ALTSEAN-BURMA

The UN Security Council must take concrete action to address the junta’s increasingly frequent and severe attacks on civilians in Burma. During the first 11 months of the junta’s attempted coup, there were 7,686 armed clashes and attacks on civilians, a 715% increase from the same period in 2020. The violence was comparable to Syria, and greater than in Afghanistan, Yemen, or Iraq. The widespread and systematic nature of junta troops’ massacres and other atrocity crimes suggest that they reflect orders from the junta’s highest levels.

Burma’s illegitimate military regime kept trying to grind down a nation that overwhelmingly rejects it. During 1 Feb–10 Dec 2021, there were at least 7,053 attacks on civilians or armed clashes that failed to protect them, a 664% increase from the same period in 2020. Increased attacks caused 5,000 Karen villagers to flee into Thailand, and pushed Thai villagers on the border to relocate for safety. As of 1 Dec, 432 NLD members remained in detention, while junta military tribunals had sentenced 92 people to death. UNDP warned that 46.3% of the population will be living in poverty in 2022. It is estimated that 14.4 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2022.

The illegal military junta’s ongoing destructive efforts wreaked further havoc on the economy. Troubling indicators include: projected economic contraction of 18.4% in 2021, and 48% of the population in poverty by 2022; mass internal displacement, including half the population of Karenni State alone; a 60% drop in the value of the kyat in Sep 2021, driving up the price of fuel (+100%) and rice (+40%); and the loss of at least 1.6 million jobs.

The UN Security Council must take action on the crisis in Burma. Since Burma’s military (Tatmadaw) launched its coup on 1 Feb 2021, conflict has escalated to staggering levels, even compared to other places on the Council’s agenda. Between 1 Feb and 26 Nov, there were 6,675 armed clashes and attacks on civilians, a 632% increase from the same period in 2020 (912). This was fewer than in Syria (7,029), but greater than in Afghanistan (6,340) and Yemen (5,432).

During 1 Feb–26 Nov, there were 6,675 armed clashes and attacks on civilians, a 632% increase from the same period in 2020. The junta’s crimes resulted in a massive increase in displaced persons, including around 50,000 just in Chin, Sagaing, and Magway since May 2021. Junta courts handed down lengthy sentences to high-profile NLD leaders. Sham trials against Aung San Suu Kyi moved forward, but the court delayed two verdicts without explanation. Junta military courts sentenced 21 people to death and 29 to life in prison. The junta ordered its soldiers in Sagaing, Tanintharyi, and Mandalay Regions to shoot at any male passenger on a motorbike.

Burma has failed to effectively comply with the Provisional Measures Order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 23 Jan 2020 in relation to alleged genocidal acts against the Rohingya. Instead of implementing measures to protect Rohingya people from war crimes and acts of genocide, Burma's illegal junta is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity nationwide.