Chief also repeated his call for an arms embargo, coupled with sanctions consistent with international law – including on jet fuel and dual-use goods – to better protect the people of Myanmar.

“It is imperative for the military immediately to end the violence, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and release all arbitrarily detained people – as demanded, by the way, by Security Council resolution 2669,” he said.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

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

Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org

Seif Magango: +41 79 752 0488 / seif.magango@un.org

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