HRC59: Oral statement on situation of human rights in Myanmar

Item 4:Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and an oral update of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the High Commissioner for his latest report and the Special Rapporteur for his oral update.

Egregious violations continue with impunity. The devastating March earthquake further deepened civilian suffering, especially for Christian and Muslim communities, due to aid being weaponized to legitimize military control in conflict affected areas. Meanwhile, the military continued airstrikes targeting religious and ethnic communities in Kachin and Karen State and is proceeding with plans for a sham election without addressing the urgent needs of earthquake-affected communities.

Since 1990s, discriminatory administrative procedures and practices have hindered renovation and construction of minorities’ places of worship, these challenges now compounded as the earthquake destroyed many religious sites. It is concerning that many Muslims’ earthquake damaged sites remain without approval to rebuild.

We are also deeply concerned by ongoing violations against women and girls, particularly in post-earthquake contexts. The military has systematically weaponized rape and the use of sexual violence in conflict zones and detention facilities. Women in detention have repeatedly reported instances of torture and sexual harassment committed by prison personnel.

We call on Myanmar’s military to cease the direct targeting and monitoring of minority religious groups, and to end the systemic use of sexual and gender-based violence.

We urge Member States to strengthen their cooperation with the ICC and ICJ and other accountability mechanisms to hold Myanmar’s military accountable for crimes against humanity, including religious persecution.

As the High Commissioner mentioned in his report, breaking the patterns of impunity is vital for preventing future crises’.

Thank you.