-HAMILTON, Canada

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned that the humanitarian, political and security crisis in Myanmar has deepened five years after the military seized power, citing widespread human rights violations, mass displacement and escalating violence.

"Five years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically-elected Government, the suffering of the people of Myanmar has deepened," said a statement by Guterres' spokesperson Farhan Haq, noting that "the cycle of impunity persists, with widespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law."

"The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its serious regional ramifications," the statement said, pointing to rising transnational crime, economic volatility, acute food insecurity and "mass displacement, nearly 5.2 million people, internally and across borders."

Highlighting the "escalating violence, particularly the ongoing airstrikes by the military hitting civilian populations and infrastructure," Guterres said he "strongly condemns all forms of violence."

Urging all sides to act responsibly, the statement said the UN chief called on parties to "exercise maximum restraint, uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law and enable safe, sustained and unimpeded access for the United Nations and its partners to deliver humanitarian assistance."

Reaffirming support for democratic aspirations, Guterres said he "continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful and just society," stressing the need to protect all communities, including Rohingya Muslims.

He repeated calls for "the swift release of all those arbitrarily detained, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi," emphasizing "regional and international unity and sustained engagement are needed" to support a Myanmar-led solution.

The statement added that the UN's Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, continues to engage with stakeholders in cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and regional partners to pursue a durable resolution and sustainable peace.