At the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for decisive international action against Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Highlighting the severe human rights violations, Türk urged the global community to impose both an arms embargo and targeted sanctions. His statement underscores the worsening conditions since the military coup in February 2021, which has severely impacted the nation’s socio-economic fabric.
Türk portrayed the arrests, executions, and torture as part of a broader “litany of human suffering” affecting Myanmar. The country’s economic degradation has amplified corruption, while organized crime, drug production, and human trafficking, particularly around scam centers, have surged. In September 2024, the UN’s report documented violations leading to over 5,350 deaths by mid-2024.
Military confrontations with opposition forces have also contributed to a humanitarian disaster. More than 3.5 million individuals have been displaced, and 15 million face hunger, with two million at the brink of famine. The Rohingya minority remains especially vulnerable, with many risking perilous sea passages to Bangladesh. As of early 2025, Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
In response to the escalating armed conflicts, Türk advocated for an arms embargo, with particular focus on jet fuel and dual-use goods. Echoing these concerns, in April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council enacted a resolution for an aviation fuel embargo. Moreover, he pressed for the accountability of military leaders for their culpable actions in the ongoing crisis. In line with these efforts, an Argentinian court recently issued international arrest warrants for 22 Burmese military officials, including the Commander-in-Chief, over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.