UN officials have expressed their strong concern over the Myanmar junta airstrikes on Pazigyi Village in Sagaing Region 11 April that resulted in the death of about 100 people and the injury of many others.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement issued 11 April, strongly condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Mr. Guterres offered his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He also called for the injured to be allowed urgent medical treatment and access to assistance.
“The Secretary-General condemns all forms of violence and reaffirms the primacy of protection of civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the statement reported by UN News says.
The Secretary-General reiterated his appeal for the military to “end the campaign of violence against the Myanmar population throughout the country”, in line with a Security Council resolution adopted in December.
Resolution 2669 demands an immediate end to all forms of violence in Myanmar. It further calls for restraint, de-escalation of tensions and the release of all prisoners.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said he was horrified by reports of the airstrikes by Myanmar fighter jets on a community hall in the Sagaing region that killed dozens of people, including women and children.
“It appears schoolchildren performing dances, as well as other civilians, attending an opening ceremony at the hall in Pazi Gyi village, Kanbalu Township were among the victims. A helicopter gunship then reportedly fired on those fleeing the hall. Media reported as many as 100 people may have been killed,” he said in his statement.
“Despite clear legal obligations for the military to protect civilians in the conduct of hostilities, there has been blatant disregard for the related rules of international law.
“I also call on all parties to take all feasible precautions to protect the civilian population that is under their control from the effects of attacks, including by avoiding locating military objectives within or near densely populated areas.
“As I have previously noted, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the military and its affiliated militias are responsible for an extremely broad range of human rights violations and abuses since 1 February 2021, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes.
“I firmly believe the international justice processes now underway will one day hold the military leadership accountable for such crimes,” his statement says.
