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Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: post-Coup (November 1-7) 2021

November 8, 2021/in HR Situation

Myanmar: 3 million in need of humanitarian aid, ‘world is watching’ UN relief chief warns generals

November 8, 2021/in News

“The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating”, Martin Griffiths said in a statement, adding that “without an end to violence and a peaceful resolution of Myanmar’s crisis, this number will only rise”. Growing displacement Since a military takeover on 1 February ousted the democratically elected Government, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes due to violent crackdowns across the country. […]

Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: post-Coup (November 1-7) 2021

November 8, 2021/in HR Situation

Myanmar: 3 million in need of humanitarian aid, ‘world is watching’ UN relief chief warns generals

November 8, 2021/in News

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Weekly Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: post-Coup (November 1-7) 2021

November 8, 2021/in HR Situation

Worsening military offensives in conflict-torn Chin State has left thousands without homes and enough food to survive. The increased presence of military junta soldiers is depriving civilians of their rights to live safely. Places of worship, including predominantly churches in the Christian minority state, have been burned to the ground with local religious leaders targeted. On 4 November, over 500 civil society organizations, including ND-Burma, called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar, given the gravity of the situation and likelihood of war crimes being perpetrated by the junta.

In the wake of the brutality, Chin armed defences forces have stood their ground. They have bravely fought back to protect their people, and their State’s territory. Even amid casualties, Chin soldiers have not been deterred as they face the onslaught of the junta’s violence and their highly advanced weaponry. ND-Burma affiliate member, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), has continued to report tirelessly on the human rights violations being committed. Civilians of all ages have been killed and endlessly tortured with many succumbing to their wounds or barely surviving. Among those murdered by the junta, a 70 year old retired teacher was fatally struck by artillery rounds which were intentionally fired in Mindat township on the afternoon of November 3rd. Three other civilians were injured in the explosion.

In the harrowing nine months which have now passed since the coup, thousands have been displaced. Arbitrary arrests are ongoing, and testimonies of the junta’s brutal interrogation tactics – of which few live to speak of their experience – exhibit the lawlessness that is the institution of the Tatmadaw. Pursuing violent acts is the only way that the junta has ever known to control civilians. Nonetheless, appeals to the international community are ongoing for action. The junta is neither credible nor capable of protecting the many who are displaced and increasingly vulnerable. It is with the utmost urgency that calls from civil society organizations, human rights defenders and civilians themselves on the ground be listened to.

Rights groups are continuing to publish reports with evidence of large scale abuses taking place. Overwhelming evidence pushes for the regime to be held accountable for the crimes that they have committed. Among the many lessons in the months since February 1, the most severe has been that the international community has acted too slowly. The economic and humanitarian crisis demands a response that protects the people and holds the junta accountable.

CHIN STATE

Abductions in Chin State are widespread. The numbers of those killed in custody of the junta are growing, and pose yet another threat to civilian safety and security. CHRO reported that of seven detainees taken on 1 November, one person has been killed. Two had been killed previously while taken hostage by the regime in Hakha township in May.

The burning of over 200 homes in Thantlang due to artillery shelling by the Myanmar junta was denied by the regime who claimed it was villagers who set their homes on fire. It is clear that the attacks on Thantlang were pre-meditated and coordinated in an attempt to weaken the bases of Chin defense forces and further demoralize innocent civilians.

Amid the ongoing violence, several embassies have voiced their concern to the atrocities taking place, including the United States and Sweden. It is important that their words also be met with action.

KAYAH STATE

The junta’s use of human shields is forbidden by Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions and yet the terrorist regime continues to target civilians by forcing them to lead in combat and through unfamiliar territory. In Kayah State, locals have been used as human shields at least four times. Civilians abducted from their villages are rarely heard from or seen again as families are left without any information about their whereabouts or condition.

The Karenni National Defense Force said that the junta divisions of the 66ht, 77th and 88th battalions are conducting operations against Karenni armed groups. A soldier from one of the civilian defense groups witnessed 19 detainees being forced to lead soldiers as human shields, which forced them to abandon their attack. The National Unity Government has called for people’s defence forces to make sure their every single act of revolt is directed toward justice.

SHAN STATE

Clashes in southern Shan are fueling displacement as the junta burns down homes in local villages, which has recently forced approximately 300 people to flee. Three hour clashes between Kayah State based People’s Defence Forces, ethnic armed organizations and the military junta sent many seeking shelter in temples, churches nearby.

Internally displaced persons are struggling to survive due to a continued lack of food, shelter and medicine. The lack of supplies has left those struggling feeling depressed and hopeless for their futures. According to the Shan Herald Agency for News, conflict between the Restoration Council of Shan State and the allied forces of the Shan State Progress Party and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army has forced almost 3,000 villagers to seek shelter in Mong Ting, Byein Hkar, Ner Moong, Nam Sawt, Kyu Shaw, Mang Hka, Mong Ngor and Hu Suan in Kyaukme Township.

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Myanmar: 3 million in need of humanitarian aid, ‘world is watching’ UN relief chief warns generals

November 8, 2021/in News

Growing displacement

Since a military takeover on 1 February ousted the democratically elected Government, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes due to violent crackdowns across the country.

At the same time, 223,000 Burmese remain internally displaced, including 165,000 in the country’s southeast – adding to those already displaced in Rakhine, Chin, Shan and Kachin states prior to the takeover.

“Long-term displacement remains unresolved, with 144,000 Rohingya people still confined to camps and camp-like settings in Rakhine, many since their displacement in 2012, and more than 105,000 people displaced in Kachin and Shan, many for years”, said the humanitarian affairs chief.

“I am also increasingly concerned about reports of rising levels of food insecurity in and around urban areas, including in Yangon and Mandalay.”

Hostilities escalating 

In recent weeks, Mr. Griffiths noted that the situation in the northwest has become “extremely concerning”, with an escalation in hostilities between the Myanmar Armed Forces, the Chinland Defence Force in Chin state and the People’s Defence Forces in Magway and Sagaing regions.

“More than 37,000 people, including women and children, have been newly displaced, and more than 160 homes have been burned, including churches and the offices of a humanitarian organization”, he detailed.

Support humanitarian efforts

Underscoring that attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian workers and facilities, are “clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law”, he stressed that they must “stop immediately”.

Humanitarian workers have reached more than 1.67 million people in Myanmar with food, cash and nutrition assistance this year alone and although they are ready to do more, remain barred from access and extra funding is proving hard to come by.

“Access to many people in desperate need across the country remains extremely limited due to bureaucratic impediments put in place by the armed forces”, Mr. Griffiths explained.

He called on the Myanmar armed forces and all parties to “facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access” and on the international community to “fund the response”.

Secure dignity

Less than half of the $385 million required under the Humanitarian Response Plan and Interim Emergency Response Plan launched after the armed forces’ takeover has been received.

“The people of Myanmar need our help to ensure that their basic rights are upheld and they can live with dignity”, said the Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Urging all parties to “fully respect their obligations” under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and allow humanitarian assistance to be provided, including to those being forced to flee violence, Mr. Griffiths spelled out: “The world is watching”.

Restore democracy

Meanwhile, marking one year since the people of Myanmar voted in by a landslide, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, independent UN Special Rapporteur, Tom Andrews, described the election as having been “stolen by a junta systematically violating rights”.

To help end the crisis, he urged the Security Council’s closed-door discussion on Monday to dramatically increase aid and cut “junta access to revenue and weapons”.

Mr. Andrews and all Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. He holds an honorary position and is not paid for his work.

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ND Burma

ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.

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Growing displacement

Hostilities escalating

Support humanitarian efforts

Secure dignity

Restore democracy

UN News

ND Burma

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Hostilities escalating 