During the onset of COVID-19 in March, Antonio Guerterrez, Security General of the United Nations conveyed a simple message - "To silence the guns, we must raise the voices for peace." In uniting for the global battle against COVID-19, he proposed a global ceasefire to create diplomatic solutions and open humanitarian access. Despite limited global resonance in Libya and Afghanistan, this shift towards peace has not been widespread. A primary example of a shift away from this trend is the current trajectory for escalation in Myanmar.
Amidst newfound challenges during COVID-19, Myanmar’s military has led a campaign of renewed aggression in Rakhine. In April, the Tatmadaw, otherwise referred to as the Rohingya Army, escalated its campaign against the Arakan Army, a group, according to Al Jazeera, that “seek{s} greater autonomy for ethnic Rakhine people.” Burmese military history is replete with examples of “attacks and rights abuses” and “battled armed groups seeking more independence from the Burmese-dominated central government.” Despite a vulnerable health system and potential for a larger outbreak, Myanmar’s central government is adamant on continued military campaigns deeming the Arakan Army a “terrorist group” and concluding calls for ceasefire as “unrealistic.” Arakan opposition leaders claim that the Burmese military is taking advantage of international preoccupation with the coronavirus to divert international pressure.
According to the Guardian, the situation is only worsening as Yanghee Lee, a UN special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, said that “military is increasingly targeting civilians, using tactics reminiscent of the 2017 assault against Rohingya that caused global outrage: homes have been burned, civilians detained and disappeared.”
The current escalation continues a track record of past military abuse and human rights violations. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the Rohingya, many of which reside in the largely impoverished Northern state of Rakhine, as “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world.” A recent UN report has, thereby, classified Myannmar’s military killings as “genocidal intent.” The UN has further described the killings of innocent civilians as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Dubbed boat people, the Rohingya are forced to use whatever means necessary to flee from extreme and perpetual violence. Human rights groups have indicated that Rohingya migrants suffer “horrific” conditions aboard ships. Often, 3,000 to 4,000 migrants pack onto cramped ships with cramped living conditions, poor sanitation, and limited food/water. The Myanmar government, including Aung San Suu Kyi, has stood firm denying the abundance of genocidal evidence.
What are the implications of continued military violence in Myanmar right now? Many analysts agree that decades of elevated military spending has diverted critical funds and fostered a “neglected” health system rendering Myanmar “ill-prepared” to COVID-19. Decades of military rule and lack of transparency have prompted Myanmar to “dedicate a share of the national budget on the armed forces to fight insurgencies, pay soldiers and officers, build defense industries and procure weapons from abroad.” As a result of chronic underfunding, the WHO deems Myannmar’s health system as the worst in the world. Linter of the Asia Times explains that “Myanmar recorded a total of 50,503 confirmed cases and 1,199 deaths'' which may only be the “tip of the Covid-19 iceberg considering there are no nationwide health services for testing and treating patients.” Lack of adequate medicinal distribution, medical equipment, as well as overflowing hospitals are creating a challenging situation for the people of Myanmar. Despite internal policy relief efforts, Myannmar’s economy has suffered a 2.5% contraction, reversing its poverty-reducing progress according to the World Bank. Clearly, military overreach has contributed to both an economic and public health crisis in Myanmar.
Violence has also directly harmed the health system of the Rakhine State. The International Crisis Group reports that “conflict has drawn its attention away from pandemic preparedness and response” putting added pressure on a vulnerable health system in the conflict prone Northern state.
To avoid drastic escalation, persistence and pressure is needed to encourage officials in Myanmar to reform. The UN and other multilateral organizations must maintain pressure for the betterment of stability in the region.
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