U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on the international community to re-engage in support for the people of Myanmar as his office reported Myanmar’s military is responsible for more than 700 civilian deaths over a six month period. File Photo by Salvatore Di Nolfi/EPA
June 22 (UPI) — The United Nations Human Rights Office reported Monday that the Myanmar military is responsible for at least 702 civilian deaths between August and January.
The United Nations published its report on human rights abuses in Myanmar during conflict from the military’s announcement of elections through the end of the ensuing voting period. The United Nations notes that foreign actors have continued to supply the military with arms and ammunition, potentially facilitating human rights violations.
Of the deaths it says have been credibly verified, 476 were due to airstrikes. Victims included 224 women and 153 children. More than 500 civilians were killed in attacks from jet fighters, drones, paramotors and gyrocopters.
The highest volumes of civilian deaths spiked between two periods: August through September and December through January.
The absence of international assistance has also played a role, the United Nations said. Access to emergency healthcare declined due to military blockades and cuts to foreign aid.
U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk called on the international community to re-engage in support for the people of Myanmar.
“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,” Turk said in a statement. “Funding for localised protection efforts was in many areas the only solace from the suffering caused by constant targeting and indiscriminate attacks by the military. The pullback just compounds the injury.”