‘A Litany of Human Suffering’ in Myanmar, Warns UN Rights Chief
Geneva, February 28, 2025 (12:00 GMT) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, today delivered a scathing indictment of the ongoing human rights crisis in Myanmar, describing the situation as “a litany of human suffering” and urging the international community to take stronger action to hold perpetrators accountable. In a statement released earlier today, the UN rights chief highlighted the continued escalation of violence, displacement, and repression since the military coup in February 2021, four years prior.
The High Commissioner’s statement painted a grim picture, detailing a range of severe human rights violations including:
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Widespread and Indiscriminate Violence: Reports of airstrikes, shelling, and ground offensives by the military against civilian populations, particularly in ethnic minority areas, continue to flood in. The UN chief condemned the deliberate targeting of schools, hospitals, religious sites, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, actions which constitute war crimes under international law.
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Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions: The military junta continues to detain individuals suspected of opposing the regime, including journalists, activists, political leaders, and even ordinary citizens. Detainees are routinely subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and denial of due process. The High Commissioner expressed grave concern over the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in prisons and detention centers, exacerbating the risk of disease outbreaks.
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Suppression of Freedom of Expression and Information: The junta has systematically clamped down on freedom of expression and information, blocking internet access, shutting down independent media outlets, and persecuting journalists. This information blackout hinders the ability to accurately assess the situation and deliver humanitarian assistance. The UN chief emphasized the importance of ensuring access to information for all individuals within Myanmar.
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Economic Crisis and Humanitarian Catastrophe: The political instability and violence have plunged Myanmar into a severe economic crisis, pushing millions into poverty and exacerbating food insecurity. The High Commissioner warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, with limited access for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need due to security constraints and bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the junta. He called for unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to deliver life-saving assistance to all vulnerable populations.
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Ethnic Cleansing Concerns: The statement expressed deep concern over the ongoing persecution of ethnic minorities, particularly the Rohingya, in Rakhine State. While the situation has largely remained unchanged regarding the mass atrocities perpetrated in 2017, the UN documented new instances of discrimination, restrictions on movement, and denial of basic services faced by the Rohingya population. The High Commissioner reiterated the need for accountability for past crimes and the protection of the rights of all ethnic minorities.
Call for International Action:
The UN High Commissioner urged the international community to adopt a more robust and coordinated approach to address the crisis in Myanmar. He specifically called for:
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Increased pressure on the military junta: He encouraged Member States to impose targeted sanctions on military leaders and entities involved in human rights violations and to cut off the flow of arms and financial support to the regime.
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Strengthening accountability mechanisms: The High Commissioner emphasized the need to support the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international accountability mechanisms to investigate and prosecute those responsible for atrocities in Myanmar. He also urged Member States to exercise universal jurisdiction to hold perpetrators accountable in their own national courts.
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Increased humanitarian assistance: He called for a significant increase in humanitarian funding to address the growing needs of the affected population and urged Member States to support local humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
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Promoting inclusive dialogue: The High Commissioner stressed the importance of fostering inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders in Myanmar, including the military, the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), and civil society representatives, to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the crisis.
Echoes of Past Warnings:
This statement follows years of warnings from the UN and other international organizations about the deteriorating human rights situation in Myanmar. Despite previous calls for action, the situation has continued to worsen, highlighting the ineffectiveness of existing measures.
Looking Ahead:
The High Commissioner’s strong condemnation and call for immediate action serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the human rights crisis in Myanmar. Failure to do so will not only perpetuate the suffering of the people of Myanmar but also undermine the credibility of the international community’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether the international community can finally muster the political will to take meaningful action to protect the human rights of the people of Myanmar and hold those responsible for atrocities accountable.
‘A litany of human suffering’ in Myanmar, warns UN rights chief
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