HRC53: Oral statement during written update with the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Item 4:Written Update with the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW thanks the High Commissioner for his timely report.

The military continues to commit egregious acts of violence against civilians in Myanmar, particularly in the country’s minority ethnic areas.

We echo the report’s concerns regarding the magnification of the humanitarian crisis as airstrikes continue against civilians.

The documented patterns of the military preventing humanitarian aid access following airstrikes, and in some cases trying to arrest injured persons, are especially troubling.

Attacks on civilians are consistent with the military’s approach both before and since it seized power in February 2021.

According to the Free Burma Rangers, from 6 to 8 June, 26 people were killed by the military in southern Shan State. Fourteen were shot dead in the village of Moebya, while 12 more were killed by mortar fire in the Moebya area.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 3,600 people have been killed since the coup.

This Council must do more to bring an end to this violence. We welcome the arms embargo and targeted sanctions imposed by many Member States, but we urge those who have not yet done so to join these efforts, and to ensure that they are co-ordinated for maximum effect.

We also reiterate our call on Member States to support existing and potential accountability mechanisms to ensure that the military is not permitted to commit atrocity crimes with impunity.

Thank you.