Deep fears of violent crackdown in Myanmar, UN rights chief warns

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced “deep fears” of a violent crackdown on dissenting voices in Myanmar, where the military assumed all powers and declared a state of emergency after overthrowing the civilian government and arresting top political leaders, on February,1.

“Given the security presence on the streets in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, as well as in other cities, there are deep fears of a violent crackdown on dissenting voices. I remind the military leadership that Myanmar is bound by international human rights law, including to respect the right to peaceful assembly, and to refrain from using unnecessary or excessive force”, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

High Commissioner Bachelet also called on the international community to “stand in solidarity with the people” of Myanmar at this time. She also urged all nations with influence to take steps “to prevent the crumbling of the fragile democratic and human rights gains made by Myanmar during its transition from military rule.”

Many international organizations, countries, and civil society leaders also condemned the military’s actions. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the situation in Myanmar.

Since Monday’s events, dozens of individuals – including political leaders and elected parliamentarians – have been arrested or confined to their homes. Many journalists and human rights defenders are also reported to have been attacked or harassed.

The military takeover followed days of escalating tensions between the military and the government following the November 2020 elections, which was won by the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD).

The polls were only the second democratic elections in Myanmar since the end of nearly five decades of military rule. The first elections, in 2015, were also won by NLD.

Concerns for the Rohingya community

There are also concerns over the situation of the minority, mainly Muslim, Rohingya community, who in the past have faced violent persecution by the military. About 600,000 Rohingyas are said to remain in the country’s Rakhine state, including about 120,000 who are effectively confined to camps.

In 2017, over 700,000 Rohingyas were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge across the border, in Bangladesh, following widespread attacks by Myanmar’s security forces, in retaliation for attacks on remote police outposts by armed groups alleged to belong to the community. Their return remains uncertain.