UN Investigator: Myanmar Junta Uses Civilian Attacks to Terrorize, Arms Buys Fuel War

The military-backed government in Myanmar is intentionally attacking civilians to terrorize them into submission, and its growing acquisition of weapons from countries including China and Russia is fueling the conflict and a "catastrophic" human rights situation, according to a UN rights investigator.

Kelley Currie, the Human Rights Council's special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, expressed concern that regional and international actors are engaging with the government without demanding concessions such as a reduction in violence, the release of political prisoners, or dialogue toward peace.

Myanmar's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has seen recent shifts toward warmer relations, despite the bloc having previously rebuked the military for its 2021 seizure of power from the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military takeover sparked widespread pro-democracy protests that were met with a brutal crackdown, leading to armed resistance and a civil war that has spread across much of the country. Despite a significant advantage in arms and manpower, the government's forces have been unable to overcome opponents, even with the extensive use of air power supplied by China and Russia.

Currie also highlighted concerns about potential violence if the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules that Myanmar's military committed genocide or failed to prevent it during its 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority. She noted an increase in online hate speech and political activity by groups previously associated with inciting violence against non-Buddhist and non-Bamar minorities, which she described as a potential prelude to violence following an ICJ decision.

Nick Koumjian, head of the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, indicated that the ICJ judges were expected to deliver rulings this year, possibly in October, and that the court would likely provide advance notice.

Currie further stated that Myanmar's legal economy has contracted and its illicit economy has expanded since the 2021 takeover due to what she described as the government's mismanagement and deep-seated corruption. She asserted that military officers' attempts to manage the economy have been "spectacularly bad," leading to widespread graft, corruption, and reliance on patronage networks. The government reportedly engages in various schemes, from currency arbitrage to demanding shares in businesses and requiring kickbacks, to fund its activities and acquire military equipment. These funds have also been used to upgrade surveillance capabilities and internal policing in territories still under government control.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent watchdog group, over 32,000 people, including Suu Kyi, have been detained since the 2021 coup, with at least 15,000 remaining imprisoned.