Myanmar: The Myanmar military regime has sharpened its campaign of violence, with gearing killings and widespread arrests focusing on silencing the opposition, according to an investigation by the United Nations.
Since the military coup in February 2021, tens of thousands of civilians have been arrested and thousands killed, with the latest figures showing a significant hike in casualties.
The military seized control of the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which sparked nationwide protests that were brutally suppressed. The initially peaceful demonstrations have since evolved into an armed rebellion, with fighting continuing across multiple fronts. To bolster its forces, the military introduced conscription in February 2024.
A UN report released by the , Volker Turk revealed that over 5,350 civilians have been killed by the military since the coup. The latest reporting period, from April 2023 to June 2024, saw 2,414 civilian deaths—a 50% increase from the previous duration. Many of these deaths were caused by airstrikes and artillery attacks.
James Rodehaver, head of the UN rights office’s Myanmar team emphasized that, “Myanmar is plumbing the depths of the human rights abyss.” Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Rodehaver stated that, “Myanmar’s military has created the crisis by instrumentalizing the legal system, criminalizing nearly all forms of dissent.”
Since the coup, nearly 27,400 people have been arrested, with many detained in military training centers. The report also showcased that children have been abducted when authorities could not locate their parents, as a form of punishment for political opposition. At least 1,853 people have died in custody, including 88 children, many after enduring torture and inadequate healthcare.
Detainees described harrowing torture methods, including being suspended from ceilings, beaten with iron rods and bamboo sticks, and being subjected to psychological fright by wild animals. Some detainees were forced to kneel or crawl on sharp objects.
Myanmar’s military has yet to respond to the damning UN report. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group monitoring the crackdown, has confirmed 5,665 civilian deaths, with an additional 2,500 deaths still being verified.
The UN has called for Myanmar’s rights violations to be referred to the International Criminal Court. The country is already under investigation for genocide at the International Court of Justice due to the military’s 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya minority.
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