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Spike in Myanmar Violence Could Plunge Country Into 'Human Rights
Catastrophe', UN Warns

VOA News

   The United Nationshighcommissioner forhumanrightssaid Fridaythat
   violenceinMyanmar is rising,deepeningthecrisisthat began withthe
   February 1 coupthat toppled the elected governmentofAungSanSuuKyi.

   "In just over four months,Myanmarhas gone from being a fragile
   democracy to a human rights catastrophe," Michelle Bachelet said in a
   statementinGeneva, Switzerland.

   Bacheletput the blame onthe military leadership,known as theTatmadaw,
   saying itwas "singularly responsible" for the crisisand "must be held
   to account."

   "State security forces have continued to use heavy weaponry, including
   air strikes, against armed groups and against civilians and civilian
   objects, including Christian churches," she said.

   "The international community needs to unify in its demand that the
   Tatmadaw cease the outrageous use of heavy artillery against civilians
   and civilian objects," Bachelet said.

   Bachelet's officesaid there arecredible reports that at least 860
   people have been killed by security forces since February 1, and more
   than 4,800 people,includingopponents of the junta,activistsof civil
   society andjournalists,have been arbitrarilydetained.

   The U.N. human rights chief will brief the Human Rights Council on the
   situation in Myanmar during its next session in July, the office said.

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