“What we are witnessing today is the systematic and widespread use of tactics against civilians, where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes”, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet told the Human Rights Council.
‘Disastrous situation’
Since last year’s coup, at least 1,900 military killings have been reported, the United Nations has registered one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and some 14 million people still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. grant.
“The humanitarian situation is dire,” said Mrs. Bachelet. The military coup “paralyzed Myanmar’s economy”, millions of people lost their income, the national currency plummeted and prices skyrocketed.
“However, my Office continues to monitor and document the actual size and extent of the breach,” she assures.
Meanwhile, violence has increased, with the military’s meager civilian protection.
Residents in the southeastern states of Kayin and Kayah, the northwestern states of Chin, and central parts of Sagaing and Magway have been detained and sometimes forcibly removed or used as human shields. .
And the military violated international humanitarian law – including by burning entire villages, residences and schools – and destroying food stores and other basic supplies.
Despite the repression and violence, “the strength and determination of the people of Myanmar, who continue to reject and resist the army and their efforts to assert control,” impressed the officials. United Nations office. However, the person noted that they “encountered continued use of arbitrary arrest and detention”.
‘Disastrous situation’
Since last year’s coup, at least 1,900 military killings have been reported, the United Nations has registered one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and some 14 million people still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. grant.
“The humanitarian situation is dire,” said Mrs. Bachelet. The military coup “paralyzed Myanmar’s economy”, millions of people lost their income, the national currency plummeted and prices skyrocketed.
“However, my Office continues to monitor and document the actual size and extent of the breach,” she assures.
Meanwhile, violence has increased, with the military’s meager civilian protection.
Residents in the southeastern states of Kayin and Kayah, the northwestern states of Chin, and central parts of Sagaing and Magway have been detained and sometimes forcibly removed or used as human shields. .
And the military violated international humanitarian law – including by burning entire villages, residences and schools – and destroying food stores and other basic supplies.
Despite the repression and violence, “the strength and determination of the people of Myanmar, who continue to reject and resist the army and their efforts to assert control,” impressed the officials. United Nations office. However, the person noted that they “encountered continued use of arbitrary arrest and detention”.
Death
As of February 1, 2021, more than 13,500 people are said to have been arrested for resisting the Burmese army’s re-imposition of power.
And A military spokesman recently announced that four death sentences would be carried out.
“I urge the military authorities to exercise restraint to avoid such a setback that not only violates the right to life but also hinders the prospects for political reconciliation,” Ms. Bachelet said.
The Rohingya are persecuted
The The military has continued to “use hateful and derogatory language to intimidate and exclude the largely Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state, hundreds of thousands of whom were forced to flee to Bangladesh in 2014. 2017, “And implement strict discriminatory limits on their movement,” the High Commissioner said.
Over the past weeks, more than 300 Rohingya Muslims have been arrested for traveling, what they call ‘illegal’ outside their communities, and hundreds have been prosecuted and sentenced to prison of up to two years. years for exercising the basic right of freedom of movement.
WFP / Saikat Mojumder
Taking only what they could bring, thousands of Rohingya fled violence in Rakhine State, northern Myanmar, and sought refuge in Cox’s Bazar district, on the Bangladesh border.
‘Hang in balance’
However, the life and future of the people of Myanmar are “hanging on the balance”. She said she was “disappointed” when International efforts to curb the military’s reckless violent approach have largely been ineffective.
Protecting civilians is an absolute imperative and must be granted access to vital humanitarian assistance to reach all communities.
“Today, I call on all parties to take concrete and sustained action to stop violence. The targeting of civilians and the burning of villages must stop now,” she declared.
End of punishment
Emphasizing the need for an environment conducive to political discussion, Ms. Bachelet insisted that any solution must be built on the basis of “wide-ranging consultation with all stakeholders”. in the democratic movement and with ethnic minority groups”.
“I urge all member states, especially those with access and influence at the highest levels, to step up the pressure on the military leadership,” she said, adding calls for support in pursuing accountability for ongoing and past human rights abuses, alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The future of Myanmar depends on addressing the root causes of this crisis‘ said the High Commissioner at the end.
Preventing ‘a lost generation’
A new one report Published by the UN designated by the UN independent rights expert for Myanmar on Monday, revealing the extent of the military’s abuse of children.
“The army’s relentless attacks on children underscore the depravity of the generals and their willingness to inflict immense suffering on innocent victims in their efforts to subjugate the people of Myanmar,” he said. speak Tom Andrews.
“Countries must take immediate coordinated action to address an escalating political, economic and humanitarian crisis that is putting Myanmar’s children at risk of becoming a lost generation.”
UNOCHA / Z. Nurmukhambetova
Young girls in a migrant camp in Myanmar draw water from a well.
Erase traces
He points to evidence that Children are not only caught up in a wave of escalating attacks, but are frequently targeted.
Mr Andrews said: “I received reports of children being beaten, stabbed, burned with cigarettes and executed, and had fingernails and teeth pulled during lengthy interrogation sessions.
“Military attacks on children constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and those who cause violence in Myanmar must be held accountable for their crimes against children.”
Ukraine-level response is needed
For the benefit of the children of Myanmar, the expert appeals to Member States, regional organizations, Security Counciland others to responded to the crisis in Myanmar “with the same urgency they responded to the crisis in Ukraine. ”
He called for concerted action to reduce the suffering of children by increasing pressure on authorities and for States to take stronger action to prevent their ability to fund atrocities. surname.
“Countries must pursue more targeted economic sanctions and coordinate financial investigations. I call on Member States to commit to a strong increase in humanitarian assistance and clear regional assistance to refugees,” said the Special Rapporteur.
Lack of ‘notorious’ support
The report describes the impact of the military coup on children’s human rights and details the alarming, underreported violence against them.
In a campaign of violence that has reached every corner of the country, soldiers, police officers, and military-backed militiamen murdered, kidnapped, detained, and tortured children.
“It is scandalous that the international community has committed only 10% of the funds needed to implement the Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan 2022, putting life-saving programs for children on hold,” he said. .
End suffering
Over the past 16 months, Myanmar’s military has killed at least 142 children; relocate 250,000; and arbitrarily detained more than 1,400 people, according to reports.
Meanwhile, 142 children were tortured and at least 61 children, some of them under the age of three, were held hostage.
World Health Organization (WHO) project 33,000 children will die from preventable deaths this year because they don’t get routine immunizations.
Mr Andrews called the Security Council’s inaction a moral failure with profound consequences.
He concluded: “World leaders, diplomats and donors should ask themselves why the world is not doing all it can to end the suffering of Myanmar’s children.
