UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has voiced significant concerns over the persistent violence against civilians in Myanmar, despite a declared ceasefire following the March 28 earthquakes. Türk underscored the inconsistency between the official ceasefire, initiated after discussions between the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, and the opposing National Unity Government (NUG), and the reported continuation of hostilities. According to reports, the Tatmadaw carried out at least 243 attacks between the earthquake and April 29, including 171 air strikes, resulting in over 200 civilian casualties.
Türk remarked on the dire humanitarian situation, emphasizing the basic unmet needs of food, water, and shelter for the Myanmar population. He called for international demands for peace and the prioritization of human rights and humanitarian needs over military expenditures, urging a return to democracy and the rule of law. His words underlined the necessity of adhering to international norms, which dictate the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to those in distress, a principle outlined in customary international law.
The UN’s stance reiterates previous calls for the cessation of military aggression by the Tatmadaw and the unobstructed passage of relief efforts. The ongoing civil war, rooted in the 2021 military coup by the Tatmadaw, has only exacerbated the backdrop of natural disasters and enduring conflict, notably in the Rakhine state. This has culminated in a dire humanitarian crisis where nearly 20 million individuals require assistance, aggravated further by the recent earthquakes that have claimed 3,800 lives and left 6.3 million in immediate need of aid.
Amidst this turmoil, the message from the United Nations is a clear call for international cooperation and support to usher in an era of peace and stability, while addressing the immediate humanitarian requirements of Myanmar’s beleaguered civilians. For further details, see the full article on JURIST.