The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma (Myanmar), Tom Andrews, accused the Burmese military on Friday of "mobilizing tens of thousands of troops and heavy weaponry" in the north of the country, expressing fears of potential "atrocities." Andrews stated before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, "We must all be prepared, just as the people in this part of Burma are, for more collective atrocities." He added that "these tactics" darkly remind him of those used by the armed forces before the genocidal attacks against the Rohingya in Rakhine State in 2016 and 2017, noting he had received information indicating a significant number of troops are moving in remote areas of northern and northwestern Burma.
According to a statement from the UN Human Rights Council, Andrews, a former American congressman, presented his annual report on the human rights situation in Burma to the UN General Assembly. The statement indicated that since the coup in February, the Burmese military has continued to commit "potential crimes against humanity and war crimes." The American diplomat mentioned he was present "before this esteemed body today to convey a simple request from the people of Burma: Pay attention to the ongoing catastrophe and translate this attention into meaningful action."
The military, which has been in power since the February 1 coup against the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, announced the release of 5,636 people detained during the mass protests that followed the coup, marking the Buddhist festival. Hundreds of the Burmese political detainees who were pardoned were able to see their families. However, the military arrested over 100 opponents of the coup, who had previously been released, according to a non-governmental organization.
The February 1 coup ended a decade-long democratic phase. Since the coup, the military has been conducting a bloody crackdown on opponents, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 civilians and the arrest of 8,400, according to the local NGO "Assistance Association for Political Prisoners." Suu Kyi is being prosecuted for violating COVID-19 restrictions during last year's elections, in which her party won a landslide majority, and for illegally importing wireless communication devices. She faces imprisonment if convicted.
