Conflict in Myanmar: UNSC remain silent on this complexity
In order to stop the violence in Myanmar, urgent actions from the Security Council are required. Over the past few months, there has been no response from the Security Council despite the serious warnings of danger from the United Nations officials. This silence of the UNSC raised many questions in people’s minds. Can the United Nations effectively address the global severe issues especially when the solutions matter a lot?
In July, the UN expert on human rights in Myanmar issued a strong warning that the current situation bears a troubling resemblance to the events that led to widespread violence in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, UN advisers focused on preventing genocide urged the international community to reassess the crisis in Myanmar and come together to develop a strong, coordinated response.
Recently, the strong action from UNICEF and the United Nations strongly opposed the ongoing attacks on Rakhine State citizens. Also, the situation is becoming complicated with the passage of time. So, an urgent response from the UNSC is necessary before the situation deteriorates even further.
It is very disappointing to know that the United Nations Security Council keeps silent about the situation in Myanmar. Britain, which leads on Myanmar issues in the Council, has allowed the regional inaction by ASEAN to influence its own approach, leading to a global standstill. Back to December 2022, when the first resolution passed. Despite it, the Council has failed to take any action against the violence.
Other UN officials such as the Human Rights Council and General Assembly issued serious warnings but no message from the United Nations officials impacted the United Nations Security Council.
This crisis also put many other countries in serious trouble. The UK’s new Labour government, which claims to stand for “progressive realism” and the defence of international law, faces a significant test with this problem.
The situation in Rohingya is dire at this time. For many years the people have suffered too much. It includes restrictions, detentions and lack of medical care.
Since a ceasefire between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army broke down last November, their situation has worsened, increasing their already extreme vulnerability.
The ongoing conflict in Rohingya
The violence in Rohingya also took the lives of many people. About 200 civilians lost their lives while trying to escape across the Naf River. All of them trying to flee from attacks on their villages. These attacks lasted for a month. Human Rights Watch collected data with the use of technology. Satellite images and thermal data clearly explain the destruction during the time period between April 24 and May 21. Approximately, 40 villages in Buthidaung township were burned during this period.
For years, the Myanmar military has stirred up tensions between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims. Recently, they have been unlawfully recruiting Rohingya men and boys, which has led to more hate speech and false information.
There is nothing new in this strategy. Back in 2012, when the same tactics were used during the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya. With the passage of time, things get complicated. Also, the military carries out a brutal campaign. It also forces many citizens of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
Rakhine State has been having problems since late 2023. This conflict caused many people to flee, approximately 327,000. Additionally, half a million people were displaced at that time. Many of them faced a shortage of food and found it here and there. About 40,000 people facing a severe shortage due to the conflict. Also, this fight limited the cross-border aid.
The military junta, the Arakan Army, and other groups involved in this conflict should be investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for possible crimes like forced recruitment and deportation of the Rohingya. However, the ICC can only investigate crimes that happened partly in Bangladesh or other member countries because Myanmar is not a member of the ICC. Therefore, the UN Security Council should expand the ICC’s authority to include Myanmar so that these serious allegations can be properly investigated.
