GENEVA - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Tuesday deplored military airstrikes that reportedly killed at least 50 people, including vendors, customers, transport workers and other civilians - among them children and women, at a market in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine State.
In one of the deadliest attacks carried out in Rakhine since the coup of February 2021, the military reportedly hit Kyauktaw township at around midday on Monday. At least 58 people were also reportedly injured. The casualty count is expected to rise.
Reports said Monday's strikes occurred during a busy period when large numbers of civilians were present in and around the market of over 200 shops operated by members of multiple communities, including Rakhine, Rohingya, Hindu, Daingnet, and other groups.
"This latest attack raises serious concerns about respect for international humanitarian law with respect to the conduct of hostilities," the High Commissioner said. "Under this law, warring parties must abide by the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack."
"The strikes underline the grave plight faced by civilians across the country - but none more so than in Rakhine State," said Türk. "For years now, Myanmar has been wracked by extreme violence, and the country's population has been subjected to pervasive human rights violations and abuses."
He pointed to continued reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, enforced disappearance, forced labour and forced recruitment - in particular impacting the Rohingya, by both the army and the Arakan Army.
The attack in Kyauktaw came just hours before Malaysia started to implement a plan to deport some 5,000 Myanmar nationals. The High Commissioner called on the Malaysian authorities to immediately halt the process.
The High Commissioner has consistently appealed that no individual be deported to Myanmar, given the severity of the situation on the ground.
"This is no time to return any one forcibly to a country plagued by egregious human rights violations and abuses, and where many cruelly face the real risk of more of the same violence again upon their return," he said.
Further to the principle of non-refoulement, States are prohibited under international law from returning people to countries where they face persecution, torture, serious harm or other serious human rights violations.
"There can be little doubt as to what awaits many returnees. The conditions are far from safe and sustainable, and it is deeply questionable whether any return in these circumstances can be considered truly voluntary," the High Commissioner said. "Instead, other States need to step up and support countries hosting refugees, like Bangladesh and Malaysia, with alternative solutions."
"The hundreds of thousands who have fled Myanmar in fear for their lives must be protected, and their fundamental human rights to seek asylum and protection abroad properly considered, in line with international law," Türk said.
