UN Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Airstrikes in Myanmar
Istanbul (ANTARA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern regarding reports of military airstrikes in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and “strongly condemned” the ongoing attacks against civilians, according to spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday (29/9).
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns these attacks and calls on all parties to immediately end the violence to protect civilians and to uphold their obligations under international law,” Dujarric told reporters, while demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
Dujarric explained that the attack on 28 September near a market in Kalchau town reportedly killed 50 people and injured nearly 60 others, with many survivors suffering severe injuries.
He noted that the attacks underscore the fact that conditions do not yet allow for the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees, including the Rohingya community.
The UN leader urged the warring parties to facilitate “safe, sustainable, and unimpeded” access for the UN and humanitarian partners to deliver vital aid wherever it is needed.
Guterres also voiced similar concerns to the UNHCR and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding reports of the return of approximately 1,500 people to Myanmar by Malaysian authorities, urging Kuala Lumpur to halt the process and immediately stop further deportations.
Malaysia began returning 1,476 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday using three Myanmar naval vessels.
The group consists of 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls, aged between 8 and 60 years, according to reports from the Malaysian government news agency, Bernama, quoting Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Makhzan Mahyuddin.
Dujarric emphasised that international customary law imposes binding obligations on all states not to return individuals to a country where they face persecution, torture, or serious threats to their lives and freedom.
Myanmar has been experiencing a prolonged civil war for years, which intensified after Min Aung Hlaing overthrew the elected government in February 2021.
Several ethnic opposition groups are currently fighting Min’s administration across various regions of the country.
Rakhine is primarily home to the Rohingya community, a Muslim majority group that has faced persecution by both the Myanmar junta and other opposition groups.
For years, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have been forced to flee the Southeast Asian nation, which has a majority Buddhist population.