The Congress of Nations and States (CNS) has issued a statement addressing the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Burma following the military coup in February 2021. The CNS highlights the plight of various ethnic and religious groups, including women, children, and the elderly, who have suffered due to the Myanmar military’s brutal aerial attacks and obstruction of humanitarian aid. Reports indicate the potential use of chemical weapons against civilians, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Since January 2024, the conflict in Rakhine (Arakan) state has intensified due to clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group seeking control over the region. This violence has led to the displacement of the Rohingya minority and other ethnic groups, with Bangladesh closing its border to prevent the conflict from spilling over. The CNS warns that this situation has created opportunities for smugglers, worsening the plight of the Rohingya and contributing to their ongoing genocide.
The CNS also reports that the violence has hampered international aid efforts, affecting organizations like the World Food Programme and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). The CNS criticizes the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and regional actors, including ASEAN, for their inability to mitigate the crisis, calling for immediate ceasefire measures and further sanctions against the military junta.
The CNS strongly urges the international community to hold all parties accountable for their actions, emphasizing that no circumstances can justify genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. They call for humanitarian aid to be provided through neutral channels to prevent further loss of life and to uphold the dignity of those affected by the conflict.
The CNS statement highlights the urgent need for global intervention to address severe humanitarian issues and seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue and accountability.
