Overview

Five years after the military coup, armed conflict escalated further. A powerful earthquake and US aid cuts exacerbated the suffering of civilians. A record number of air strikes were carried out during military offensives, with several major attacks on schools killing dozens of students. Hospitals, religious buildings and other civilian infrastructure were also targeted. Forced labour was used by the military and armed groups, and in scam compounds where people were at risk of human trafficking and torture. Military authorities invoked laws to crack down on freedom of expression, especially any criticism of junta-organized elections that started in December. Torture and other ill-treatment in prisons continued, including the denial of adequate healthcare, causing deaths in custody. While most violations were carried out by the military, armed groups also violated the rights of civilians, using forced labour, forced recruitment, beatings and attacks on informants.