UN rights chief Volker Türk condemns deadly Myanmar market airstrikes and urges Malaysia to halt deportations amid ongoing violence and abuses….reports Asian Lite News Desk
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has condemned reported military airstrikes that killed at least 50 people, including civilians, at a market in Myanmar’s northwestern Rakhine State.
The strikes reportedly hit Kyauktaw township at around midday on Monday, with at least 58 people also injured. The casualty figure is expected to rise, according to reports cited by the UN human rights chief.
The attack was reportedly carried out during a busy period at a market with more than 200 shops, where large numbers of civilians were present.
Those reportedly killed included vendors, customers and transport workers, as well as women and children. The market was operated by members of several communities, including Rakhine, Rohingya, Hindu and Daingnet groups.
“This latest attack raises serious concerns about respect for international humanitarian law with respect to the conduct of hostilities,” Türk said.
He said parties to a conflict must follow the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions when conducting attacks.
The incident is reportedly among the deadliest attacks in Rakhine State since Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021.
“This is no time to return any one forcibly to a country plagued by egregious human rights violations and abuses, and where many cruelly face the real risk of more of the same violence again upon their return,” Türk said.
Türk also raised concerns about the broader situation facing civilians across Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State, where violence and alleged rights abuses have continued for years.
“For years now, Myanmar has been wracked by extreme violence, and the country’s population has been subjected to pervasive human rights violations and abuses,” he said.
He pointed to reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, enforced disappearances, forced labour and forced recruitment.
According to Türk, such abuses have particularly affected the Rohingya and have been attributed to both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
The Kyauktaw attack came just hours before Malaysia began implementing a plan to deport about 5,000 Myanmar nationals.
Türk called on Malaysian authorities to immediately halt the deportation process, citing the security and human rights conditions in Myanmar.
The UN human rights chief has repeatedly called on countries not to forcibly return people to Myanmar while the current situation persists.
Under the principle of non-refoulement, international law prohibits states from returning people to countries where they face persecution, torture, serious harm or other serious human rights violations.
“There can be little doubt as to what awaits many returnees. The conditions are far from safe and sustainable, and it is deeply questionable whether any return in these circumstances can be considered truly voluntary,” Türk said.
He urged other countries to support nations hosting refugees, including Bangladesh and Malaysia, and to explore alternatives to returning people to Myanmar.
“The hundreds of thousands who have fled Myanmar in fear for their lives must be protected, and their fundamental human rights to seek asylum and protection abroad properly considered, in line with international law,” Türk said.
