The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) released a report on Tuesday detailing extensive human rights abuses in Myanmar since the military’s takeover on February 1, 2021. The report reveals that over 5,350 civilians have been killed and more than 3.3 million people displaced due to ongoing violence by the armed forces.
The report underscores that more than half of Myanmar’s population now lives below the poverty line, a situation exacerbated by the conflict and economic instability. Additionally, over 27,400 people have been arrested since the coup, with the numbers rising following the implementation of mandatory conscription earlier this year.
OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell highlighted the severe impacts on mental health and economic rights, noting that the crisis is pushing Myanmar into deeper economic decline and prompting many young people to flee abroad to escape forced military service.
The report also reveals that at least 1,853 people, including 88 children and 125 women, have died in custody since the coup. Many of these deaths are attributed to torture, ill-treatment, and denial of adequate healthcare. James Rodehaver, head of the UN human rights team in Myanmar, described extreme torture techniques employed, including beatings, electrocution, asphyxiation, and the introduction of wild animals into cells.
OHCHR has called for accountability for those responsible for these abuses, including possible prosecution for war crimes. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and reiterated calls for an end to violence and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.
The report paints a bleak picture of Myanmar’s current situation, highlighting the urgent need for international action to address the ongoing crisis. It also notes that nearly 27,400 individuals have been arrested since the coup, with some being used as punishment for political opposition by detaining their children. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports a higher number of civilian deaths, with at least 5,665 confirmed and 2,500 still being verified.
In recent months, around 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh due to escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation. The country is under investigation by the International Court of Justice for genocide related to its 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya minority.
