Naypyidaw: The human rights situation in Myanmar has reached a new low, with intensifying abuses against the Rohingya and the destructive impact of illicit economies, including illegal rare-earth mining, as detailed in a recent report by the UN Human Rights Office. ‘This report depicts a picture of suffering, misery, and cruelty on multiple levels and across the country that is heartbreaking,’ stated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk. He urged states, companies, and investors to re-evaluate their roles and consider if their actions are just for the people of Myanmar.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the report outlines how consistent violence and a conflict-driven economy expose civilians to extreme suffering. Covering the period from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, it highlights the military’s relentless pursuit of control, worsening the humanitarian situation. Military strategies impose fear and control, aided by advanced surveillance technologies.
The report emphasizes military violence against civilians, including airstrikes, arson, displacement, and denial of aid. It documents widespread abuses by both the Myanmar military and the ‘Arakan Army’ against the Rohingya, nine years after the violence of 2017. The Arakan Army has committed arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, forced labor, and unlawful land confiscation, causing renewed Rohingya displacement.
Children are systematically exploited for labor, with some as young as six forced into menial tasks. Witnesses described a child cleaning remains from a massacre. Rohingya seeking to escape forced recruitment face arrest, with some girls resorting to early marriage to avoid conscription. Detainees report severe mistreatment, including beatings, burns, and torture.
The absence of law has enabled illicit economies, financing conflict and exacerbating the crisis. Illegal mining, drug production, human trafficking, and other crimes continue to rise. The economic collapse and displacement create a labor market ripe for exploitation, with civilians trapped in a cycle of violations.
Unregulated resource exploitation has destroyed environments and livelihoods, especially in minority areas. Illicit economies and rare-earth mining in Kachin and Shan have bolstered criminal networks, irresponsible business practices, and environmental contamination. Satellite images show a sharp increase in mining sites, with financial investigations revealing a complex web of illicit gains.
Massive toxic runoff from mining pollutes waterways, causing severe health issues, particularly affecting maternal health. Economic hardship, displacement, and forced conscription have driven women into the mining sector, increasing risks of sexual violence. The report notes the lack of safety standards, with workers suffering from various health conditions due to prolonged exposure to toxic substances.
Toxic wastewater affects agricultural land, decreasing soil fertility and harming farmers’ incomes. The report underscores the urgent need for action to address the multifaceted human rights crisis in Myanmar.