UN Envoy Warns of Myanmar Crisis

The UN special envoy for Myanmar, Julie Bishop, has warned that the country is in a severe crisis marked by escalating conflict, rampant criminal networks, and unprecedented human suffering. In her report to the UN General Assembly's human rights committee, she emphasized the need for Myanmar's actors to abandon a zero-sum mentality to facilitate peace. Since the military coup in February 2021, three ethnic armed militias have gained ground, displacing approximately 3 million people and leaving 18.6 million in need of humanitarian aid. Bishop called for an immediate cessation of violence and highlighted the proliferation of transnational crime, making Myanmar a hub for organized crime. She has engaged with various stakeholders, including the military leadership and ethnic groups, and will continue diplomatic efforts in neighboring countries to address the crisis. The urgency for dialogue and humanitarian access remains critical as the region faces escalating implications from Myanmar's turmoil.