Over 200 civilians reportedly slain in 243 military attacks in Burma since the earthquake, according to the United Nations.
In a stark condemnation motivated by violence against civilians, the United Nations (UN) slammed the military regime in Myanmar on May 2nd. Since the earthquake that shook Myanmar on March 28, resulting in nearly 4,000 casualties, the regime has orchestrated over 200 violent attacks – with at least 243, consisting of 171 airstrikes, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.
During April, after the earthquake, the regime temporarily ceased hostilities to facilitate rescue operations and Humanitarian aid distribution across the country. However,following the expiration of the ceasefire on April 30, the majority of fatal attacks occurred.
Mr. Türk underlined that these relentless and continued attacks on civilians are affecting a population already worn down by years of internal conflict and recent tremors. He emphasized that aid-stricken citizens need essential supplies like food, water, and shelter, along with protection and peace.
In an earlier move, on April 2nd, the despotic regime allied with armed rebel groups to lay out a temporary truce call in order to resume relief operations. However, the short-lived ceasefire was plagued with continuing military operations, bureaucratic delays, and barriers in the distribution of aid – amplifying the loss and displacement of people, particularly in resistance-controlled areas.
To bolster the on-going humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the United Nations demands an immediate halt to all attacks against civilians. Additionally, the military should prioritize people above all else, focusing on human rights, alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and reaching a peaceful solution to the intense, multi-year conflict.
Sadly, Myanmar has endured a grueling civil war since the military orchestrated the coup in 2021, coupled with merciless repression and crippling aid restrictions. Since the commencement of this brutal regime, the public has suffered under repression, constant violence, food shortages, displacement, and health emergencies.
Aid groups and the Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG) have repeatedly called for assistance to bypass the regime directly by channeling resources through ethnic organizations, trade unions, and local civil society groups to skirt military involvement. The global community, along with ASEAN and UN agencies, faces mounting pressure to circumvent junta restrictions by utilizing cross-border mechanisms.
Despite international pleas to halt military support, Russia, China, and India remain top arms suppliers to the junta, enabling deadly military operations potentially constituting war crimes. As the people of Myanmar continue to grapple with the devastation wrought by the regime and the earthquake, advocates plead for swift change and a just resolution to the ongoing conflict.
- The United Nations calls for an immediate ceasefire in Myanmar, urging the military to prioritize people, human rights, and alleviating the humanitarian crisis.
- Following the temporary ceasefire expiration on April 30, the majority of fatal attacks on civilians resumed, affecting a population already worn down by years of internal conflict and recent tremors.
- The global community, along with ASEAN and UN agencies, faces mounting pressure to circumvent junta restrictions, channeling resources through ethnic organizations, trade unions, and local civil society groups to skirt military involvement.
- Despite international pleas to halt military support, Russia, China, and India remain top arms suppliers to the junta, potentially enabling war crimes in Myanmar.
