The United Nations Says Myanmar Military Intensifies Murder And Arrest, 5,350 Civilians Have Died Since The Coup Broke

Myanmar's military junta has stepped up killings and arrests in an apparent attempt to silence opponents and recruit soldiers in an escalating conflict, with tens of thousands of people detained since the 2021 coup, the UN report said on Tuesday.

Laporan oleh Komisaris Tinggi PBB untuk Hak Asasi Manusia Volker Turk, yang sebagian berdasarkan pada wawancara jarak jauh dengan ratusan korban dan saksi karena penyelidik ditolak aksesnya, mengatakan sekitar 5,350 warga sipil telah dibunuh oleh militer sejak kudeta.

Of these, 2,414 people died in the period covered by the United Nations report between April 2023 and June 2024, with hundreds dying from airstrikes and artillery strikes, meaning a 50 percent increase over the previous reporting period.

A spokesman for Myanmar's junta did not respond to calls seeking comment.

The report also revealed a detention scale across the country, with nearly 27,400 people arrested since the coup including more than 9,000 people in the last reporting period. Many are suspected of being in military training centers, he said.

Among those arrested by the authorities were children, the report said, which was taken when their parents could not be found "as a form of punishment for political opposition".

The report further details cases of abuse of prisoners who are torture, such as being hung on the ceiling without food or water; the use of snakes and insects to cause fear; to beatings with bamboo sticks and motorcycle chains.

UN human rights office spokesman Liz Thressel said at a press conference that at least 1,853 people had died in detention since the coup, including 88 children.

"Many of these people have been verified dead after being subjected to harsh interrogation, other ill treatment in detention, or refusal to access adequate health care," he said.

It is known that the military came to power in February 2021, after overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi's elected civilian government and sparking violent national street protests.

The protest movement has turned into widespread armed insurgency and fighting has flared up in various fields, prompting authorities to introduce mandatory military service in February.