Source: UN News: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 00:01 AM
Tom Andrews, an independent expert on the human rights situation in Myanmar, has warned that if the international community steps back instead of weakening the ability of the military leadership, it could have disastrous consequences. He said that sanctions against the military leadership are weakening and cuts in foreign aid are having a deep impact on the humanitarian situation. Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews addressed the Human Rights Council in Geneva for the last time in this role. According to him, in this era of increasing risks to human rights, the Human Rights Council is the best place to stand strong in their favor. He pointed out that there is hope in the steps taken by the international community to weaken the capacity of the military leadership and to stop attacks on civilians. Tweet URL
“The restrictions on military-controlled entities and arms supply networks have hampered the military leadership’s ability to procure weapons and arms materials. The military leadership has been denied the international recognition it was seeking.” The Special Rapporteur said that efforts to gain international recognition through elections had been made, but had been widely rejected as illegitimate. This shows that international pressure is having an impact. He said that Myanmar is standing at a crossroads. The military leadership hopes that the elections will give it recognition. But the international community is also at a crossroads. It has to decide whether to increase the level of steps to support the people of Myanmar who have shown extraordinary courage or to pull back and leave the people of Myanmar to fend for themselves. Tom Andrews said that there are signs that the resolve of governments in this matter is weakening. According to him, the system of sanctions against the military leadership and those who support it has not been maintained and global cuts in foreign aid are having a deep impact on humanitarian assistance. Long-running crisis On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military ousted the democratically elected government from power and the President, Hundreds of officials and political leaders, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, were arrested. Since then, the country is facing a humanitarian and human rights crisis, which has deepened with the passage of time. In the five years since the military coup, more than 30 thousand people have been arrested for political reasons. The people of Myanmar have been attacked by military forces. The Special Rapporteur said that “9 civilian establishments were targeted in the coup in 2021. In 2025, this number was 1,140. More than 1 lakh houses have been burnt and landmines have been used.” Myanmar is currently in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, 12 million people are struggling with hunger, And it is being used as a weapon to deprive people. About a third of the country’s population needs humanitarian assistance. Challenges for human rights Tom Andrews said that the Rohingya ethnic minority is suffering in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, while 1.3 million people have taken refuge in Bangladesh. Last year, 6,500 people left Rakhine and 900 died due to drowning during sea voyages. He cautioned that the current geopolitical environment is not entirely conducive to advancing human rights in Myanmar. According to him, the principles on which the UN was founded eight decades ago are under great pressure, and respect for human rights and international law is eroding. The independent human rights expert urged governments around the world committed to human rights and democracy to step up, and to support people everywhere, including Myanmar. Called to stand aside where human rights are being violated. Independent Expert The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has a mandate from the UN Human Rights Council. His responsibility is to investigate and determine accountability for abuses and human rights violations in the country. The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert. They are not UN employees, do not receive salaries for their work, and work independently of any government or organization.
