“The suffering of the people of Myanmar has deepened,“said Farhan Haq, the UN deputy spokesman, pointing to the escalation of military airstrikes affecting civilians, acute food insecurity and nearly 5.2 million displaced people, both within the country and across borders.
The Secretary-General, he added, remains “deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation” and its serious regional repercussions, including increased transnational crime, economic volatility and growing humanitarian needs.
Elections deepen divisions
The somber anniversary has coincided with the conclusion of three-phase elections imposed by the military, which UN officials say have further polarized society and intensified violence rather than providing a credible political path.
They warned that the military-controlled vote has aggravated the crisis rather than offering a route back to civilian rule.
The process “did not respect fundamental human rights” of Myanmar citizens and “only served to exacerbate violence and social polarization,” said Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Voting was held in only 263 of 330 municipalities, largely confined to urban areas under military control. Large swaths of conflict-affected regions were excluded, along with displaced populations and minorities, including the Rohingya.
The main opposition, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 2020 election in a landslide, was banned from participating. Dozens of other parties opposed to the military government were also banned, and many of their leaders remain detained.
Violence and coercion during voting
The voting period between December 2025 and January 2026 was reportedly marked by intense violence. Open sources documented 408 military airstrikes, which killed at least 170 civilians during the election period alone.
On 22 January, a military airstrike on a populated area in Bhamo township, Kachin State, reportedly killed up to 50 civilians, with no fighters reported.
To crack down on dissent, the military arrested 324 men and 80 women under a unilaterally adopted election protection law, even for minor online activities. In one case, a 49-year prison sentence was imposed for publishing anti-election material.
The humanitarian and economic cost increases
Political repression is unfolding alongside a rapidly worsening humanitarian and economic crisis.
Nearly a quarter of Myanmar’s population now faces high levels of acute food insecurity, while more than a third are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian access has been repeatedly obstructed, including in Rakhine State, where desperately needed aid to hungry communities has been blocked.
Myanmar’s economy has lost nearly $100 billion since the coup, and gross domestic product (GDP) is not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels for years.
“The usurpation of power by the military has also been accompanied by disastrous mismanagement of the country’s economy,”said Mr. Türk.
An internally displaced persons camp in Kayah (Karenni) state, eastern Myanmar.
Crimes under investigation
At the same time, accountability mechanisms warn that serious international crimes against civilians continue unabated.
Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, said there is evidence that civilians across the country have suffered atrocities amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes since the military takeover.
“The military has carried out airstrikes, indiscriminately or deliberately attacking civilians in their homes, hospitals and schools.“He said, adding that many detainees have been subjected to brutal torture.
The Mechanism is also investigating a growing number of allegations of atrocities committed by armed opposition groups.
Rohingya seek justice at world court
Amid the grim outlook, an independent human rights expert pointed to a rare moment of accountability when Rohingya survivors testified before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar.
Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews praised the courage of the survivors and said their testimony allows “the light of truth to shine through the darkness of the most horrendous crimes.”
He stressed that justice is not abstract, but “is based on the courage of individuals who are willing to speak truth to power.”
Mr Andrews has been appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to independently monitor and report on the situation in Myanmar. He is not a UN staff member and does not receive a salary from the Secretariat.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is hearing arguments relating to the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar.
Calls for unity and a civil future
The Secretary-General reiterated that a viable path back to civilian rule must be based on an immediate cessation of violence, a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue, and the rapid release of all arbitrarily detained leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.
“Regional and international unity and sustained commitment are needed,“The statement said:”support a Myanmar-led solution that fully addresses the root causes of the conflict, ensures accountability and responds to immediate humanitarian and development needs.”
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar, Julie Bishop, continues to engage with all stakeholders, in close cooperation with ASEAN and regional partners, in seeking common ground towards a lasting resolution and sustainable peace.