UN Human Rights Chief Warns of Severe Crisis in Myanmar and South Sudan
The UN has raised alarms over the dire human rights situation in Myanmar, reporting over 1,800 civilian deaths in 2024 from military violence. Concurrently, a humanitarian crisis has displaced millions and left many facing famine. The situation in South Sudan also remains grave, with persistent human rights abuses and systemic corruption. Calls for international intervention and accountability are urgent to address these crises.
The situation in Myanmar has reached alarming levels, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, characterizing it as a “litany of human suffering.” He emphasized the severe impact of conflict, economic breakdown, and displacement on civilians. There were over 1,800 civilian fatalities in 2024 due to the violence following the military coup in 2021, with indiscriminate airstrikes and attacks on essential infrastructure, such as schools and healthcare facilities, becoming tragically routine.
Mr. Türk condemned the military’s brutal tactics, highlighting cases of beheadings, torture, and the deaths of nearly 2,000 individuals in custody. The ongoing fighting between the military and opposing armed groups has caused a humanitarian crisis, displacing 3.5 million people and endangering 15 million others who face hunger, with two million at risk of famine.
In Rakhine State, violent clashes have intensified, disproportionately affecting Rohingya communities, with many fleeing to Bangladesh. Despite border restrictions, more than 8,000 sought refuge by sea in 2024, a significant increase since the previous year, resulting in approximately 650 deaths, many of them children.
The national economic collapse has exacerbated issues of corruption and crime, making Myanmar a hotspot for organized crime, including drug manufacturing. Human trafficking, particularly through cybercrime scams, has also surged, with victims subjected to severe abuse.
Mr. Türk criticized the junta’s implementation of military conscription, leading to arbitrary detentions and forced recruitment of young individuals. This has led many to flee the country, putting them at greater risk of exploitation and trafficking. He called on the international community to take decisive action, advocating for an arms embargo and targeted sanctions to safeguard the Myanmar population.
In a separate yet related discussion, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported ongoing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and forced recruitment of children. Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission, expressed dismay over the political leaders’ failure to protect civilians despite years of conflict and commitments to peace.
Recent reports highlighted extreme ethnic violence, particularly in Tambura, where armed forces inflicted brutal attacks along ethnic lines, exacerbated by politically motivated violent actions. A controversial law in Warrap State, allowing extrajudicial executions, raises further concerns about the human rights environment.
The South Sudanese government has been criticized for extending transitional political arrangements without addressing systemic corruption. The Commission noted that while significant revenue was generated, core services remain severely underfunded, impacting justice and health services. Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández underlined the need to combat corruption to enable lasting peace and institutional reform.
The UN has highlighted a critical human rights crisis in Myanmar, characterized by widespread violence, economic collapse, and humanitarian disasters affecting millions. Simultaneously, South Sudan continues to witness severe human rights violations, fueled by corruption and ethnic violence. Strong international action and accountability measures are essential to protect vulnerable populations in both countries and to promote sustainable peace and justice.
Original Source: news.un.org
