Outgoing UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has warned that Myanmar is at a critical turning point and urged governments not to abandon the country’s civilians as conflict, repression, and humanitarian suffering continue to intensify. Presenting his final report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said the current global political climate is making it harder to advance human rights, but stressed that reduced international pressure and shrinking humanitarian funding could have devastating consequences for Myanmar’s already embattled population. He emphasized that efforts to weaken the military junta’s capacity to sustain itself and attack civilians have shown results, but warned that the commitment of governments appears to be fading at a dangerous moment.
Myanmar has remained engulfed in conflict since the military coup of February 2021, when the armed forces overthrew the civilian government and detained key leaders including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover triggered widespread protests and the rise of armed resistance movements, many of which now control significant parts of the country. Since then, the military junta has intensified its crackdown, and violence against civilians has escalated dramatically across multiple regions.
The scale of attacks on civilians has increased sharply over the past few years. According to Andrews, airstrikes on civilian targets rose from just nine in 2021 to 1,140 last year, showing a dramatic escalation in the military’s use of force. More than 100,000 homes have reportedly been burned down, while the increased use of landmines by junta forces has left communities living in constant fear. These tactics have deepened insecurity and caused widespread destruction in both urban and rural areas.
The conflict has also triggered a severe and worsening humanitarian crisis. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that nearly one-third of Myanmar’s population now requires humanitarian assistance, while more than 12 million people are facing acute hunger. More than 3.6 million people have been displaced across the country as fighting spreads through areas such as Sagaing, Magway, Chin, Bago, and Kayin, where airstrikes and intense clashes continue to force families from their homes.
Civilian casualties are also rising at an alarming rate. According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), airstrikes attributed to Myanmar’s armed forces killed at least 982 civilians in 2025, representing a 53 percent increase compared with the previous year. Among those killed were 287 children, highlighting the heavy toll on vulnerable populations. In Rakhine State alone, more than 190 people were reportedly killed in aerial attacks that also destroyed homes, medical facilities, and camps for internally displaced people.
Despite the worsening conditions, Andrews noted that international actions such as sanctions on military-controlled businesses and arms supply networks have had a measurable impact. These measures have disrupted the junta’s ability to acquire weapons and have also made it more difficult for the regime to secure international legitimacy. He argued that these steps demonstrate that coordinated external pressure can be effective if it is sustained and expanded.
Andrews concluded by saying that the international community now faces a critical choice. It can either strengthen the measures that have already shown promise and continue supporting the people of Myanmar, who have displayed remarkable resilience and determination, or it can retreat at a time when civilians need protection and assistance the most. His warning underscored that Myanmar’s future will depend heavily on whether global actors maintain pressure on the junta and provide meaningful humanitarian and political support to those suffering under the ongoing crisis.
