OHCHR reports intense fighting between ethnic armed groups, Junta in Western Myanmar
Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 18th Nov. According to the UN human rights office in Geneva on Friday said that the conflict between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military has expanded to the eastern and western regions of Myanmar with urban areas increasingly affected by intense fighting and aerial bombardment.
OHCHR said that some 70 civilians and combatants have reportedly been killed and over 90 wounded.
The fighting has fuelled a fresh wave of displacement where over 200,000 people fled their homes since 27 October.
UN agencies said over 2 million people have been displaced across Myanmar.
According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs the key transport routes in areas with active fighting have been blocked by both the military and the ethnic armed organizations.
There are reports that one critical bridge was destroyed and an airport has closed, restricting people’s movements to safer locations as well as access for humanitarians, OCHA stated.
It added that telecommunication networks are being increasingly disrupted.
OHCHR Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said that he is closely monitoring developments in Myanmar, after reports that several hundred soldiers have laid down their weapons.
“It is essential that all those captured are treated humanely,” he said.
He stressed that reprisals are absolutely forbidden under international law.
“Individual soldiers are not collectively responsible for crimes and human rights violations that have been committed by the military,” he added.
He said past behavior indicated that when the military junta’s forces suffered setbacks in the field, they use even greater force, through indiscriminate and disproportionate air strikes and artillery barrages.
“Over the past two years, we have documented the severe impact of such tactics on the civilian population,” he said.
UN head Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the worsening situation in Myanmar, in a statement issued by UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric in New York.
“He calls on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and do their utmost to protect civilians,” the statement said.
Mr. Dujarric said that civilians should be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law, and those responsible for violations must be held accountable.
“The Secretary-General appeals for unhindered access for the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance and essential services through all channels. The safety and security for UN agencies and their partners is crucial,” he added.
Myanmar’s Shan state, one of the provinces affected by the fighting, was hit by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake Friday morning.
According to media reports, no casualties or major damage have been recorded. Earthquake modeling estimates suggest that about 20,000 people were exposed to significant tremors during the quake.
Comments are closed.