Myanmar was plunged into chaos after a 2021 coup ousteddemocratically elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi

AFP/ The Daily Star(Bangladesh), Published:July 7, 2023 9:20 AM | Last updated: July 7, 2023 9:20 AM

The United Nations on Thursday urged the internationalcommunity to deny Myanmar's junta access to foreign weapons and currency as theconflict-wracked country's humanitarian crisis deepens.

Myanmar was plunged into chaos after a 2021 coup ousteddemocratically elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking fightingbetween the military, ethnic rebel groups and newer "People's DefenceForces".

The UN and human rights groups have denounced alleged rightsviolations including attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, arbitraryarrests, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and torture.

"We need to prevent the supply of arms to the militaryand to analyse the economic interests that are behind it," said UN humanrights chief Volker Turk.

In a new report presented to the UN Human Rights Council,Turk also called for "targeted measures" to limit the generals'access to "foreign currency, aviation fuel and other means that enableattacks on Myanmar's people".

The UN's special rapporteur on human rights for theSoutheast Asian nation, Thomas Andrews, said foreign currency allowed the juntato buy arms, supply its weapons factories and refuel combat aircraft.

He added that other countries should join the United Statesin sanctioning Myanmar's financial institutions and urged greater coordinationamong governments that have already imposed sanctions.

Turk accused the military of razing villages and said 3,747people have died at the hands of the military since it took power, with morethan 23,000 arrested.

Up to 40 aid workers have been killed since the coup, headded.

More than 15 million people urgently need food and nutritionsupport, he added, saying the army was deliberately preventing aid fromreaching populations left stricken after the destruction caused by CycloneMocha.

The UN has already warned that obstruction or denial ofhumanitarian assistance may amount to serious violations of international humanrights and humanitarian laws.

File photo: Smokes and firesfrom Thantlang, in Chin State, where over 160 buildings have been destroyedcaused by shelling from Junta military troops AFP