The United Nations has revealed that Myanmar’s military was responsible for more than 700 civilian deaths during last year’s election period, which was widely condemned as a sham. The report, covering August to January, verified at least 702 deaths, including 224 women and 153 children. Opposition parties were excluded, and large parts of the country could not participate due to ongoing conflict.
Air strikes and violence in Sagaing region
According to the UN’s Human Rights Office, air strikes “remained the single largest cause of destruction and suffering”. The Sagaing region was highlighted as the most dangerous area, with 191 deaths, including 60 women and 30 children. In October, 23 civilians, including four children, were killed when munitions struck a candlelit gathering outside a school in Chaung-U. In December, a military aeroplane bombed a tea shop in Tabayin, killing at least 19 people who had gathered to watch a football match.
Rohingya abuses documented
The report also documented abuses against Rohingya people, including forced recruitment by the Arakan Army, killings, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence. These findings add to the long history of persecution faced by the Rohingya community. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that “a decline in international assistance is further compounding the suffering of millions of people”. He added: “As if the people of Myanmar have not suffered enough at the hands of the military, they have now seemingly been forgotten by those outside the country.”
Background: Coup and civil war
Myanmar’s military seized power in 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected government and jailing its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, civil war has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Armed opposition groups still control large areas, but recent forced conscription and increased drone power have put the military back on the offensive. In April, General Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, became president. The election was heavily tilted in favour of the military, with many popular parties banned. The armed forces are guaranteed one quarter of parliamentary seats, while their party, the USDP, won nearly 80% of the remaining seats. The parliament is now dominated by military loyalists.
