Guterres emphasized the urgent need for all parties involved in the conflict – between the military junta and various armed groups seeking autonomy or independence – to cease hostilities and ensure civilian protection according to international human rights and humanitarian standards.
As the seventh anniversary of the forced displacement of Rohingya and other communities from Myanmar’s Rakhine State approaches, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an end to the ongoing violence and for comprehensive protection of civilians amid the escalating civil conflict in Myanmar.
His statement was released on Friday, ahead of the somber anniversary on Sunday.
Currently, approximately one million Rohingya are taking refuge in Bangladesh, with more than 130,000 others scattered across the region, facing an uncertain future with no immediate prospects of return. The Secretary-General’s statement highlighted the worsening security and humanitarian crisis, noting that existing vulnerabilities among Myanmar’s population, particularly the Rohingya, have been intensified by the intensifying conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for all parties involved in the conflict – between the military junta and various armed groups seeking autonomy or independence – to cease hostilities and ensure civilian protection according to international human rights and humanitarian standards.
Driving civilians to unsafe areas
In addition to Guterres’ appeal, UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned of the dire situation in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State, where thousands of civilians are fleeing from violence. Türk reported that the Arakan Army separatists have been driving civilians to unsafe areas, resulting in hundreds of deaths as people attempt to escape the conflict. With border crossings to Bangladesh remaining closed, many Rohingya find themselves trapped between the military and the Arakan Army, facing no clear path to safety.
Türk also reflected on the tragic events of August, marking seven years since Myanmar’s military operations led to the mass exodus of 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. He criticized the ongoing violence and displacement, likening it to the atrocities previously condemned. Recent attacks, including a deadly incident along the Naf River on August 5, have added to the turmoil, with reports of civilian casualties and the use of drones in the conflict. Responsibility for these attacks remains disputed among the warring parties.
Highlighting the severe human rights abuses committed by both the military and the Arakan Army – such as abductions, forced recruitment, indiscriminate bombings, and killings – Türk stressed the need for an unequivocal international response. He called for accountability and relentless pursuit of justice to prevent a recurrence of past horrors.
In his statement, the Secretary-General renewed his call for enhanced regional protection efforts and support for the 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh. He also urged a concerted effort by the international community, particularly ASEAN, to safeguard the Rohingya and other civilians affected by the conflict.
UN media department said that the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including regional actors, to advance an inclusive Myanmar-led process aimed at achieving sustainable peace and national reconciliation. These efforts are crucial for creating conditions that would allow for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya people to Myanmar, the UN said.
