Killing, torture, and persecution of persons with disabilities in Myanmar
Summary
Since Myanmar’s 2021 coup, at least 117 persons with disabilities (PWDs) have been killed by the military. Many PWDs have faced targeted violence and been disproportionately affected by indiscriminate human rights abuses. Those held in arbitrary detention have been subjected to extreme torture and widespread medical neglect. This report outlines some of the most serious violations of international law, including probable war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Myanmar have faced escalating human rights violations since the 2021 coup as the military has systematically disregarded both domestic law and the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
While PWDs experience widespread violations across many areas, Human Rights Myanmar’s submission to the UN Special Rapporteur focuses on the most egregious abuses of their right to life. These violations—executions, extrajudicial killings, and brutal mistreatment in detention—expose how PWDs are perceived and treated by the military and reflect broader patterns of violence and discrimination against them. The deliberate targeting and disproportionate harm inflicted on PWDs constitute clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The killing of persons with disabilities
Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, at least 117 PWDs have been killed by the military and its proxies in a severe violation of the right to life.[1] This figure includes 21 women and girls, accounting for 18 per cent of the total. These killings have taken place across the country, with the highest numbers recorded in Sagaing (46%), Magway (22%), and Tanintharyi (7%) Regions.[2]However, the toll is likely higher due to difficulties accessing information from conflict-affected areas.
The number of killings has fluctuated over the years but remains persistently high. At least 12 PWDs were killed in 2021, followed by 40 in 2022, 34 in 2023, and 30 in 2024. One killing has already been recorded in 2025, showing that the military’s violence against PWDs continues. These killings reflect the broader lawlessness and impunity characterising the military’s rule, with PWDs among the most marginalised and vulnerable victims.
Myanmar’s obligations under international law
Myanmar ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in December 2011, committing to protect and promote the rights of PWDs. Article 10 guarantees the right to life, requiring States to take all necessary measures to ensure that PWDs enjoy this right equally. Other key provisions include Article 13, which mandates equal access to justice; Article 14, which prohibits arbitrary detention and affirms the right to liberty and security; Article 15, which explicitly bans torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and Article 16, which calls for protection against violence and abuse.
The CRPD defines PWDs as those with long-term physical, sensory, mental, or intellectual impairments that, in interaction with societal barriers, hinder their full participation in society. This definition recognises both the medical and social dimensions of disability, underscoring the role of discrimination in restricting the rights of PWDs. The military, despite its unlawful seizure of power, is obligated to eliminate such discrimination and ensure full civil and political rights for PWDs.
