Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President.

CSW welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur and thanks him for his continued work.

Political prisoners have been subjected to torture, harsh prison conditions and refusal of proper medical treatment. Since the 2021 coup, 158 people have been sentenced to death by the junta in closed military-controlled courts and four democracy activists were executed in July 2022. The judicial executions were the first to take place in the country since 1990 and demonstrated the regime’s total lack of regard for international law, including the rights to life and a fair trial. 

The UN Security Council has repeatedly called for the cessation of violence in Myanmar and the release of all prisoners, and yet the military junta continues to act with impunity. CSW calls upon the UNSC to take concrete action by adopting a binding resolution to enforce a comprehensive arms embargo and refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.

Prominent Kachin Christian leader Rev. Hkalam Samson, who is internationally known for his humanitarian and community work is currently serving a six-year prison sentence on unfounded charges. He has had to endure interrogations, cramped conditions and malnutrition. From outer appearances he is greatly changed by his imprisonment, yet he maintains a strong faith and the will to survive.

The global community must act to hasten the end of this regime and hold perpetrators to account. CSW calls upon member states to press on with coordinated sanctions that sever the military’s supply of finances and arms.

Thank you.