UN report reveals 2,414 deaths in just 14 months

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — Myanmar's military dictatorship appears to have increased the number of executions and arrests in an effort to suppress opposition, according to a United Nations report. Tens of thousands have been detained since the coup more than three years ago.

In February 2021, the military seized control, overthrew the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi and sparked mass protests across the country, which it ruthlessly suppressed.

The protest movement has now developed into an armed uprising with fighting on many fronts.

In February, the military introduced conscription to expand its ranks.

According to a report published on Tuesday by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the military has killed 5,350 civilians since the coup.

Because investigators were denied entry into the country, the report relied in part on remote interviews with hundreds of victims and witnesses.

Of these deaths, 2,414 occurred between April 2023 and June 2024, an increase of 50% over the previous reporting period.

Hundreds were killed in air and artillery attacks.

“Myanmar is plunging into the depths of the human rights abyss,” said James Rodehaver, head of the Myanmar team at the UN Rights Office.