UN warns of rising violence in Myanmar amid military build up

on

The United Nations human rights chief is warning of a military build up in parts of Myanmar and rising violence, with the army using heavy weapons against armed groups as well as civilian targets, including Christian churches.

Michelle Bachelet said more than 108,000 people have fled their homes in eastern Kayah state in the last three weeks, and her office cited “credible reports” that security forces have shelled civilian homes and churches and blocked access for humanitarian aid.

“Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw, have a duty to protect civilians,” said Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

“The international community needs to unify in its demand that the Tatmadaw cease the outrageous use of heavy artillery against civilians and civilian objects,” she added.

The military, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February, has faced widespread opposition to its rule, initially by massive nonviolent protests. After soldiers and police used deadly force to crush the peaceful demonstrations, a low-level armed insurrection has emerged in both the cities and countryside.

Bachelet’s office cited credible reports that at least 860 people have been killed by security forces since Feb. 1, mostly during protests, and that more than 4,800 people — including activists, journalists and opponents of the junta — are in arbitrary detention.

“In just over four months, Myanmar has gone from being a fragile democracy to a human rights catastrophe,” Bachelet said. “The military leadership is singularly responsible for this crisis, and must be held to account.”

Bachelet is set to update the U.N.’s top human rights body, the Human Rights Council, during its next session in July, her office said.


Discover more from Current PH

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

MUST READ

Homeowners’ groups representing 800,000 San Joseños call for an...

Homeowners’ groups representing 800,000 San Joseños call for an end to PrimeWater’s oppression June 17, 2026, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan — The Confederation of...
video

Sherwin Gatchalian Takes Senate Helm After Unanimous Acclamation Vote...

https://youtu.be/HVusiztMNWo Sherwin Gatchalian Takes Senate Helm After Unanimous Acclamation Vote Today Sherwin Gatchalian has officially assumed the Senate's top leadership post after securing a unanimous vote...
video

Inside the Senate Clash: Questions Raised at the Blue...

https://youtu.be/KryLYU8nIH8 Inside the Senate Clash: Questions Raised at the Blue Ribbon Gathering, Now A developing political discussion surrounds the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as questions emerge...
video

Political Blind Item Rumors Maleta Cash Media Payola Claim...

https://youtu.be/8P6F0jcenX8 Political Blind Item Rumors Maleta Cash Media Payola Claim Exposed This episode of Sa Totoo Lang dives into trending political blind item discussions involving alleged...

Gatchalian formally ascends Senate President-ship; Cayetano bloc retreats

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s concession that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s camp had already secured the numbers necessary to take the Senate presidency was an acknowledgment of political reality, not necessarily the end of his faction’s influence. Faced with an inevitable defeat, Cayetano stepped away from the highest seat in the chamber. But his departure came with a telling condition: his allies must retain control of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee — the chamber’s most potent instrument of investigation and political pressure. ([Inquirer.net][1])

Discover more from Current PH

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Discover more from Current PH

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading