UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an international arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Myanmar, condemning the ongoing human rights violations that have turned the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Speaking at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, Türk highlighted the “litany of human suffering” in Myanmar, which includes indiscriminate airstrikes, torture, famine, and summary executions.
Türk’s comments came in light of a deteriorating situation marked by the military junta’s crackdown following the February 2021 coup. Economic collapse, coupled with rising corruption, has made Myanmar a hub for organized crime and drug production. Additionally, human trafficking, particularly in scam centers, has sharply risen, with victims subjected to severe abuse.
The violent clashes between junta forces and opposition groups have displaced over 3.5 million people, leaving 15 million facing hunger, with 2 million at risk of famine. The situation has worsened for the Rohingya minority, many of whom have fled the country by sea to escape ongoing persecution and violence. As of January 2025, Bangladesh is home to more than 1 million Rohingya refugees.
Türk also addressed the ongoing military offensives, including the intensified hostilities with the Arakan Army in Rakhine State. These escalated clashes have prompted the military to launch indiscriminate airstrikes, further exacerbating the crisis.
In response to the mounting violence, Türk urged the international community to take stronger action. He emphasized the need for an arms embargo, specifically targeting jet fuel and dual-use goods, which have been crucial to sustaining the junta’s military operations. This call aligns with a resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in April 2024, which urged an aviation fuel embargo against Myanmar.
Furthermore, Türk has called for accountability for Myanmar’s military leaders, many of whom face international charges. In February 2024, an Argentine court issued arrest warrants for 22 high-ranking Burmese military officials, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The international community’s continued pressure is seen as vital to mitigating the suffering in Myanmar and holding military leaders accountable for their actions.
