On 19 March 2025, HRN gave an oral statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva protesting the Myanmar military’s serious and continuing violations following the fourth anniversary (and eighth extension) of its illegal coup. A transcript of the statement is below the video.
Transcript: Oral Statement on Myanmar
Human Rights Now protests the ongoing human rights crisis in Myanmar. Four years after the illegal coup, the military continues to commit widespread atrocities with impunity. Instead of restoring democracy, it has extended its illegal rule another six months for the eighth consecutive time as it prepares a sham election to legitimize its power.
The situation is catastrophic. Since the coup, indiscriminate military strikes and attacks have killed over 6,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million, a number expected to rise to 4.5 million in 2025 as economic collapse and food insecurity worsen. The military has also arbitrarily detained almost 29,000 people, as well as practiced torture and enforced disappearances, and more than 2,000 have died in custody due to torture and denial of medical care.
19.9 million people urgently require humanitarian aid, which is being widely obstructed by military blockades and other restrictions, and 15.2 million are facing serious food insecurity. Forced conscription and digital repression further entrench the military’s control.
We urge states to support mandatory weapons and jet fuel embargos, targeted economic sanctions, and referrals to the ICC, as well as to massively scale up humanitarian aid and require businesses linked to Myanmar to conduct heightened human rights due diligence and end all military links.
Thank you.