HRC41: Oral Statement during ID with Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

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

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Elaine Hanlon

Thank you Mr President,

CSW welcomes the report of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar and its subsequent work, however we remain concerned that the report’s recommendations have not yet been implemented.

Over 700,000 predominantly Muslim Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh, thousands have been killed, and hundreds of villages have been burned. Reports of the atrocities perpetrated during the mass violence against the Rohingyas include the burning of homes, schools and mosques, burning people to death inside their homes, mass rape, torture, execution without trial, and the blocking of humanitarian aid.

In the predominantly Christian Kachin state, widespread conflict between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army has led to thousands of civilian deaths, and the displacement of over 120,000 people.

Despite evidence of these egregious human rights violations, among others, insufficient action has been taken by both the government of Myanmar and the international community to ensure justice is served.

We call on Myanmar to hold the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide accountable and ensure they are brought to justice.

In addition to the Rohingyas, other Muslims in Myanmar have also faced violations of freedom of religion or belief, including the closure of mosques, demolition of homes and schools, discrimination in the judicial system and elsewhere, mob violence and hate speech.

CSW calls on Myanmar to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is fully respected in accordance with the principles laid out in the UDHR.

We also call on Myanmar to introduce legislation to address hate speech, while being careful to protect and enhance freedom of expression.

CSW welcomes the release of Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and the release of Dumdaw Nawng Lat, Langjaw Gam Seng, and Nang Pu in Kachin, however we remain concerned for the situation of freedom of expression in Myanmar.

We call on the government of Myanmar to immediately release all those detained in connection with the exercise of freedom of expression, including Lum Zawng and Zau Jat, who were charged with defamation of the Myanmar Army under Article 500 ofthe Penal Code, for their role in a peaceful rally on 30 April 2018.

Thank you