In a stark briefing to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described a rustic gripped by struggle, repression and deepening struggling.
For the reason that army coup in February 2021, practically 6,800 civilians have been killed and over 22,000 stay arbitrarily detained, he mentioned. Humanitarian wants have soared, with practically 22 million individuals in want of help and greater than 3.5 million displaced by battle.
“The report I’m presenting at this time is in regards to the individuals of Myanmar and their aspirations for a greater future,” Mr. Türk mentioned.
“Regardless of large challenges, individuals from throughout society are striving to construct a peaceable, sustainable, democratic and various Myanmar, grounded in human rights.”
A disaster worsened
Nonetheless, situations on the bottom have solely worsened.
Following a 28 March earthquake that killed practically 4,000 individuals and left six million in pressing want, the army intensified assaults as a substitute of facilitating reduction, Mr. Türk mentioned.
The UN human rights workplace, OHCHR, documented greater than 600 army strikes for the reason that quake – 94 per cent of them occurring throughout supposed ceasefires – with faculties, non secular websites and different protected areas steadily focused.
State of affairs in Rakhine
The scenario in Rakhine state stays significantly dire, with civilians – the minority Muslim Rohingya particularly – caught between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Military, an ethnic armed group. As well as, the army’s ongoing obstruction of humanitarian entry has worsened an already acute disaster.
All through the nation, financial collapse and the breakdown of public establishments have compounded the struggling.
Practically 4 in 5 individuals now dwell under or simply above the poverty line and an estimated 1.3 million have fled the nation – many endeavor perilous journeys by land and sea. Up to now in 2025, practically one in 5 individuals trying sea crossings within the area have been reported useless or lacking.
Finish violence, guarantee accountability
The Excessive Commissioner’s report outlined 4 key pathways to put the groundwork for a transition towards a peaceable and democratic Myanmar: justice and accountability, democratic governance; financial reform to serve the individuals, and sustained worldwide engagement.
Mr. Türk confused that accountability should start with the discharge of all political prisoners and prosecution of these liable for grave human rights violations.
“It’s crucial for the army to right away finish the violence, enable unhindered humanitarian entry and launch all arbitrarily detained individuals,” he mentioned.
“Amid the turmoil, planning for a future with human rights entrance and centre affords individuals a way of hope. We owe it to the individuals of Myanmar to make that hope a actuality.”
© WFP/Arete
Tens of millions have misplaced their houses and livelihoods as a result of earthquakes that struck Myanmar in late March.
Unbiased knowledgeable’s alarm
Tom Andrews, the UN Particular Rapporteur on the scenario in Myanmar, echoed the Excessive Commissioner’s warnings, elevating alarm over a collapse in worldwide humanitarian assist and the army’s repression.
“The junta has chosen to make use of support as a weapon,” he advised the Council.
“I’ve spoken with humanitarian employees bodily blocked at checkpoints and obtained studies of earthquake survivors evicted from shelters with no place to go.”
Mr. Andrews, who has been appointed and mandated by the Human Rights Council and isn’t a UN workers member – additionally warned that drastic cuts in worldwide funding have already had extreme penalties.
As of 27 June, the $1.14 billion complete humanitarian response plan for the nation is barely 12 % funded and the $275 million addendum for the earthquake response is about 37 per cent.
At a time when the individuals of Myanmar want an enhanced stage of assist from the worldwide group, they’re getting the other, Mr. Andrews mentioned, warning that the price in human lives and human struggling will quickly very seemingly get “considerably worse.”
“This harmful pattern begs the query – do human rights matter?” he requested.
“As a result of if human rights matter, if saving the lives of youngsters in Myanmar issues, why are so many governments reluctant to take a position even a modest quantity of assets to avoid wasting lives?”
