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 Special Rapporteur’s timely update to the Council, which comes ahead of Myanmar’s general election in November.

The past five years have seen very grave setbacks, with a fragile democratisation process increasingly undermined. There is evidence of significant regression in some areas, particularly freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). An increase in hate speech, fuelled by militant Buddhist nationalism, is also of great concern, especially in the run up to the election. Human rights defenders, journalists, and individuals expressing dissenting views continue to be harassed and prosecuted for exercising their rights, further eroding the space available for the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms.

CSW urges the international community to monitor the forthcoming elections in November 2020 and urges Myanmar to ensure the elections are free and fair and that religious nationalism is not used to exacerbate violence, confrontation, discrimination and hatred during the election campaign.

Rohingyas continue to have their citizenship rights denied under the 1982 Citizenship Law, rendering them stateless. Recommendations made by the fact-finding mission and UN Rapporteurs calling for a restoration of citizenship rights for the Rohingya remain ignored, despite the fact the Rohingyas have lived in Myanmar for several centuries, and certainly many generations. The law has a very serious impact on the Rohingya population, who continue to live in the country without citizenship rights such as the right to vote, to move freely, or to access basic services.

CSW once again urges Myanmar to amend or repeal the 1982 Citizenship Law, allowing the Rohingya full citizenship rights, including the right to vote in the November elections. We further call for a repeal of all legislation that discriminates against religious and ethnic minorities, including laws that limit religious conversion and interfaith marriage.

Thank you.