HRC53: Oral statement during ID with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

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

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update and for his vital work.

On 7 April Reverend Dr Hkalam Samson was sentenced to six years imprisonment on charges of unlawful association, defaming the state, and terrorism.

Reverend Samson has been targeted by the military because he is an outspoken advocate for human rights and a critic of the illegitimate regime.

There are thousands like him; according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 23,000 political prisoners have been arrested since the coup took place in February 2021, and over 19,000 remain detained.

We call for Reverend Samson’s immediate and unconditional release, and for that of all other political prisoners in Myanmar.

The military’s brazen act to arrest, jail and prosecute one of Myanmar’s most prominent Christian pastors is a sign of how hostile this regime is to religious minorities in the country.

CSW is deeply concerned by reports of attacks on churches and communities in Christian-majority states such as Chin and Kachin states, and by new regulations in the former that require Christians living in areas under martial law to register seven days before attending worship services.

We call on the military to cease its attacks on civilian populations, and to lift any restrictions it has imposed on the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Finally, we continue to call on this Council to co-ordinate sanctions and other measures aimed at ending oppressive military rule in Myanmar.

Thank you.