HRC49: Oral statement during ID with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

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 thanks the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar for his ongoing work and update to the Council.

Just over a year ago, the Myanmar military seized power in a coup. Since then, the country has been plunged into an appalling political, economic, humanitarian, and human rights crisis. More than 800,000 people have been displaced from the country – double the number who were displaced before the coup. Thousands have been killed and imprisoned by the military.

Most shocking has been the military’s use of air strikes against civilians. These attacks have been accompanied by murder, torture, sexual violence, rape, property destruction and the deliberate blocking of humanitarian assistance.

While the military has attacked all persons, severe attacks have occurred in border areas where ethnic minorities live. Three main areas of attack, Chin, Kayah and Karen State, have significant Christian populations.

For example, civilian areas in Kayah and Chin States have faced an onslaught of rocket attacks and deliberate arson by soldiers, destroying homes, businesses, churches, and even an IDP camp.

Kayah State has been particularly targeted by the military. At least half of the state’s population has been forced to flee their homes, including more than two-thirds of the Catholic population. At least 35 civilians were burned alive on 24 December 2021 in Kayah State. Civilians have been used as human shields and landmines have been placed in residential areas.

Muslims throughout the country, and especially Rohingyas, continue to face grinding persecution at the hands of a military regime driven by extreme Buddhist nationalism that has also imprisoned dissenting Buddhist monks. Some Muslims detained by the military have been forced to ingest pork.

CSW calls on the military to cease attacks on civilians, including on places of worship, religious leaders, and people delivering humanitarian assistance.

We urge Member States to continue to impose robust, targeted sanctions against the Myanmar military and military-owned enterprises.

Thank you.