Myanmar is in the grip of a severe human rights crisis, warns UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. He described the situation as “a litany of human suffering.” Speaking at the Human Rights Council, he explained how relentless conflict is devastating civilians. Economic collapse is also affecting many people. Many of them are now displaced.
Earlier, the Council also addressed South Sudan’s worsening crisis, highlighting ongoing human rights abuses and failures of political leadership.
RISING DEATH TOLL AND MILITARY ATROCITIES
Violence in Myanmar has escalated since the 2021 military coup. In 2024 alone, over 1,800 civilians were killed, mostly from indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery attacks. Schools, places of worship, and healthcare centers have become routine targets.
Mr. Türk condemned the military’s brutal tactics, including beheadings, burnings, mutilations, and the use of human shields. Nearly 2,000 detainees have died in custody since the coup, most due to summary executions and torture.
WORSENING HUMANITARIAN DISASTER
The humanitarian crisis is spiraling. More than 3.5 million people are displaced, while 15 million face hunger—two million of them at risk of famine.
In Rakhine state, clashes between the military and the Arakan Army have intensified. Thousands of civilians have been killed, and Rohingya communities remain trapped in the violence.
Desperate to escape, thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2024 despite strict border controls. More than 8,000 attempted the journey by sea—an 80% increase from 2023—but at least 650, nearly half of them children, drowned.
ECONOMIC COLLAPSE FUELS CRIME AND CORRUPTION
Myanmar’s economic collapse has deepened corruption and crime. A global tracker now ranks it as the world’s largest hub for organized crime. The country remains the top producer of opium and a major manufacturer of synthetic drugs.
Scam centers in eastern Myanmar have become notorious for human trafficking. Victims are coerced into cybercrime, subjected to torture, sexual violence, and forced labor.
FORCED MILITARY CONSCRIPTION SPARKS FEAR
The junta has enforced military conscription, leading to arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment. Young men and women are primary targets, forcing many to flee. Those escaping conscription risk falling into the hands of traffickers.
Mr. Türk urged immediate international action, including an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on jet fuel and dual-use goods. He emphasized the need for accountability. He highlighted efforts at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). These efforts aim to prosecute Myanmar’s military leaders.
SOUTH SUDAN: LEADERS FAILING THEIR PEOPLE
The Human Rights Council heard a report from the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. It exposed widespread abuses. These include extrajudicial killings, child soldier recruitment, and systematic sexual violence.
Despite gaining independence over a decade ago, South Sudan continues to suffer from persistent human rights violations, often linked to high-ranking officials. Political leaders prioritize power struggles over civilian well-being.
ETHNIC VIOLENCE AND LAWLESSNESS
The Commission’s report highlighted extreme ethnic violence in Tambura, where armed forces and militias reignited conflicts from 2021. Political elites at both local and national levels actively fuel the violence while holding onto power.
The introduction of the “Green Book” law in Warrap State in 2024 raised further concerns. This law authorizes extrajudicial executions for suspected cattle raiding and communal violence, bypassing legal justice systems.
CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT
South Sudan’s leaders extended transitional political arrangements by two years, citing financial constraints. However, between September 2022 and August 2024, the government generated $3.5 billion in revenue, yet essential services remain underfunded.
Courts, schools, and hospitals lack proper funding, and civil servants go unpaid. “Theft of national wealth robs citizens of justice, education, and healthcare,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.
THE URGENT NEED FOR REFORM
Without tackling systemic corruption, peace agreements will remain ineffective. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, an independent body established in 2016, continues to monitor and report these violations.
Commissioners serve in an independent capacity without UN salaries, reinforcing the urgent need for global intervention and accountability.
