Guterres warns of deepening crisis, human rights violations in Myanmar

Marking fifth anniversary of military coup, UN chief 'remains deeply concerned by rapidly deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its serious regional ramifications'

Muslim Network TV—February 3, 2026 0

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the humanitarian, political and security crisis in Myanmar, or Burma, has deepened five years after the military seized power, citing widespread human rights violations, mass displacement and escalating violence.

“Five years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically-elected Government, the suffering of the people of Myanmar has deepened,” said a statement by Guterres’ spokesperson Farhan Haq, noting that “the cycle of impunity persists, with widespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”

The statement pointed to rising transnational crime, economic volatility, acute food insecurity and “mass displacement, nearly 5.2 million people, internally and across borders.”

Highlighting “escalating violence, particularly the ongoing airstrikes by the military hitting civilian populations and infrastructure,” Guterres said he “strongly condemns all forms of violence.”

The UN chief called on all parties to “exercise maximum restraint, uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law and enable safe, sustained and unimpeded access for the United Nations and its partners to deliver humanitarian assistance.”

Guterres said he “continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful and just society,” stressing the need to protect all communities, including Rohingya Muslims.

He repeated calls for “the swift release of all those arbitrarily detained, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi,” emphasizing that “regional and international unity and sustained engagement are needed” to support a Myanmar-led solution.

The statement added that the UN’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, continues to engage with stakeholders in cooperation with ASEAN and regional partners to pursue a durable resolution and sustainable peace.