UN calls on Myanmar junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi

The United Nations called for full amnesty for jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others detained since the 2021 coup as it condemned the junta’s more than 100 military strikes in the earthquake-ravaged country.

- SHWETA SHARMA

Fighting across civil war-ravaged Myanmar has continued as the military was accused of breaching the ceasefire declaration even as a catastrophic earthquake killed more than 3,600 people, with 5,018 injured and 145 missing.

The true extent of the devastation caused by the powerful 7.7magnitude earthquake on 28 March remains unknown as the continuing civil war in the country between the military and rebel ethnic groups has fractured the country, with many parts out of the junta’s control.

Yesterday, the UN criticised the military government for breaching the ceasefire and obstructing humanitarian aid to survivors in rebel-held territories. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UNHCR, said military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks, more than half of them after the truce was due to have taken effect on 2 April.

Most of these attacks have been aerial and artillery strikes, including in areas impacted by the earthquake, she said.