Agenda Item 4: ID with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (oral update)

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President,

CSW welcomes the oral progress report of the Special Rapporteur and reaffirms support for the mandate’s work and dedication to human rights.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created grave concerns for Myanmar, whose health system and ability to conduct testing are weak, with only 6.1 doctors per 10,000 people, well below the WHO’s recommended minimum. Of particular concern is the potentially devastating impact of the virus if it were to spread through overcrowded IDP and refugee camps on Myanmar’s borders, where many of the country’s displaced ethnic and religious minorities now reside.

We call on the international community to act urgently by providing aid and to insist on unhindered humanitarian access to all parts of the country.

Another obstacle to successfully containing COVID-19 is the continued conflict in some parts of the country. The continued fighting in Rakhine and Chin states between the Myanmar military and the ethnic armed group, the Arakan Army, has led to the displacement of at least 100,000 civilians.

We call on Myanmar to fully enforce a nationwide ceasefire, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

CSW also remains concerned by the woefully insufficient action to provide accountability for the atrocities perpetrated against the Rohingya. Although we welcome the fact that Myanmar has been ordered to report to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) every six months on their compliance with ‘provisional measures’ to prevent genocide, we continue to be concerned at the lack of justice for the victims.

We call on the government of Myanmar to comply with the ruling of the ICJ and ensure that there is an intensification of measures to prevent genocide and stop crimes against humanity.

Thank you