Myanmar’s military is depriving civilians of critical aid and supplies, says Fortify Rights
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Myanmar’s military junta is blocking lifesaving humanitarian aid for forcibly displaced civilians in Karenni State – also known as Kayah State – by arbitrarily arresting aid workers, destroying food stocks, confiscating aid supplies, and other acts that may constitute war crimes, according to a new report by Fortify Rights. The situation has been ongoing since the military seized power earlier this year. The report recommends that the governments of Thailand, India, China and Bangladesh immediately authorize humanitarian agencies to provide cross-border aid to the growing numbers of civilians in need in the country.
Following the coup d’état on 1 February, Myanmar’s military launched fresh attacks in the area, killing, torturing and arbitrarily arresting civilians, while forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. They also used forced labour, including human shielding. More than 100,000 people were displaced locally, and more than 223,000 nationally. However, instead of facilitating necessary humanitarian aid, the junta has actively taken steps to deny displaced civilians access to it.
The report draws on 23 interviews conducted by Fortify Rights, including 21 interviews carried out in Karenni State and two in Thailand, between June and October 2021. Fortify Rights interviewed survivors of human rights violations, internally displaced persons, religious leaders and humanitarian workers, as well as members of People’s Defense Forces – civilian-founded militias formed in response to the coup. Fortify Rights also reviewed internal files and documentation from humanitarian agencies working in Karenni State, including photo and video evidence of alleged violations.
In the report, Fortify Rights documents the arbitrary arrests of 14 aid workers in Karenni State which have had a chilling effect among local and international humanitarian agencies, instilling well-founded fears that the junta may target them for carrying out legitimate activities.
As recently as mid-October, internal documents from international aid organizations operational in Myanmar, seen by Fortify Rights, describe arbitrary delays in the issuing of travel authorizations for their work, the imposition of military roadblocks, and a worsening security situation in Karenni State and elsewhere. Such actions have led to the delay and denial of emergency humanitarian aid to communities in need.
The impacts of the denial of aid to displaced civilians are severe. Internally displaced people and aid workers told Fortify Rights that displacement sites in Karenni State still lack basic resources, including potable water, healthcare and sanitation facilities.
Karenni State residents also reported that Myanmar junta forces looted civilian possessions, carried out arson attacks, and destroyed civilian property, including food, medicine and aid supplies intended for displaced civilians.
The report further recommends that governments outlaw weapons sales to Myanmar, impose targeted sanctions on the military junta to deny it access to finances, and categorically refrain from lending any political legitimacy to the junta.
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