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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has strongly condemned an airstrike by Myanmar’s military on a market in Rakhine State that reportedly killed at least 50 people, including shoppers, vendors, transport workers and other civilians.
The attack took place on Monday in Kyauktaw town, with women and children reportedly among those killed. At least 58 people were also injured, and the death toll could rise further.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Türk said the attack was among the deadliest incidents in Rakhine since the military coup in February 2021.
The strike reportedly occurred during the market’s busiest hours, when more than 200 shops were open and large numbers of civilians were present. People from several communities, including Rakhine, Rohingya, Hindu and Daingnet communities, regularly visit the market.
“The latest attack raises serious concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities,” Türk said.
He stressed that all parties to an armed conflict must adhere to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution when conducting attacks.
“These attacks are a stark reminder of the terrible suffering of civilians across the country. But nowhere is the situation more dire than for the people of Rakhine State,” he said.
Myanmar has faced years of severe violence and widespread allegations of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, enforced disappearances, forced labour and forced recruitment into the military.
The Rohingya have been particularly affected. Both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army have faced allegations of human rights violations.
The attack came just hours before Malaysia began implementing a plan to deport around 5,000 Myanmar nationals. Türk had urged Malaysian authorities to immediately halt the deportation process.
He has repeatedly called on countries not to return people to Myanmar given the ongoing human rights crisis.
“This is not the time to forcibly return anyone to a country plagued by serious human rights violations and abuses,” Türk said, warning that returnees could face a real risk of being subjected to further violence.
Under the international legal principle of non-refoulement, people must not be forcibly returned to a country where they face a risk of persecution, torture, serious harm or other grave human rights violations.
