A/80/490: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar – Advance unedited version

The crisis in Myanmar has reached a critical juncture. The military junta continues its campaign of violence and oppression against the people of Myanmar. Junta forces have continued airstrikes on civilian targets, including schools, clinics, monasteries and displacement camps. Over 100,000 civilian homes have been destroyed in arson attacks. 3.6 million people are displaced, and nearly 22 million require humanitarian assistance.

The junta’s callous and opportunistic response to the massive earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025 turned a natural disaster into a humanitarian catastrophe. Junta forces blocked relief efforts in areas outside their control and threatened, harassed and extorted humanitarian workers. Despite declaring a “humanitarian ceasefire,” the junta escalated its attacks, launching more airstrikes on civilian targets in the second quarter of 2025 than any previous quarter since the coup.

Having driven Myanmar into a devastating humanitarian and human rights crisis and failed to consolidate control over the country, the junta is making a desperate bid to manufacture a façade of legitimacy by holding sham elections. The polls, which are slated to begin in December, will be neither free nor fair. A free and fair election is not possible when opposition leaders are arrested, detained, tortured or executed; when it is illegal to criticize the junta or the election; when journalists are in prison for having reported the truth.

The people of Myanmar have demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience and determination in their struggle against military dictatorship. They need and deserve the support of the international community. UN Member States and world leaders must denounce the junta’s fraudulent election plans for what they are—a sham, take steps to isolate the junta and weaken its ability to attack civilians, and provide robust support for those displaced or otherwise impacted by the coup. Every day of inaction and inertia costs countless lives.

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