UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned about the increasing civilian deaths and effects of the crisis in Myanmar

United Nations (UN) High Commission for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that the crisis in Myanmar, where military rule is in place, is becoming more evident day by day and said, "Air strikes continue to be the main cause of civilian deaths. These attacks confirm that the army does not take into account calls to end conflicts and protect civilians." he said.

Türk made a speech at the interactive dialogue meeting on Myanmar held within the scope of the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

Noting that the human rights crisis in Myanmar is a source of great concern internationally, Türk noted that the report of the UN Myanmar Independent Investigation Mechanism discussed here is another evidence of this.

Emphasizing that the devastating regional effects of the crisis in Myanmar are becoming more evident day by day, Türk said, "Millions of people were forcibly removed from their homes and hundreds of them lost their lives on dangerous sea voyages." he said.

Stating that illegal economic activities are spreading rapidly and this situation affects the environment and economies throughout the region, Türk said that increasing humanitarian needs and decreasing funds undermine basic services and increase the risk of diseases such as cholera spreading across borders.

Turk said, "Reliable sources confirm that more than 1,200 civilians were killed during the reporting period (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), while open sources indicate that the real number may be more than 3 thousand. Air strikes remain the main cause of civilian deaths. These attacks confirm that the army does not heed calls to end conflicts and protect civilians. Conscription has become an important tactic used by the army to maintain its advance on the battlefield, control the population and spread fear." came." he said.

Emphasizing that Rohingya Muslims are in a catastrophic situation and that this affects the whole country and especially Bangladesh, Türk pointed out that the Arakan Army's seizure of lands in Rakhine State is also worrying.

Türk explained that this situation worsened the situation of Rohingya Muslims and made it more difficult for them to return to their homes.

Noting that illegal businesses have taken full advantage of the collapse of the rule of law in Myanmar, Türk said, "Drugs, fraud centers and illegal mines prevent the people of Myanmar from using their own resources and destroy their lives by fueling the conflict through payments to the army." he said.

Turk called on UN member states to stop the transfer of weapons, ammunition, jet fuel and dual-use materials to Myanmar, which risk facilitating violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

"In such a time of insecurity and danger, sending Rohingya (Rohingya Muslim) and other refugees back to Myanmar is out of the question." Turk noted that such returns would be a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulement.

Türk also called on all countries to support the Myanmar people's demands for democracy, justice and human rights, politically and financially.

Military coup in Myanmar

The Myanmar army took over the government on February 1, 2021, after allegations of fraud in the 2020 general elections and political tension in the country.

The army detained many officials, especially the country's de facto leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi, and the ruling party executive, and declared a state of emergency for 1 year.

After the coup and the bloody suppression of the opposition's peaceful protests, armed resistance and conflicts began across the country.

In the general elections held in Myanmar between 28 December 2025 and 25 January 2026, the army-backed Unity for Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won 231 seats in the lower house Pyithu Hluttaw and 108 seats in the upper house Amyotha Hluttaw, making a total of 339 seats.

The parliament, which convened after the general elections, elected the leader of the military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, as president on April 10.