[Today’s Prayer] UN "Human rights situation in Myanmar.. Blocking humanitarian aid also a war crime"

The United Nations criticized the sharp increase in war crimes by the military regime in Myanmar, including the interception of humanitarian aid supplies.

According to foreign media such as Reuters on the 1st, the UN Human Rights Office emphasized the urgent need for measures for the survival and basic rights of the people of Myanmar in a report published the day before.

"The military government killed thousands of civilians and destroyed food, housing, hospitals and other facilities, necessary for survival," the report said.

The United Nations said that after the February 2021 coup, around 60,000 civilian buildings were burned or destroyed in Myanmar, and around 1.5 million people became refugees. There is a need for supply for 17.6 million people, which is around a third of the population.

According to the United Nations, at least 3,452 people were killed by the military government after the coup after April; 21,807 people were arrested and 5,839 were convicted.

Of these, 154 were sentenced to death, and four were executed.

"The overall human rights situation in Myanmar has reached a critical level," said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office. “As the military government cut off humanitarian aid, the situation has worsened” she said

"The intentional obstruction or refusal of humanitarian aid, constitutes a grave violation of international law and a war crime, such as intentional murder or torture," she pointed out.

She also added, "Amid the damage caused by Cyclone Mocha, blocking relief supplies will bring greater pain and misery."

Myanmar's military claimed that the general elections in November 2020, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory but it was a fraudulent election, and staged a coup following year February 1st and bloodily suppressed the opposing forces. The United Nations Independent Investigation Agency in Myanmar (IIMM) also expressed concern that war crimes are rapidly increasing as the military government has recently expanded air strikes and poured shell bombs on civilians.

According to local media Irrawaddy, the IIMM collected more than 700 materials, including documents, photos and videos, to collect evidence of war crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual assault, torture, and illegal detention.

IIMM plans to announce the results of its final investigation into war crimes in Myanmar on the 8th of next month and submit them to the Human Rights Council in September.

Source: The Korea Economic Daily

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isiah 66:2)

We hear the sad news that; for more than two years since the February 2021 coup, the tyranny of Myanmar's military regime has gone too far and that measures are urgently needed for the survival and basic rights of Myanmar's people. Survival facilities have been destroyed and about 1.5 million people have been become refugees but the military continues to impede humanitarian aid.

Lord please show mercy to those who have no desire to live, in the midst of cyclonic damage and no humanitarian relief supplies being shared.

May the kingdom of God be open to the poor bodies and hearts of the souls of Myanmar, which was built by your hands. And may a way for supplies and Gospel to go in Myanmar. Let the global churches pray and gather their hearts for Myanmar and serve with the same heart as the Lord who desires not to lose a soul.

As we remember how Jesus served, please send those who will lament on behalf of the Myanmar people, hear the Lord's words, and tremble, so that they will welcome Jesus the Shepherd, as their saviour.

Also, let the local churches in Myanmar, share their own belonging and serve their neighbours, covering the broken hearts, and work hard to preach the gospel.