UN Report Reveals Myanmar Crisis: Thousands Killed and Millions Displaced Since 2021 Coup
The United Nations has released a report detailing the severe human rights crisis in Myanmar following the military coup on February 1, 2021. The coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate.
Devastating Consequences
Since the coup, at least 5,350 civilians have lost their lives, and over 3.3 million people have been displaced. The report from the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights the ongoing violence and lack of rule of law in the country.
Mass Arrests and Detentions
Nearly 27,400 individuals have been arrested since the coup, with a significant increase in arrests following the military’s implementation of mandatory conscription in February 2024. Credible sources verified that over 9,000 individuals are currently detained by the military, including 5,556 women and 547 children.
At least 1,853 people have died in custody, including 88 children and 125 women, often due to abusive interrogation, ill-treatment, or lack of adequate healthcare.
Impact on Society
The report also examines the impact of violence, destruction, and deprivation on people’s mental health and the regression in economic and social rights, leading to further economic decline. Many young people are fleeing the country to avoid forced military service.
Calls for Action
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. He calls for an end to violence, the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, and for the military to cease attacks on civilians and respect human rights obligations.
Doubts Revealed
UN -: The UN stands for the United Nations. It is an international organization that works to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.
Myanmar -: Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia. It used to be called Burma.
Coup -: A coup is when the military takes control of the government by force. In Myanmar, this happened on February 1, 2021.
Displaced -: Displaced means people have to leave their homes because it is not safe to stay. In Myanmar, millions of people had to move because of the fighting.
UN High Commissioner -: The UN High Commissioner is a person who works for the United Nations to protect human rights. Volker Turk is the current High Commissioner.
UN Security Council -: The UN Security Council is a group of countries in the United Nations that make important decisions about peace and security.
International Criminal Court -: The International Criminal Court is a court that deals with very serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Detainees -: Detainees are people who have been arrested and are being held in custody. In Myanmar, many people have been detained since the coup.