Top envoy says multidimensional crises is ‘deepened, expanded dramatically’ in Myanmar
Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 14th June. UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer on Monday told the international community that challenges have “both deepened and expanded dramatically,” as the political crisis unleashed in Myanmar after the 1 February military coup last year, has “opened new frontlines that had long been at peace.”
Ms. Noeleen Heyzer said that since she took up the job six months ago, Myanmar has “continued to descend into profound and widespread conflict”.
She noted that one of the world’s largest refugee emergencies, she reminded that multidimensional crises have left over one million internally displaced people across the country with “serious regional and international ramifications”.
Over one million Muslim Rohingyas live in refugees camps in neighboring Bangladesh, and the crisis has resulted in collapsing State institutions, disrupting social and economic infrastructure including health, education, banking, food security and employment – while increasing criminality and illicit activities.
Ms. Heyzer said in past five years, the number of people living in poverty has doubled to encompass half the population.
She said “Today, 14.4 million people, or one-quarter of the entire population of Myanmar urgently require humanitarian assistance.”
She stressed the COVID-19 pandemic and political crisis, school enrolment has dropped by up to 80 per cent in two years, left 7.8 million children shut out of the classroom.
Ms. Heyzer warned that “A generation that benefitted from the democratic transition is now disillusioned, facing chronic hardship and, tragically, many feel they have no choice left but to take up arms.”
She added that as military violence and distrust have continued to deepen, including against peaceful protestors, armed conflict “has become the norm” for all Burmese.
“The military continues its disproportionate use of force, has intensified its attack on civilians and increased operations against resistance forces, using aerial bombings,” she said.
“Civilian buildings and villages have been destroyed by fire and internally displaced populations have been attacked”.
There are reports of up to 600 armed resistance groups, or “people’s defense forces” engaged in fighting, with some conducting assassinations targeting those seen as “pro-military”.
Ms. Heyzer said she was continuing to work closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to de-escalate hostilities.
She pointed out that continued differences, regionally and more broadly among UN Member States, “have left the people of Myanmar feeling abandoned in their time of need.”
“I will continue to play a bridging role…in Myanmar, in the region, and the international community to address the protection needs and suffering of the most vulnerable and to support the will of the people for a future federal democratic union based on peace, stability and shared prosperity.”
She reiterated that instability and conflict place vulnerable communities at further risk, including the Rohingya.
She has developed a multi-track strategy that focuses on humanitarian and protection needs; a return to civilian rule; effective and democratic governance; and durable solutions for the Rohingya whom fled after violent persecution by Government forces in 2017, characterized by the UN human rights chief as a text-book example of ethnic cleansing.
“Sustainable solutions for the Rohingya people must be built into the design of a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Myanmar,” she said.
Ms. Heyzer said that in direct contact with the Burmese people “I have learned the face of human tragedy behind these figures.”
She cited that Rohingya refugee women shared how prolonged camp displacements in Bangladesh and elsewhere have affected their daily lives and limited opportunities to build skills and livelihoods.
They mentioned that camp shops in Cox’s Bazar and community-run learning centers have shuttered.
She stated that “Women also told me of the many protection risks that face women and girls, including trafficking, child marriage and sexual violence”. “They described how the lack of accountability has normalized violence against women and girls in the camps.”
Ms. Heyzer advocated for “integrated and inclusive humanitarian, peace and development action” to strengthen rights and support Rohingya.
She told the General Assembly that she supported the recommendations of Rakhine Advisory Commission, which aims to improve conditions in Rakhine state from where many Rohingya fled north across the border for changes at both a “vertical” level – involving the de-facto authorities, pro-democracy actors and the separatist ethnic militia known as the Arakan Army and the “horizontal”, such as grassroots initiatives that promote inclusivity, peaceful co-existence, and equality for all.
She concluded that ultimately it was “Myanmar’s responsibility” to address these fundamental issues”.
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