UN Human Rights Chief Warns of Escalating Humanitarian Crises in Myanmar and South Sudan
Myanmar: A Nation in Crisis
Speaking before the Human Rights Council on Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk shed light on the profound suffering caused by Myanmar’s ongoing conflict and economic collapse, which have displaced millions and inflicted immense hardship on civilians.
Earlier in the day, the Council also discussed the worsening situation in South Sudan, reviewing a report from human rights investigators detailing grave abuses in the country.
“Conflict, displacement, and economic collapse have combined to spread pain and misery across Myanmar, and civilians are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” Türk said.
The past year saw the highest civilian death toll since the 2021 military coup, with more than 1,800 people killed in 2024—many due to indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery shelling. Attacks on schools, places of worship, and medical centers have become disturbingly common.
Türk condemned the military’s brutal tactics, which include beheadings, burnings, mutilations, and the use of human shields. Additionally, nearly 2,000 detainees have died in custody since the coup, primarily from summary executions and torture.
A Deepening Humanitarian Emergency
Fighting between the junta and opposition armed groups has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 3.5 million people have been displaced, while 15 million face food insecurity, including two million at risk of famine.
In Rakhine State, escalating clashes between the military and the Arakan Army have resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. The Rohingya population remains particularly vulnerable, caught in the violence and facing relentless persecution.
In 2024 alone, tens of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, despite strict border controls. More than 8,000 attempted dangerous sea crossings—an 80% increase from 2023—but at least 650 people, nearly half of them children, tragically perished along the way.
Economic Collapse and Rising Crime
Myanmar’s PLACEHOLDER0bf6c5640f0fc489 has fueled corruption and organized crime, with a global tracker ranking it as the world’s leading hub for organized crime. The country remains the PLACEHOLDER5c230d1f3d800b9b and a major supplier of synthetic drugs.
Additionally, scam centers in eastern Myanmar have become notorious for human trafficking, where victims are subjected to cyber fraud, torture, sexual abuse, and forced labor.
Forced Military Conscription
Türk also condemned the junta’s newly enforced military conscription laws, which have led to arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment of young men and women. Fear of being conscripted has driven many to flee the country, exposing them to trafficking and exploitation.
He called for urgent international intervention, stressing that more must be done to address the worsening crisis. Türk reiterated his demand for an arms embargo and targeted sanctions—particularly on jet fuel and dual-use goods—to curb the military’s capacity for violence.
He also emphasized the need for accountability, citing ongoing PLACEHOLDER666e05829591a6fc at the PLACEHOLDERd312eb3f23d39554 and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold military leaders accountable for atrocities.
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South Sudan: Leadership Failing the People
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan presented its latest report to the Human Rights Council, exposing widespread abuses, including extrajudicial killings, child soldier recruitment, and systematic sexual violence.
More than a decade after gaining independence, South Sudan continues to be plagued by political instability and violence, with high-ranking officials implicated in ongoing abuses.
“It is unacceptable that, so many years after independence, political leaders continue their violent power struggles, failing the people of South Sudan,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission.
Ethnic Violence and Brutal Policies
The report highlighted the alarming situation in Tambura, where armed groups unleashed ethnic violence in 2024, reigniting tensions from the 2021 conflict. Elite politicians at both local and national levels have been found to be fueling the violence while maintaining their positions despite past crimes.
The Commission also raised concerns over the new “Green Book” law introduced in Warrap State, which legal
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